PRACTICE EXAM FIREFIGHTER
16. What is the principle reason firefighters open and close all valves and nozzles slowly?
*Any time the flow of water is suddenly stopped, the resulting directional change of the water creates a force to be reckoned with. This force, when trapped within a confined system, can lead to serious damage to fire pumps, hoselines, and water mains, consequently endangering firefighters. In firefighting terms, this kind of problem is referred to as water hammer. It can be avoided if all valves and nozzles are opened slowly.*
What dilution of ethylene oxide with water is required to effectively inhibit its flammability?
24: 1
If a container of ethylene oxide has been subjected to fire for a prolonged period of time, what is the recommended distance for safe evacuation?
5,000 feet
26. What is the most important attribute a good driver has over someone with marginal driving ability?
A good attitude.
18. What is the greatest danger aspect for someone using an aluminum ladder to install or realign a rooftop antenna?
A potential electrical shock hazard is possible when in the vicinity of power lines. **Any kind of metal ladder poses an electrical hazard if it comes into contact with an energized power line. Aluminum is a superb conductor. Choices A and B are incorrect. Choice D refers to a problem associated with aluminum ladders. However, it is not considered a greater danger than the prospect of electrocution.**
46. Someone was told to cut a 23.5-inch-diameter circle from a square piece of sheet metal that measures 24 inches on one side. Approximately how many square inches of sheet metal would be left after the circular cut was made? A. 142.26 square inches B. 147 square inches C. 159.87 square inches D. 163.2 square inches
A. 142.26 square inches **The area of a square is equal to its side squared. The area of a circle is equal to pi x R^2 Therefore, the area of the square minus the area of the circular portion removed will give us how many square inches of sheet metal would be left over.** .
53. An industrial alarm control panel is in a rectangular container that has a square base and a measured volume of 16 cubic feet. The height of this container is 16 inches. What would be the length of the base? A. 3.464 feet B. 4.125 feet C. 4.65 feet D. 5.14 feet
A. 3.464 feet *X x X x 1 1/3= 16
41. If pulley A has a circumference of 14.75 inches and pulley B has a circumference of 23.25 inches, how fast would pulley A turn if pulley B were turning at 200 rpm? A. 315.25 rpm B. 274.67 rpm C. 192.83 rpm D. 126.88 rpm .
A. 315.25 rpm **This is a problem that necessitates an inverse proportion. If we try to solve this with a direct proportion, we would set it up in the following manner: 23.25 / 14.75 = Xrpm / 200rpm **
45. What would be the displacement of a piston that has a bore of 3.25 inches and a stroke of 4.75 inches? A. 39.41 cubic inches B. 47.59 cubic inches C. 132.52 cubic inches D. 157.62 cubic inches
A. 39.41 cubic inches **What is essentially being described in this question is the volume of a cylinder. The bore represents the diameter of the cylinder and the stroke represents the height of the cylinder. Since volume of a cylinder = pi x R^2 x Height, we can easily figure the displacement. The radius is equal to Diameter x .5 or, in this case, 3.25 x .5 = 1.625. (Note that 1.6252 = 2.641.) Therefore, (3.1416) x (2.641) x (4.75 inches) = X cubic inches of displacement. X = 39.41 cubic inches.**
63. If another aboveground storage tank contains a radioactive material that poses an extreme hazard to those who do not wear protective gear, which of the choices below would best identify the substance in question according to the 704 labeling system? A. The blue quadrant must demonstrate a signal of 3 or 4 coupled with the radioactivity insignia in the bottom quadrant of the placard. B. The blue quadrant must demonstrate a signal of 1 or 2 in conjunction with the yellow quadrant bearing the insignia for radioactivity. C. The red quadrant must show a high number to indicate an extreme reactivity due to the presence of radiation. D. All quadrants should be marked with a high signal due to the radioactivity involved.
A. The blue quadrant must demonstrate a signal of 3 or 4 coupled with the radioactivity insignia in the bottom quadrant of the placard. *Only Choice A comes closest to what is described as being stored in the tank. Even though there was not much elaboration on the number system, we were told that the higher the signal (i.e., number), the more hazardous the material identified. On that premise alone.*
19. In the process of fighting a fire, your superior officer directs you to perform a different part of the operation. If, because of the noise and commotion you do not fully hear or comprehend what was said, what should you do?
