CFPS Practice Exam Questions with Answers Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) Certification

Cellulose nitrate products begin to decompose at about 300 °F (150 °C). This is the temperature at which the nitrate ester bonds start to break down and release nitric acid, which further catalyzes the decomposition. The decomposition temperature depends on the nitrogen content, the stabilizers, and the external heating rate of the cellulose nitrate. Higher nitrogen content, lower stabilizer concentration, and faster heating rate lower the decomposition temperature and increase the risk of thermal runaway.

References:Nitrocellulose - Wikipedia;Comparative analysis of stable decomposition and combustion kinetics of nitrated cellulose;Degradation of aged nitrocellulose investigated by thermal analysis methods;Nitrocellulose;Effect of stabilizers and nitrogen content on thermal properties of nitrocellulose

The phenomenon of convergence cluster formation in human fire behavior was identified in 1979 in a university dormitory fire. This phenomenon refers to the tendency of people to gather in groups near familiar exits or locations during a fire, rather than seeking alternative escape routes1. This can result in congestion, delay, and increased risk of injury or death2. The university dormitory fire occurred at the Providence College in Rhode Island, where 10 students died and 40 were injured. The fire started in a trash chute and spread to the upper floors. Many students tried to escape through the main stairwell, which became blocked by smoke and flames. Some students jumped from the windows, while others remained trapped in their rooms. The fire revealed the lack of fire safety education, fire drills, and fire protection systems in the dormitory3. References:

• Human Behavior in Fire Emergencies
• Human Behavior in Fire: Understanding Human Behavior for Better Fire Safety Design
• Providence College Dormitory Fire

Probabilistic fire models are categorized into network, statistical, simulation, and behavioral models. Network models use graph theory to represent the fire spread and the fire protection system in a building. Statistical models use historical data and probability distributions to estimate the likelihood and consequences of fire scenarios. Simulation models use mathematical equations and numerical methods to describe the physical and chemical processes of fire and its effects on the environment and the occupants. Behavioral models use psychological and sociological theories to predict the human response and evacuation behavior in case of fire. Network models are not a common category of probabilistic fire models, and they are not mentioned in the sources provided by the user. Therefore, network models are the correct answer.

References:Probabilistic Fire Simulation Assessment Using Simplified Model and Zone Modelling of a Kitchen Fire Scenario;Computer Fire Models for Fire Investigation and Reconstruction;Fire Behavior

OSHA regulation 1910.110 addresses storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This regulation covers the general requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of LPG systems, including containers, piping, valves, fittings, regulators, burners, and appliances. The regulation also specifies the safety precautions and procedures for the prevention of fire and explosion hazards involving LPG. The regulation applies to all employers who store, handle, or use LPG in their workplaces.References:

• OSHA: 1910.110 - Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases1
• Nebula Safety: Storage & Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPGs)2

The correct answer is C. A thermocouple is a temperature measurement device that consists of a pair of wires of different metals or alloys welded together at a point to form a junction. The junction is exposed to the temperature to be measured, while the other end of the wires is connected to a reference junction at 0°C. The thermocouple produces a voltage difference between the two junctions that depends on the temperature difference.This voltage difference can be calibrated to give the temperature in degrees using a thermocouple table or a formula123

The type of property classifications that experience the majority of fire deaths in the United States areone- and two-family dwellings.According to the NFPA, one- and two-family dwellings accounted for 64 percent of all civilian fire deaths in 2021, followed by apartments with 11 percent, and other residential properties with 1 percent1.One- and two-family dwellings are more vulnerable to fire fatalities because they often lack adequate fire protection systems, such as smoke alarms and sprinklers, and havemore potential sources of ignition, such as cooking, heating, and smoking2. Additionally, one- and two-family dwellings may have less escape routes, longer response times, and more occupants, especially children and elderly, who are at higher risk of fire death.References:

• US Fire Loss in 2021 NFPA
• Home Structure Fires - NFPA
• [Fire Death Rate Trends: An International Perspective]

