Exams / HS&E Operatives / Fire prevention and response / Question 5
HS&E Operatives practice question: Fire prevention and response (5 of 7) A. Working environment A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
Last verified October 2026 against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions
Your site uses an air horn as its fire alarm.
What must be true of the alarm?
Choose one answer.
A A. It is distinctive and can be heard by allB B. It must only be used by the fire and rescue serviceC C. It must be the same sound as the start-of-shift hornD D. It only needs to be heard in the site officeShow the answer and explanation Answer: A
A. Right: Right. HSE says the fire warning must be distinctive, audible above other noise and recognisable by everyone.B. Wrong: Wrong. The site raises the alarm itself, then calls the fire and rescue service.C. Wrong: Wrong. If it sounds like another signal, people may not realise there is a fire. It must be distinctive.D. Wrong: Wrong. Everyone on site must be able to hear and recognise it.Explanation The fire alarm must be distinctive, audible above site noise and recognised by everyone. Know what it sounds like and where your assembly point is.
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