Firefighting Principles and Practices; 2nd Edition Study Guide (219
Questions with COMPLETE SOLUTION)
The three most important chemical elements particular to firefighting are Correct Answer: Carbon,
Hydrogen, Oxygen
Common materials that burn all contain the chemical element of Correct Answer: Carbon (Paper, wood,
cloth, plastic, flammable liquids)
When oxygen combines with a combustible material (fuel) and heat is introduced, the combination
creates Correct Answer: Combustion
Combustible materials contain energy of Correct Answer: Potential
Heat energy always moves from Correct Answer: Warm to cool/Hot to cold
Heat energy is measured in Correct Answer: BTU's
The reaction of heat being absorbed is Correct Answer: Endothermic Reaction
The reaction of heat being released is Correct Answer: Exothermic Reaction
A measurement of the intensity of heat at a given moment and location is called Correct Answer:
Temperature
A material that has its electrons reduced and becomes oxidized by an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen) is
and aka Correct Answer: Fuel aka Reducing agent
Intermediate combustion products from flaming combustion are composed of free ions and or
molecular fragments called Correct Answer: Free Radicals
Free Radicals fulfill the ______ side of the fire tetrahedron Correct Answer: Chemical chain reaction
A substance that speeds or retards combustion without joining in it is called Correct Answer: Catalyst
Plastics burn the way they do because they contain large amounts of Correct Answer: Hydrogen and
Carbon
Petroleum products when burning produce thick black smoke because they contain Correct Answer:
High amount of carbon
Water can only absorb ______ energy Correct Answer: Thermal/Heat
Preventing flashover in a specific location can be accomplished by Correct Answer: Cooling the ceiling
area
Thick black smoke exiting through an opening followed by a sudden burst of flame is termed Correct
Answer: Vent Point Ignition
, Substances used to put out fire are called Correct Answer: Extinguishing agents
The two decisions to make regarding applying water are Correct Answer: Flow (GPM) and Form (Fog,
Straight, Broken)
The minimum flow (GPM) needed to extinguish a fire is called Correct Answer: Critical Flow Rate
Theoretically, the amount of water needed to absorb the heat of 1lb of burning wood is Correct Answer:
1 Gallon (Half that in reality)
Steams ability to extinguish is based on a limited to no amount of Correct Answer: Ventilation
Steam (produced at 212 degrees F) is invisible, so if a white water vapor is seen it means Correct
Answer: The temperature of the vapor has cooled below boiling and is now condensing
The two most serious disadvantages of using a fog stream incorrectly are Correct Answer: 1) It can fan
the fire 2) The low pressure area at the nozzle can attract heat and smoke
Using a fog stream on a flammable liquid fire is Correct Answer: Ineffective
Water applied on a material containing sodium will Correct Answer: React Violently
Water applied to calcium chloride will generate Correct Answer: Acetylene
A simple rule of thumb of when it is dangerous to apply water on a substance is Correct Answer: If the
substances first name ends in "um" and the second name ends in "ide" (Calcium Carbide)
From the fire tetrahedron, water extinguishes by removal of Correct Answer: Heat (cools the source
below emitting vapors)
Protein foam is unsuitable for use on liquids that are Correct Answer: Polar Solvent
The GPM of a nozzle used for foam must be matched with the GPM of Correct Answer: Eductor
A type of foam for structural fires or other confined areas used to completely engulf the fire, applied
with the use of a fan or similar is Correct Answer: High Expansion Foam
A remedy to prevent "Block Pressure" when using high expansion foam is to Correct Answer: Cut a small
hole above the area where the foam is applied
Monoammonium phosphate (Dry Chemical) can be used on class(s) Correct Answer: A, B, C
A simple formula for the GPM needed or "Ideal Flow Rate" at a fire is Correct Answer: V/100 = GPM;
Volume (cubic feet of fire) divided by 100 equals GPM needed
The "Ideal Flow rate" answers the firegrounds calculated needs of Correct Answer: Water,