Ask your commanding officer to repeat the instruction. **Problems that occur at the fire scene that hamper the efficiency of how a fire is handled are normally attributed to poor communication among firefighters. If a direction is not fully comprehended or clearly heard, it is better to have it repeated than to undertake action on your own initiative. Effective teamwork is imperative for any kind of operation to be conducted efficiently. The other choices run counter to this concept.**
73. Which of the substances shown in the chart below poses the greatest risk of accidental combustion while being handled? SUBSTANCE FLASHPOINT Gasoline -36 ° F Aviation fuel -50 ° F Kerosene 100 ° F Mineral oil 380 ° F
Aviation fuel *According to what is given in the question, aviation fuel has the lowest flashpoint. In fact, both aviation fuel and ordinary gasoline can exist in a gaseous state at room temperature. If vapors from these fuels flow across an ignition source, the result can be an explosion. Kerosene and mineral oil are much more stable due to their higher flashpoints.*
49. Two fire inspection officers that lived in cities 469 miles apart started traveling toward one another on the same route at rates of 57 mph and 68 mph. If both drivers departed at 6: 15 a.m., what time would they pass each other? A. 9: 15 a.m. B. 10: 00 a.m. C. 10: 20 a.m. D. 1: 15 p.m.
B. 10: 00 a.m. *57x+68x=469*
33. What is the total resistance (in OHMS) of four resistors, in a series, that are rated OHMS? A. OHMS B. 2 OHMS C. 3 OHMS D. OHMS
B. 2 OHMS
43. If a 6-foot-tall firefighter cast a shadow 7.5 feet long and simultaneously noticed that the fire station cast a shadow 35 feet long, how tall is the fire station? A. 27.5 feet B. 28 feet C. 29.7 feet D. 32 feet
B. 28 feet 6/x = 7.5/35
42. The loss of water pressure in a hose can be attributed to friction. If it is known that the friction loss in 100 feet of 1 ½ inch hose is 25 pounds per square inch, what would be the friction loss for 150 feet of 1 ½ inch hose, assuming all other factors remain constant? A. 16.67 psi B. 37.5 psi C. 47.3 psi D. 52 psi
B. 37.5 psi 100/ 150 = 25/x
98. If an electrician needed to flare the end of a piece of electrical conduit to create a coupling with another piece of electrical conduit, what kind of tool would be used? A. A brace with an auger bit B. A brace with a ream C. A power drill with a spade bit D. A power drill with a countersink bit
B. A brace with a ream *This is the principle use for a ream.*
101. Which of the gears listed below demonstrates the unique capability of changing drivetrain direction? A. Helical gears B. Beveled gears C. Herringbone gears D. Spur gears
B. Beveled Gears *Rather than set perpendicularly to a gear's facing. This angulation allows for the directional change of a drivetrain.*
95. Which of the following wrenches is not considered to be adjustable? A. Crescent wrench B. Box wrench C. Monkey wrench D. Stilson wrench
B. Box Wrench The box wrench is the only alternative listed that lacks adjustability.
56. A drill press operator noticed the metallic waste on the floor was smoking and on the verge of igniting. What kind of fire extinguisher would be best suited for this situation? A. Class A B. Class B C. Class C D. Class D
B. Class B or D. Class D **Choice B was correct, you are right if your line of thinking was with regard to the oil lubricant used by drillpress operators when drilling metal stock. If it was the lubricant that caught fire and the metal stock itself was inert, Choice B could be considered possible. On the other hand, if the metal waste on the floor was the reducing agent (i.e., fuel) involved, then a Class D fire extinguisher would best be used.**
35. The formula for converting Celsius temperatures to Fahrenheit is ° F = 9/ 5 (° C ) + 32. What is 25 ° Celsius in Fahrenheit? A. 102.6 ° B. 77 ° C. 67.3 ° D. 59.4 °
B. F ° = (9/ 5)( 25 °) + 32 = 77 °. **PEMDAS**
30. Without considering braided nylon, which of the 1 ½" diameter ropes shown in the chart would support the greatest load? A. Braided nylon B. Nylon C. Polypropylene D. Manila
B. Nylon **Braided nylon would, of course, be the strongest rope shown; however, as it is worded, the question eliminates this as a possibility. Even unbraided 1 ½ inch diameter nylon can support 5,610 pounds. Polypropylene is the second strongest choice given and manila would be considered the weakest.**
90. If a firefighter needed to gain entry to a premises where the doors were chained and padlocked, what tool illustrated below is most appropriate to be used to cut the chain link or the lock's shackle?
