Download TCFP Marine Firefighter Exam 2025 Questions and correct answers plus rationales Questions and more Exams Safety and Fire Engineering in PDF only on Docsity!
TCFP Marine Firefighter Exam 2025 Questions and
correct answers plus rationales
Questions cover shipboard fire behavior, vessel layout, firefighting systems, hazards, and tactical operations per NFPA 1005 standards.
- What is the primary hazard associated with shipboard electrical fires? A. Overheating of fuel tanks B. Explosion from cargo C. Electrocution risk and fire spread through cable trays D. Ballast tank ignition
Electrical systems on ships often run through cable trays, which
can quickly spread fire and pose electrocution hazards.
- What is the purpose of a ship’s fire control plan? A. Show fuel tank layout B. Provide locations of fire protection systems and emergency equipment C. Indicate cargo contents D. Help with crew rotations
The fire control plan helps responders locate fire equipment,
emergency exits, and hazards.
- Which fixed fire suppression system is most commonly found in ship engine rooms?
A. Water mist B. CO2 system C. Dry chemical D. Halotron
CO2 systems are effective in enclosed machinery spaces where
water could damage systems.
- What is the best method to access a fire below deck? A. Direct attack from top B. Use of a protected stairwell or escape trunk with hose advancement C. Venting from outside D. Breaking through hull
Protected stairwells help firefighters descend while minimizing
heat and smoke exposure.
- What color are fire hydrants typically labeled aboard vessels? A. Yellow B. Red C. Blue D. Green
Red indicates firefighting water sources on most marine vessels.
- Marine vessels are required to conduct fire drills: A. Monthly B. Weekly
Ships have tight spaces and complex pathways that make
navigation and ventilation difficult.
10.Class B fires aboard ships typically involve: A. Cooking oil B. Flammable liquids like diesel or lube oil C. Electrical equipment D. Metals
Diesel, oil, and other fuels are common aboard marine vessels,
making Class B fires a high risk.
11.What system alerts the crew to fire or smoke? A. Flooding alarm B. Fire detection and alarm system C. Bilge sensor D. Watertight integrity alarm
The fire detection system provides early warnings through
sensors and alarms.
12.When using CO2 on a vessel, which safety precaution is most important? A. Keep engine running B. Use open flame to check leaks
C. Evacuate personnel from the protected space D. Remove all water
CO2 displaces oxygen, making areas uninhabitable without
SCBA.
13.The fire main system is: A. Emergency propulsion system B. Wastewater discharge line C. Water supply network for firefighting D. Radio communication system
The fire main delivers water throughout the ship for hose
stations and sprinklers.
14.What is the term for ship’s left side? A. Starboard B. Port C. Stern D. Keel
Port is the left side of a ship when facing forward.
15.What does “SOLAS” stand for? A. Safety of Local Alarm Systems B. Safety of Life at Sea C. Sea Operations Life and Safety D. Standard Operation for Lifesaving
TICs and taglines are essential in low-visibility shipboard
environments.
19.The International Shore Connection is used for: A. Refueling B. Bilge pumping C. Supplying water from shore-based fire engines to the ship’s fire main D. Power generation
This allows shore crews to supplement the ship’s fire
suppression systems.
20.The deck located at the ship’s bottom is called the: A. Cabin deck B. Upper deck C. Tank top or lower deck D. Main deck
The tank top is at the bottom of the hull above the double
bottom tanks.
21.Marine firefighters should avoid: A. Water use B. Hoses
C. Entering unventilated spaces without SCBA D. Using radios
Unventilated compartments may be oxygen-deficient or contain
toxic gases.
22.What is the purpose of sounding a tank? A. To activate alarms B. To check for flooding or flammable vapor accumulation C. To close valves D. To open fire doors
Sounding measures tank conditions, including liquid level or gas
presence.
23.What is a muster list? A. Fire map B. Crew assignment and emergency duty list C. Daily report D. Fuel log
Muster lists detail crew roles during emergencies.
24.A ship’s emergency escape breathing device (EEBD) provides: A. Fire suppression B. Water C. Temporary breathable air for escape only D. Fuel
28.What is the keel? A. Fuel pipe B. Engine C. Main structural spine of the ship’s hull D. Cargo door
The keel forms the foundation for the ship's construction.
29.What is the purpose of watertight doors? A. Block personnel B. Prevent fire and flood spread between compartments C. Provide ventilation D. Lock crew in cabins
These maintain integrity during flooding or fire.
30.A “fire triangle” includes: A. Light, gas, and dust B. Heat, fuel, and oxygen C. Smoke, air, and fuel D. Sound, pressure, and fuel
The three essential components for combustion.
