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 does the acronym 'PASS' stand for in fire extinguisher use rules? → Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
2. What is the primary limitation of a water-based extinguisher on a Class B fire? → Water can spread flammable liquids and worsen the fire
3. A fire is classified as 'incendiary' when it is determined to have been: → Set intentionally — someone deliberately started the fire
4. What gives a fire's flames their visible orange and yellow glow? → Incandescent carbon (soot) particles heated to the point of emitting light
5. What does 'interconnected' smoke alarms mean in a residential setting? → When one alarm sounds, all alarms in the home sound simultaneously
6. 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
7. Which combustion gas is responsible for the majority of fire-related fatalities in the United States? → Carbon monoxide (CO)
8. What is the purpose of the tamper seal on a fire extinguisher? → To show the extinguisher has not been used or tampered with
9. What makes polyurethane foam furniture particularly hazardous in a fire? → It burns extremely fast and releases toxic black smoke
10. Which type of fire suppression system is commonly used in commercial kitchen hood systems to suppress grease fires? → Wet chemical (Class K) system
11. During a high-rise building evacuation, which floors should typically evacuate FIRST? → The floor on fire and the floors immediately above and below it
12. Which fire falls under Class B? → Gasoline
13. On the NFPA 704 hazard diamond, what does the BLUE (left) quadrant indicate? → Health hazard
14. What is the primary reason homeowners should clean their chimney annually? → To remove creosote buildup that can ignite and cause a chimney fire
15. Under IFC rules, flammable liquids stored in a business must be kept in approved safety cans or in an approved: → Flammable liquid storage cabinet
16. Which fire extinguisher type leaves no residue and is safe for use around sensitive electronic equipment? → Carbon dioxide (CO2)
17. When putting out a fire, you ought to keep a distance of: → 3 meters
18. Why is it dangerous to store flammable liquids in a non-approved container? → They may not withstand vapor pressure and can leak or rupture
19. Which household appliance is the leading cause of home fires in the United States according to the NFPA? → Cooking equipment
20. Which housekeeping practice is most effective at preventing fires in a workplace? → Keeping combustible materials away from heat sources
21. A grease fire ignites in a commercial kitchen. Which extinguisher type is specifically designed for this hazard? → Class K
22. What percentage of oxygen is present in normal, fresh air? → 21%
23. The term 'means of egress' as defined in fire codes includes which three components? → Exit access, exit, and exit discharge
24. Why should you never use a standard dry chemical extinguisher on a Class D metal fire? → It can react violently with burning metals and intensify the fire
25. Which material should NEVER be used to smother a grease fire on the stovetop? → Water
26. How far should combustible materials be stored from a portable space heater? → At least 3 feet
27. In a high-rise building fire, occupants on unaffected floors are typically instructed to: → Shelter in place unless directed otherwise by fire safety personnel
28. An employee with a mobility impairment cannot use the stairs during a fire evacuation. What is the recommended procedure? → Wait in a designated area of refuge and notify emergency responders
29. How should doors be treated when evacuating through a building during a fire? → Close all doors behind you to slow fire and smoke spread
30. Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, which type of label information helps employees identify fire risks from chemicals? → The GHS pictogram showing a flame