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A comprehensive study guide for the cfei (certified fire and explosion investigator) exam, covering a wide range of topics related to fire science, investigation, and analysis. It covers the scientific method, fire effects, fire analysis, fire dynamics, job performance requirements, empirical data, deductive reasoning, fire tetrahedron, fuel types, chemical oxidizers, phase changes, thermal decomposition, heat transfer mechanisms, thermometry, heat release rate, flame characteristics, ignition sources, and self-heating phenomena. The guide includes numerous correct answers to questions, making it a valuable resource for individuals preparing for the cfei exam or seeking to deepen their understanding of fire-related concepts. The level of detail and the breadth of topics covered suggest that this document could be useful for university-level courses or programs related to fire science, forensics, or engineering.
Typology: Exams
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The scientific method - Correct Answer-Recognize the need, define the problem, collect data, analyze the data, develop hypothesis, test hypothesis, select final hypothesis Fire effects are the result of? - Correct Answer-Exposure to fire Fire effects are part of what portion of the scientific method - Correct Answer-Data collection What are the general categories of fire effects? - Correct Answer-Discoloration, deformation, deposition, mass loss Fire Effect - Correct Answer-The observable or measurable changes in or on a material as a result of a fire Fire Analysis - Correct Answer-The process of determining the origin, cause, development, responsibility, and when required, failure analysis of a fire or explosion Fire Dynamics - Correct Answer-The detailed study of how chemistry, Fire science, and the engineering disciplines of fluid mechanics and heat transfer interact to influence fire behavior Fire Investigation - Correct Answer-The process of determining the origin, cause, and development of a fire or explosion Job Performance Requirements - Correct Answer-A statement that describes a specific job task, list the items necessary to to complete the task, and defines measurable or observable outcomes and evaluation areas for the specific task What aspects are involved in finding a cause? - Correct Answer-Circumstances, conditions, or agencies that brought the ignition source, fuel, and oxidant together Empirical Data - Correct Answer-Observation or experience and is capable of being verified or known to be true Deductive reasoning - Correct Answer-The process by which conclusions are drawn by logical inference from given premises. Comparing hypothesis to collected data Inductive Reasoning - Correct Answer-Starts from a particular experience and proceeds to generalizations. Develops hypothesis based on facts, training, expertise, experience, and knowledge
Expectation Bias - Correct Answer-The use of only the data that supports this previously formed conclusion and often results in the misinterpretation and/or the discarding of data that does not support the original opinion Confirmation bias - Correct Answer-Confirming data that supports your hypothesis What are the two levels of certainty for an expert - Correct Answer-Probable and possible What level of certainty does not qualify for an expert opinion - Correct Answer- Suspected Probable - Correct Answer-Greater than 50% certainty Possible - Correct Answer-Feasible but not, less than 50% sure. If two hypothesis are likely then certainty has to be possible Fire - Correct Answer-A rapid oxidation process, which is an exothermic reaction, resulting in the release of heat and light energy in varying intensities. Energy - Correct Answer-A property of matter that manifests as an ability to perform work, either by moving over a distance against a force or by transferring heat. Calorie - Correct Answer-The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1 degree Celsius BTU - Correct Answer-The quantity of heat required to raise the temp. Of 1 lb of water by 1 degree F at a pressure of 1 atmosphere and temp of 60 degrees F Energy is measured in.... - Correct Answer-Calories, BTUs, Joules Power - Correct Answer-Energy released per unit of time Power is measured in... - Correct Answer-Joules per second (J/s) or watts (W) Heat flux - Correct Answer-The amount of power per unit area Heat flux is measured in.... - Correct Answer-kW/m^2 or W/cm^ Fire tetrahedron - Correct Answer-Fuel, the oxidizing agent, the heat, uninhibited chemical chain reaction Fuel - Correct Answer-Any substance that can undergo combustion Two common inorganic metals - Correct Answer-Magnesium and sodium
