Fire protection systems and extinguisher types MCQs With Answer

Fire protection systems and extinguisher types MCQs With Answer

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Introduction: Fire protection systems and extinguisher types MCQs With Answer is designed specifically for M.Pharm students to build practical and regulatory knowledge about fire hazards common in pharmaceutical laboratories, storage areas and manufacturing suites. This set of focused multiple-choice questions covers fire chemistry, detection and suppression technologies, extinguisher selection for different classes of fires, sprinkler and gaseous suppression systems, and maintenance and safety practices. Emphasis is placed on real-world decisions such as choosing appropriate extinguishing media for solvent storage, cleanroom protection, and metal fires, plus inspection and testing requirements. These MCQs will help consolidate theoretical understanding and prepare students for safety management responsibilities in pharmaceutical environments.

Q1. What three elements make up the classical “fire triangle” necessary for combustion?

  • Heat, Fuel, Oxygen
  • Heat, Fuel, Chain reaction
  • Oxygen, Spark, Fuel
  • Heat, Spark, Light

Correct Answer: Heat, Fuel, Oxygen

Q2. Which set correctly matches common fire classifications used in laboratories and industrial settings?

  • Class A: flammable liquids; Class B: electrical; Class C: metals
  • Class A: combustible solids; Class B: flammable liquids; Class C: energized electrical equipment; Class D: combustible metals; Class K/F: cooking oils/fats
  • Class A: gases; Class B: solids; Class C: liquids
  • Class A: metals; Class B: plastics; Class C: biological materials

Correct Answer: Class A: combustible solids; Class B: flammable liquids; Class C: energized electrical equipment; Class D: combustible metals; Class K/F: cooking oils/fats

Q3. For early detection of a flammable solvent vapor leak in a pharmaceutical storage room, which detector is most appropriate?

  • Photoelectric smoke detector
  • Ionization smoke detector
  • Combustible gas (LEL) detector
  • Rate-of-rise heat detector

Correct Answer: Combustible gas (LEL) detector

Q4. What is the primary extinguishing mechanism of carbon dioxide (CO2) portable extinguishers?

  • They chemically neutralize fuels
  • They cool the fuel below its ignition temperature
  • They displace oxygen and provide local cooling to suppress combustion
  • They form a soap-like layer to separate fuel from oxygen

Correct Answer: They displace oxygen and provide local cooling to suppress combustion

Q5. How do ABC dry chemical extinguishers primarily extinguish fires?

  • By forming a vapor-sealing film over liquid fuels
  • By interrupting the chemical chain reaction and coating the fuel
  • By rapidly cooling the burning material with frozen particles
  • By reacting chemically to produce a saponified layer

Correct Answer: By interrupting the chemical chain reaction and coating the fuel

Q6. Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is particularly effective on which type of fire and why?

  • Class A fires only, because it soaks into wood
  • Class B (hydrocarbon) fires, because it forms a vapor-sealing aqueous film and suppresses fuel vapors
  • Class D metal fires, because it reacts with metals to stop burning
  • Electrical fires, because it is non-conductive under all conditions

Correct Answer: Class B (hydrocarbon) fires, because it forms a vapor-sealing aqueous film and suppresses fuel vapors

Q7. Which extinguishing agent is appropriate for Class D (combustible metal) fires commonly encountered with reactive metals?

  • Water from a hose
  • CO2 portable extinguisher
  • Specialized dry powder designed for the specific metal (e.g., sodium chloride or copper-based powders)
  • Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)

Correct Answer: Specialized dry powder designed for the specific metal (e.g., sodium chloride or copper-based powders)

Q8. Wet chemical extinguishers are the recommended choice for which scenario and why?

  • Class A wood fires, because they cool the fire rapidly
  • Class B gasoline fires, because they form a film on hydrocarbon surfaces
  • Kitchen cooking oil (Class K/F) fires, because they saponify oils/fats and form a cooling soap layer
  • Electrical panel fires, because they are non-conductive

Correct Answer: Kitchen cooking oil (Class K/F) fires, because they saponify oils/fats and form a cooling soap layer

Q9. Which sprinkler system type is best suited for pharmaceutical cleanrooms where accidental water discharge would cause product loss and contamination?

