Unit IGC 2 – Element 5: Fire hazards and control

Question # 1:
(a) Outline FOUR types of ignition source that may lead to a fire in a workplace. (4)
(b) Outline ways of controlling EACH of the ignition sources identified in (a). (4)

Sample Answer
(a)
- Overloading of electrical circuits
- Hot work, e.g. welding
- Smoking materials
- Friction between moving metal parts
- Static electricity
- Open fires
- Heating appliances – hot surfaces
(b)
- Use of overload protection, e.g. fuse. Provision of sufficient socket outlets
- Use of safe systems of work and permits-to-work
- Prohibit smoking in the workplace, or provide designated safe smoking areas
- Regular maintenance and lubrication
- Providing bonding to dissipate any static charge to earth
- Prohibit open fires, e.g. no burning of waste on site
- Only use radiators for space heating

Question # 2: Identify EIGHT common causes of fires in the workplace. (8)

Sample Answer
Common causes of fires in the workplace are:
- faulty or incorrectly used electrical equipment;
- machinery and plant which was either incorrectly used or badly maintained such as friction caused by
inadequate lubrication:
- chemical reactions that may give off heat
- hot work such as welding or cutting;
- smoking materials which are discarded in an unsafe manner;
- hot surfaces such as those on cooking or heating appliances
- sparks from cold working such as grinding static electricity arising from the incorrect transfer of flammable
liquids and
- arson

VCES Student Hand-outs IGC 2 Element 1 Page 1

 Unit IGC 2 – Element 5: Fire hazards and control
Question # 3:
In relation to the occurrence of fires in the workplace, identify FOUR different types of ignition source AND give
a workplace example of how EACH might occur. (8)

Sample Answer
Types of ignition source
- Electricity (e.g. Arcing or overheating due to faulty wiring poor connections excess current etc),
- Chemical reactions (e.g. Any reaction between chemicals that gives off heat)
- Hot work (e.g. Welding or cutting)
- Naked flame or burning material (e.g. Discarded smoking materials)
- Friction caused by, for instance, inadequate lubrication of machinery; and hot surfaces such as those on
cooking or heating appliances

Question # 4: Outline EIGHT ways of reducing the risk of fire starting within a workplace. (8)

Sample Answer
The ways of reducing the risk of a fire starting in a workplace include:
- the control of smoking and smoking materials;
- good housekeeping to prevent the accumulation of waste paper and other combustible materials
- regular lubrication of machinery to prevent friction and overheating
- regular inspection of electrical equipment such as plugs and cables for damage
- ensuring that electrical systems are not overloaded and isolating electrical equipment when not in use
- the use of earth bonding to control risks from static electricity
- ensuring ventilation outlets on equipment are not obstructed
- controlling hot work by permits or by the creation of designated areas
- providing proper storage facilities for flammable liquids
- segregating incompatible chemicals; and
- implementing security procedures to reduce the risk of arson.

Question # 5:
(a) Outline FOUR types of ignition source that may lead to a fire in a workplace. (4)
(b) Outline ways of controlling EACH of the ignition sources identified in (a). (4)

Sample Answer
(a)
- Overloading of electrical circuits
- Hot work, e.g. welding
- Smoking materials
- Friction between moving metal parts
- Static electricity
- Open fires
- Heating appliances – hot surfaces
(b)
- Use of overload protection, e.g. fuse. Provision of sufficient socket outlets
- Use of safe systems of work and permits-to-work
- Prohibit smoking in the workplace, or provide designated safe smoking areas
- Regular maintenance and lubrication
VCES Student Hand-outs IGC 2 Element 1 Page 2
 Unit IGC 2 – Element 5: Fire hazards and control
- Providing bonding to dissipate any static charge to earth
- Prohibit open fires, e.g. no burning of waste on site
- Only use radiators for space heating

Question # 6: Identify EIGHT common causes of fires in the workplace. (8)

Sample Answer
Common causes of fires in the workplace are:
- faulty or incorrectly used electrical equipment;
- machinery and plant which was either incorrectly used or badly maintained such as friction caused by
inadequate lubrication:
- chemical reactions that may give off heat
- hot work such as welding or cutting;
- smoking materials which are discarded in an unsafe manner;
- hot surfaces such as those on cooking or heating appliances
- sparks from cold working such as grinding static electricity arising from the incorrect transfer of flammable
liquids and
- arson

Question # 7:
In relation to the occurrence of fires in the workplace, identify FOUR different types of ignition source AND give
a workplace example of how EACH might occur. (8)

Sample Answer
Types of ignition source
- Electricity (e.g. Arcing or overheating due to faulty wiring poor connections excess current etc),
- Chemical reactions (e.g. Any reaction between chemicals that gives off heat)
- Hot work (e.g. Welding or cutting)
- Naked flame or burning material (e.g. Discarded smoking materials)
- Friction caused by, for instance, inadequate lubrication of machinery; and hot surfaces such as those on
cooking or heating appliances

Question # 8: Outline EIGHT ways of reducing the risk of fire starting within a workplace. (8)

Sample Answer
The ways of reducing the risk of a fire starting in a workplace include:
- the control of smoking and smoking materials;
- good housekeeping to prevent the accumulation of waste paper and other combustible materials
- regular lubrication of machinery to prevent friction and overheating
- regular inspection of electrical equipment such as plugs and cables for damage
- ensuring that electrical systems are not overloaded and isolating electrical equipment when not in use
- the use of earth bonding to control risks from static electricity
- ensuring ventilation outlets on equipment are not obstructed
- controlling hot work by permits or by the creation of designated areas
- providing proper storage facilities for flammable liquids
- segregating incompatible chemicals; and
- implementing security procedures to reduce the risk of arson.

VCES Student Hand-outs IGC 2 Element 1 Page 3