Inorganic - Correct Answer-Does not contain carbon Organic - Correct Answer-Contains carbon Chemical oxidizers - Correct Answer-Ammonium nitrate fertilizer (NH4NO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) Gases that can form flammable mixtures in atmospheres other than oxygen or air - Correct Answer-Hydrogen and chlorine gas Stoichiometric Ratio - Correct Answer-Air is equal to fuel Phase changes - Correct Answer-No chemical reaction Thermal decomposition - Correct Answer-Irreversible changes in the chemical structure of a material due to the effects of heat (pyrolysis) Examples of premixed fuel and air - Correct Answer-Natural gas release and gasoline Premixed flame spread can present as... - Correct Answer-Deflagration or detonation Combustion explosion - Correct Answer-Premixed flame propagation in a confined volume Insufficient fuel mixture to reach the LEL is said to be... - Correct Answer-Too lean Insufficient oxygen molecule mixture to stay within UEL is said to be.... - Correct Answer-Too rich What relation between the LEL and UEL makes a fuel have a higher fire hazard - Correct Answer-The lower the LEL and the higher the UEL the wider the flammability/explosive range LOI - Correct Answer-Limiting oxygen index For most fuel vapors the LOI is in the range of... - Correct Answer-10-14% by volume at ordinary temps Carbon dioxide and water is produced when... - Correct Answer-Complete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels containing only hydrogen and carbon Nitrogen oxide or hydrogen cyanide is produced when... - Correct Answer-Materials containing nitrogen such as silk, wool, and polyurethane foam Woot and tarry products accumulate on... - Correct Answer-Surfaces that remain the coolest longest
Temperature - Correct Answer-A measure that expresses the degree of molecular activity of a material compared to a reference point Heat - Correct Answer-The energy needed to change the temperature of an object k Heat transfer is accomplished by what three mechanisms - Correct Answer-Condition, convection, and radiation Thermal conductivity - Correct Answer-A measure of the amount of heat per unit of time that will flow across a unit area with a temp gradient of 1 degree per unit of length Steady State Thermal Condition - Correct Answer-When temps are all interior points have stopped increasing During steady state heat transfer what is the dominant heat transfer property - Correct Answer-Thermal conductivity Products used to determine thermal inertia - Correct Answer-Thermal conductivity, density, and heat capacity Thermal inertia - Correct Answer-A measure of how easily the surface temp of the material will increase when heat flows into the material High density, high conductivity, and high thermal inertia means what type of surface temp change? - Correct Answer-Slow surface temp increase Thermal inertia is most important during which stages of a fire - Correct Answer- Initiation and early stages of a fire Thermal inertia determines what - Correct Answer-How fast the surface temp will rise Low thermal inertia means - Correct Answer-Quick rise of surface temp I'm the early stages of a fire what type of heat transfer plays the most significant role - Correct Answer-Convection Convection heat transfer occurs by what two mechanisms - Correct Answer-Natural and forced convection Radiant heat transfer can only be transferred via - Correct Answer-Line of sight Thermometry - Correct Answer-The study of the science, methodology, and practice of temp measurement
