September 2010 Five Minute Quiz
27th August 2010Take the quiz below and test your firefighting knowledge. These questions are courtesy of the New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Institute. You'll find the answer key at the bottom of the page.
1) At what temperature does steel lose half its strength in a fire?
2) How else does heat affect steel?
3) Steel can be made to retain its strength for longer periods under fire conditions by using what two things?
4) Concrete can crumble and peel when heated. What is this known as?
5) What are the three main causes of Spalling?
6) What type of construction panels pose a serious risk to fire fighters during a fire?
7) What is the above made out of?
8) What 3 main problems in relation to fire do they cause?
9) Fire cells serve two main purposes - what are they?
10) During a fire in a building, you may notice the following - cracks or bulges in the walls, concrete crumbling or peeling, unusual sounds, water or smoke pushing through what appears to be sold masonry wall. What are they signs of?
ANSWERS:
1) 550C. 2) It causes the steel to expand. 3) Insulation and oversizing steel components. 4) Spalling. 5) Formation of high pressure steam in material; splitting of aggregate in concrete mix; excessive compression or restraint of material. 6) LSP (Lightweight Sandwich Panels). 7) Polystyrene between steel skin. 8) High fire load; hidden fire spread within the panels; rapid loss of strength. 9) Containment of fire; safe refuge from fire. 10) Potential building collapse.