CFI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CFI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following building materials, when used for structural elements, would automatically make a building noncombustible construction under NFPA 220? → Reinforced concrete columns
2. How many control areas are permitted per floor in a sprinklered building under the IFC? → Four per floor
3. What does deeper charring depth at a specific location indicate? → The fire burned longer or more intensely in that area
4. A fire inspector is evaluating a voice evacuation system. Which NFPA 72 chapter primarily addresses emergency communications systems? → Chapter 24
5. When a fire inspector evaluates exit capacity, the capacity of a means of egress in new construction is based on: → The minimum width times an occupant capacity factor per inch of width
6. What is the correct action when a fire inspector discovers flammable liquids stored near an electrical panel in a warehouse? → Issue a notice to relocate materials and establish a 3-foot clearance
7. A fire inspector finds that exit signs in a building are not illuminated. Under IFC, the minimum required illuminance at the exit sign face is: → 5 foot-candles
8. What is the primary purpose of a flammable liquids storage cabinet? → To limit fire exposure time to contents from an external fire
9. What is the maximum travel distance from any point in a sprinklered business occupancy to the nearest exit under NFPA 101? → 250 feet
10. Which component of a fire alarm system is specifically designed to reduce nuisance alarms caused by cooking or steam in residential kitchens? → Heat detector
11. Unprotected steel structural members are MOST hazardous in a fire because they: → Lose significant strength at temperatures reached in ordinary building fires
12. According to NFPA 13, sprinkler heads subject to mechanical damage must be protected by: → A wire cage or guard
13. What is the primary purpose of fire investigation documentation? → To preserve evidence and establish the origin and cause of the fire
14. According to NFPA 10, how often must portable fire extinguishers receive an annual maintenance inspection? → Once per year
15. A fire alarm control panel has two independent power sources. What are they? → Primary (utility AC) power and secondary (battery backup) power
16. Which document must be available to responding firefighters that identifies all hazardous materials stored at a facility? → Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS) binder or equivalent hazmat inventory
17. In Hazardous Materials Storage, what is the FIRST step a CFI professional should take when encountering a new case or situation? → Conduct a comprehensive assessment and gather all relevant information
18. A fire extinguisher labeled '2-A:10-B:C' — what does the '2-A' rating indicate? → It can extinguish twice the fire as a 1-A unit
19. Under the IFC, which occupancy type is exempt from the requirement for an automatic fire sprinkler system in buildings up to 5,000 square feet? → Group S-2 open parking garages
20. What is the purpose of a fire-rated wall? → To contain fire for a certain duration
21. What fire behavior stage is characterized by declining heat release rate, reduced oxygen, and transition to smoldering combustion? → Decay stage
22. Heavy timber (Type IV) construction requires columns to have a minimum dimension of: → 8 inches
23. According to NFPA 13, what minimum clearance must be maintained between the top of storage and sprinkler deflectors? → 18 inches
24. What is the purpose of the inspector's test connection (ITC) on a wet pipe sprinkler system? → To simulate the flow of one sprinkler head to test alarm devices
25. NFPA 101 classifies a building story as a 'story above grade plane' when the floor is above grade plane by more than what percentage of the story's perimeter? → 50%
26. Which NFPA standard governs the installation and design of clean agent fire suppression systems? → NFPA 2001
27. What is the function of a waterflow alarm device on a sprinkler system? → To signal that water is flowing in the system, indicating a possible sprinkler activation
28. What is the PRIMARY purpose of continuing education requirements in Fire Protection Systems Inspection for CFI professionals? → Maintaining current knowledge and competency as the field evolves
29. Which document typically establishes the minimum information required on construction documents submitted for fire protection system plan review? → The adopted fire code and referenced standards
30. A fire inspector notes that an exit door swings inward against the direction of egress travel. Under NFPA 101, this is: → Permitted if the occupant load is fewer than 50