CFPS Portable Fire Extinguishers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NFPA 10, which fire class designation applies to fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and plastics?
- Class A (Correct answer)
- Class B
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class A
Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics.
Question 2: Which type of portable fire extinguisher agent is specifically required for Class K fires involving cooking oils and fats in commercial cooking equipment?
- Carbon dioxide
- Dry chemical (BC)
- Wet chemical (Correct answer)
- Water mist
Correct answer: Wet chemical
Wet chemical agents saponify cooking oils and fats to suppress the fire and prevent re-ignition, making them the required agent for Class K fires.
Question 3: According to NFPA 10, what is the maximum travel distance to a Class A portable fire extinguisher in a light hazard occupancy?
- 50 feet
- 75 feet (Correct answer)
- 100 feet
- 125 feet
Correct answer: 75 feet
NFPA 10 Table 6.2.1.1 specifies a maximum travel distance of 75 feet to a Class A extinguisher in light hazard occupancies.
Question 4: What does the numerical component of an extinguisher's alphanumeric rating (e.g., the '2' in 2-A) indicate?
- Weight of extinguishing agent in pounds
- Relative firefighting capacity compared to a reference test fire (Correct answer)
- Discharge time in seconds
- Maximum effective range in feet
Correct answer: Relative firefighting capacity compared to a reference test fire
The number in an extinguisher rating indicates relative firefighting capacity; a 2-A extinguisher has twice the fire-extinguishing capability of a 1-A extinguisher.
Question 5: Which portable fire extinguisher agent leaves virtually no residue after discharge, making it suitable for protecting sensitive electronic equipment?
- Multi-purpose dry chemical (ABC)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) (Correct answer)
- AFFF foam
- Loaded stream
Correct answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide extinguishes fire by oxygen displacement and leaves no residue, making it ideal for protecting sensitive electronics and archival materials.
Question 6: According to NFPA 10, how frequently must portable fire extinguishers receive a maintenance examination (thorough inspection)?
- Every 6 months
- At least annually (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Every 5 years
Correct answer: At least annually
NFPA 10 Section 7.3 requires that portable fire extinguishers undergo a thorough maintenance examination at least once per year.
Question 7: According to NFPA 10, what is the minimum extinguisher rating required for a Class B portable fire extinguisher in a light hazard occupancy with a maximum travel distance of 50 feet?
- 5-B
- 10-B (Correct answer)
- 20-B
- 40-B
Correct answer: 10-B
NFPA 10 Table 6.3.1.1 requires a minimum 10-B rating for Class B protection in light hazard occupancies at a 50-foot maximum travel distance.
CFPS Portable Fire Extinguishers 1
According to NFPA 10, which fire class designation applies to fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and plastics?