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Fire prevention and response questions for the CSCS test

7 free questions on Fire prevention and response, from section A. Working environment. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Medium ·Link to this question (question 1)

Your site has fire points with different types of fire extinguisher. HSE guidance says the right type depends on what is burning.

Match each fire to the best type of extinguisher.

Match each item to one answer. An answer can be used more than once, and some may not be used.

Items

  1. Burning timber offcuts and cardboard
  2. Spilt diesel that has caught fire
  3. A fire in an electrical distribution board

Answers

  1. A. Water
  2. B. Foam
  3. C. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  4. D. Wet chemical
Show the answer and explanation

Correct matches

  • Burning timber offcuts and cardboard: A. Water
  • Spilt diesel that has caught fire: B. Foam
  • A fire in an electrical distribution board: C. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

About each answer

  • A. Water is for fires in solid materials such as wood, paper and cloth. Never use it on electrical fires or burning liquids.
  • B. HSE lists foam (or dry powder) for flammable liquids, such as diesel or petrol. Foam smothers the burning liquid.
  • C. HSE lists carbon dioxide for electrical fires. It does not conduct electricity and leaves no residue.
  • D. Wet chemical extinguishers are made for cooking oil and fat fires, such as a chip pan in a kitchen. They are not the best choice for any of these fires.

Explanation

Water for wood, paper and cloth. Foam or dry powder for flammable liquids. Carbon dioxide for electrical fires. Only use an extinguisher if you have been trained and it is safe to do so.

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Question 2

Easier ·Link to this question (question 2)

Carpenters on your floor leave piles of timber offcuts and packaging lying around all week.

From a fire safety point of view, why should this waste be cleared away regularly?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. It stops the fire extinguishers on the floor from working
  2. B. It is only a fire risk if someone is smoking nearby
  3. C. It gives a fire fuel, so a fire would spread faster
  4. D. It makes the fire alarm harder to hear across the floor
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Waste doesn't stop an extinguisher working, though it must never block a fire point. The main problem is that the waste burns.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Smoking is one source of ignition, but there are many others, such as hot work, sparks from cutting, and electrical faults.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says flammable waste such as packaging and timber offcuts should be cleared away regularly to reduce fire risks. A fire needs fuel, and waste piles give it plenty.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Waste piles don't affect how well an alarm can be heard. The fire risk comes from the waste being something that burns.

Explanation

Combustible waste is fuel for a fire. Clear it away regularly, store it in the right place, and keep it away from sources of ignition such as hot work.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

A delivery of plasterboard arrives early and the storage area is full. The only clear space is a corridor that is marked as a fire escape route.

Can the plasterboard be stacked in the corridor for one day?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Yes, as long as a fire extinguisher is placed next to it
  2. B. No, because escape routes must be kept clear at all times
  3. C. No, because plasterboard catches fire very easily
  4. D. Yes, because it will only be there for one day
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. An extinguisher does not make up for a blocked escape route. People must be able to get out quickly whatever happens.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says escape routes must be kept available and unobstructed, and materials must not be stored where they could interfere with emergency escape.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong reason. The problem is that the route is blocked, whatever is stored there. Anything stacked in an escape route could stop people getting out.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. A fire could start at any time, including that day. An escape route must stay clear the whole time people are on site.

Explanation

Never store materials in an escape route, even for a short time. If there is nowhere safe to put a delivery, tell your supervisor.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

A large new office block is being built.

Who usually has to carry out the fire risk assessment for the site?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. The local fire and rescue service
  2. B. Each worker, for their own area
  3. C. Nobody, until the building is finished
  4. D. The principal contractor
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. The fire service enforces fire safety law, but the responsible person does the assessment.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Workers should follow the fire precautions, but the responsible person does the assessment.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. A construction site needs a fire risk assessment while work is going on, kept up to date as the site changes.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says the responsible person, usually the main or principal contractor, must carry out and keep up to date a fire risk assessment.

Explanation

The responsible person, usually the principal contractor, carries out the site's fire risk assessment and keeps it up to date as the site changes.

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Question 5

Easier ·Link to this question (question 5)

Your site uses an air horn as its fire alarm.

What must be true of the alarm?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. It is distinctive and can be heard by all
  2. B. It must only be used by the fire and rescue service
  3. C. It must be the same sound as the start-of-shift horn
  4. D. It only needs to be heard in the site office
Show 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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Question 6

Medium ·Link to this question (question 6)

Several tins of solvent-based paint and some LPG cylinders have been delivered to a building under construction.

Where should they be stored?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Anywhere, as long as there is a fire extinguisher nearby
  2. B. In a set store, ideally outside
  3. C. Inside the building, next to the stairs so they are handy
  4. D. In the welfare cabin, where it is warm and dry
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Extinguishers help, but safe storage stops a fire starting or spreading in the first place.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says flammable materials usually need storing away from other materials and protected from ignition, ideally outside buildings under construction.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. A fire here could block the escape route. Flammable materials should be stored away from routes and other materials.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Flammable materials must never be stored where people rest or eat.

Explanation

Store flammable liquids and gases in a set area, away from other materials, escape routes and ignition sources, ideally outside the building.

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Question 7

Easier ·Link to this question (question 7)

You find a small fire in a skip. You have never been trained to use a fire extinguisher.

What should you do?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Throw a bucket of water on it
  2. B. Carry on working and tell someone at break
  3. C. Raise the alarm and get out
  4. D. Pick up the nearest extinguisher and try it
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Water can be dangerous on some fires, such as electrical or flammable liquid fires. Raise the alarm.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. A small fire can spread fast. Raise the alarm straight away.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says nominated people should be trained to use extinguishers. If you are not trained, raise the alarm and get out.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Using the wrong type, or using it wrongly, could put you in danger or make the fire worse.

Explanation

If you find a fire, raise the alarm. Only tackle it if you are trained and it is safe to do so.

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