The weight of items such as furnishings, people, and equipment is called dead load. Dead load is the permanent load that is applied to a structure or a component of a structure1. It includes the weight of the structure itself, as well as any fixed attachments or equipment2. Dead load is one of the factors that determines the fire resistance rating of a structure or a component3. References:

• NFPA 557: Standard for Determination of Fire Loads for Use in Structural Fire Protection Design
• An Overview of Fire Protection for Structural Engineers
• SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 5th edition

The correct answer is D. The greatest number of civilian home fire deaths can be attributed to the common room, living room, or family room area of origin in the home. According to a report by the NFPA, based on data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and NFPA’s fire experience survey, 31 percent of the civilian home fire deaths in 2017-2021 occurred in fires that started in the common room, living room, or family room. This was followed by 29 percent of the deaths in fires that started in the bedroom or sleeping area, and 12 percent of the deaths in fires that started in the kitchen or cooking area. The common room, living room, or family room area of origin is also the leading area of origin for home fires and civilian home fire injuries, accounting for 24 percent and 21 percent of those incidents, respectively. Some of the common causes of fires in the common room, living room, or family room include smoking materials, heating equipment, electrical equipment, candles, and fireplaces. To prevent fires and fire deaths in the common room, living room, or family room, the NFPA recommends the following safety tips:

• Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn. Use deep, sturdy ashtrays and wet cigarette butts before discarding them.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Have a qualified electrician inspect and repair any faulty wiring or outlets. Avoid overloading circuits or extension cords. Unplug appliances when not in use.
• Keep candles in sturdy holders and away from children, pets, and anything that can burn. Blow them out when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected annually by a professional. Use a metal or glass screen to keep sparks from flying out. Dispose ofashes in a metal container with a lid, and keep it outside at least 10 feet away from your home.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Test them monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing a home fire sprinkler system for added protection.

valve at the inspector’s test connection.

For wet-pipe automatic sprinkler systems, the only proper way to test the operation of a vane-type water flow alarm initiating device is to open the valve at the inspector’s test connection. This is a small valve that is located at the end of a pipe that is connected to the sprinkler system, usually at the most remote or highest point. The inspector’s test connection simulates the flow of a single sprinkler head and activates the vane-type water flow switch, which in turn triggers the fire alarm panel and the external alarm devices.Opening the valve at the inspector’s test connection also allows the water to drain from the system, preventing corrosion and freezing1234

Opening the main (2 in. diameter) drain is not a proper way to test the operation of a vane-type water flow alarm initiating device, because it does not create enough flow to activate the switch. The main drain is used to drain the entire sprinkler system for maintenance or repair purposes, and it is usually located at the main riser or the fire department connection.Opening the main drain may also cause a pressure drop in the system, which could affect the performance of the sprinklers1234

Opening the alarm test by-pass valve at the system’s main riser is not a proper way to test the operation of a vane-type water flow alarm initiating device, because it does not simulate the actual flow of a sprinkler head. The alarm test by-pass valve is used to test the operation of the external alarm devices, such as the water motor gong or the electric bell, without activating the fire alarm panel. The alarm test by-pass valve is usually located near the alarm check valve or the water flow switch, and it allows water to flow through a small orifice to the alarm devices.Opening the alarm test by-pass valve does not create enough flow to activate the vane-type water flow switch1234

Opening the check valve from the city connection is not a proper way to test the operation of a vane-type water flow alarm initiating device, because it does not create any flow in the sprinkler system. The check valve from the city connection is used to prevent the backflow of water from the sprinkler system to the city water supply, and it is usually located at the fire department connection or the main riser.Opening the check valvefrom the city connection does not affect the water flow in the sprinkler system, and it does not activate the vane-type water flow switch1234

References:

• Fire Sprinkler Flow Switch & Tamper Switch Inspection & Maintenance3
• Sprinkler System Water Flow Device Testing - ORR Protection2
• VSR-AT Auto-Test Waterflow Alarm Switch | Potter Electric4
• WFDNA Series Vane-type Waterflow Detectors - Steel Fire Equipment5

titanium is the pure metal in its solid form in oxygen that has the highest ignition temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.The spontaneous-ignition temperature of titanium in the solid phase (below melting) is about 3020°F (1660°C)1.Aluminum, potassium, and zirconium have lower ignition temperatures in the solid phase, ranging from 1292°F (700°C) to 1652°F (900°C)23.References:

