MCA 1

Q. 1. Which were the first laws to be

introduced for the safety of ships in
modern times?

A. It was the Mercantile Marine Act of 1850,

which established a marine department in
Board of Trade. In 1851, Steam
Navigation Act was enacted. Then came the
SHIPPING ACT OF 1984, which was called the
Principal Act. Many acts and conventions
have followed since then. This relates to
United Kingdom.

MCA 2
Q. 2. If a room is on fire, which is the simplest
method of extinguishing the fire?

A. You can close the room, airtight. It will

most probably extinguish the fire.

MCA 3
Q.3. What happens if you open such a room?
(One which has been made airtight after
fire detection.)

A. If the fire is not extinguished and the

room is not cooled properly then it is likely that
fire will reach out and burn the person
who is standing in front of the door.

MCA 4
Q.4. What should one do if one has to open
the door early?

A. To do that, one should stand at a safe

distance or stand on the side and then
open the door. After that fire hose etc. can be
used to quench the fire.

MCA 5
Q.5. What is the most common cause of
accommodation fire?

A. Smoking in the Bed.

MCA 6
 
Q.6. What is the most common cause of galley
fire?

A. Overheated Cooking Oil.

MCA 7
 
Q.7. What is the most common cause of fire in
the engine room?

A. Fuel Oil leakages and Sprayers.

MCA 8
 
Q.8. Which is the most universal fire-
extinguishing medium?

A. It is water, because it has high latent heat

of evaporation, the steam is smothering and
it is easily available.

MCA 9
Q.9. Can water be used for oil fires?

A. Yes, if it is broken into very small

particles, called mist.

MCA 10
Q.10. What are the dangers of using water on
electric fire?

A. (a) Person fighting the fire may get electrocuted

because water is conductive.
(b) Fire can spread because of short-circuiting.

MCA 11
Q.11. How many fire pumps should be there?

A. For cargo ships:Two main pumps in the

engine room and one pump outside the
engine room powered by external sources
i.e. external to the engine room.

MCA 12
Q.12. The isolation valve between engine room
and deck – should it be NON RETURN?

A. It should not be NON RETURN, other wise

the engine room is permanently isolated
and it will never be possible to use emergency
fire pump for fighting fire in the engine
room.

MCA 13
Q.13. How safe are safety matches?

A. Safety matches are liable to self- ignition

under certain circumstances.

MCA 14
Q.14. Can water be used for spirit or petrol
fire?

A. It is of little use.

MCA 15
Q.15. What should be the pressure at the fire
pump?

A. 6 bars approximately – it depends on the

height from fire pump and the hydrants at
highest point as per fire plan.

MCA 16
Q.16. Is it possible to have sanitary water
hydrophore pump maintain pressure
continuously on fire main?

A. No, it is forbidden under M.S. (Fire

Appliances) Rule 1965.

MCA 17
Q.17. What is the diameter of fire Hose?

A. 2.5 inches.

MCA 18
Q.18. What is the length of fire Hose?

A. 30 ft. Or 60 ft.

MCA 19
Q.19. What is the material for fire Hose?

A. Plain Canvas or Coated (Rubber / Plastic)

Canvas.(RRL Hoses)

MCA 20
Q. 20. What is a Dutch Roll?

A. Rolling the Hose from centre to ends.

MCA 21
Q.21. What is Flaking of Hose?

A. Laying the Hose (like computer paper

bundle) Zig – Zag manner.

MCA 22
Q.22. What is the capacity of Water-CO2 Fire
Extinguisher?

A. 9 ltr.

MCA 23
Q.23. What is the material used for internal
coating of Water-CO2 Extinguisher?

A. Lead, Zinc, Tin or Plastic.

MCA 24
Q.24. What is the Criteria for Internal
Pressure for Water-CO2 Extinguishers?

A. If outlet is blocked and extinguisher is

operated, the internal pressure should not
blow up the extinguisher. Normally this
pressure is 17 bars at 210C.

MCA 25
Q.25. If in case of fire, a fire extinguisher is
operated and found that nozzle is choked,
what should you do?

A. Remove it away from exposure to fire;

otherwise it may explode after
overheating.

MCA 26
Q.26. How would you release the pressure in a
choked Extinguisher before dismantling
it?

Q A. The cap has got holes, which would

release the pressure when slackened.

MCA 27
Q.27. Is it permitted to construct Extinguisher
by Riveting?

A. Yes, but it should also be Soldered.

MCA 28
Q.28. What is the Test Pressure of New
Extinguisher?

A. 24 bars for 5 minutes.

MCA 29
Q.29. What is the Test Pressure in Service?

