Fire Safety, First Aid and Evacuation Course (EU): Fire classes and fire-fighting equipment

1. Question 1 of 18

   Under the European standard EN 2, what does a Class A fire involve?

   • AFlammable gases leaking from a pipe or cylinder
   • BBurning metals
   • CCooking oils and fats
   • DSolid materials such as wood and paper
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   Answer: D. Solid materials such as wood and paper

   Class A fires involve solid materials, where burning normally forms glowing embers.

2. Question 2 of 18

   Under EN 2, what does a Class B fire involve?

   • ASolid materials such as wood
   • BCooking oils and fats in a fryer
   • CLiquids or solids that turn into liquid
   • DBurning metals
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   Answer: C. Liquids or solids that turn into liquid

   Class B fires involve liquids or liquefiable solids, such as petrol or wax.

3. Question 3 of 18

   Under EN 2, what does a Class C fire involve?

   • APaper and textiles
   • BMetals
   • CGases
   • DCooking fats
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Gases

   Class C fires involve gases.

4. Question 4 of 18

   Under EN 2, what does a Class D fire involve?

   • AGases
   • BMetals
   • CWood and paper
   • DLiquids
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Metals

   Class D fires involve metals. If these fires are possible at your site, specialist advice is needed.

5. Question 5 of 18

   Under EN 2, what does a Class F fire involve?

   • APaper and cardboard
   • BBurning metals
   • CCooking oils or fats
   • DFlammable gases from a cylinder
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   Answer: C. Cooking oils or fats

   Class F fires involve cooking oils or fats, for example in a deep fat fryer.

6. Question 6 of 18

   Which type of extinguisher is designed for kitchen fires in deep fat fryers?

   • AWater
   • BCarbon dioxide (CO2)
   • CDry powder
   • DWet chemical
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Wet chemical

   Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for Class F fires involving burning cooking oil and deep fat fryers.

7. Question 7 of 18

   A water extinguisher is mainly used on which kind of fire?

   • ABurning metal shavings
   • BBurning cooking oil in a kitchen deep fat fryer
   • CLeaking flammable gas
   • DBurning paper, wood and soft furnishings
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Burning paper, wood and soft furnishings

   Water extinguishers are for Class A fires, such as paper, wood and soft furnishings.

8. Question 8 of 18

   Why must great care be taken when water is used near electrical equipment?

   • AWater conducts electricity
   • BWater turns into a flammable gas
   • CWater damages the extinguisher
   • DWater makes paper burn faster
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   Answer: A. Water conducts electricity

   Water conducts electricity, so using it near live electrical equipment or cables is dangerous.

9. Question 9 of 18

   Which extinguisher is often chosen for fires in computer equipment and electrical appliances?

   • ACarbon dioxide (CO2)
   • BWet chemical
   • CWater
   • DFoam spray from a hose reel
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

   CO2 extinguishers suit Class B fires and are suitable for computer equipment and electrical appliances.

10. Question 10 of 18

    A small fire has been put out with a CO2 extinguisher, but the material is still very hot. What is the risk?

    • AThere is no risk at all once the flames have stopped
    • BThe CO2 will make the hot material explode
    • CThe fire may start again once the gas has gone
    • DThe extinguisher will refill itself
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    Answer: C. The fire may start again once the gas has gone

    CO2 works by smothering the fire. Once the gas has gone, material that is still hot can re-ignite.

11. Question 11 of 18

    Which is a known drawback of dry powder extinguishers?

    • AThey work only on outdoor fires
    • BThey cool very little, and the powder should not be breathed in
    • CThey are filled with water, which conducts electricity to the user
    • DThey can only be used on Class F fires
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They cool very little, and the powder should not be breathed in

    Dry powder does little to cool a fire, so it may re-ignite. The powder should not be inhaled and is hard to clean up.

12. Question 12 of 18

    A foam extinguisher is used on which fire classes?

    • AClass F cooking fires only
    • BClass D metal fires only
    • CClass A and Class B
    • DClass C and Class D
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Class A and Class B

    Foam extinguishers are for Class A and Class B fires. The foam smothers the fire and cools flammable liquids.

13. Question 13 of 18

    Under the European standard EN 3, what colour is the body of a new portable fire extinguisher?

    • AGreen, like an escape sign
    • BYellow, with a black stripe
    • CA different full body colour for each type of agent
    • DRed, with a small zone of colour to show its type
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Red, with a small zone of colour to show its type

    Under EN 3, extinguishers have a red body. UK fire and rescue service guidance says a zone of colour of 5% of the body shows the extinguishing agent.

14. Question 14 of 18

    Under Directive 92/58/EEC, which colour is used to identify fire-fighting equipment?

    • AYellow
    • BGreen
    • CRed
    • DBlue
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Red

    Annex IV of Directive 92/58/EEC says the colour for identifying fire-fighting equipment is red.

15. Question 15 of 18

    What does a sign showing the location of fire-fighting equipment look like under Directive 92/58/EEC?

    • AA black pictogram on a yellow triangle
    • BA white pictogram on a blue circle
    • CA white pictogram on a green background
    • DA white pictogram on a red background
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    Answer: D. A white pictogram on a red background

    Fire-fighting signs are rectangular or square, with a white pictogram on a red background, and red covering at least 50% of the sign.

16. Question 16 of 18

    What does the Workplace Directive say about non-automatic fire-fighting equipment such as extinguishers?

    • AIt must be locked away so that it cannot be stolen
    • BIt must be easy to reach, simple to use and shown by signs
    • CIt must be hidden so that customers and visitors do not see it
    • DIt may only be kept in the manager's office
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    Answer: B. It must be easy to reach, simple to use and shown by signs

    Annex I point 5.2 says non-automatic fire-fighting equipment must be easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.

17. Question 17 of 18

    A small fire starts in a waste bin. You have never been trained to use an extinguisher. What should you do?

    • ACarry the burning bin outside yourself
    • BThrow a glass of water from the kitchen on it
    • CRaise the alarm and follow your site's fire procedure
    • DPick up the nearest extinguisher and read the label first
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    Answer: C. Raise the alarm and follow your site's fire procedure

    Extinguishers are provided mainly for trained people, and employers designate trained workers for fire-fighting. Your first job is to raise the alarm and follow the procedure.

18. Question 18 of 18

    A small fire starts in a pan of cooking oil. What equipment is suitable for this?

    • AA wet mop
    • BA water extinguisher
    • CA fire blanket
    • DA paper towel
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A fire blanket

    Fire blankets are suitable for small fires in containers of cooking oils or fats. Water extinguishers are meant for Class A fires such as paper and wood.

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