Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

Which materials are considered solid fuels that can support combustion?

1. Oils and gases

2. Wood and textiles

3. Water and chemicals

4. Halogenated compounds

The correct answer is: Wood and textiles

The identification of wood and textiles as solid fuels that can support combustion is accurate because both materials are composed of organic substances that contain carbon and hydrogen. When exposed to sufficient heat and oxygen, they undergo combustion and release energy in the form of heat and light. Wood, being a natural solid fuel used historically for heating and cooking, is well-known for its ability to ignite and sustain a fire. Textiles, primarily made from organic fibers, also have the potential to burn when subjected to high temperatures, making them another example of solid fuels. In contrast, other options consist of materials that do not primarily exist in solid form or do not support combustion in a traditional sense. Oils and gases, for instance, are typically liquid and gaseous fuels, respectively, while water acts as a fire suppressant. Halogenated compounds may have varied reactions when burned and are not classified as solid fuel in the conventional sense. Hence, wood and textiles are rightly categorized as solid fuels supporting combustion.