Fire Safety, First Aid and Evacuation Course (EU): Fire basics and fire prevention at work

1. Question 1 of 16

   What three things does a fire need to start?

   • AHeat, carbon dioxide and water
   • BFuel, smoke and an electrical current running nearby
   • CHeat (a source of ignition), fuel and oxygen
   • DCarbon dioxide, water vapour and a strong wind
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   Answer: C. Heat (a source of ignition), fuel and oxygen

   Fires need three things to start: a source of ignition (heat), a source of fuel (something that burns) and oxygen. This is often called the fire triangle.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Which of these is a source of ignition?

   • AThe oxygen in the surrounding air
   • BSparks from grinding metal
   • CA pile of empty cardboard boxes
   • DA bucket of sand
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   Answer: B. Sparks from grinding metal

   Sources of ignition give heat or sparks. Cardboard is fuel and air supplies oxygen.

3. Question 3 of 16

   In the fire triangle, what are packaging materials and paper?

   • AFire-fighting equipment
   • BIgnition sources
   • CFuel
   • DOxygen
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   Answer: C. Fuel

   Fuel is anything that burns. Packaging materials are a common fuel at work.

4. Question 4 of 16

   Which of these is a less obvious fuel that can be found at work?

   • AWater left over from a cleaning bucket
   • BA solid steel shelving unit
   • CA bare concrete floor
   • DFine dust from wood, flour or sugar
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   Answer: D. Fine dust from wood, flour or sugar

   Besides obvious fuels like petrol, less obvious fuels include engine oil, grease, packaging and dusts from wood, flour and sugar.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Petrol, paint thinners and welding gases are all examples of what?

   • ASources of extra oxygen
   • BFuels that burn easily
   • CFire-fighting agents for small fires
   • DIgnition sources
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   Answer: B. Fuels that burn easily

   These are flammable substances, which are fuels in the fire triangle.

6. Question 6 of 16

   A heater is placed right next to a stack of paper files. Which two parts of the fire triangle are now close together?

   • AHeat and fuel
   • BFuel and water
   • COxygen and water
   • DSmoke and heat
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   Answer: A. Heat and fuel

   The heater is a heat source and the paper is fuel. With oxygen from the air, all three parts of the fire triangle are present.

7. Question 7 of 16

   According to fire safety guidance, what is true of most fires at work?

   • AMost fires are caused by lightning
   • BMost fires cannot be predicted
   • CMost fires start at night only
   • DMost fires are preventable
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   Answer: D. Most fires are preventable

   Fire safety guidance says most fires are preventable when hazards are found and controlled.

8. Question 8 of 16

   A worker throws a cigarette end onto a pile of rubbish behind the building, and later the rubbish catches fire. What does this example show?

   • ACigarettes are not an ignition source
   • BRubbish cannot catch fire when it is kept outdoors
   • CCareless smoking near rubbish can start a fire
   • DFires only start inside buildings
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   Answer: C. Careless smoking near rubbish can start a fire

   A discarded cigarette is a source of ignition and rubbish is fuel, so together they can start a fire.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Packing waste is piled up next to the back door of a shop. What is the best action?

   • ALeave it there, ready for collection
   • BMove it to a safe storage area away from the exit
   • CPut a heater beside it to keep it dry
   • DCover it with a cloth so it looks tidy
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   Answer: B. Move it to a safe storage area away from the exit

   Waste is fuel. Keeping it away from exits and ignition sources lowers the chance of a fire and keeps escape routes clear.

10. Question 10 of 16

    What is the first general principle of prevention in the Framework Directive?

    • AAvoiding risks
    • BPaying a fine in advance
    • CBuying personal protective equipment
    • DWriting a fire notice
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    Answer: A. Avoiding risks

    Article 6(2) lists the general principles of prevention, starting with avoiding risks.

11. Question 11 of 16

    A cleaning job uses a flammable solvent. A non-flammable product does the job just as well. Which principle of prevention applies?

    • AReplace the dangerous by the non-dangerous or less dangerous
    • BKeep the dangerous product but add a warning sign
    • CAdapt the work to each individual worker
    • DGive priority to individual protective equipment for each worker
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    Answer: A. Replace the dangerous by the non-dangerous or less dangerous

    Article 6(2) includes replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or the less dangerous.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Under the Framework Directive, which type of protective measure should be given priority?

    • ACollective measures that protect everyone
    • BWhatever measure is cheapest that year
    • CMeasures chosen by the newest worker
    • DIndividual protective equipment for each person
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    Answer: A. Collective measures that protect everyone

    Article 6(2) says collective protective measures are given priority over individual protective measures.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Under the Workplace Directive 89/654/EEC, which of these helps decide what fire-fighting equipment a workplace needs?

    • AThe company's profits last year
    • BThe maximum number of people who may be present
    • CThe colour of the walls and floors
    • DThe day of the week the site opens
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    Answer: B. The maximum number of people who may be present

    Annex I point 5.1 says it depends on the size and use of the buildings, the equipment, the properties of the substances present and the maximum potential number of people.

14. Question 14 of 16

    What does the Workplace Directive say about fire detectors and alarm systems?

    • AThey are only needed in buildings over ten storeys high
    • BThey are required as necessary, depending on the building
    • CThey are not allowed in buildings that have sprinklers
    • DWorkers must bring their own smoke alarms
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    Answer: B. They are required as necessary, depending on the building

    Annex I point 5.1 says workplaces must have appropriate fire-fighting equipment and, as necessary, fire detectors and alarm systems.

15. Question 15 of 16

    A warehouse starts storing large amounts of a flammable liquid. Why should the employer look at the fire risks again?

    • ASafety measures must be adjusted when circumstances change
    • BRisk assessments only matter when a building is new
    • CFlammable liquids make no difference to fire risk
    • DThe original plan can never be changed
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    Answer: A. Safety measures must be adjusted when circumstances change

    Article 6(1) says the employer must adjust measures to take account of changing circumstances, and Article 6(3) requires risks, including from chemical substances, to be evaluated.

16. Question 16 of 16

    You see combustible rubbish building up next to a heater. What should you do?

    • AReport it to your supervisor or safety contact
    • BWait to see whether it starts to smoke
    • CSay nothing, as it is not your job
    • DMove the heater closer to dry the rubbish
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Report it to your supervisor or safety contact

    Article 13(2)(d) says workers must report serious dangers and any shortcomings in the protection arrangements.

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