A. 21 bars, every 4 Years.

MCA 30
Q.30. What pressures can the Extinguisher
Stand?

A. Up to 48 Kg/Cm2, before deformation and

consequent rupture. It does not really
explode.

MCA 31
Q.31. What prevents the contents of water CO2
Extinguisher from rising in the Discharge
Tube, due to increase in surrounding
Temperature?

A. There may be a small ball valve in the

plunger to release the pressure.

MCA 32
Q.32. What is the range of water CO2
Extinguisher?

A. More than 20 feet.

MCA 33
Q.33. What is the technique of using Foam Fire
Extinguisher?

A. The jet should not directly hit the Oil Fire,

but some Hard Surface near it and
cascade down on to the Oil Fire.

MCA 34
Q.34. Is the Foam Fire Extinguisher used in
Upright or Upside Down Position?

A. For this, it is best to read the

instructions, on the Extinguisher itself.

MCA 35
Q.35. How much CO2 could be there in a
Portable Foam Fire Extinguisher?

A. About 2 OZ (63 grams).

MCA 36
Q.36. What is the state of CO2 in CO2 cartridge ?

A. It is in Liquid state.

MCA 37
Q.37. What is the Discharge Rate of Gas
Pressurized Foam Type Extinguisher
(Mechanical Type)?

A. It is the same as Chemical Foam

Extinguisher i.e. 20 feet range and 30-90
seconds duration.

MCA 38
Q.38.What is the difference between
Mechanical Foam and Chemical Foam Fire
Extinguishers?

A. If you shake Soap Solution vigorously,

you get Mechanical Foam.
If you add Soda to Soap Solution, you get
Chemical Foam.

MCA 39
Q.39. What type is Gas Pressurized Foam
Extinguisher, Mechanical or Chemical?

A. Mechanical.

MCA 40
Q.40. What is the chemical used in Mechanical
Foam?

A. It is a Protein compound derived from

Dried Blood(Animal Protein).

MCA 41
Q.41. What is the expansion ratio of
Mechanical Foam?

A. 8 to 1, which is little less than Chemical

Foam.

MCA 42
Q.42. Where is the Foam made in Gas
Pressurized Foam Extinguisher?

A. It is made at the Tip of the Discharge

Tube, where a specially designed nozzle is
placed.

MCA 43
Q.43. Is Gas Pressurized Foam Extinguisher
released Upright or Upside Down?

A. Up right, but must read the Instructions.

MCA 44
Q.44. Define filling ratio w.r.t. CO2
extinguishers?

A. It is the weight of liquefiable gas in the

cylinder to the water capacity of the
cylinder – at 150 C (590 F).

MCA 45
Q.45. How much is the filing ratio for CO2
extinguishers? Justify.

A. It is 0.6667 or Two Thirds.

It is keeping in mind the Tropical Temperatures
and Corresponding Pressure Rise.

MCA 46
Q.46. What is the working pressure of CO2
Extinguishers?

A. 136 bar (1980 psi)

MCA 47
Q.47. What is the Test Pressure of CO2
Extinguishers?

A. 207 bar (3000 psi).

MCA 48
Q.48. How are CO2 Extinguishers Tested?

A. Hydraulically.

MCA 49
Q.49. How is a CO2 Extinguisher Discharged?

A. There are Two Methods namely.

(1) Opening a valve.
(2) Piercing a Diaphragm.

MCA 50
Q.50. What is the advantage of valve method
of CO2 discharge from an Extinguisher?

A. For small fire, you can use part of CO2,

rather than emptying all of it.

MCA 51
Q.51. What is the Disadvantage of Valve
method of CO2 discharge from an Extinguisher
?

A. A fire extinguisher may be left partly

empty by the previous user.

MCA 52
Q.52. What is the disadvantage of diaphragm
type of CO2 discharge from an
Extinguisher?

A. Once the discharge starts, it cannot be

stopped.

MCA 53
Q.53. What is the advantage of diaphragm type
of CO2 discharge from an Extinguisher?

A. It is not possible to have a partially empty

Extinguisher.

MCA 54
Q.54. What is the purpose of Internal Tube in a
CO2 Extinguisher ?

A. This way CO2 comes out in liquid form

and prevents evaporation of CO2 inside the
Extinguisher.

MCA 55
Q.55. What happens if CO2 comes out in gas
form after evaporating in a CO2 Extinguisher?

A. Then latent heat of evaporation will be

drawn from the liquid CO2, leading to its
cooling and eventual formation of solid
CO2, i.e. Dry Ice

MCA 56
Q.56. What happens if Dry Ice is formed during
the discharging process in a CO2
Extinguisher?

A. No more CO2 will come out and Fire will

not be Extinguished.

