Industrial Hazards – Fire MCQs With Answer

Industrial Hazards – Fire MCQs With Answer is a focused quiz resource tailored for M.Pharm students studying MIP 202T – Scale Up & Technology Transfer. This set of 20 multiple-choice questions covers fundamental and applied aspects of fire hazards in pharmaceutical manufacturing: fire chemistry, classification, detection, suppression systems, regulatory standards, combustible dust risks, storage and handling of flammable materials, and emergency response. Questions are designed to deepen understanding necessary for safe scale-up, technology transfer and facility design, emphasizing prevention, control measures and proper selection of extinguishing methods. Use these MCQs to test knowledge, identify learning gaps, and prepare for examinations or practical safety assessments in pharma environments.

Q1. Which three elements form the classical fire triangle?

• Fuel, heat and oxidizer
• Fuel, pressure and oxygen
• Heat, confinement and ignition
• Oxygen, spark and moisture

Correct Answer: Fuel, heat and oxidizer

Q2. Which fire class covers fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper and textiles?

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D

Correct Answer: Class A

Q3. What is the flash point of a liquid?

• The temperature at which the liquid boils continuously
• The lowest temperature at which liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite in presence of an ignition source
• The temperature at which the liquid auto-ignites without a spark
• The maximum safe storage temperature for flammable liquids

Correct Answer: The lowest temperature at which liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite in presence of an ignition source

Q4. How does autoignition temperature differ from flash point?

• Autoignition temperature is lower than flash point
• Autoignition requires an external ignition source while flash point does not
• Autoignition is the temperature at which material ignites without an external ignition source
• They are the same property described by different standards

Correct Answer: Autoignition is the temperature at which material ignites without an external ignition source

Q5. Which NFPA code is primarily used for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids?

• NFPA 13
• NFPA 30
• NFPA 70
• NFPA 72

Correct Answer: NFPA 30

Q6. What does the acronym BLEVE stand for in the context of fire/explosion hazards?

• Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
• Burning Liquid Environmental Vapor Event
• Bulk Liquid Evaporation and Vapor Emission
• Broken Line Explosion and Vapor Eruption

Correct Answer: Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion

Q7. Which class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for flammable liquid fires (e.g., solvents) in many standards?

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D

Correct Answer: Class B

Q8. What is the primary purpose of bonding and grounding flammable liquid transfer systems?

• To increase flow rate during transfer
• To prevent static electricity build-up and reduce risk of spark ignition
• To cool the liquid during pumping
• To act as a lightning conductor only

Correct Answer: To prevent static electricity build-up and reduce risk of spark ignition

Q9. Which additional hazard element distinguishes a combustible dust explosion “pentagon” from the fire triangle?

• Higher oxygen concentration
• Dust dispersion in air and confinement
• Increased humidity
• Magnetic fields

Correct Answer: Dust dispersion in air and confinement

Q10. Which extinguishing agent is typically recommended for Class D (metal) fires in pharmaceutical operations involving reactive metal powders?

• Water jet from hose
• Foam (AFFF)
• Dry powder specifically formulated for metal fires (e.g., sodium chloride or graphite-based powders)
• Carbon dioxide

Correct Answer: Dry powder specifically formulated for metal fires (e.g., sodium chloride or graphite-based powders)

Q11. Which property is most important for classifying a solvent as flammable vs combustible in storage regulations?

• Viscosity
• Flash point
• Molecular weight
• Color

Correct Answer: Flash point

Q12. When is a hot work permit typically required in a pharmaceutical facility?

• Only for work on electrical panels
• For welding, cutting, brazing, grinding or any operation producing sparks or heat near flammable materials
• For routine housekeeping tasks
• Only when supervisors are absent

Correct Answer: For welding, cutting, brazing, grinding or any operation producing sparks or heat near flammable materials

Q13. What is the primary function of explosion venting on process equipment that could overpressurize?

• To filter toxic gases before release
• To relieve pressure rapidly and direct explosion forces away from personnel and equipment
• To prevent formation of dust clouds
• To act as a fixed suppression system

Correct Answer: To relieve pressure rapidly and direct explosion forces away from personnel and equipment

Q14. Which best describes the concept of intrinsic safety for electrical equipment in hazardous areas?

• Equipment is explosion-proof and fully sealed
• Energy levels are limited so sparks or thermal effects cannot ignite the hazardous atmosphere
• Equipment is painted with flame-retardant coating
• Equipment runs on backup batteries only

Correct Answer: Energy levels are limited so sparks or thermal effects cannot ignite the hazardous atmosphere

Q15. Which type of sprinkler system maintains water in the pipes under pressure at all times, discharging immediately when a sprinkler head opens?

• Deluge system
• Dry-pipe system
• Wet-pipe system
• Pre-action double-interlock system

Correct Answer: Wet-pipe system

Q16. What is a common and significant ignition source for dust explosions in pharmaceutical powder handling areas?

• Excessive humidity
• Electrostatic discharge
• Low ambient temperature
• High oxygen scavengers

Correct Answer: Electrostatic discharge

Q17. Which foam type is designed to be effective on alcohols and other polar solvent spills (alcohol-resistant foam)?

• Water-mist foam
• Protein foam
• Alcohol-resistant fluoroprotein or polymer-modified foam
• Dry chemical mixed with water

Correct Answer: Alcohol-resistant fluoroprotein or polymer-modified foam

Q18. In hazardous-area classification, which zone indicates continuous presence of an explosive gas atmosphere?

• Zone 2
• Zone 1
• Zone 0
• Non-hazardous area

Correct Answer: Zone 0

Q19. How is “fire load” best defined for a manufacturing area?

• The number of fire extinguishers required per square meter
• The total potential energy (heat) that would be released by combustible materials per unit area
• The maximum temperature expected during a fire
• The budget allocated for fire safety equipment

Correct Answer: The total potential energy (heat) that would be released by combustible materials per unit area

Q20. What is the immediate primary action for personnel when a fire is discovered in a pharmaceutical processing area?

• Attempt to move all equipment out of the area
• Raise the alarm, evacuate the area and follow emergency procedures
• Search for the supervisor before taking action
• Disconnect all electrical power to the building

Correct Answer: Raise the alarm, evacuate the area and follow emergency procedures

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