Fire Safety and Firefighting: Causes, Classes, Extinguishers and Evacuation
What the exam tests
This domain tests fire prevention, the fire triangle, Indian fire classes, correct extinguisher choice, PASS technique and evacuation. Expect “which extinguisher?” and “what do you do first?” questions.
Causes and classes
Common causes are electrical short circuits, overheating, cooking, smoking, hot work, arson and poor storage of flammable material. The fire triangle is fuel, oxygen and heat; remove one to extinguish.
Indian classes: A solid combustibles such as wood, paper and cloth; B flammable liquids such as petrol and paint; C flammable gases; D combustible metals; E electrical equipment; F cooking oils and fats. Water suits A only. Foam suits A and B. CO2 suits B and E. Dry powder ABC suits mixed risks. Wet chemical suits F.
Extinguisher use and evacuation
Use PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep. Raise the alarm first, isolate power if safe, evacuate on the alarm, use stairs not lifts, stay low under smoke, go to the assembly point and report missing persons. Sweep rooms and close doors behind you only if safe.
Worked example
Smoke comes from an electrical panel. Do not throw water: water conducts electricity and can electrocute the user. Raise the alarm, isolate the supply if the switch is safe to reach, use CO2 or dry powder, and evacuate if the fire is not immediately controlled. Call the fire service and report the exact location.
Traps that cost marks
- Using water on electrical or oil fires.
- Fighting a large fire instead of evacuating.
- Re-entering a building for belongings.
- Forgetting to raise the alarm before attacking a small fire.
- Confusing class C gas with class E electrical.
Exam tip
State the class first, then the extinguisher, then the action order: alarm, evacuate, isolate, attack only if trained and safe.