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AFF exit exam questions and answers — Set 6

Set 6 of the Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) exit exam bank — 30 of 218 questions, with the correct option marked and a one-line explanation for every one. Read it end to end, jump to a single set, or search it — then sit the same bank as a timed paper. The real DG Shipping exit exam is 30 marks with 15 to pass.

These are the bank's original groupings. Practising deals the whole bank out again every time you reshuffle, so a practice “Set 3” is a different 30 questions each time — the set numbers below are the source file's, and are only used here so the key stays navigable. Options are listed in their original order with fixed letters; when you practise, those move too.

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Set 6 — 30 AFF exit exam questions with answers

1. Immediately after extinguishing a fire with CO2, it is advisable to:

  • A. Drain internal oil recovery sumps directly
  • B. Restore structural compartment ventilation fully
  • C. Open up all access ports to inspect inside details
  • D. Stand by with water or other agents
Answer: D — Stand by with water or other agents
CO2 displaces oxygen and can cause asphyxiation. Immediately after use, there is a risk of re-flash if the heat source remains, or re-ignition due to the presence of unburnt fuel. Therefore, standing by with backup extinguishing agents is crucial.

2. Ships carrying more than 36 passengers should maintain a:

  • A. Double bulkhead smoke containment grid
  • B. Dedicated fire drill barge trailer connection
  • C. Continuous automated water system monitor
  • D. Fire patrol system
Answer: D — Fire patrol system
SOLAS regulations require passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers to maintain a fire patrol system. This involves regular patrols by crew members to detect and report fire hazards, ensuring prompt response.

3. During cargo operations, a deck fire has occurred due to a leaking cargo line. You should first:

  • A. Douse structural pipelines with sea spray
  • B. Stop the transfer of cargo
  • C. Sound the international collision alarm whistle
  • D. Rig a mechanical foam generator station
Answer: B — Stop the transfer of cargo
During cargo operations, the immediate priority upon discovering a fire related to cargo transfer is to stop the source of the fuel. Stopping the cargo transfer prevents further spillage and fuel supply to the fire.

4. Radio station logs involving communication during a disaster shall be kept by the station licensee for at least:

  • A. Ten years inside safe archive storage boxes
  • B. Three years from the date of the last entry
  • C. One year from entry initiation
  • D. Five years under legal maritime seals
Answer: B — Three years from the date of the last entry
Radio station logs, particularly those pertaining to emergency communications, must be maintained for a specified period to serve as official records for investigations or audits. SOLAS and relevant maritime regulations typically mandate a retention period of three years from the date of the last entry.

5. The deep fryer oil overheated because of a:

  • A. Lack of fresh liquid fat inputs
  • B. Thermostat malfunctioning
  • C. Blockage inside draining pipe lines
  • D. Mechanical failure inside the extractor canopy
Answer: B — Thermostat malfunctioning
Deep fryer fires are often caused by overheating oil, which can result from a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat fails to regulate the temperature, the oil can reach its smoke point and then its flashpoint, leading to ignition.

6. The best way to test the Inmarsat-C terminal is to:

  • A. Sound the internal automatic distress loop button
  • B. Place a voice phone link call to shore coordination networks
  • C. Compose and send a brief message to your own Inmarsat-C terminal
  • D. Contact an adjacent vessel via bridge VHF radio link
Answer: C — Compose and send a brief message to your own Inmarsat-C terminal
The most effective way to test the functionality of an Inmarsat-C terminal, including its ability to transmit and receive messages, is to send a test message to itself or a known contact. This verifies the communication path and system response without relying on external systems.

7. The control panel of a fire detection system must have all of the following EXCEPT:

  • A. way to bypass the entire panel if it malfunctions
  • B. Test switches to check structural loop indicators
  • C. Visual indicators showing alarm sectors
  • D. An audible device to signal alarms or system faults
Answer: A — way to bypass the entire panel if it malfunctions
Fire detection system control panels are designed with safety and operational indicators, including ways to silence alarms, reset the system, and identify the zone of activation. Bypassing the entire panel is a safety risk and not a standard feature; systems should remain functional or be manually overridden at zone levels if necessary.