Bolt Cutters *Bolt cutters would be the most appropriate tool used to cut chain link. Straight snips are better used to cut thin sheet metal instead of thick round metal stock. A hacksaw could cut either the lock or the chain; however, it would be significantly slower and more inconvenient to use than bolt cutters.*
71. How is liquid similar to a gas?
Both assume the shape of their container. *A liquid and a gas both have the characteristic of assuming the shape of their containment.*
51. Assume the fire department pays 75% of your medical insurance and another $ 150 per month for dental insurance. If your combined insurance benefits total $ 600 per month, what does the fire department actually pay for your monthly medical insurance premiums? A. $ 550 B. $ 575 C. $ 600 D. $ 625
C. $ 600 *3/4X+150=600*
39. The number 49 is 42% of what number? A. 20.58 B. 79.4 C. 116.67 D. 136.1
C. 116.67 set up proportion 49/X = 42/100
52. How many ounces of water should be added to 24 ounces of an alcohol/ water solution containing 44% alcohol to dilute the mixture to 20% alcohol? A. 33.1 ounces B. 31 ounces C. 28.8 ounces D. 24 ounces
C. 28.8 ounces *10.56=.20(x+24)*
38. How can 1 yards to 16 inches be best expressed in terms of a ratio? A. 1.33: 16 B. 1.33: 1.5 C. 3: 1 D. 1: 3
C. 3: 1 **Since we are dealing with two different units of measure (i.e., yards and inches), it is necessary to convert one to the other. This can be done one of two ways. We know there are 36 inches in a yard, so 16 inches is equal to yard or, in reduced form, yards. Or we can change yards into inches; we simply multiply**
47. If a firefighter applicant scored 80%, 82%, 90%, and 87% on his first four exams, what kind of grade would be required on the fifth exam to acquire an overall average of 87%? A. 87% B. 89% C. 96% D. 98%
C. 96% When determining the average of test scores for an applicant, it is necessary to add all test scores together and divide by the number of tests taken. Therefore, if we know what the four previous test scores were, and the desired overall average, we can solve the percent required in the last exam. 3.39+ x%/ 5 = .87
57. If sawdust that had accumulated on the underside of a table saw caught fire in a woodshop, what kind of fire extinguisher should be used to suppress it? A. Class A B. Class A, B C. Class A, B, C D. Class D
C. Class A, B, C **Of prime concern here is the fact that the table saw is an electrical appliance. Unless it is de-energized, the potential for receiving a shock exists. Therefore, an extinguishing agent that has nonconductive properties, such as potassium bicarbonate, would be recommended.**
99. If a length of wood had to be cut perpendicular to its grain, what kind of saw blade would be recommended? A. Rip cut blade B. Saber saw blade C. Crosscut blade D. Friction blade
C. Crosscut blade *Since the intended use of this saw blade is to cut across the grain of a piece of wood, a crosscut blade would be the better choice.*
13. Which of the following choices is not recognized as a symptom stemming from ethylene oxide vapor exposure? A. Eye irritation B. Skin irritation or burns C. Irritation of the respiratory system D. Loss of muscular function
C. Irritation of the respiratory system
27. In your judgment, what is the best reason for fire hoses to be removed and reloaded on an apparatus at least once every 30 days? A. Hose tends to get brittle with little use. B. Water trapped within a hose after use can stagnate and deteriorate the lining. C. It reduces the possibility of bends becoming permanently set at certain points in the hoseline. D. It is just another menial job to keep firefighters constantly busy.
C. It reduces the possibility of bends becoming permanently set at certain points in the hoseline. **It is a fact that hose lines left unused for long periods of time deteriorate more quickly than hoses that are frequently used. Unloading hose at least once a month eliminates the problem of bends becoming permanently set in the lining. Once bends happen, hoses can become weak at the bend points and are more prone to leakage or rupture.**
59. If a 2 ½-gallon fire extinguisher contained water stored under pressure, but lacked a face plate identifying its classification, what class or classes of fires could we assume this unit would be effective in suppressing?
Class A *Class A fires. Even though the relationships of extinguishing agent and suppression effectiveness was not discussed, we can solve this question by eliminating choices. Choices B and C are wrong because the letter C indicates the capacity to be used on electrical fires. Obviously, water used to suppress a fire of this nature poses an extreme hazard of electrical shock because water is conductive. Choice D is wrong because it was mentioned in the passage that Class D fires require special extinguishing agents. Thus, through a process of elimination, Choice A is the correct answer.*
50. On Friday night, Greg drove home from fire academy training at an average rate of 58 mph. On the return trip Sunday night, his rate was 5 mph slower, which took him an additional 30 minutes of travel time. How long of a commute is it between Greg's home and the academy? A. 261 miles B. 292.5 miles C. 301.7 miles D. 307.4 miles
D. 307.4 miles *58x = 53(X+.5)*
48. If six firemen can conduct waterflow analysis on 25 fire hydrants in two days, how many fire hydrants could be inspected by five firemen in four days? A. 22 B. 27 C. 35 D. 42
D. 42 ** 6/5 x 2/4 =25/x **
Which of the following was not suggested for personnel protection with regard to dealing with the chemical in question? A. Keep upwind of the chemical. B. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. C. Avoid bodily contact with the chemical. D. Any chemical that may inadvertently contact the body should be washed off with large amounts of alcohol.
