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to occur. If a backdraught occurs this is due to some of the<br />
following factors:<br />
• the presence of an ignition source<br />
• the fuel’s arrangement<br />
• the location/size of the openings<br />
• insulation in the room.<br />
The signs indicating an imminent backdraught are mainly<br />
pulsating smoke gases from small openings and no visible<br />
sign of a fi re.<br />
In many actual cases where a backdraught has occurred,<br />
the consequences of the incidents have been serious. This can<br />
often be explained by the fact that it is diffi cult to detect the<br />
40, 41<br />
warning signs for a backdraught.<br />
Test your knowledge!<br />
1. What type of fl ames is involved in a backdraught?<br />
2. A backdraught involves a number of stages. What are these?<br />
3. According to the statistics, backdraughts occur very seldom.<br />
Why is this the case?<br />
4. What are the signs indicating a backdraught?<br />
5. Does a backdraught occur due to ventilation control or fuel<br />
control?<br />
6. How can you protect yourself against a backdraught?<br />
7. What tactics can you use?<br />
8. Does a backdraught always result in a fully developed fi re?<br />
9. What are the conditions required for a backdraught to be<br />
able to occur?<br />
10. Name some of the types of premises where you think a<br />
backdraught might occur.<br />
11. Sometimes you can see a fi re pulsating. Explain what is<br />
going on in this instance.<br />
12. What aspects should you look at when carrying out a risk<br />
assessment before an operation?<br />
13. You open the door to an apartment where a ventilationcontrolled<br />
fi re has been burning for a while. What are the<br />
different scenarios you might expect to occur?<br />
14. Which of these scenarios do you think is the most common?
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