FE FE Installation & Placement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which occupancy classification typically requires the greatest number of fire extinguishers per square foot?
- Light hazard
- Ordinary hazard
- Extra hazard (Correct answer)
- All occupancies require the same
Correct answer: Extra hazard
Extra-hazard occupancies require the highest density of extinguishers because of the greater amount and type of combustibles present.
Question 2: When extinguishers are located in a cabinet, what visibility requirement must be met?
- Cabinet must be red
- Location must be marked with a sign visible from 50 feet (Correct answer)
- Cabinet door must be transparent
- An alarm must sound when opened
Correct answer: Location must be marked with a sign visible from 50 feet
NFPA 10 requires that the location of extinguishers in cabinets be identified with a sign visible from at least 50 feet.
Question 3: How should a fire extinguisher be positioned in relation to potential hazards?
- Directly over the hazard
- Along normal paths of travel and egress, near the hazard but not in it (Correct answer)
- Inside the hazard area for fastest access
- Opposite side of the building from the hazard
Correct answer: Along normal paths of travel and egress, near the hazard but not in it
Extinguishers should be placed along normal paths of egress so occupants can grab them while evacuating without entering the hazard area.
Question 4: What is the maximum floor area per extinguisher for a light-hazard Class A occupancy under NFPA 10?
- 3,000 sq ft
- 6,000 sq ft
- 11,250 sq ft (Correct answer)
- 10,000 sq ft
Correct answer: 11,250 sq ft
For light-hazard occupancies, NFPA 10 allows a maximum coverage area of 11,250 square feet per extinguisher for Class A hazards.
Question 5: When should fire extinguisher location signs be used?
- Only in industrial occupancies
- Whenever the extinguisher is not readily visible from normal approaches (Correct answer)
- Only when required by the local AHJ
- Only in buildings over two stories
Correct answer: Whenever the extinguisher is not readily visible from normal approaches
Location signs are required whenever the extinguisher is not immediately visible from normal approaches to the area.
Question 6: Which factor is NOT typically used to determine the required number and placement of fire extinguishers?
- Nature of the fire hazard
- Travel distance limitations
- Color of the building interior (Correct answer)
- Size of the area to be protected
Correct answer: Color of the building interior
Interior color has no bearing on extinguisher placement; hazard class, area size, and travel distance are the determining factors.
FE FE Installation & Placement 2
Which occupancy classification typically requires the greatest number of fire extinguishers per square foot?