Fire Safety Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What gives a fire's flames their visible orange and yellow glow? → Incandescent carbon (soot) particles heated to the point of emitting light
2. What does 'interconnected' smoke alarms mean in a residential setting? → When one alarm sounds, all alarms in the home sound simultaneously
3. What is the purpose of a fire department connection (FDC) on a building's exterior? → To allow firefighters to pump water into the building's sprinkler system
4. Which combustion gas is responsible for the majority of fire-related fatalities in the United States? → Carbon monoxide (CO)
5. What is the purpose of the tamper seal on a fire extinguisher? → To show the extinguisher has not been used or tampered with
6. Which fire falls under Class B? → Gasoline
7. Which fire extinguisher type leaves no residue and is safe for use around sensitive electronic equipment? → Carbon dioxide (CO2)
8. When putting out a fire, you ought to keep a distance of: → 3 meters
9. Why is it dangerous to store flammable liquids in a non-approved container? → They may not withstand vapor pressure and can leak or rupture
10. What percentage of oxygen is present in normal, fresh air? → 21%
11. How far should combustible materials be stored from a portable space heater? → At least 3 feet
12. Why does smoke rise toward the ceiling during a room fire? → Because it is heated and less dense than the surrounding cooler air
13. What should occupants do if the primary evacuation route is blocked by fire or smoke? → Use the alternate evacuation route identified in the EAP
14. What is the recommended practice for a residential home fire escape plan? → Have two ways out of every room and a designated outdoor meeting place
15. What is the typical effective range of a portable fire extinguisher's discharge stream? → 6–10 feet
16. What is the 'incipient stage' of fire development? → The earliest stage where combustion is just beginning and the fire is still small
17. Heat transfer through direct physical contact between materials is called: → Conduction
18. Which class of fire involves flammable liquids such as gasoline and oil? → Class B
19. There should be portable fire extinguishers in every workplace. → FALSE
20. What is the primary function of a fire alarm control panel (FACP)? → To monitor all alarm initiating and notification devices and coordinate system response
21. From 4 PM to midnight every day, the fire guard should patrol the whole job site every hour. → TRUE
22. Which mechanism of heat transfer carries heat upward through the movement of hot gases and air? → Convection
23. The following are the fire triangle's elements: → Heat, Oxygen, Fuel
24. Why should doors be closed (but not locked) during a building fire evacuation? → Closed doors slow fire and smoke spread, buying time for evacuation
25. Fire alarms need to be examined. → At least once a month
26. According to NFPA 72, how frequently must fire alarm systems in commercial buildings receive a full inspection and test? → Annually
27. Which individuals require special assistance planning during a building fire evacuation? → Persons with disabilities or mobility limitations
28. A Class C fire extinguisher is appropriate for which type of fire? → Electrical equipment fires
29. What is the purpose of a residential fire sprinkler system? → To control or extinguish fires automatically, giving occupants more time to escape
30. What three elements make up the fire triangle? → Fuel, oxygen, and heat