Introduction to Fire Safety Management

particular the shortage of nitrogen for inerting would 
tend to inhibit the venting of off-gas as a method of 
pressure control/reduction
➤
Operating procedures were lacking particularly with 
regard to the number of critical decisions to be made
➤
In relation to inerting the atmosphere reliability/back-
up/proof testing appeared inadequate.
7.7
Example NEBOSH questions for 
Chapter 7
1. (a) 
Explain
the meaning of the term ‘fl ash 
point’. 
(2)
(b) 
Outline
the precautions to take to reduce 
the risk of fi re when using fl ammable 
solvents in the workplace. 
(6)
2. A major hazard on a refurbishment project is fi re.
(a) 
Identify
THREE activities that represent an 
increased 
fi re risk in such a situation. 
(3)
(b) 
Outline
the precautions that may be taken 
to prevent a fi re from occurring. 
(5)
3. 
Outline
the measures that should be taken to 
minimise the risk of fi re from electrical 
equipment. 
(8)
(a) 
Identify
two sources of oxygen which can 
be found in the workplace. 
(2)
(b) State the ways in which the potential sources
of oxygen supply to a fi re can be reduced. 
(4)
(c) 
Defi ne
the terms ‘explosive atmosphere’. 
(2)
4. 
Defi ne
the following terms:
(a) 
Defl agration 
(2)
(b) 
Detonation 
(2)
(c) 
Upper 
fl ammable limit (UFL) 
(2)
(d) 
Lower 
fl ammable limit (LFL). 
(2)
5. 
Explain
with the use of a diagram the method of 
operation of an automatic explosion suppression 
system. 
(8)
6. 
Describe
the three zones that may be identifi ed 
within a workplace that has fl ammable gases 
and vapours that may produce an explosive 
atmosphere. 
(8)
7. 
Identify four
methods of heat transfer and 
explain how each can cause the spread of fi re. 
(8)

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136
Identifying sources of fuel, ignition and oxygen will 
undoubtedly assist in preparing a fi re safety manage-
ment strategy based upon a risk assessment approach. 
However, these areas are only hazards (something 
that has the potential to cause harm) and it will take 
human intervention in one form or another to change 
the hazards into risk, be it accidentally or deliberately. 
Determining the different causes of fi re in the workplace 
is the next stage in the management process, as having 
identifi ed the primary sources of harm and how they are 
caused will enable a robust fi re safety management plan 
to be produced to prevent a fi re starting.
This chapter will also include specifi c reference to 
causes of fi res within construction and maintenance work 
with the inherent hazards and risks such operations bring, 
together with the preventive steps to manage them.