Dec 2004 Question 11

Outline the benefits of undertaking regular fire

drills in the workplace
(8)

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Examiners Report

It is generally accepted that fire drills form an important part of ensuring the
safety of employees at a workplace
Candidates were required to outline the benefits of carrying out these drills &
Examiners were looking for reference to such matters as
Satisfying a legal requirement, or one specified in a fire certificate, to provide
instruction to employees on the action to be taken in emergency situations
Checking that the alarm can be heard in all parts of the premises
Testing the effectiveness of the evacuation procedures both generally & in
relation to specific requirements (such as the need to ensure the safety of
disabled employees & visitors)
Familiarising employees (particularly those new to the undertaking) with the
alarms, evacuation procedures, escape routes & assembly points so that, in
the case of a real emergency, they would know the actions to be taken
& providing an opportunity for fire wardens & others with specific functions to
practice their designated roles
CHSS Ltd 2006
Sales ref: sc/639/v3

This was another question that produced a generally good standard of

response, with candidates able to demonstrate an understanding of the
subject from their knowledge of underlying principles & perhaps from their
work experience

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Sep 2002 Question 9

Outline the factors to consider when carrying
out a fire risk assessment of a workplace (8)

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Examiners Report

With the number of issues that might be considered in conducting a fire risk
assessment, there was ample opportunity for candidates to fain marks
Unfortunately, many let themselves down by providing limited breadth &/or
depth to their answers
Some, for instance, restricted their answers to simply fire-fighting issues
whereas others provided little more than a list of the main topic areas that
did not satisfy the requirement for an outline
Candidates who performed better on this question tended to give structured
answers that addressed

The assessment of the probability of fire breaking out & its possible
magnitude

The means of detection & raising the alarm

Fire-fighting measures & evacuation
CHSS Ltd 2006
Sales ref: sc/639/v3

In this respect, relevant issues include

Possible ignition sources, the quantities of flammable & combustible

materials

The siting & testing of detectors & call-points

Training of personnel in the use of fire extinguishers

The siting, suitability of alarms

The means of contacting the emergency services
The siting, suitability & maintenance of fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems,
etc
The adequacy of emergency signs
The provision & testing of emergency lighting
The number of people to be evacuated &particular groups at risk
The adequacy of the escape routes; & staff training in evacuation
procedures

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Sept 2002 Q4 & March 2004 Q6

(a) Explain using a suitable sketch the meaning

of the term fire triangle
(4)
(b) List FOUR types of ignition source that may
cause a fire to occur,& give an example of
EACH type
(4)

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Examiners Report

Part (a) of this question required candidates to explain, with a clearly

labelled diagram, that each side of the fire triangle represents one of 3
elements namely

Fuel
Oxygen
& a source of ignition
that must be present for combustion to occur.
This part of the question was generally well answered

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Part (b) required a list of types of ignition source together with an example of each.
While candidates were able to provide a reasonable list, the inclusion of specific
examples often proved more difficult
Possible sources of ignition that could have been mentioned included
Electricity, from arcing or from overheating due to faulty wiring, poor connections,
excess current etc
Chemical reactions
Hot work such as welding or cutting; discarded smoking materials
Friction caused by, for instance, inadequate lubrication of machinery
Hot surfaces such as those on cooking or heating appliances
& sparks from static electricity
A few candidates confused sources of ignition with methods of heat transfer,
which was perhaps the question that they had hoped would appear

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Dec 2001 Question 9

Identify the FOUR methods of heat transfer &
explain how EACH can cause the spread of fire
(8)

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3

Examiners Report

The four methods of heat transfer that should have been identified in answer
to this question are

Conduction
Convection
Radiation
& direct burning
The last of these is normally considered a method in its own right but is, in
fact, a combination of the other methods
Having identified the methods, many candidates appeared to find difficulty in
explaining how each method may cause the spread of fire
Sufficient understanding, however, could be demonstrated by the
appropriate use of practical examples
CHSS Ltd 2006
Sales ref: sc/639/v3

For instance, heat can be transferred through metal beams or other parts of
a structure by

Conduction
It can be carried by rising air currents (convection) to cause a build-up of hot
gases under ceilings

It can be radiated through the air causing heating of material at a distance

from a fire

&, perhaps what is the most obvious method, combustible material in direct
contact with flames can itself catch fire

CHSS Ltd 2006

Sales ref: sc/639/v3