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FPFF exit exam questions and answers — Set 19 — Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

Set 19 of the Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting (FPFF) exit exam bank — 30 of 656 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 19 — 30 FPFF exit exam questions with answers

1. Under the US (NFPA) classification, what class of fire involves cooking oils and fats?

  • A. Class K
  • B. Class B
  • C. Class A
  • D. Class D
Answer: A — Class K
NFPA classifies fires in cooking appliances involving vegetable or animal oils and fats as Class K, equivalent to Class F in the European/ISO system. Wet chemical extinguishers are used because they cool the oil and form a soap-like layer.

2. How can the spread of fire within a ship or building be minimized?

  • A. By closing doors to confine the fire and smoke
  • B. By leaving doors and windows open during a fire
  • C. By using fans to redirect smoke
  • D. By relying on sprinkler systems alone
Answer: A — By closing doors to confine the fire and smoke
Closing doors, fire dampers and ventilation openings restricts the oxygen supply and keeps fire and smoke within the compartment, buying time for boundary cooling and attack. This is a standard first action in shipboard fire-fighting.

3. In fire fighting, what does the term "flashover" refer to?

  • A. Near-simultaneous ignition of all combustible material in a compartment
  • B. The extinguishing of a fire
  • C. The activation of fire alarms
  • D. The evacuation of a building
Answer: A — Near-simultaneous ignition of all combustible material in a compartment
Flashover occurs when radiant heat from the fire and hot smoke layer raises all exposed combustibles in an enclosed space to their ignition temperature, so the whole compartment bursts into flame almost at once. Survival inside after flashover is unlikely.

4. What is the purpose of fire drills on ships?

  • A. To practise and evaluate emergency response procedures
  • B. To test the ship's speed in case of fire
  • C. To simulate onboard parties for crew members
  • D. To assess the quality of onboard catering services
Answer: A — To practise and evaluate emergency response procedures
SOLAS III/19 requires fire drills so that crew practise their muster list duties, use of equipment and communications, and so that the drill can be evaluated and deficiencies corrected. Drills keep the crew familiar with the ship's fire-fighting arrangements.

5. What is the recommended method for storing flammable liquids on board?

  • A. Store them in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources
  • B. Keep them in open containers for easy access
  • C. Place them near electrical equipment for convenience
  • D. Mix different flammable liquids in the same container
Answer: A — Store them in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources
Flammable liquids such as paints and thinners give off vapour, so they must be kept in closed containers in a ventilated store, such as the paint locker, away from heat and ignition sources, with fire extinguishing arrangements as required by SOLAS II-2.

6. Which of the following is a key component of fire prevention?

  • A. Regularly inspecting and maintaining fire safety equipment
  • B. Ignoring potential hazards
  • C. Smoking anywhere on deck
  • D. Storing flammable materials near heat sources
Answer: A — Regularly inspecting and maintaining fire safety equipment
Fire prevention depends on controlling fuel and ignition sources and keeping detection and fire-fighting equipment ready. SOLAS II-2/14 requires fire protection systems to be maintained and inspected according to an onboard maintenance plan.

7. When using a portable fire extinguisher, what does the acronym "PASS" stand for?

  • A. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
  • B. Push, Assess, Spray, Secure
  • C. Point, Activate, Stop, Scan
  • D. Prevent, Announce, Seek, Secure
Answer: A — Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS is the operating sequence for a portable extinguisher: pull the safety pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the operating lever, and sweep the discharge from side to side across the burning area.

8. Under the US (NFPA) classification, which class of fire involves flammable liquids and gases?

  • A. Class B
  • B. Class A
  • C. Class C
  • D. Class D
Answer: A — Class B
In the NFPA system Class B covers flammable liquids and gases such as fuel oil, lubricating oil, paints and LPG. Such fires are fought with foam, dry powder or CO2; a solid water jet may spread burning liquid.

9. How should you respond if your clothing catches fire?

  • A. Stop, drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll
  • B. Run quickly to the nearest exit
  • C. Fan the flames with your hands
  • D. Stand still and wait for assistance
Answer: A — Stop, drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll
Running feeds the fire with oxygen and drives flames towards the face. Stopping, dropping, covering the face and rolling smothers the flames and protects the airway; a fire blanket or water can then be applied by others.

10. Which of the following is a common cause of electrical fires?

  • A. Overloaded electrical outlets
  • B. Regular equipment maintenance
  • C. Using appliances as intended
  • D. Switching off electrical devices when not in use
Answer: A — Overloaded electrical outlets
Overloading sockets and extension leads causes conductors to overheat beyond their rating, damaging insulation and igniting nearby material. Unauthorised multi-plug adaptors and personal appliances in cabins are a frequent cause of accommodation fires.