MCA 57
Q.57. What is the expansion ratio of CO2?

A. 5 Kg Liquid = 3 m3gas.

MCA 58
Q.58. Does CO2 extinguish fire by Blanking or
Cooling?

A. By Blanketing. Cooling effect is very little.

MCA 59
Q.59. Is CO2 extinguisher allowed in
accommodation?

A. No. It is not allowed in any confined space

f or fear of leakage and suffocation.

MCA 60
Q.60. What are the advantages of CO2 as a fire
extinguishing medium?

A. 1) It is clean.
2) It can penetrate all kinds of spaces.
3) Being Non Conductor, it can be used
on Electric Fire.

MCA 61
Q.61. What are the Disadvantages of CO2 as a
fire extinguishing medium?

A. 1) Comparatively Heavy.
2) No Visible Check on Leakage’s.
3) Once discharged, cannot not be
charged on board.

MCA 62
Q.62. What is the purpose of the horn in the
discharge pipe in a CO2 Extinguisher?

A. Here liquid is changed to Gas and spread

evenly over the burning surface.

MCA 63
Q.63. What is the volume of 5 kg of CO2?

A. Cr. Temp of CO2 = 31.20 C.

Cr. Pressure of CO2 = 73.0 bar
Volume of 1 kg CO2 liquid at Cr. Point
=2.143Ltr.
Volume of 5 kg CO2 liquid at Cr. Point =
10.715 Ltr.
With filling ratio of 2/3, Volume of Container =
16.07 Ltr.

MCA 64
Q.64. What is the weight of CO2 Extinguisher?

A. Weight of empty Extinguisher is 12.070 kg.

Weight of Full Extinguisher is 16.570 kg.
It contains 4.5 kg. of CO2.

MCA 65
Q.65. What is the Dry-Powder Extinguisher
body made of?

A. It may be Aluminum or Steel.

MCA 66
Q.66. How much is the Factor of Safety for Dry-
Powder Extinguisher ?

A. 4.

MCA 67
Q.67. How much CO2 is there in side the dry
powder extinguisher?

A. 220 gm of dried CO2 in a 6 kg of STORED

type dry powder extinguisher.

MCA 68
Q.68. What is the powder inside a Dry- Powder
Extinguisher ?

A. It may be sodium Bi Carbonate,

Potassium Bi Carbonate or Ammonium
Sulphate.

MCA 69
Q.69. How does Sodium Bi Carbonate work in a
Dry- Powder Extinguisher ?

A. It works by decomposing into sodium

carbonate, water and carbon dioxide.

MCA 70
Q.70. How much CO2 is produced in a Dry-
Powder Extinguisher ?

A. Approximately 0.28 m3 of CO2 is

produced for every kilogram of powder.

MCA 71
Q.71. How do Ammonium Phosphate or Sodium
Chloride work in fighting fires when
discharged from a Dry-Powder Extinguisher
?

A. These work by fusing on the surface and

there by excluding air.

MCA 72
Q.72. For which fires are Ammonium
Phosphate or Sodium Chloride used?

A. These can be used against metallic fire,

carbonaceous fire or specified hazards.

MCA 73
Q.73. Out of Dry powder, Soda Acid and Foam
Type of fire extinguishers, which one
would you use against metal fire?

A. Dry Powder containing Ammonium

Phosphate or Sodium Chloride.

MCA 74
Q.74. What is the key factor in effectivity of
Dry Powder Extinguisher?

A. Since discharge time is 15 sec only, speed

of action is key factor.

MCA 75
Q.75. Name one anti caking agent used in Dry
Powder Extinguishers?

A. Magnesium Stearate is one such agent.

MCA 76
Q.76. What is the major disadvantage of dry
powder extinguisher?

A. Cooling affect is Zero.

MCA 77
 Q.77. What are the specifications of dry powder
extinguishers?
A. The extinguisher shall be capable of
extinguishing:
·     In still air condition.
·     After a 30 sec pre burn.
·     A petrol on water fire, in a
tray.
·     The tray area should be 1.5 square feet
for each o.45 kg of powder in the extinguisher.And it
should contain ½ gallon / sq.ft. (10 ltr/m2) of petrol.
That means take a tray of 36” x 40”, fill it up
partly with water, then pour 14 ltr (3.75 U.S. gallon) of
petrol on it. Set it a fire, let it burn for 30 sec then use
4.5 kg dry powder extinguisher on it and the fire should
be extinguished. 78
MCA
Q.78. How non portable is a non-portable
extinguisher? Is it fixed?

A. It is not fixed. It is non portable only in

the sense that you can not pick it up and run.
Non – portable extinguisher is usually
mounted on wheels and shifted from place
to place.

