Fire Safety
17 Grade 8 Pre-Technical Studies questions on Fire Safety, with worked marking schemes. 17 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
7 marksDuring a practical lesson, a learner notices a small fire start at the workbench when a switched-on soldering iron tips over onto some oily rags. (a) State the three things a fire needs in order to start and keep burning. (3 marks) (b) Explain two safe actions the learner should take immediately after raising the alarm. (4 marks)
(7 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) The three elements of the fire triangle are: (i) Fuel - a combustible material such as the oily rags; (ii) Heat - a source of high temperature such as the soldering iron; (iii) Oxygen - air that supports combustion. All three must be present for a fire to start and continue. (b) Two safe immediate actions: (i) Switch off the source of heat/power, i.e. disconnect the soldering iron at the mains to remove the ignition source. (ii) Use a suitable fire extinguisher (or smother the small fire with a fire blanket/sand) aimed at the base of the flames to cut off oxygen, while keeping a clear escape route behind. The learner should evacuate if the fire grows beyond control, and should never use water on an electrical fire.
Question 2
6 marksDuring a practical lesson, a learner notices that the cooking gas (LPG) cylinder near the workshop bench has started leaking and there is a strong smell of gas, though no fire has started yet.
(a) State TWO immediate actions the learner should take to prevent a fire from breaking out. (2 marks)
(b) Explain TWO reasons why the learner should NOT switch on the electric light or any electrical appliance in the room. (2 marks)
(c) Using the European fire classification, identify the class of fire (by burning material) that would result if the leaking gas ignited, and name ONE suitable extinguishing agent for it. (2 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any TWO (1 mark each): Turn off the cylinder valve / gas supply at the source; open all doors and windows to ventilate and let the gas escape; evacuate people from the room; raise an alarm and inform the teacher/adult; avoid creating any flame or spark. (b) Any TWO (1 mark each): Switching on a light produces a spark at the switch which can ignite the accumulated gas; LPG mixed with air forms an explosive mixture, so any electrical spark could cause an explosion; the safer action is to avoid creating any source of ignition until the gas has dispersed. (c) Class of fire: Class C fire (flammable/burning gases such as LPG) under the European/British (BS EN 2) classification — (1 mark). Suitable extinguishing agent: dry chemical powder (or carbon dioxide / CO2) — (1 mark). Award the mark for naming dry powder or CO2; water must NOT be used. (Note: the correct first action is to shut off the gas supply at the source.)
Question 3
1 markA fire blanket puts out a small kitchen fire mainly by:
A. Providing more air
B. Increasing the heat
C. Cutting off the supply of oxygen
D. Adding more fuel
(1 mark)
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1 markWhich type of fire extinguisher should NEVER be used on a live electrical fire because it conducts electricity?
A. Water extinguisher
B. Dry powder extinguisher
C. Carbon dioxide extinguisher
D. Foam extinguisher
(1 mark)
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1 markWhich of the following is NOT one of the three elements that must be present for a fire to start?
A. Heat
B. Nitrogen
C. Fuel
D. Oxygen
(1 mark)
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1 markA learner is trained to use a fire extinguisher using the PASS method. What does the letter 'A' in PASS stand for?
A. Allow the fire to spread
B. Add more water
C. Alert the fire brigade
D. Aim at the base of the fire
(1 mark)
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5 marksA learner discovers a fire has started in the school library. (a) Outline three steps the learner should take on discovering the fire. (3 marks) (b) State two reasons why regular fire drills are important in a school. (2 marks)
(5 marks)
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4 marksA workshop has just installed fire safety equipment. (a) State two causes of fire in a technical workshop. (2 marks) (b) State two safety measures that can be put in place to prevent fires in the workshop. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any two: faulty/overloaded electrical connections; naked flames near flammable materials; careless disposal of lit matches/cigarettes; overheating machines; poor storage of flammable liquids (1 mark each, max 2). (b) Any two: install fire extinguishers/fire blankets; avoid overloading sockets; store flammable materials safely away from heat; no smoking in the workshop; regular inspection of electrical wiring; keep fire exits clear (1 mark each, max 2).
Question 9
1 markDuring a practical lesson, an electrical socket in the workshop catches fire and a learner reaches for a bucket of water to put it out. The teacher stops her immediately. Which type of fire extinguisher should be used on an electrical fire?
A. Foam extinguisher
B. Water extinguisher
C. Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher
D. Wet chemical extinguisher
(1 mark)
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1 markA learner discovers a small fire starting in a wastepaper basket in the classroom. Which of the following is the FIRST correct action to take?
A. Raise the alarm to warn others
B. Run away quietly without telling anyone
C. Open all the windows to add air
D. Continue with the lesson
(1 mark)
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1 markWhich colour band is used to identify a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher?
A. Cream
B. Red
C. Blue
D. Black
(1 mark)
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1 markA fire caused by burning wood, paper and cloth in a store is classified as which class of fire?
A. Class B
B. Class C
C. Class F
D. Class A
(1 mark)
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1 markA school workshop instructor wants to ensure learners understand what is needed for a fire to start before teaching prevention. Which three elements make up the fire triangle?
A. Oxygen, water and heat
B. Smoke, heat and water
C. Heat, fuel and oxygen
D. Fuel, smoke and carbon dioxide
(1 mark)
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1 markA cook in a school kitchen sees cooking oil in a frying pan catch fire. Which extinguisher is MOST suitable for this fire?
A. Water extinguisher
B. Foam poured onto the oil
C. Sand thrown from a distance
D. Wet chemical extinguisher
(1 mark)
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6 marksExplain the fire triangle and how removing each element can be used to put out a fire. (6 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
The fire triangle consists of three elements needed for fire: heat, fuel and oxygen (1 mark each element named = 3). Removing heat: cooling the fire with water lowers the temperature below ignition point (1). Removing fuel: cutting off/removing the combustible material starves the fire (1). Removing oxygen: smothering with a fire blanket/CO2/foam excludes air (1). Total 6.
Question 16
1 markWhen a person's clothing catches fire, the recommended immediate action is to:
A. Stop, drop and roll
B. Fan the flames to cool them
C. Run to fetch water
D. Remove other people's clothes
(1 mark)
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1 markDuring a practical lesson, a learner notices flames spreading from an electrical socket in the school computer laboratory. Which type of fire extinguisher is the MOST suitable for putting out this electrical fire?
A. Water extinguisher
B. Foam extinguisher
C. Wet chemical extinguisher
D. Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
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