Fire Safety and Emergency Response
Fire Safety and Emergency Response tests the fire triangle, fire classes, correct extinguisher choice, evacuation drill and the guard's first-response duties.
The science
- Fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, heat. Remove any one and the fire stops. The fire tetrahedron adds the chemical chain reaction, which is why dry powder and clean agents work.
- Classes: A solids (wood, paper), B flammable liquids, C gases, D metals, E electrical equipment, F/K cooking oils.
- Extinguisher matching: water or CO2 for A; foam or dry powder for B; dry powder for C; special dry powder for D; CO2 or clean agent for E (never water); wet chemical for F/K.
Response
- RACE: Rescue anyone in danger if it is safe, Alarm the fire brigade and control room, Contain by closing doors, Extinguish a small fire only if trained and with a clear exit behind you - otherwise Evacuate.
- PASS with an extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the flames, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.
- Evacuate by marked routes to the assembly point, head-count against the muster roll, and report missing persons to the fire officer.
- Never use lifts, never re-enter, crawl low under smoke, and feel doors before opening them.
Worked example
A switchboard smokes and flames appear. Reasoning: this is a class E fire with a live electrical risk. Water conducts electricity and could electrocute the user. Correct action: isolate power if the main switch is safely reachable, sound the alarm, use CO2 aimed at the base, keep a clear exit, and evacuate if it spreads beyond the panel.
Traps that cost marks
- 'Throw water on everything' - water on a live panel or a chip-pan fire is a fatal error.
- Reporting 'fire broke out' without location, class, size and casualties.