What are the two types of systems to measure degrees of temperatures - Correct Answer-Empirical and thermodynamic Empirical temperature scale - Correct Answer-F and C scales. Based on the relative temps at which water boils and freezes Fahrenheit - Correct Answer-Based on a 180-degree difference between the freezing and boiling temps of pure water Celcius - Correct Answer-Centigrade: based on the freezing point of pure water being 0 degrees Celsius and the boiling point 100 degrees celsius Thermodynamic Temperature Scale - Correct Answer-Based on the lowest possible temperature of absolute zero, and therefore are called absolute zero scale Rankine - Correct Answer-Begins at absolute zero Fuel load - Correct Answer-The amount of fuel present Fuel Load Density - Correct Answer-The potential combustion energy output per unit floor area or the mass of fuel per unit floor area Does fuel load have a bearing on the rate of growth of a given fire in preflashover? - Correct Answer-No: fuel load has no bearing on rate of growth during pre flashover phases Pre flashover rate of growth is determined by - Correct Answer-HRR of individual fuel areays Heat Release Rate - Correct Answer-Describes how the available energy in a given material or group of materials is released HRR during the growth phase generally increases as a result of what - Correct Answer- Increasing flame spread rates over the fuel package Peak or steady state period of heat release rates is characterized by... - Correct Answer-Full room involvement Individual fuel packages max HRR is determined by - Correct Answer-Rate of mass loss and heat of combustion The HRR of a liquid fuel fire is dependent on what factors - Correct Answer-The physical characteristics of the release and the combustion properties of the fuel How long does a typical fuel spill fire burn and why - Correct Answer-90 seconds or less due to the shallow depth
How does unconfined liquid fuel fires on carpet respond - Correct Answer-The fire will behave like a confined fuel fire (deep fuel layer scenario) due to the porosity and complex structure of the carpet Is the color of the flame an accurate indicator of what is burning - Correct Answer-No, nor is it an indicator of the temperature of a flame A reduction in ambient air being entrained into the thermal plume does what - Correct Answer-Lessens the amount of mixing of cooler ambient air with the thermal plume resulting in less dilution and higher temp What does flame height represent - Correct Answer-The vertical distance over which the fuel and air must be transported to complete the combustion process A reduction in air entrainment can result in... - Correct Answer-Greater flame height Are flame temperatures for accelerated fires higher than ordinary fuels? - Correct Answer-No What are the classifications of ignition - Correct Answer-Smoldering vs flaming ignition and piloted vs. autoignition What are two common materials that burn directly in a solid state or glowing form of combustion - Correct Answer-Charcoal and magnesium Do liquids with flash points below ambient temps need additional heat to produce a flaming mixture - Correct Answer-No Smoldering - Correct Answer-A flame less form of combustion who's principal heat source is char oxidation The principal heat source in smoldering is what - Correct Answer-Char oxidation What are some examples of materials that can smder - Correct Answer-Cigarettes, upholstered furniture, sawdust, and cellulosic insulation Can sprays/mists be ignited below flash point? - Correct Answer-Yes What are the three forms of ignition that occur with solid fuels - Correct Answer- Smoldering ignition, piloted flaming ignition, and flaming autoignition The thermal decomposition process is called... - Correct Answer-Pyrolysis What type of chemical reaction is initial thermal decomposition - Correct Answer- Endothermic
Endothermic reactions.... - Correct Answer-Require or use energy rather than producing heat or energy Most materials must do what in order to form a carbonaceous char - Correct Answer- Most materials that smolder must be pyrolyzed What does carbonaceous char do in the solid phase - Correct Answer-Oxidizes Common class of materials that smolder include? - Correct Answer-Wood, paper, lignocellulosic products Do thermoplastic materials smolder? - Correct Answer-Most are not capable Name an example of a thermosetting polymer - Correct Answer-Polyurethane foam Describe what happens to thermosetting polymers when vigorously heated - Correct Answer-They decompose to form a liquid product Describe how thermosetting polymers react to moderate heating - Correct Answer-Form char The key concept to self heating is... - Correct Answer-The ability to dissipate the heat generated by the internal exothermic reactions Key variables for self-heating include... - Correct Answer-Ambient temps, the pile size, and the reaction kinetics of the exothermic process Self Heating Theory - Correct Answer-If heat from oxidizing the material cannot be adequately dissipated, a thermal runaway, resulting in smoldering will occur Self heating resulting in self ignition are common in what type of materials - Correct Answer-Organic materials (animal and vegetable fats and oils) Why are unsaturated fats more likely to self ignite than saturated fats? - Correct Answer-Because they contain carbon to carbon double bonds which are very reactive Do consumer quantities of motor oil or lubricating oil on rags general self heat or self ignite? - Correct Answer-No What steps are required for self heating - Correct Answer-1. The material must be able to self heat and conditions must support self heating
