Firefighter I Fire Behavior
Chapter 3 Test
Name: / Date:Directions: Write the correct letter on the blank before each question.
Objective 1:
Describe physical and chemical changes of matter related to fire.
1. Which of the following occurs when a substance remains chemically the same but changes in size, shape, or appearance? (87)
A. Physical change
B. Chemical reaction
C. Exothermic change
D. Non-molecular reaction
2. Which of the following occurs when a substance changes from one type of matter into another? (87)
A. Physical change
B. Chemical reaction
C. Exothermic change
D. Non-molecular reaction
3. Which of the following is a chemical reaction involving the combination of oxygen (or similar types of substances) with other materials? (87)
A. Sparking
B. Pyrolysis
C. Oxidation
D. Vaporization
4. Which of the following refers to reactions that give off energy as they occur? (87)
A. Kinetic reactions
B. Positive reactions
C. Exothermic reactions
D. Endothermic reactions
5. Which of the following refers to reactions that absorb energy as they occur? (87)
A. Kinetic reactions
B. Negative reactions
C. Exothermic reactions
D. Endothermic reactions
Objective 2:
Discuss modes of combustion, the fire triangle, and the fire tetrahedron.
6. Modes of combustion are differentiated based on: (87)
A. type of fuel.
B. potential size of fire.
C. where the reaction is occurring.
D. whether the fuel can self-ignite.
7. Which of the following modes of combustion requires liquid or solid fuels to be converted to the gas phase or vaporized? (87)
A. Standard combustion
B. Flaming combustion
C. Linear combustion
D. Nonflaming or smoldering combustion
8. Which of the following modes of combustion occurs when solid fuels undergo oxidation at the surface of the fuel? (87)
A. Standard combustion
B. Flaming combustion
C. Linear combustion
D. Nonflaming or smoldering combustion
9. Which of the following are the three components of the fire triangle? (87)
A. Oxygen, fuel, and heat
B. Fuel, heat, and energy
C. Oxygen, fuel, and a self-sustained chemical reaction
D. Oxygen, heat, and a self-sustained chemical reaction
10. Flaming combustion is accurately explained BEST by which of the following? (87)
A. Fire triangle
B. Fire tetrahedron
C. Autoignition
D. Piloted ignition
11. Which of the following is NOT an element of the fire tetrahedron? (87)
A. Oxygen
B. Fire inhibitor
C. Fuel
D. Self-sustained chemical reaction
Objective 3:
Explain the difference between heat and temperature.
12. Which of the following is energy possessed by a moving object? (89)
A. Forward energy
B. Kinetic energy
C. Thermal energy
D. Potential energy
13. Temperature is a measurement of: (89)
A. forward energy.
B. kinetic energy.
C. thermal energy.
D. potential energy.
14. In the customary system, the unit of measure for heat is: (89)
A. joules.
B. degrees squared.
C. British thermal units.
D. Standard thermal units.
15. Applying large amounts of heat to solid fuels such as wood causes: (90)
A. pyrolysis.
B. vaporization.
C. deflagration.
D. autoignition.
16. Which of the following is the temperature to which the surface of a substance must be heated for ignition and self-sustained combustion to occur? (90-91)
A. Piloted ignition
B. Autoignition
C. Pre-combustion ignition
D. Self-starting ignition
Objective 4:
Describe sources of heat energy.
17. Which of the following is the most common source of heat in combustion reactions? (91)
A. Light heat energy
B. Electrical heat energy
C. Chemical heat energy
D. Mechanical heat energy
18. Which of the following occurs when any combustible is in contact with oxygen? (91)
A. Oxidation
B. Pyrolysis
C. Spontaneous ignition
D. Pre-combustion ignition
19. Which of the following modes of electrical heat energy occurs when electric current flows through a conductor at a normal design limit? (92)
A. Arcing
B. Sparking
C. Resistance heating
D. Overcurrent or overload
20. Which of the following types of heat energy is generated by friction or compression? (93)
A. Light heat energy
B. Electrical heat energy
C. Chemical heat energy
D. Mechanical heat energy
Objective 5:
Discuss the transmission of heat.