D. Any chemical that may inadvertently contact the body should be washed off with large amounts of alcohol.
23. According to the National Safety Council, each year twenty times more deaths within the United States are caused by fires than by tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes combined. What can we deduce from this statement? A. Fires are more lethal by comparison. B. Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes are taken for granted by most people. C. People are better able to cope with natural weather phenomena than fire. D. Statistically there are many more fires than natural weather or geophysical disasters. This, combined with public apathy and a lack of education about fire, is the probable reason for the high fatality rate.
D. Statistically there are many more fires than natural weather or geophysical disasters. This, combined with public apathy and a lack of education about fire, is the probable reason for the high fatality rate. **When the destructive capabilities of fire are compared to those of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, it is a misconception to think that fire is the worst. In fact, the destructive energy of the other phenomenon discussed is significantly greater. Additionally, fire prevention and education are taken for granted by most people, thus leading to preventable accidents and consequent fatalities.**
28. Firefighters are responsible for preventing any unnecessary damage from occurring to hoselines at the scene of a fire. Not only are they expensive to replace, but damaged hoses can become ineffective in fighting a fire if they cannot remain charged because of leaks or ruptures. Which of the following hose-care practices is not recommended? A. Avoid excessive dragging. B. Don't allow vehicles to run over charged hoses. C. Avoid laying hose over sharp or rough corners. D. Use hot air to quickly dry the outside woven jacket of the hose.
D. Use hot air to quickly dry the outside woven jacket of the hose. **Most hoses are composed of rubber, natural or synthetic. When rubber is subjected to hot air, it quickly deteriorates or cracks. Moderately warm air should be used to dry hoseline.**
22. Icy road conditions can be particularly hazardous for driving because
Friction between the tires and road is minimized. **Brakes, contrary to popular thought, are not directly responsible for stopping a vehicle. Instead, they retard the motion of the wheels. Consequently, friction develops between the tire and the road which is directly responsible for a vehicle coming to a complete stop.**
21. If someone's clothing were to catch on fire, what would be an appropriate thing to do?
If it is a loose fitting garment, such as a jacket or coat, you should attempt to strip it off. Wrap a blanket or something similar around the victim to smother the flames. Get the victim to drop to the ground and roll slowly.
27. In your judgment, what is the best reason for fire hoses to be removed and reloaded on an apparatus at least once every 30 days?
It reduces the possibility of bends becoming permanently set at certain points in the hoseline. **It is a fact that hose lines left unused for long periods of time deteriorate more quickly than hoses that are frequently used. Unloading hose at least once a month eliminates the problem of bends becoming permanently set in the lining. Once bends happen, hoses can become weak at the bend points and are more prone to leakage or rupture.**
58. Sodium bicarbonate is an example of what kind of extinguishing agent?
Nonconductive dry chemical **Sodium bicarbonate is basically a nonconductive dry chemical for use on electrical fires. Choices A and B are different from sodium bicarbonate because they are wetting agents capable of electrical conductivity. Liquified compressed gas such as Halon 1211 can be used on electrical fires as well, but is not considered to be a dry chemical.**
24. When mechanical ventilation is required to help purge heat and smoke from a burning building, which of the following should be avoided?
Placing the exhaust fan, if possible, in the same direction that the prevailing winds are coming from. **The vented exhaust is being directed against a prevailing wind. This is neither efficient nor desired because the vented gases could be inadvertently recirculated into the building. The best idea is to use wind to your advantage, not have it work against you.**
Once ethylene oxide becomes contaminated, what kind of chemical process may occur that can generate enough heat and pressure to rupture its containment?
Polymerization
16. Firefighters often apply a hose stream to the side of a building that is in close proximity to a fire. What is the primary reason for conducting such an operation?
Radiant heat given off by the neighboring fire may adversely affect the nearest wall. Without the coolant effect of the hose stream, enough heat may be absorbed by an exposed surface to cause ignition and create a separate blaze.
69. The temperature required to convert a fuel from a liquid state to a gaseous state is considered to be what?
The flashpoint of a fuel *The flashpoint of a fuel is the temperature required of a liquid to convert to a gaseous state or, in other words, vaporize. Pyrolysis concerns the conversion of solids to a gaseous state.*
17. Frequently, people use an octopus wall outlet connection to maximize the number of appliances that can be plugged into a single outlet. What would this be considered?
Unsafe, because the excessive amount of current drawn through the outlet may exceed what it is designed to handle. This may set the stage for wires to overheat or a short circuit to occur, thus causing a fire within the partition.
70. Another term for a liquid substance that demonstrates a low flashpoint is
Volatile *Any liquid that has a low flashpoint is considered to be volatile. Butyl alcohol is, in fact, one such substance. However, we are concerned with finding another term rather than an example. Choice B is wrong because it was stated in the article that liquids are not compressible.*
