Fire Safety, First Aid and Evacuation Course (EU): Alarms, escape routes and safety signs

1. Question 1 of 19

   Under Directive 92/58/EEC, what kind of sound must the acoustic signal for evacuation make?

   • AA single loud click
   • BA sound that changes every minute
   • CThree short beeps, then silence
   • DA continuous sound
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A continuous sound

   Annex VII says the signal for evacuation must be continuous.

2. Question 2 of 19

   How loud must an acoustic safety signal be?

   • ALoud only in the manager's office
   • BClearly louder than the background noise
   • CQuieter than normal speech, so nobody panics
   • DThe same level as the background noise
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   Answer: B. Clearly louder than the background noise

   Acoustic signals must have a sound level considerably higher than the ambient noise, so people can hear them.

3. Question 3 of 19

   Where must emergency routes and exits lead?

   • AAs directly as possible to the open air or a safe area
   • BTo the nearest lift
   • CTo the manager's office first, so everyone can be counted
   • DTo the deepest basement in the building
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   Answer: A. As directly as possible to the open air or a safe area

   Annex I point 4.1 of Directive 89/654/EEC says emergency routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to the open air or to a safe area.

4. Question 4 of 19

   Which way must emergency doors open?

   • AEither way, as long as they are heavy
   • BUpwards
   • CInwards
   • DOutwards
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   Answer: D. Outwards

   Annex I point 4.4 of the Workplace Directive says emergency doors must open outwards.

5. Question 5 of 19

   Which type of door is NOT allowed when it is specifically intended as an emergency exit?

   • AA door with a green exit sign
   • BA door that opens outwards
   • CA sliding or revolving door
   • DA door with a push bar
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A sliding or revolving door

   Annex I point 4.4 says sliding or revolving doors are not permitted if they are specifically intended as emergency exits.

6. Question 6 of 19

   A manager locks an emergency exit at night to stop theft while staff are still working. What does the Workplace Directive say?

   • AIt is fine if the key is kept at reception
   • BEmergency doors must not be locked
   • CIt is fine if staff are told in advance
   • DIt is fine after 6 p.m.
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   Answer: B. Emergency doors must not be locked

   Annex I point 4.6 says emergency doors must not be locked.

7. Question 7 of 19

   Pallets of stock are stored in the corridor leading to a fire exit. What is wrong?

   • ARoutes and doors to exits must be free from obstruction
   • BNothing, as long as a narrow gap is left
   • CNothing, because the exit is still there
   • DNothing, if the stock is not flammable
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Routes and doors to exits must be free from obstruction

   Annex I point 4.6 says emergency routes and exits, and the routes and doors leading to them, must be free from obstruction so they can be used at any time.

8. Question 8 of 19

   Emergency routes that need lighting must have what, in case the normal lighting fails?

   • AGlow-in-the-dark floor paint only
   • BTorches that workers bring with them from home
   • CCandles stored near the exit
   • DEmergency lighting of adequate intensity
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Emergency lighting of adequate intensity

   Annex I point 4.7 says emergency routes and exits needing lighting must have emergency lighting of adequate intensity.

9. Question 9 of 19

   What does the number, distribution and size of emergency routes and exits depend on?

   • AThe opening hours of the business and its busiest days
   • BThe colour scheme of the building
   • CIts use, equipment and size, and the most people present
   • DThe number of car parking spaces available outside the building
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   Answer: C. Its use, equipment and size, and the most people present

   Annex I point 4.3 says they depend on the use, equipment and dimensions of the workplace and the maximum number of persons present.

10. Question 10 of 19

    What does an emergency escape sign look like under Directive 92/58/EEC?

    • AA black pictogram in a red-edged white circle
    • BA white pictogram on a red background
    • CA white pictogram on a green background
    • DA black pictogram on a yellow triangle
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    Answer: C. A white pictogram on a green background

    Emergency escape and first-aid signs are rectangular or square, with a white pictogram on a green background.

11. Question 11 of 19

    What does the safety colour green mean under Directive 92/58/EEC?

    • AProhibition signs, danger alarms and fire equipment
    • BEmergency escape and first aid, or no danger
    • CYou must wear protective equipment
    • DWarning: be careful
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Emergency escape and first aid, or no danger

    Green is for emergency escape and first-aid signs (doors, exits, routes, equipment, facilities) and for a return to normal.

12. Question 12 of 19

    What does the safety colour red mean under Directive 92/58/EEC?

    • AProhibition, danger alarm and fire-fighting equipment
    • BA mandatory action, such as wearing protective equipment
    • CEmergency escape and first aid
    • DA warning to take care
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Prohibition, danger alarm and fire-fighting equipment

    Red is used for prohibition signs, danger alarms (stop, evacuate) and fire-fighting equipment.

13. Question 13 of 19

    A round sign shows a white pictogram on a blue background. What kind of sign is it?

    • AA prohibition sign about what you must not do
    • BAn emergency escape sign
    • CA warning sign about a hazard you should take care with
    • DA mandatory sign, telling you what you must do
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A mandatory sign, telling you what you must do

    Mandatory signs are round, with a white pictogram on a blue background, for example to wear protective equipment.

14. Question 14 of 19

    What shape and colours does a warning sign have under Directive 92/58/EEC?

    • AA triangle with a black pictogram on a yellow background
    • BA square with a white pictogram on red
    • CA circle with a white pictogram on blue
    • DA rectangle or square with a white pictogram on a green background
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A triangle with a black pictogram on a yellow background

    Warning signs are triangular, with a black pictogram on a yellow background and black edging.

15. Question 15 of 19

    A round prohibition sign covers 1,200 cm². Under Directive 92/58/EEC, at least how much of it must be red?

    • A1,200 cm²
    • B420 cm²
    • C600 cm²
    • D300 cm²
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 420 cm²

    The red part of a prohibition sign must take up at least 35% of its area: 35% of 1,200 cm² is 420 cm².

16. Question 16 of 19

    A green escape sign measures 30 cm by 15 cm. At least how much of its area must be green?

    • A112.5 cm²
    • B225 cm²
    • C157.5 cm²
    • D450 cm²
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    Answer: B. 225 cm²

    The sign's area is 30 × 15 = 450 cm², and green must cover at least 50%, which is 225 cm².

17. Question 17 of 19

    Exit signs that need electricity to work must have what?

    • AA sticker saying "Exit"
    • BA guaranteed emergency power supply
    • CA spare bulb kept in a drawer
    • DNothing extra, if the building has windows
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A guaranteed emergency power supply

    Annex I of Directive 92/58/EEC says signs needing power must have a guaranteed emergency supply in case of a power cut.

18. Question 18 of 19

    There is a serious, imminent and unavoidable danger. What must the employer make possible for workers?

    • ATo finish their shift and then leave in the normal way
    • BTo stay behind and protect the company's property and stock
    • CTo stop work and leave immediately for a place of safety
    • DTo leave only after a manager signs a form
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    Answer: C. To stop work and leave immediately for a place of safety

    Article 8(3)(b) of the Framework Directive says the employer must enable workers to stop work and/or leave immediately and go to a place of safety.

19. Question 19 of 19

    After everyone is out, why should you go to the assembly point and not just go home?

    • ASo the people in charge can check that everyone is out
    • BSo you can collect your wages early
    • CSo you can lock the building yourself
    • DSo you can start cleaning up the damage as soon as possible
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    Answer: A. So the people in charge can check that everyone is out

    Your site's emergency plan names an assembly point so that people can be counted and the emergency services told if anyone may still be inside.

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