  • Wet-pipe sprinkler system
  • Dry-pipe sprinkler system
  • Pre-action sprinkler system (requires detection event before water is released)
  • Fusible-link standalone sprinklers

Correct Answer: Pre-action sprinkler system (requires detection event before water is released)

Q10. Which NFPA standard specifically covers requirements for the selection, installation, inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers?

  • NFPA 13
  • NFPA 25
  • NFPA 72
  • NFPA 10

Correct Answer: NFPA 10

Q11. In a fire extinguisher rating such as “1A:10B:C”, what does the numeric B rating represent?

  • The volume of extinguishing agent in liters
  • The square footage of Class B (flammable liquid) fire that the extinguisher is rated to extinguish
  • The time in seconds the extinguisher will discharge
  • The weight of the extinguisher in kilograms

Correct Answer: The square footage of Class B (flammable liquid) fire that the extinguisher is rated to extinguish

Q12. How often should portable fire extinguishers receive a documented visual inspection in an industrial or laboratory setting?

  • Daily
  • Monthly
  • Annually only
  • Every five years

Correct Answer: Monthly

Q13. What is the correct sequence of actions in the PASS technique for using a portable extinguisher?

  • Push, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
  • Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
  • Pull, Alert, Squeeze, Sweep
  • Point, Aim, Squeeze, Spread

Correct Answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

Q14. What does the term LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) indicate for a flammable vapor in air?

  • The maximum concentration above which the mixture will not deflagrate
  • The lowest concentration of vapor in air capable of propagating a flame when an ignition source is present
  • The ignition temperature of the pure liquid
  • The concentration at which vapor condenses to liquid

Correct Answer: The lowest concentration of vapor in air capable of propagating a flame when an ignition source is present

Q15. Which statement correctly differentiates flash point and fire point of a liquid?

  • Flash point is higher than fire point
  • Flash point is the temperature at which a liquid emits enough vapor to ignite momentarily; fire point is higher and is the temperature at which vapors continue to burn
  • Flash point is only relevant to metals; fire point is for liquids
  • Flash point indicates complete combustion temperature

Correct Answer: Flash point is the temperature at which a liquid emits enough vapor to ignite momentarily; fire point is higher and is the temperature at which vapors continue to burn

Q16. For protecting instrument rooms, cleanrooms and areas with sensitive pharmaceutical equipment, which suppression agents are preferred because they leave no residue?

  • Water mist systems
  • ABC dry chemical powder
  • Clean gaseous agents (e.g., HFC-227ea / Novec 1230) that extinguish without leaving residue
  • Foam concentrates such as AFFF

Correct Answer: Clean gaseous agents (e.g., HFC-227ea / Novec 1230) that extinguish without leaving residue

Q17. Which of the following extinguishing agents is NOT suitable for use on energized electrical equipment?

  • CO2 extinguisher
  • Clean gaseous agent
  • Water from a non-pressurized bucket
  • Dry chemical (ABC) extinguisher

Correct Answer: Water from a non-pressurized bucket

Q18. Why are bonding and grounding required during transfer of flammable solvents between containers in pharmaceutical operations?

  • To reduce vapor pressure inside containers
  • To prevent static electrical charge accumulation that can create an ignition spark
  • To increase the flow rate of transfer
  • To cool the solvent and prevent vaporization

Correct Answer: To prevent static electrical charge accumulation that can create an ignition spark

Q19. What does the term “fire load” refer to in building fire safety planning?

  • The weight of firefighting equipment stored in a building
  • The total potential heat energy available for combustion per unit floor area (e.g., MJ/m²)
  • The number of occupants per room
  • The capacity of the sprinkler water supply in liters

Correct Answer: The total potential heat energy available for combustion per unit floor area (e.g., MJ/m²)

Q20. Which extinguishing approach is most appropriate for a sodium metal fire discovered in a research lab?

  • Apply water liberally to cool and extinguish
  • Use standard CO2 extinguisher to smother the fire
  • Apply a Class D dry powder designed for the specific metal (e.g., sodium chloride or special metal-specific powder)
  • Use AFFF foam to form a film over the metal

Correct Answer: Apply a Class D dry powder designed for the specific metal (e.g., sodium chloride or special metal-specific powder)

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