8. Tapioca is susceptible to ________ when damp.

  • A. Chemical crystallization
  • B. Electrostatic discharges
  • C. Liquefaction slide effects
  • D. Spontaneous combustion
Answer: D — Spontaneous combustion
Tapioca, like many organic materials, can undergo self-heating when damp due to microbial activity or chemical reactions. If this heat cannot dissipate, it can lead to spontaneous combustion, igniting the material.

9. As a firefighting medium, CO2 can be dangerous under certain conditions as it can cause:

  • A. Severe toxic vapor contamination inside boiler loops
  • B. Freeze burns and blistering
  • C. Spontaneous flashover due to compression waves
  • D. Corrosion of sensitive mechanical gears
Answer: B — Freeze burns and blistering
CO2 is stored under pressure and expands rapidly when released, causing a significant drop in temperature. This extreme cold can cause freeze burns or blistering on contact with skin, and also reduces visibility by creating fog.

10. As per NFPA, a fire in an electrical generator is considered to be a:

  • A. Class C fire
  • B. Class D fire
  • C. Class B fire
  • D. Class A fire
Answer: A — Class C fire
Fires involving electrical equipment, such as generators, are classified as Class C fires. This classification specifically denotes fires that involve energized electrical equipment where the use of a conductive extinguishing agent could lead to electrocution.

11. If passengers are on board when an abandon ship drill is carried out, they should:

  • A. Remain inside their cabins behind closed safety doors
  • B. Be evacuated on an auxiliary service tender craft
  • C. Gather exclusively at public dining lounges
  • D. Take part
Answer: D — Take part
During abandon ship drills, all persons on board, including passengers, are expected to participate. This ensures they are familiar with procedures, muster stations, and the use of safety equipment, aligning with SOLAS requirements.

12. On the vessel's Fire Control plan, all parts of a fixed fire suppression system are listed EXCEPT:

  • A. Instructions for activation of the system
  • B. Total weight and type of chemical storage canisters
  • C. Location of piping distribution loops
  • D. Placement of discharge nozzles across compartments
Answer: A — Instructions for activation of the system
Fire control plans, as mandated by SOLAS, detail the layout, locations of fire detection and suppression systems, and emergency equipment. While they show system components and operational instructions, specific activation procedures are usually found in operational manuals rather than on the plans themselves.

13. Through which of the listed processes is sufficient heat produced to cause spontaneous ignition?

  • A. Heat of condensation
  • B. Heat of vaporization
  • C. Heat of radiation
  • D. Heat of oxidation
Answer: D — Heat of oxidation
Spontaneous ignition occurs when combustible materials generate enough heat internally to reach their ignition temperature without an external ignition source. This process is primarily driven by the heat of oxidation, where slow chemical reactions release heat over time.

14. Fusible link fire dampers are operated by:

  • A. Electronic loop control commands from the safety desk
  • B. Hydrostatic water pressure changes from water spray systems
  • C. The heat of the fire melting the link
  • D. Structural balance wires linked with the bridge desk
Answer: C — The heat of the fire melting the link
Fusible link fire dampers are designed to close automatically when the temperature reaches a certain point. The heat from a fire melts a solder or alloy link, allowing the damper to fall shut and restrict airflow, thus preventing fire and smoke spread.

15. You have just extinguished an oil fire on the floor plates of the engine room with a 15-pound CO2 extinguisher. Which of the listed dangers should you now be preparing to handle?

  • A. Frostbite cracks inside fuel line connection joints
  • B. Reflashing of the fire
  • C. Complete systemic failure of main engine gear oil feeds
  • D. Toxic gas ignition inside air trunk lines
Answer: B — Reflashing of the fire
CO2 extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen but does not cool the fuel significantly. Therefore, any remaining hot spots or fuel near the ignition temperature can easily re-flash once the CO2 dissipates and oxygen returns.

