Examiner’s Report – March 2014

Level 4 Certificate, Unit 1: Fire Engineering Science

Introduction

Candidates were required to answer six questions from a choice of eight questions.
The most popular choices for candidates were question 1 (circuit diagram and related
calculations), question 3 (Bernoulli’s theorem and equation with related calculation)
and question 6 (effects of changes in temperature and pressure on the rate of a
combustion reaction). The questions in which candidates performed best were
questions 3 and 5; candidates generally performed poorly in answering question 4.

Feedback on candidate performance in each of the examination questions follows.

Question 1

Study the circuit diagram below:

VP1 = 3 volts
R3
R1 10 kΩ

R2 R4
5 kΩ 7 kΩ

9 volts

a) Briefly explain the principles that govern the distribution of voltage and current in series
and parallel circuits.
(5 marks)

b) Calculate the current in the first parallel branch. Express your answer in milliamps.
(5 marks)

c) Calculate the value of resistor R1. Express your answer in kilo-Ohms.

(5 marks)

1
d) Explain what is meant by the earth fault loop path of a circuit. Use a diagram to assist
your answer.
(5 marks)

Candidates who achieved good marks on this question demonstrated a thorough

understanding of circuit theory and accurately applied the formulae in making the
correct calculations.

Some candidates either used the wrong formula or transposed the formula
incorrectly. Others revealed a poor understanding of the earth fault loop.

Question 2

Engineers wishing to measure the flow rate of water flowing along a country stream construct
a vee notch weir for this purpose. The weir is 580 mm deep and the angle of the vee notch is
85 degrees.

a) Calculate the flowrate of water through the weir. Assume a discharge (Chezy)
constant of 0.65 m1/2/s and express your answer in cubic metres per second.
(8 marks)

b) If the flow rate is 0.5 m3/s, how deep would the water in the weir be? Express your
answer in millimetres.
(8 marks)

c) Outline the factors that might affect the value of the figure given for the discharge
constant.
(4 marks)

There were some very good answers to this question, with a number of candidates
demonstrating a firm grasp of the appropriate formulae. Some candidates made
errors with regard to the square root.

A large number of candidates omitted to answer part c). The Chezy constant refers
to the resistance caused by friction across the weir edge. Factors such as the
roughness of the material used for the weir and the thickness of that material were
the relevant factors to consider.

Question 3

a) State Bernoulli’s theorem and explain Bernoulli’s equation.

(10 marks)

A Venturi meter is fitted in a horizontal pipe of 150 mm diameter to measure the flow of water.
The pressure at the inlet is 180,000 N/m2 above atmospheric and the pressure at the throat is
50,000 N/m2 below atmospheric. Between the inlet and the throat there is an estimated
frictional loss of 8% of the difference in pressure between these points. The velocity of the

2
water flowing through the throat of the Venturi meter is 25 m/s.

b) Draw a Venturi meter and calculate the flow rate of water through the pipe. The density
of the water is 1000 kg/m3.
(10 marks)

A number of responses to part a) question gained full marks, with candidates using
the correct formulae and articulating a clear understanding of Bernoulli’s theorem.
Some candidates used the wrong formulae. Another common error was the failure to
mention conservation of energy. Some candidates ignored part b) and did not
attempt this part of the question.

Question 4

a) Sketch the curves which make up the flammability envelope for a fuel air mixture containing
different percentages of extinguishing agents.
(5 marks)

b) Using the sketch that you have produced in part a), explain what is meant by the
following:
i. inhibitory factor
ii. limiting oxygen concentration
iii. limits of flammability
(15 marks)

There were few good answers to this question. Candidates that attempted this
question generally produced sketchy answers that relied on superficial levels of
knowledge.

Question 5

A welding transformer gives a current of 350 Amps.

The secondary winding (through which the 350 Amps flow) has a resistance of 0.2 Ohms.
The transformer is on for 50 seconds and off for 10 seconds in a continuous cycle.
The transformer is made of 20 kg of iron and 16 kg of copper surrounded by 30 kg of oil.

Calculate the percentage of the losses in the transformer that must be dissipated to the
surroundings if the rise in temperature after one hour of operation is to be not more than 300C?

(Assume oil, copper and iron are at the same temperature.)

Specific heat capacity (SHC) iron 480 J/kg0C

Specific heat capacity (SHC) copper 385 J/kg0C
Specific heat capacity (SHC) oil 3360 J/kg0C
(20 marks)

3
 This was not a popular option for candidates. However, many of the candidates that
attempted the question performed well. Well organised, accurate and concise
answers earned some candidates full marks. Unfortunately, others made errors in
setting out their answers and in going through the sequence of calculations.

Question 6

a) Explain in detail the effects that changes in temperature and pressure are likely to have
on the rate of a combustion reaction on gases, liquids and solids.
(10 marks)

b) Explain in detail the effect that a catalyst would have on these reactions.
(5 marks)

c) Explain how, in mathematical terms, the ideal gas equation can illustrate the relationship
between temperature and pressure in a reaction.
(5 marks)

Some candidates dealt with part a) confidently and so were awarded high marks in
the section where most marks were to be gained.

Unsuccessful candidates tended to confuse the various gas laws and quoted the
general gas laws incorrectly. They also relied on superficial anecdotal knowledge
and did not demonstrate sufficient depth of understanding for candidates working at
level 4.

Question 7

a) Describe the chemical reactions involved with regard to the following terms used to
describe explosions or type of explosive:

i. deflagrations (2 marks)
ii. initiators (2 marks)
iii. propellants (2 marks)
iv. detonators (2 marks)

b) In relation to fireworks, describe the following:

i. explosive properties of fireworks

ii. precautions to be taken when handling and storing fireworks
iii. likely behaviour in a fire involving packaged and stored fireworks
iv. appropriate firefighting media to use when tackling a fire involving fireworks
(12 marks)

4
 Some candidates displayed a good depth of knowledge in answering this question,
giving sound descriptions of the chemical reactions involved in part a) and detailed
explanations of the properties, precautions and problems involved in dealing with
fireworks.

Unfortunately a number of candidates appeared to be drawn to this topic by the

common experience of dealing with incidents involving fireworks. This led them into
submitting answers based on anecdotal evidence rather than demonstrating in-depth
understanding of the subject.

Question 8

Thermocouples and thermistors are two devices that are used to measure or monitor heat.

a) Explain the operating principles and design characteristics of each device.

(10 marks)

b) What factors should you consider when selecting a thermocouple or a thermistor for a
particular job?
(5 marks)

c) Describe a situation where each device could be used effectively to monitor or record
temperatures. Explain why you think that each device would be the best temperature
monitoring device for the job relative to the situation you have selected.
(5 marks)

Many candidates demonstrated a good working knowledge of thermocouples and

thermistors. Unfortunately, some candidates made technical errors such as
confusing the use of a bimetallic strip with a thermocouple.