21. The rate at which heat is transferred is related to the temperature differential of the bodies and the: (93)
A. size of the objects involved.
B. manner in which combustion started.
C. part of the fire triangle that is the weakest.
D. thermal conductivity of the material involved.
22. Which of the following refers to the transfer of heat within a body or to another body by direct contact? (94)
A. Convection
B. Conduction
C. Radiation
D. Absorption
23. Which of the following refers to the transfer of heat energy from a fluid (liquid or gas) to a solid surface? (95)
A. Convection
B. Conduction
C. Radiation
D. Absorption
24. Which of the following refers to transmission of energy as an electromagnetic wave without an intervening medium? (95)
A. Convection
B. Conduction
C. Radiation
D. Absorption
25. Which of the following statements about radiant heat is MOST accurate? (95)
A. Materials that reflect radiated heat energy increase the transmission of heat.
B. Radiant heat is not a factor in fire development and spread in compartments.
C. Matter having a temperature above absolute zero may or may not transmit radiant heat.
D. Radiant heat becomes the dominant mode of heat transfer when the fire grows in size.
26. Which of the following refers to materials that absorb heat but do not participate actively in the combustion reaction? (96)
A. Reactive agents
B. Passive agents
C. Secondary agents
D. Tertiary agents
Objective 6:
Explain how the physical states of fuel affect the combustion process.
27. Fuel in a combustion reaction is known as the: (96)
A. primary agent.
B. increasing agent.
C. reducing agent.
D. combustion agent.
28. For flaming combustion to occur, fuels must be in the: (97)
A. liquid state.
B. solid state.
C. gaseous state.
D. chemical state.
29. In order to burn, liquids must be: (97)
A. pyrolysized.
B. vaporized.
C. flowing.
D. contained.
30. Which of the following refers to the temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors to ignite, but not sustain, combustion? (98)
A. Fire point
B. Flash point
C. Autoignition point
D. Volatility rating
31. Which of the following is the primary consideration in whether solids are easy or difficult to ignite? (101)
A. Surface-to-mass ratio
B. Source of ignition
C. Proximity to the source of heat
D. Orientation to the source of heat
32. Which of the following is NOT a factor that heat release rate is dependent upon? (103)
A. Type of fuel
B. Quantity of fuel
C. Orientation of fuel
D. Ignition source
Objective 7:
Explain how oxygen concentration affects the combustion process.
33. Which of the following is the primary oxidizing agent in most fires? (103)
A. Oxygen
B. Methane
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Carbon dioxide
34. Which of the following statements is MOST accurate about materials that do not burn at normal oxygen levels? (104)
A. These materials will also not burn in oxygen-enriched atmospheres.
B. These materials may burn readily in oxygen-enriched atmospheres.
C. There materials will generally autoignite in oxygen-enriched atmospheres.
D. These materials must reach the neutral flammable limit to sustain burning.
35. Which of the following refers to the minimum concentration of fuel vapor and air that supports combustion? (105)
A. Upper flammable limit
B. Lower flammable limit
C. Neutral flammable limit
D. Minimum flammable limit
Objective 8:
Discuss the self-sustained chemical reaction involved in the combustion process.
36. Which of the following statements about self-sustained chemical reactions is MOST accurate? (105-106)
A. This process is a simple process that involves the release of energy as heat.
B. This process creates heat and light but does not create flammable or toxic products.
C. This process inhibits the formation of free radicals and slows the oxidation reaction.
D. This process involves many types of intermediate combustion products, many of which are flammable and toxic.
37. Which of the following statements about surface combustion is MOST accurate? (106-107)
A. It can be extinguished by chemical flame inhibition.
B. It cannot be extinguished by chemical flame inhibition.
C. It involves initiation or continuation of the chemical chain reaction found in combustion.
D. It cannot be extinguished by eliminating one side of the fire triangle.
38. In flaming combustion, the fire will continue to burn until the fuel or oxygen is exhausted or: (106)
A. surface combustion takes over.
B. more than 72 hours have passed.
C. the chemical chain reaction causes molecules of methane and oxygen to break apart.
D. an extinguishing agent is applied in sufficient quantity to interfere with the ongoing reaction.
Objective 9:
Describe common products of combustion.