MCA 79
Q.79. What is “OVER KILLING” a fire?

A. It is better to use too much extinguishing

and douse a fire than use little less
extinguishing and face the danger of
rekindling the fire.

MCA 80
Q.80. Where are dry powder extinguishers
used?

A. Can be used anywhere but are most

suitable for open spaces; because
resulting fog can affect visibility in closed
spaces e.g. engine room. Used on deck in LPG /
LNG ships.

MCA 81
Q.81. What other foams, apart from protein
foam, are available,?

A. There are two more types

1) Fluoro Protein Foam.
2) Aqueous Film Forming Foam A. F. F. F.

MCA 82
Q.82. What is the advantage of using Fluoro
Protein Foam and Aqueous Film Forming
Foam?

A. These have superior flame knock down

and faster flame control capabilities.

MCA 83
Q.83. What is Fluoro Protein foam?

A. It is a combination of Hydrolyzed Protein

and Fluoro Surfactant.

MCA 84
Q.84. What concentration of Fluoro Protein
foam is used?

A. 3-10 percent concentration in water,

depending up on method of application
and equipment used.

MCA 85
Q.85. What is A. F. F. F. and in what
concentration is used ?

A. It is a kind of synthetic foam and

concentration it is used is 6 % in water.

MCA 86
Q.86. How does A. F. F. F. work?

A. Uniqueness of A. F. F. F. is that it allows

water to float on oil there by creating a
vapour seal to extinguish fire.

MCA 87
Q.87. Is it mandatory to have automatic fire
alarm and detection system?

A. Yes it is required under SOLAS though

different kind of ships may require them
in different spaces.

MCA 88
 Q.88.How many different types of Fire
detectors are there employing different
principles of operation?
A.Following types:
1) Heat detectors acting at fixed temperatures.
2) Heat detectors detecting Rate Of Rise (ROR)
of temperature.
3) Light obstruction detector – from smoke –
using P. E. cell – senses voltage drop.
4) Light scatter detector – because of smoke –
using P. E. Cell – senses voltage rise.
5) Combustion products detector – electrical
characteristic change of air due to ionization.
6) Flame detectors – detecting invisible
radiation. 7) Line detector.
8) Laser beam detector. MCA 89
Q.89. How are ROR detectors graded?

A. Grade 1 gives fastest response.

Grade 3 gives slowest response.

MCA 90
Q.90. What is the response time for ROR
detectors?

A. It varies between 2 to 20 minutes

depending upon grade of detector and ROR of
temperature.

MCA 91
Q.91. Will the detector be acceptable if it is
more sensitive than the requirement?

A. No. it can lead to repeated false alarms.

MCA 92
Q.92. What is the difference between “Fixed
Temp. Detectors” and “ROR of Temp.
detectors”?

A. All modern ROR type detectors also work

as fixed temp. detectors.

MCA 93
Q.93. In the pneumatically operated ROR
detectors, what arrangements are made
that night to day temperature changes do
not trigger the alarm?

A. There is a bleed – off hole OR breather

valve which allows air movement in and out
when temperature change rate is rather slow.

MCA 94
Q.94. Is it possible to alter the rate of rise
required to trigger the alarm? How?

A. Yes.
There is an adjustment screw provided for that
purpose.

MCA 95
Q.95. In Thermal type of rate of Rise of Temp.
Detector, what arrangements are made
that night to day temperature changes do
not trigger off the alarm?

A. This type of detector has two Bi-metallic

strips, one insulted from rapid rise of
temperature and the other one is exposed
to such change. On slow rise of temperature,
heat input to both strips is same and
alarm is not triggered.

MCA 96
Q.96. What is Tyndall effect?

A. Tyndall effect deals with scattering of light

due to suspended particles like smoke,
dust or liquid particles.

MCA 97
Q.97. What is the difference between light
obscuration type and light scatter type of
detectors? Which one is more sensitive?

A. In light obscuration type, the P. E. Cell is

normally in dark and increase in light
intensity (due to scatter) will trigger the
alarm.
Light Scatter type.

MCA 98
Q.98. Of light obscuration type and light
scatter type of detectors Which one is fail
safe?

A. Light obscuration type is naturally fail

safe because if, for any reason, current output
reduces then alarm is triggered.
But light scatter type can also be made
fail safe by improved electronic circuitry.

MCA 99
Q.99. If the combustion products are invisible
will combustion products detector work?

A. Yes, it is the number of particles that is

important – not the visibility.

MCA 100
Q.100.Can combustion products detector be
triggered by steam?

A. Yes, even though steam is not a

combustion product.

MCA 101