What elements must a material have to move from self heating to ignition - Correct Answer-Porous, permeable, and oxidizable material What are the most common self heating substrates are what? - Correct Answer-Cotton fabrics, wood, and wood products, agricultural products, and coal In regards to self heating what does less surface area mean? - Correct Answer- Increased self heating The first few indications of self heating is what? - Correct Answer-A wet spot on the surface of the pile resulting from condensation of water or from products of the reactions. A musty odor when in an enclosed area Do surroundings or exposure temperatures necessary for self heating need to be at or above the ignition temperature of the material? - Correct Answer-No, often it is much lower Does the initial stages of self heating cause much smoke production? - Correct Answer- No, generally because it is quickly dispersed throughout the pile Do commercially available sizes of charcoal briquette generally self heat to ignition - Correct Answer-No Can biomass packages such as hay or compost self heat? - Correct Answer-Yes, they can begin self heating from biological activity What are the most commonly encountered forms of self heating and self ignition are? - Correct Answer-Polymerization of fatty acids Oxidation if carbonaceous materials Biologically induced oxidation Heat-induced oxidation of lignocellulose materials Polymerization reactions What are some common materials that ignite when exposed to air - Correct Answer- White phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zirconium when finely divided Pyrophoric - Correct Answer-Materials that undergo spontaneous combustion when exposed to air Once flaming combustion begins after self heating how does the development of the fire react? - Correct Answer-Development will be faster than a piloted ignition due to the pre heating Why are thin materials easier to ignite? - Correct Answer-Two-sided heating
Wood autoignition temperatures - Correct Answer-400 C or 750 F at medium heat fluxes Flame spread - Correct Answer-The movement of flames on an individual fuel package Fire spread - Correct Answer-The ignition of more remote fuel packages What two methods can cause fire to spread - Correct Answer-Direct flame impingement or by remote ignition of adjacent fuel packages When a compartment has multiple openings what happens to the neutral plane? - Correct Answer-There is only one neutral plane regardless of how many openings. Some vents may be solely outflow or inflow Does glass generally fall out pre flashover - Correct Answer-No Ventilation factor - Correct Answer-The minimum size of a fire that can cause flashover What are the fire effect categories - Correct Answer-Discoloration, deformation, deposition, mass loss Pyrolysis - Correct Answer-A chemical decomposition that drives off gases, water vapor, and various pyrolysis products as smoke What is the most commonly observed fire effect? - Correct Answer-Smoke deposits Petroleum products and most plastics produce what type of fire effect? - Correct Answer-They are strong soot producers Bulbs below atmospheric pressure do what? - Correct Answer-Less than 25 Watts. Distort inward away from the fire. Bulbs whose internal pressure is above atmospheric pressure do what? - Correct Answer-Bulge towards the fire: greater than 25 Watts What are the effects of oxidation - Correct Answer-Color change and change of texture What does oxidation on stainless steel look like - Correct Answer-Severe oxidation will produce a dull gray color What does copper look like during oxidationi - Correct Answer-Dark red or black Rainbow effect - Correct Answer-Oily substances that do not mix with water, float and create interference patterns on the surface of water.
