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Question

Difficulty: MediumFires and Fire Extinguisher Use

A driver parked at a delivery depot notices smoke and flames originating from inside the engine compartment of a straight truck. After immediately cutting the ignition, which technique should the driver use to suppress the fire?

  1. A
    Swing the hood fully open so the entire engine block can be soaked directly with extinguishing agent.
  2. B
    Crack the hood open several centimeters with a pry bar and spray agent exclusively at the rising smoke plume.
  3. Keep the hood securely closed and direct the chemical spray through the front grille openings, side louvers, or from underneath the vehicle.Answer
  4. D
    Apply pressurized water to the engine bay to cool burning electrical harnesses and hot oil lines.

Answer

Keep the hood securely closed and direct the chemical spray through the front grille openings, side louvers, or from underneath the vehicle.
Keeping the hood closed restricts the supply of oxygen that feeds the blaze. Directing the dry chemical extinguishing agent through the grille openings, louvers, or from underneath the chassis smothers the fire at its source without exposing the driver to sudden, intense flare-ups.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Ensure the engine is completely shut down to eliminate mechanical fuel delivery and electrical arcing.
The fuel supply to the fire is cut off and current ceases flowing through damaged circuits.
Continuing to run the engine will pump additional fuel into the fire and power electrical shorts.
2
Maintain the hood in the fully closed position without unlatching or raising it.
The engine compartment remains restricted of free air exchange.
Opening the hood introduces large volumes of fresh oxygen, creating a dangerous flare-up that accelerates fire growth.
3
Discharge a dry chemical fire extinguisher through the radiator grille, side louvers, or from underneath the bumper.
The extinguishing agent reaches the base of the fire and smothers the flames.
Directing extinguishing powder through existing openings suppresses the fire without disturbing the oxygen barrier.

Key Concept

Engine Compartment Fire Containment and Suppression
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Fires and Fire Extinguisher Use

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