STCW Basic Fire Fighting Questions &
Answers
Fire Triangle - ANSWER Oxygen, Heat, Fuel
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Liquid Fuels - ANSWER Vaporization - is the release of liquid's molecules into the
atmosphere, when vapors reach the *Flashpoint they ignite
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Volatility - ANSWER - Indicates the ability of a liquid to liberate into a gas
- The lower the boiling point, the more volatile
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Flame Point - ANSWER The lowest temperature at which the liquid emits adequate gas
to ignite with a flame.
(May be a light flicker because the liquid does not emit enough gas to keep the fire
alive)
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Combustive point - ANSWER The temperature where the liquid will emit so much gas,
that if ignited, it will continue to burn
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Self-Ignition Point - ANSWER The temperature at which the gas/air mixture will start to
burn by itself without being ignited by a flame or a spark
Categories of Combustion:
Spontaneous Ignition - ANSWER Occurs when a substance heats up and ignites itself
without any external heat source
Ex. fish flour, chemical substances, rags, waste from oil/paint and copra (coconut oil)
Categories of Combustion:
Inflammable Materials - ANSWER The material will ignite with a match and continue to
burn after ignition
Ex. paper, wood, textiles
, Categories of Combustion:
Non-flammable Materials - ANSWER Need a large supply of heat before it ignites and
will extinguish itself if the external heat source is removed
Ex. Wool, plaster, certain plastic products
An example of a Class B fire is: - ANSWER Flammable liquids
To extinguish a Class A fire, which is appropriate: - ANSWER Reduce the temperature -
> use cold water to lower the temp below the ignition point
Safe Practices - ANSWER Observe "No Smoking" Areas
Do not overload electrical outlets, Turn off when not in use
Properly dispose of oily and wet rags
Store combustible/flammable liquids in approved containers
Keep ducts clean (Galley and Laundry)
Be ware when cooking with oils
Who is responsible for maintaining good housekeeping on a vessel? - ANSWER The
entire crew
Engine room housekeeping includes: - ANSWER Storing combustible liquids in
approved containers
Fire precautions in the galley include: - ANSWER Keep ducts clean
An escape route is: - ANSWER The most direct route to exit space in an emergency
Shipboard Firefighting Organization:
Master - ANSWER - In charge and overall responsible for the firefighting operation
- Sets the priorities for the Safety of Life, Incident Stabilization, Property, and
Environmental Consideration
- Co-ordination, Control, Communication
Shipboard Firefighting Organization:
On-Scene Officer - ANSWER - Direct hose team leader and develop tactics
- Give directions on where and how to attack fire
- Direct search and rescue, boundary cooling, and support teams
Shipboard Firefighting Organization:
Hose Team Leader - ANSWER - Directs the hose in applying water to the fire
- Give info to the On-Scene leader
- Hose team is made of 2 people minimum
Answers
Fire Triangle - ANSWER Oxygen, Heat, Fuel
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Liquid Fuels - ANSWER Vaporization - is the release of liquid's molecules into the
atmosphere, when vapors reach the *Flashpoint they ignite
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Volatility - ANSWER - Indicates the ability of a liquid to liberate into a gas
- The lower the boiling point, the more volatile
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Flame Point - ANSWER The lowest temperature at which the liquid emits adequate gas
to ignite with a flame.
(May be a light flicker because the liquid does not emit enough gas to keep the fire
alive)
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Combustive point - ANSWER The temperature where the liquid will emit so much gas,
that if ignited, it will continue to burn
Types of Fuel and Combustion:
Self-Ignition Point - ANSWER The temperature at which the gas/air mixture will start to
burn by itself without being ignited by a flame or a spark
Categories of Combustion:
Spontaneous Ignition - ANSWER Occurs when a substance heats up and ignites itself
without any external heat source
Ex. fish flour, chemical substances, rags, waste from oil/paint and copra (coconut oil)
Categories of Combustion:
Inflammable Materials - ANSWER The material will ignite with a match and continue to
burn after ignition
Ex. paper, wood, textiles
, Categories of Combustion:
Non-flammable Materials - ANSWER Need a large supply of heat before it ignites and
will extinguish itself if the external heat source is removed
Ex. Wool, plaster, certain plastic products
An example of a Class B fire is: - ANSWER Flammable liquids
To extinguish a Class A fire, which is appropriate: - ANSWER Reduce the temperature -
> use cold water to lower the temp below the ignition point
Safe Practices - ANSWER Observe "No Smoking" Areas
Do not overload electrical outlets, Turn off when not in use
Properly dispose of oily and wet rags
Store combustible/flammable liquids in approved containers
Keep ducts clean (Galley and Laundry)
Be ware when cooking with oils
Who is responsible for maintaining good housekeeping on a vessel? - ANSWER The
entire crew
Engine room housekeeping includes: - ANSWER Storing combustible liquids in
approved containers
Fire precautions in the galley include: - ANSWER Keep ducts clean
An escape route is: - ANSWER The most direct route to exit space in an emergency
Shipboard Firefighting Organization:
Master - ANSWER - In charge and overall responsible for the firefighting operation
- Sets the priorities for the Safety of Life, Incident Stabilization, Property, and
Environmental Consideration
- Co-ordination, Control, Communication
Shipboard Firefighting Organization:
On-Scene Officer - ANSWER - Direct hose team leader and develop tactics
- Give directions on where and how to attack fire
- Direct search and rescue, boundary cooling, and support teams
Shipboard Firefighting Organization:
Hose Team Leader - ANSWER - Directs the hose in applying water to the fire
- Give info to the On-Scene leader
- Hose team is made of 2 people minimum