What materials generally produce rainbow effect? - Correct Answer-Building materials like asphalt, plastics, and wood produce oily substances upon pyrolysis Fire effect found on smoke alarms - Correct Answer-Soot deposition or acoustic agglomeration What temperature difference between protected and unprotected portions of glass can cause racks? - Correct Answer-70 C/126F How does tempered glass react to heat - Correct Answer-Fragments are more uniformly shaped than the complicated pattern of short cracks or crazing What causes crazing - Correct Answer-The rapid cooling of hot glass Crazing - Correct Answer-Complicated patterns of short cracks on glass Can crazing be caused by rapid heating? - Correct Answer-No Fire pattern - Correct Answer-An identifiable shape or profession of a fire effect Describe fire effects and fire patterns as it pertains to the scientific method - Correct Answer-Fire effects are part of collecting data. Fire patterns are part of analyzing data Can fire ignite fuel packages through ceilings or walls? - Correct Answer-Yes, it is possible for the heat of a fire to be conducted through a wall or ceiling surface and to ignite wooden structural membranes within the wall or ceiling Finish rating - Correct Answer-The ability of the surface to withstand the passage of heat over time Do cigarettes or matches dropped on carpet generally set fire? - Correct Answer-No Describe how vinyl floor tiles react to fire and why it can be misleading - Correct Answer-Curled edges, this can also be caused by non fire effects such as natural shrinking Can the direction of burn be determined by the hole? - Correct Answer-Yes the slope of the edges of the hole. Well ventilated fires burn with... - Correct Answer-High HRR Natural gas leaks below the floor can present as what? - Correct Answer-Inverted cone pattern Inverted cone patterns generally mean what? - Correct Answer-Low HRR that doesn't reach the ceiling
What forms a plumes three-dimensional shape? - Correct Answer-The combination of more than one two-dimensional pattern on a perpendicular When the first fuel ignited is a diffuse fuel-air mixture where should you look as an area of origin? - Correct Answer-The area of greatest destruction may not, and generally does not, concise with the area where the heat source ignited the mixture. The greatest destruction will o cut where the flash fire from the burning mixture encounters a secondary fuel load What two conditions are required for arcing? - Correct Answer-1. Significant potential difference (voltage) and sufficient current available to the circuit
equipment engine compartments, telecommunications and data rooms, quench tanks, flammable liquid operations Dry chemical suppression is primarily used for what types of fir? - Correct Answer- Flammable liquid fire Wet chemical suppression agents are primarily used for what type of fires? - Correct Answer-Commercial cooking appliances What is the electrical unit for current? - Correct Answer-Amps Define current - Correct Answer-Flow rate of charge Apps are equal to? - Correct Answer-Coulombs per second Resistance is measured in? - Correct Answer-Ohms AWG - Correct Answer-American Wire Gauge Charge is measured in? - Correct Answer-Coulombs The amount of current in Amos can be measured with what? - Correct Answer-Ammeter Charge does what in an electrical system? - Correct Answer-Flows Volts can be related to what measurement in a hydraulic system - Correct Answer-PSI: pressure differential I'm the United States, utilities provide electricity at a frequency of what? - Correct Answer-60 hertz/60 cycles per second Electrical resistance leads to what? - Correct Answer-Voltage drop The amount of heat produced by an electrical current is based on what? - Correct Answer-The amount of resistance and the amount of current Common wire gauge for residential structures - Correct Answer-10, 12, 14 I'm regards to AWG smaller numbers mean what? - Correct Answer-Larger wires Ampacity - Correct Answer-The amapcity of the conductor is the current in amps a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating Which generates more heat when current is passed through? Aluminum or Copper? - Correct Answer-Aluminum
Better electrical conductors mean what, in regards to resistance? - Correct Answer- Better conductors mean less resistance Compare steel, aluminum, silver, and copper as conductors - Correct Answer-1. Silver
Plug fuses are generally for for circuits that are? - Correct Answer-30A or less Interrupting fuses on non-time-delay fuses are generally? - Correct Answer-100,000 A Describe an S Fuse and it's purpose - Correct Answer-Purpose: to minimize improper fusing and make bypass more difficult. Use: screw in adapters that fit into Edison base. Once adapter is in place it cannot be removed without damaging the fuse base. A larger rated fuse will not fit GFCI - Correct Answer-Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor: Intended for locations where a person might be electrically grounded while near or using electrical appliances Built in test functions AFCI - Correct Answer-