31.What is the term for the back of a vessel? A. Bow B. Port
C. Stern D. Aft
The stern is the rear end of a ship.
32.Which extinguishing agent is safest in a galley grease fire? A. Water B. CO C. Wet chemical (Class K) D. AFFF
Wet chemical suppresses cooking oil fires and prevents re-
ignition.
33.Shipboard SCBA cylinders are usually: A. CO B. Compressed air C. Nitrogen D. Helium
SCBAs use compressed air for safe breathing in IDLH
atmospheres.
34.What is the role of the vessel’s captain during fire emergencies? A. Stay on bridge B. Use hoses C. Coordinate emergency response and ensure crew safety D. Shut down engines
Headset-equipped radios ensure clear communication over
engine noise.
38.The fire watch is assigned to: A. Rest B. Repair doors C. Monitor hot work areas for ignition or fire D. Fuel tanks
Fire watch is critical during and after hot work to detect fires
early.
39.How can you identify the deck level of a fire? A. Taste air B. Use ship diagrams and access points C. Knock on walls D. Watch smoke color
Diagrams help responders quickly orient and locate the fire.
40.Which is a safe method of egress during shipboard fire? A. Elevator B. Aft cargo chute C. Escape trunk or protected stairwell D. Hatch covers
Escape trunks and stairwells provide safe, protected exits.
41.Why are double hulls important? A. For ballast B. Provide added fire and spill protection C. For speed D. For fuel transfer
Double hulls offer an extra barrier against leaks and fire spread.
42.In shipboard terms, “compartmentation” refers to: A. Packing supplies B. Dividing the vessel into fire-resistant sections C. Lowering anchors D. Raising masts
It limits the fire to one section and prevents it from spreading.
43.Which hazard is common in vessel battery rooms? A. Oil leak B. Hydrogen gas buildup and explosion risk C. CO2 leakage D. Low oxygen
Hydrogen is flammable and can accumulate in poorly ventilated
battery rooms.
44.What PPE is specific to marine firefighting?
C. Ship’s command and control center D. Fire station
The bridge is where the captain commands the ship and
communicates during emergencies.
48.What causes backdrafts? A. Wind B. Reintroduction of oxygen into a hot, oxygen-depleted space C. Water spray D. Open deck fires
Backdrafts can cause explosive ignition when oxygen is
reintroduced.
49.Marine fire hoses are typically: A. 1 inch B. Booster lines C. 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter D. Flexible tubing
Standard marine firefighting hoses match land-based sizes but
use ship fittings.
50.Final control of a fire involves: A. Letting it burn B. Watching from afar
C. Overhaul to prevent rekindling D. Locking compartments
Overhaul ensures smoldering materials are extinguished and
fire does not reignite.
52.What tool is essential for forcing watertight doors? A. Flathead screwdriver B. Handsaw C. Halligan tool or marine pry bar D. Rope bag
Watertight doors are heavy-duty and require strong prying
tools like a Halligan for forcible entry.
52.Which of the following is most important when fighting fire in the engine room? A. Activate sprinklers B. Start engine cooling C. Secure fuel and ventilation systems D. Flood the bilge
Securing fuel and ventilation limits fire spread and starves the
fire of oxygen and fuel.
56.What does the term "free surface effect" refer to? A. Cargo moving during transit B. Water shifting inside a compartment, causing vessel instability C. Smoke layering above deck D. Wind gusts affecting vessel direction
Water sloshing inside a compartment can affect the ship’s
balance and stability, especially during firefighting.
57.When approaching a vessel fire from land, the first step should be: A. Launch hose attack B. Coordinate with the ship’s master and review the fire control plan C. Turn off pumps D. Secure the gangway
Understanding the layout and hazards is critical before entry;
the fire control plan provides that information.
58.What’s the best strategy for vertical fire spread on a ship? A. Attack from the middle B. Attack from below upward and seal off above C. Attack from top deck D. Wait for it to vent
Fires spread upward on ships; attacking from below prevents
vertical extension.
59.The term "deckhead" refers to: A. Outer hull B. Floor C. Ceiling of a ship’s compartment D. Engine room
The deckhead is the ceiling in shipboard terms, which can
conceal fire and wiring.
60.What is the safest method for checking a closed compartment for fire? A. Remove hatch B. Knock loudly C. Use thermal imaging and open with caution D. Spray through door
TICs help detect heat signatures, and doors should be opened
cautiously to avoid backdraft or flashover.
61.What’s the danger of improperly vented cargo holds? A. Flooding B. Cargo spoiling
