Test Firefighter Mathematical Problems Questions and Answers Flashcards

A fire burns at an estimated rate consuming 50 square feet of floor space every 2 minutes. How many square feet are consumed in 14 minutes?

Answer: 350 sq ft

Rate = 25 sq ft/min; 25 × 14 = 350 sq ft.

A department budget allocates 65% to salaries, 20% to equipment, and the rest to operations. If the total budget is $4,000,000, how much goes to operations?

Answer: $600,000

Operations = 100% − 65% − 20% = 15%; $4,000,000 × 0.15 = $600,000.

A hazmat exclusion zone is rectangular, measuring 400 feet by 250 feet. What is the area of the exclusion zone in square feet?

Answer: 100,000 sq ft

Area = 400 × 250 = 100,000 square feet.

Nozzle pressure is 100 PSI at the tip. If friction loss along the hose is 35 PSI, what pump discharge pressure is required?

Answer: 135 PSI

Pump discharge pressure = nozzle pressure + friction loss = 100 + 35 = 135 PSI.

A fire station stores 500 gallons of foam concentrate. Each foam application uses 12.5 gallons. How many full applications are available?

Answer: 40

500 ÷ 12.5 = 40 full applications.

A firefighter works a 24-hour shift and rests for 48 hours. What percentage of a 72-hour cycle is spent working?

Answer: 33%

24 ÷ 72 × 100 = 33.3%, approximately 33%.

A compressed air foam system (CAFS) mixes air and water in a 5:1 ratio by volume. If 30 gallons of water are used, how many gallons of air-foam solution are produced?

Answer: 180 gallons

Total solution = water + (5 × water) = 30 + 150 = 180 gallons.