16. The height of a VHF radio antenna is more important than the power output wattage of the radio because:

  • A. Skywave atmospheric returns are highly unstable at sea
  • B. Internal wire resistances limit low-level signal paths
  • C. Higher placement reduces tracking ground interference loops
  • D. VHF communications are basically line of sight
Answer: D — VHF communications are basically line of sight
VHF radio waves travel in straight lines and are limited by the curvature of the Earth; thus, they are fundamentally line-of-sight communications. Antenna height is crucial for extending this line of sight and improving the range of communication.

17. Which extinguishing agent is most likely to allow reflash as a result of not cooling the fuel below its ignition temperature?

  • A. Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)
  • B. Dry chemical powder mix
  • C. CO2
  • D. Water fog stream
Answer: C — CO2
CO2 is a gaseous extinguishing agent that works by displacing oxygen and cooling. However, it does not effectively cool the burning fuel below its ignition temperature, making reflash a significant risk once the CO2 disperses.

18. A vessel's Fire Control plan shall have:

  • A. duplicate set of plans permanently stored outside the deck house in a prominent weatherproof enclosure
  • B. Blueprint files locked exclusively in the captain's office
  • C. Plastic layout cards stapled on every accommodation deck door
  • D. Microfiche summary records mounted inside all lifeboats
Answer: A — duplicate set of plans permanently stored outside the deck house in a prominent weatherproof enclosure
SOLAS regulations require fire control plans to be readily accessible to crew and emergency responders. A duplicate set stored in a prominent, weatherproof enclosure outside the navigation bridge ensures vital information is available even if the bridge is inaccessible.

19. In the regulations for cargo vessels, which statement is true concerning a fireman's outfit?

  • A. Each fireman's outfit shall contain a flame safety lamp of an approved type
  • B. Two outfits are needed for each active deck crewman
  • C. Each outfit must contain an electric welding cutting tool
  • D. Air tanks must carry five hours of continuous storage reserves
Answer: A — Each fireman's outfit shall contain a flame safety lamp of an approved type
According to SOLAS regulations, each fireman's outfit must include a flame safety lamp or an approved self-contained breathing apparatus. This is to ensure the safety of the firefighter in potentially hazardous and oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

20. Fire alarm system thermostats are actuated by:

  • A. Light scattering effects across laser sensors
  • B. Air pressure changes inside trunk compartments
  • C. Moisture tracking limits inside structural wiring panels
  • D. The difference in thermal expansion of two dissimilar metals
Answer: D — The difference in thermal expansion of two dissimilar metals
Thermostats used in fire alarm systems, particularly bimetallic types, operate based on the principle that two different metals expand at different rates when heated. This differential expansion causes the strip to bend, closing an electrical contact and triggering an alarm.

21. For the safety of the personnel working with fire hoses, the fire pumps are fitted with a:

  • A. Pressure gauge and relief valve on the discharge side
  • B. Flexible expansion joint directly on the water suction intake
  • C. Mechanical safety clutch linkage on driving engines
  • D. Remote automated vacuum seal breaker
Answer: A — Pressure gauge and relief valve on the discharge side
Fire pumps are equipped with pressure gauges to monitor discharge pressure and relief valves to prevent over-pressurization, which could damage the pump, hoses, or injure personnel. This is a critical safety feature ensuring stable operation.

22. Dry chemical extinguishers extinguish Class B fires to the greatest extent by:

  • A. Breaking the chain reaction
  • B. Cooling fuel temperatures down below flashpoint margins
  • C. Freezing burning vapor pools immediately
  • D. Displacing essential atmospheric nitrogen compounds
Answer: A — Breaking the chain reaction
Dry chemical powders interrupt the chemical chain reaction of a fire, effectively stopping the combustion process. While they have some cooling effect, their primary extinguishing mechanism for Class B and C fires is the breaking of the chain reaction.

