Deck General · Fire Theory & Classes
Fire prevention aboard a vessel is primarily achieved by controlling which element of the fire triangle?
- AOxygen — by replacing ship's air with nitrogen
- BHeat (ignition sources) — through hot work permits, no-smoking zones, and electrical maintenance✓ Correct
- CFuel — by removing all combustible material from the vessel
- DThe chain reaction — by pre-treating all surfaces with dry chemical powder
Explanation
In practice, fuel (combustibles) and oxygen cannot be eliminated from a working vessel. Fire prevention therefore focuses on controlling ignition sources: prohibiting smoking in designated areas, requiring hot work permits (welding, grinding) with fire watches, maintaining electrical equipment to prevent sparks or overheating, and properly storing flammable liquids away from ignition sources.
Authority: Firefighting (USCG deck topic)
Practice the full Deck General bank
Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.
Related Deck General questions
- Fire Theory & Classes
The fire triangle consists of three elements. Which answer correctly names all three?
- Fire Theory & Classes
The fire tetrahedron adds a fourth element to the fire triangle. What is that fourth element?
- Fire Theory & Classes
A fire involving burning wood, paper, and rope on a vessel's deck is classified as which class?
- Fire Theory & Classes
A fire in the engine room involving spilled diesel fuel is classified as which class?
- Fire Theory & Classes
An electrician is working on an energized switchboard when insulation ignites. This fire is classified as:
- Fire Theory & Classes
Which class of fire involves combustible metals such as magnesium or titanium?