Manpower/Personnel, Pumpers/Engines
Questions with COMPLETE SOLUTION)
The three most important chemical elements particular to firefighting are Correct Answer: Carbon,
Hydrogen, Oxygen
Common materials that burn all contain the chemical element of Correct Answer: Carbon (Paper, wood,
cloth, plastic, flammable liquids)
When oxygen combines with a combustible material (fuel) and heat is introduced, the combination
creates Correct Answer: Combustion
Combustible materials contain energy of Correct Answer: Potential
Heat energy always moves from Correct Answer: Warm to cool/Hot to cold
Heat energy is measured in Correct Answer: BTU's
The reaction of heat being absorbed is Correct Answer: Endothermic Reaction
The reaction of heat being released is Correct Answer: Exothermic Reaction
A measurement of the intensity of heat at a given moment and location is called Correct Answer:
Temperature
A material that has its electrons reduced and becomes oxidized by an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen) is
and aka Correct Answer: Fuel aka Reducing agent
Intermediate combustion products from flaming combustion are composed of free ions and or
molecular fragments called Correct Answer: Free Radicals
Free Radicals fulfill the ______ side of the fire tetrahedron Correct Answer: Chemical chain reaction
A substance that speeds or retards combustion without joining in it is called Correct Answer: Catalyst
Plastics burn the way they do because they contain large amounts of Correct Answer: Hydrogen and
Carbon
Petroleum products when burning produce thick black smoke because they contain Correct Answer:
High amount of carbon
Water can only absorb ______ energy Correct Answer: Thermal/Heat
Preventing flashover in a specific location can be accomplished by Correct Answer: Cooling the ceiling
area
Thick black smoke exiting through an opening followed by a sudden burst of flame is termed Correct
Answer: Vent Point Ignition
, Substances used to put out fire are called Correct Answer: Extinguishing agents
The two decisions to make regarding applying water are Correct Answer: Flow (GPM) and Form (Fog,
Straight, Broken)
The minimum flow (GPM) needed to extinguish a fire is called Correct Answer: Critical Flow Rate
Theoretically, the amount of water needed to absorb the heat of 1lb of burning wood is Correct Answer:
1 Gallon (Half that in reality)
Steams ability to extinguish is based on a limited to no amount of Correct Answer: Ventilation
Steam (produced at 212 degrees F) is invisible, so if a white water vapor is seen it means Correct
Answer: The temperature of the vapor has cooled below boiling and is now condensing
The two most serious disadvantages of using a fog stream incorrectly are Correct Answer: 1) It can fan
the fire 2) The low pressure area at the nozzle can attract heat and smoke
Using a fog stream on a flammable liquid fire is Correct Answer: Ineffective
Water applied on a material containing sodium will Correct Answer: React Violently
Water applied to calcium chloride will generate Correct Answer: Acetylene
A simple rule of thumb of when it is dangerous to apply water on a substance is Correct Answer: If the
substances first name ends in "um" and the second name ends in "ide" (Calcium Carbide)
From the fire tetrahedron, water extinguishes by removal of Correct Answer: Heat (cools the source
below emitting vapors)
Protein foam is unsuitable for use on liquids that are Correct Answer: Polar Solvent
The GPM of a nozzle used for foam must be matched with the GPM of Correct Answer: Eductor
A type of foam for structural fires or other confined areas used to completely engulf the fire, applied
with the use of a fan or similar is Correct Answer: High Expansion Foam
A remedy to prevent "Block Pressure" when using high expansion foam is to Correct Answer: Cut a small
hole above the area where the foam is applied
Monoammonium phosphate (Dry Chemical) can be used on class(s) Correct Answer: A, B, C
A simple formula for the GPM needed or "Ideal Flow Rate" at a fire is Correct Answer: V/100 = GPM;
Volume (cubic feet of fire) divided by 100 equals GPM needed
The "Ideal Flow rate" answers the firegrounds calculated needs of Correct Answer: Water,
Manpower/Personnel, Pumpers/Engines
