,MNO2603 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 30 April 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.
Question 1 [2]
What was the primary cause of the Bank of Lisbon Building Fire?
The Bank of Lisbon Building Fire was caused by an electrical fault,
which means that something went wrong with the building’s electrical
system. This fault occurred in the electrical supply room—a place
where the building's electricity is controlled and distributed. Electrical
faults can happen for several reasons, such as: Old or damaged wiring
,Overloaded circuits (too many devices using power at once) ,Poor
maintenance of electrical systems ,Faulty or broken electrical
equipment
In this case, the electrical problem started a fire that spread quickly
because the building lacked proper fire safety measures, like sprinklers,
alarms, and fire extinguishers. Without these systems, the fire grew out
of control and became very dangerous, leading to the deaths of three
firefighters and highlighting serious safety problems in the building.
Question 2 [6]
Explain how you think this could have contributed to the rapid spread
of the fire. Identify and explain any three factors that leads to the
spread of fires in buildings using the information from the case study.
1. Electrical Fault
The initial cause of the fire was an electrical fault in the supply room.
, Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or poor maintenance can generate
enough heat or sparks to ignite flammable materials, making it a
common fire hazard in buildings.
2. Absence of Fire Detection Systems
The building lacked fire alarms and smoke detectors, which delayed
the identification of the fire. Early detection is crucial in containing fires
before they spread, and without it, the fire had time to intensify and
spread unnoticed.
3. Lack of Fire Suppression Systems
There were no sprinklers or fire extinguishers in place. These are
essential tools for stopping or controlling fires in their early stages. Their
absence allowed the fire to grow and move rapidly to other floors.
4. Defective or Inadequate Emergency Exits
Emergency exits were defective, reducing the ability of people to
evacuate quickly. Blocked or malfunctioning exits can cause panic and
confusion, and also slow down firefighter entry and rescue operations,
allowing the fire to spread more.
5. Clogged Stairwells
Stairwells were blocked, which are typically used as escape routes
during a fire. This blocked access not only trapped occupants but also
limited the firefighters’ movement, delaying their response and control
efforts.
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 30 April 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.
Question 1 [2]
What was the primary cause of the Bank of Lisbon Building Fire?
The Bank of Lisbon Building Fire was caused by an electrical fault,
which means that something went wrong with the building’s electrical
system. This fault occurred in the electrical supply room—a place
where the building's electricity is controlled and distributed. Electrical
faults can happen for several reasons, such as: Old or damaged wiring
,Overloaded circuits (too many devices using power at once) ,Poor
maintenance of electrical systems ,Faulty or broken electrical
equipment
In this case, the electrical problem started a fire that spread quickly
because the building lacked proper fire safety measures, like sprinklers,
alarms, and fire extinguishers. Without these systems, the fire grew out
of control and became very dangerous, leading to the deaths of three
firefighters and highlighting serious safety problems in the building.
Question 2 [6]
Explain how you think this could have contributed to the rapid spread
of the fire. Identify and explain any three factors that leads to the
spread of fires in buildings using the information from the case study.
1. Electrical Fault
The initial cause of the fire was an electrical fault in the supply room.
, Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or poor maintenance can generate
enough heat or sparks to ignite flammable materials, making it a
common fire hazard in buildings.
2. Absence of Fire Detection Systems
The building lacked fire alarms and smoke detectors, which delayed
the identification of the fire. Early detection is crucial in containing fires
before they spread, and without it, the fire had time to intensify and
spread unnoticed.
3. Lack of Fire Suppression Systems
There were no sprinklers or fire extinguishers in place. These are
essential tools for stopping or controlling fires in their early stages. Their
absence allowed the fire to grow and move rapidly to other floors.
4. Defective or Inadequate Emergency Exits
Emergency exits were defective, reducing the ability of people to
evacuate quickly. Blocked or malfunctioning exits can cause panic and
confusion, and also slow down firefighter entry and rescue operations,
allowing the fire to spread more.
5. Clogged Stairwells
Stairwells were blocked, which are typically used as escape routes
during a fire. This blocked access not only trapped occupants but also
limited the firefighters’ movement, delaying their response and control
efforts.