11. What type of portable fire extinguisher is suitable for electrical fires?

  • A. CO2 extinguisher
  • B. Water extinguisher
  • C. Foam extinguisher
  • D. Soda-acid extinguisher
Answer: A — CO2 extinguisher
CO2 is non-conductive and leaves no residue, so it is safe and effective on live electrical equipment. Water, foam and soda-acid extinguishers conduct electricity and can give the operator a shock.

12. What should you do if you discover a small, contained fire?

  • A. Raise the alarm and attempt to extinguish it with the appropriate portable extinguisher
  • B. Ignore it and assume someone else will handle it
  • C. Leave the area without telling anyone
  • D. Document the fire for later investigation
Answer: A — Raise the alarm and attempt to extinguish it with the appropriate portable extinguisher
A small fire can usually be controlled with the right portable extinguisher if tackled immediately, but the alarm must be raised so that help is on the way if the attempt fails. Delay allows a small fire to grow rapidly.

13. What is the purpose of a fire blanket?

  • A. To smother and extinguish small fires, such as burning clothing or a pan fire
  • B. To warm individuals during cold weather
  • C. To cover furniture and prevent fire damage
  • D. To provide a cushion for emergency landings
Answer: A — To smother and extinguish small fires, such as burning clothing or a pan fire
A fire blanket is made of non-combustible woven material. Wrapped around a person or laid over a pan, it cuts off the oxygen supply and smothers the flames, which is why one is kept in the galley.

14. On discovering a fire, what is the first step in the emergency response?

  • A. Raise the alarm
  • B. Evacuate the area immediately
  • C. Call the shore fire brigade
  • D. Attempt to extinguish the fire
Answer: A — Raise the alarm
The first action on discovering a fire is to raise the alarm so that the bridge and crew are alerted and the fire party mustered. Only then should an attempt be made to fight a small fire with available extinguishers.

15. What is the recommended method of checking whether a door is safe to open during a fire?

  • A. Feel the door and handle with the back of your hand for heat
  • B. Open the door quickly and assess the situation
  • C. Smell for smoke under the door
  • D. Knock on the door to check for a response
Answer: A — Feel the door and handle with the back of your hand for heat
The back of the hand is sensitive to heat and, if burned, leaves the palm usable. A hot door indicates fire behind it; opening it may cause a backdraught, so the door should be kept closed and boundary cooled.

16. Under the US (NFPA) classification, which class of fire involves combustible metals?

  • A. Class D
  • B. Class A
  • C. Class B
  • D. Class C
Answer: A — Class D
Class D fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and titanium. They burn at very high temperatures and react with water, so special dry powder agents are used to smother them.

17. What does the acronym "RACE" stand for in fire safety?

  • A. Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish
  • B. Rescue, Assess, Contain, Evacuate
  • C. Run, Alert, Cover, Escape
  • D. Remove, Activate, Control, Extinguish
Answer: A — Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish
RACE sets out the priority of actions on discovering a fire: rescue anyone in immediate danger, raise the alarm, confine the fire by closing doors and openings, then extinguish it if it is safe to do so.

18. How often should portable fire extinguishers be checked on board for correct location, charge and condition?

  • A. Monthly
  • B. Every five years
  • C. Every three years
  • D. Only when visibly damaged
Answer: A — Monthly
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1432 requires monthly checks that portable extinguishers are in place, properly charged and undamaged, with an annual inspection and periodic hydrostatic testing. Leaving inspection until damage is visible is unacceptable.

19. What should you do if you are unable to extinguish a fire with a portable extinguisher?

  • A. Withdraw, close the door and report so that the fire team can take over
  • B. Keep trying until the fire is out
  • C. Wait for someone else to handle it
  • D. Use water on it regardless of the type of fire
Answer: A — Withdraw, close the door and report so that the fire team can take over
If a portable extinguisher does not control the fire, the operator should withdraw, close the door to confine the fire, and report so that the fire party can attack with hoses and fixed systems. Persisting risks being cut off by the fire.

20. Which of the following is a common cause of galley fires?

  • A. Leaving cooking unattended
  • B. Regular cleaning and maintenance of cooking appliances
  • C. Storing flammable materials away from the galley
  • D. Switching off the range after use
Answer: A — Leaving cooking unattended
Unattended pans can overheat and the oil reach its auto-ignition temperature. Grease build-up in hoods and ducts then spreads the fire, so cooking must never be left unattended and exhaust ducts and filters must be cleaned regularly.

21. Under the US (NFPA) classification, what class of fire involves ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper and cloth?

  • A. Class A
  • B. Class B
  • C. Class C
  • D. Class D
Answer: A — Class A
Class A fires involve ordinary solid combustibles that leave embers or ash, such as wood, paper, cloth and rubbish. Water is the most effective agent because it cools the burning material below its ignition temperature.