23. What shall be conducted during a fire and boat drill?

  • A. All watertight doors in the vicinity of the drill shall be operated
  • B. Lifeboats must be launched and run at service speeds for an hour
  • C. Emergency bilge suctions must be run on full backflow parameters
  • D. Cargo tank hatches must be opened for visual gas checking
Answer: A — All watertight doors in the vicinity of the drill shall be operated
During a combined fire and boat drill, operational checks of essential safety equipment are conducted. Operating watertight doors in the vicinity of the drill ensures their functionality and familiarizes the crew with their operation under simulated emergency conditions.

24. When approaching a fire from windward, you should shield firefighters from the fire by using an applicator and:

  • A. High expansion foam blanket throw
  • B. CO2 continuous vapor jet
  • C. Low velocity fog
  • D. High velocity solid water jet
Answer: C — Low velocity fog
When fighting a fire from windward, using a low-velocity fog pattern from a nozzle applicator helps shield firefighters from radiant heat and smoke. The water droplets absorb heat and create a screen, allowing safer approach and application of the extinguishing agent.

25. The extinguishing agent most likely to allow re-ignition of a fire is:

  • A. Water fog
  • B. Mechanical foam spray
  • C. Carbon dioxide
  • D. Dry chemical powder
Answer: C — Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen. However, it has minimal cooling effect, meaning that if the fuel remains hot enough, it can re-ignite once the CO2 dissipates and oxygen is reintroduced.

26. The risk of fire and explosion is ________ in tankers.

  • A. Identical to generic dry cargo vessels
  • B. Controlled solely by hull thickness layout
  • C. Negligible under standard cruising speeds
  • D. Very high
Answer: D — Very high
Tankers, especially those carrying petroleum products, handle large quantities of flammable liquids. These cargoes create a very high risk of fire and explosion, necessitating stringent safety measures and procedures as per MARPOL and other regulations.

27. Why should foam be banked off a bulkhead when extinguishing an oil fire?

  • A. To prevent agitation of the oil and spreading the fire
  • B. To speed up chemical stabilization loops of active foam bubbles
  • C. To avoid cooling structural steel components unevenly
  • D. To maximize the coverage range of standard delivery equipment
Answer: A — To prevent agitation of the oil and spreading the fire
When applying foam to an oil fire, banking it off a bulkhead prevents the direct force of the foam stream from agitating the oil surface. Agitation can spread the burning oil and potentially worsen the fire, hindering extinguishment.

28. A large oil fire on the deck of a ship can be fought most effectively with:

  • A. Solid streams of sea water
  • B. High pressure carbon dioxide gas grids
  • C. Foam
  • D. Portable dry powder spray canisters
Answer: C — Foam
Foam is the most effective agent for fighting large oil fires on decks because it spreads across the surface, cools the fuel, and smothers the fire by forming a blanket that separates the fuel from the oxygen.

29. The minimum flashpoint of oil fuel carried on board a ship is:

  • A. 50 degrees Celsius
  • B. 70 degrees Celsius
  • C. 60 degrees Celsius
  • D. 40 degrees Celsius
Answer: C — 60 degrees Celsius
According to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and ISM Code, the minimum flashpoint for fuel oil permitted for carriage on board ships is generally 60 degrees Celsius (closed cup).

30. You are operating a fire hose with an applicator attached. If you put the handle of the nozzle in the vertical position, you will use:

  • A. High velocity solid jet stream
  • B. Shutoff position with zero output flow
  • C. Foam solution delivery parameter
  • D. Low velocity fog
Answer: D — Low velocity fog
With an applicator attached to a fire hose nozzle, placing the handle in the vertical position typically adjusts the nozzle to produce a low-velocity fog pattern. This is effective for cooling and creating a protective screen.

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