39. Which of the following causes the most fire deaths? (108)
A. Heat
B. Toxic smoke
C. Exhaustion
D. Structural collapse
40. Which of the following products of combustion is frequently identified as the cause of death for civilian fire fatalities and acts as a chemical asphyxiant by binding with hemoglobin in the blood? (108)
A. Methane
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Hydrogen cyanide
D. Carbon dioxide
41. Which of the following products of combustion is produced in the combustion of materials containing nitrogen and is a significant byproduct of the combustion of polyurethane foam? (108)
A. Methane
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Hydrogen cyanide
D. Carbon dioxide
42. Which of the following products of combustion is a product of complete combustion of organic materials and also acts as a respiratory stimulant? (108)
A. Methane
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Hydrogen cyanide
D. Carbon dioxide
Objective 10:
Distinguish among classifications of fires.
43. Which of the following classifications of fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, grass, and many plastics? (110)
A. Class A fires
B. Class B fires
C. Class C fires
D. Class D fires
44. Which of the following classifications of fires involve energized electrical equipment? (110-111)
A. Class A fires
B. Class B fires
C. Class C fires
D. Class D fires
45. Which of the following classifications of fires involve flammable and combustible liquids and gases such as gasoline, oil, lacquer, paint, mineral spirits, and alcohol? (110)
A. Class A fires
B. Class B fires
C. Class C fires
D. Class K fires
46. Which of the following classifications of fires involve combustible metals such as aluminum, magnesium, potassium, sodium, titanium, and zirconium? (111)
A. Class A fires
B. Class B fires
C. Class C fires
D. Class D fires
47. Which of the following classifications of fires involve oils and greases normally found in commercial kitchens and food preparation facilities using deep fryers? (112)
A. Class A fires
B. Class B fires
C. Class C fires
D. Class K fires
Objective 11:
Describe the stages of fire development within a compartment.
48. When fire development is limited by the air supply, it is said to be: (113)
A. fuel controlled.
B. ventilation controlled.
C. combustion controlled.
D. environmentally controlled.
49. During which stage of fire development is the fire small, confined to the material first ignited, and may self-extinguish? (114)
A. Incipient stage
B. Growth stage
C. Fully developed stage
D. Decay stage
50. During which stage of fire development has the fire not yet influenced the environment to a significant extent? (114)
A. Incipient stage
B. Growth stage
C. Fully developed stage
D. Decay stage
51. During which stage of fire development does the fire begin to influence the environment within the compartment? (116)
A. Incipient stage
B. Growth stage
C. Fully developed stage
D. Decay stage
52. In thermal layering, the hottest gases tend to be: (117)
A. in the top layer.
B. in the lower layers.
C. in the neutral plane.
D. in both the top and lower layers.
53. Which of the following refers to pockets of flames that may be observed moving through the hot gas layer above the neutral plane? (118)
A. Rollover
B. Flashover
C. Backdraft
D. Isolated flames
54. Which of the following refers to a condition where the unburned fire gases accumulated at the top of a compartment ignite and flames propagate through the hot gas layer or across the ceiling? (118)
A. Rollover
B. Flashover
C. Backdraft
D. Isolated flames
55. Which of the following refers to the transition when conditions in the compartment change very rapidly from partial to full involvement of the compartment? (118)
A. Rollover
B. Flashover
C. Backdraft
D. Isolated flames
56. Which of the following does NOT occur just before flashover? (120)
A. Temperatures rapidly increase
B. Temperatures decline suddenly
C. Additional fuel becomes involved
D. Fuel in the compartment gives off combustible gases
57. During which stage of fire development are all combustible materials in the compartment burning? (121)
A. Incipient stage
B. Growth stage
C. Fully developed stage
D. Decay stage
58. During which stage of fire development does the fuel become consumed or the oxygen concentration fall to the point where flaming combustion can no longer be supported? (121)
A. Incipient stage
B. Growth stage
C. Fully developed stage
D. Decay stage
59. An increase in ventilation in a fire that is in the decay stage can result in a deflagration called a: (122)
A. rollover.
B. flashover.
C. backdraft.
D. flameover.
Objective 12:
Summarize factors that affect fire development within a compartment.
60. Which of the following are the most fundamental fuel characteristics influencing fire development in a compartment fire? (125)
A. Mass and surface area
B. Age and flammability
C. Fuel moisture and mass
D. Surface area and density
61. Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences the availability and location of additional fuels? (125)
A. Contents (nonstructural fire load)
B. Construction (structural fire load)
C. Configuration of the building
D. Distance to the nearest fire sprinkler
62. All other things being equal, a fire in a large compartment will: (127)