22. What is the purpose of fire doors?

  • A. To control the spread of fire and smoke
  • B. To provide a decorative element to the structure
  • C. To serve as emergency exits only
  • D. To keep the accommodation warm in winter
Answer: A — To control the spread of fire and smoke
Fire doors maintain the integrity of A or B class divisions. Kept closed, they prevent fire and smoke spreading between compartments; SOLAS II-2/9 requires them to be self-closing where fitted in main vertical zone boundaries and stairway enclosures.

23. What is the correct method of using a fire hose on a burning solid?

  • A. Aim at the base of the flames and sweep from side to side
  • B. Hold the hose above the flames to smother them
  • C. Direct the water stream only towards the ceiling
  • D. Keep the hose coiled until the fire is larger
Answer: A — Aim at the base of the flames and sweep from side to side
Water must reach the burning fuel to cool it below ignition temperature, so the jet or spray is directed at the base of the fire and swept across the burning area rather than into the flames and smoke above.

24. Why is it important to keep electrical cords in good condition?

  • A. To prevent electrical fires and shocks
  • B. To reduce clutter in the workspace
  • C. To make it easier to plug and unplug devices
  • D. To save on electricity costs
Answer: A — To prevent electrical fires and shocks
Damaged insulation can expose live conductors and cause short circuits, arcing and overheating, which may ignite nearby material or electrocute anyone touching them. Worn cables should be removed from service and replaced.

25. Before a BA team enters a smoke-filled compartment, who records the names of wearers, time of entry and cylinder pressures, and calculates the expected time of the low-pressure warning?

  • A. The officer of the watch on the bridge
  • B. The BA entry control officer at the entry point
  • C. The Chief Engineer in the engine control room
  • D. The leading wearer of the BA team
Answer: B — The BA entry control officer at the entry point
A BA entry control officer stationed at the point of entry keeps the BA control board, logging each wearer, entry time and cylinder pressure, and works out when the warning whistle is due so that overdue teams are detected and a back-up team can be sent in.

26. Which signs at a closed compartment door most strongly warn of a possible backdraught?

  • A. Bright flames visible through a porthole with clear air at deck level
  • B. Smoke puffing in and out around the door gaps, hot door and little visible flame
  • C. A cool door with light grey smoke drifting from the ventilator
  • D. Water dripping from the deckhead sprinkler heads outside the space
Answer: B — Smoke puffing in and out around the door gaps, hot door and little visible flame
A backdraught occurs when air is suddenly admitted to an oxygen-starved compartment full of hot, unburnt fuel gases. Pulsing smoke at gaps, a very hot door, blackened glass and little flame indicate this condition, so the door must not be thrown open.

27. When a hose team is about to open the door of a compartment that is on fire, where should the team members position themselves?

  • A. Behind the door on the hinge side with the hose stowed
  • B. Crouched low and to the side of the door, out of the path of escaping heat
  • C. Inside the compartment ahead of the door opening
  • D. Standing upright directly in front of the door
Answer: B — Crouched low and to the side of the door, out of the path of escaping heat
Hot gases and flame emerge through the upper part of the doorway when it is opened. Keeping low and to the side, shielded by the door, protects the team from this outflow while the nozzle is made ready to apply spray or fog.

28. Why do BA wearers searching a smoke-filled space normally work in pairs or teams rather than alone?

  • A. So that one wearer can assist or raise the alarm if the other gets into difficulty
  • B. Because the lifeline must be held by two people at all times
  • C. So that the cylinders last twice as long
  • D. Because each SCBA set can only be started by a second person
Answer: A — So that one wearer can assist or raise the alarm if the other gets into difficulty
Smoke-filled spaces are dark, hot and disorientating. Working in pairs means a wearer who becomes trapped, entangled, injured or runs short of air has immediate help, and the partner can communicate the situation to the entry control point.

29. A BA team searching a smoke-filled accommodation finds an unconscious casualty. What should they normally do?

  • A. Report the find and remove the casualty to fresh air by the shortest safe route
  • B. Wait beside the casualty until the fire is extinguished
  • C. Remove their own face masks and share air with the casualty
  • D. Leave the casualty and complete the full search first
Answer: A — Report the find and remove the casualty to fresh air by the shortest safe route
Saving life takes priority. The team informs the entry control point and evacuates the casualty to fresh air by the quickest safe route, where first aid and oxygen can be given; another team can be committed to continue the search.

30. While advancing into a hot compartment, the hose team applies short bursts of fine water fog into the hot smoke layer overhead. What is the main purpose?

  • A. To increase the oxygen content of the compartment
  • B. To cool the hot gas layer and reduce the risk of flashover
  • C. To wash soot off the deckhead
  • D. To push all the smoke out through the door behind the team
Answer: B — To cool the hot gas layer and reduce the risk of flashover
Short pulses of fine fog absorb heat from the hot fire gases overhead without producing excessive steam, lowering their temperature below the point at which they would ignite and so protecting the team from flashover.

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