• IGNITION OF METALS IN HIGH PRESSURE OXYGEN2
• Combustion of Metals in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres3
• High-temperature oxidation and ignition of metals1

0.62

The discharge coefficient of a solid stream nozzle for a standard orifice with sharp edges is a dimensionless number that indicates the ratio of the actual flow rate to the theoretical flow rate of the nozzle. The discharge coefficient depends on the geometry and the flow conditions of the nozzle.the typical discharge coefficient of a solid stream nozzle for a standard orifice with sharp edges is about 0.62, which means that the actual flow rate is about 62% of the theoretical flow rate.This value is based on the experiments conducted by the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) and reported in the paper “Discharge Coefficients of Fire Nozzles”1.The paper also provides a formula to calculate the discharge coefficient for different nozzle diameters and pressures123

Smoke detector

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Detectors using the photoelectric principle do not use a small amount of radioactive material. This is a false statement about smoke detectors. Detectors using the photoelectric principle use a light source and a light sensor to detect the presence of smoke. When smoke enters the detection chamber, it scatters the light and triggers the alarm.Detectors using the photoelectric principle are more responsive to low-energy (smoldering) fires that produce large smoke particles12.

Detectors using the cloud chamber principle also use the photoelectric principle. This is a true statement about smoke detectors. Detectors using the cloud chamber principle use a sealed chamber that contains a supersaturated vapor. When smoke enters the chamber, it causes the vapor to condense into droplets that reflect light. The light is then detected by a photoelectric sensor that activates the alarm.Detectors using the cloud chamber principle are very sensitive to small smoke particles34.

Detectors using the ionization principle provide somewhat faster response to high-energy (open flaming) fires. This is a true statement about smoke detectors. Detectors using the ionization principle use a small amount of radioactive material that ionizes the air in the detection chamber. When smoke enters the chamber, it reduces the ionization and the electric current. The drop in current is then detected by a circuit that activates the alarm.Detectors using the ionization principle are more responsive to high-energy (open flaming) fires that produce small smoke particles12.

Detectors using the photoelectric principle provide somewhat faster response to low-energy (smoldering) fires. This is a true statement about smoke detectors. Detectors using the photoelectric principle use a light source and a light sensor to detect the presence of smoke. When smoke enters the detection chamber, it scatters the light and triggers the alarm.Detectors using the photoelectric principle are more responsive to low-energy (smoldering) fires that produce large smoke particles12.

According to NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, 2018 Edition, the travel distance limit for a new unsprinklered educational occupancy is 175 ft. (53 m). This is the maximum distance that an occupant has to travel from any point within the building to reach an exit or exit access door. The travel distance limit for a new sprinklered educational occupancy is 250 ft. (76 m).These limits are based on the assumption that the building has at least two exits or exit access doors from each room or space12

References:

• NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, 2018 Edition, Chapter 14
• Deco DeD - I Dig Hardware

Fuel oil is a liquid fuel derived from petroleum that can be used in grain dryers as an alternative to natural gas or propane. Fuel oil is typically classified into six grades, from No. 1 to No. 6, based on their viscosity, sulfur content, and boiling point. No. 2 fuel oil is the most common grade used for heating purposes, including grain drying. Fuel oil has a higher energy density and lower cost than natural gas or propane, but it also produces more emissions and requires more storage and handling12

References:

• Best Fuel for Grain Drying Equipment - Crown Oil1
• Preventing Grain Dryer Fires: Tips For Startup, Cleaning, Shutdown2

Zebra mussel

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The correct answer is B. Zebra mussel pipe obstructions are largely concentrated around the Great Lakes and Mississippi River areas. Zebra mussels are an invasive species that originated from Eurasia and were introduced to North America in the late 1980s through the ballast water of ships. They have since spread to many freshwater lakes and rivers, especially in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States and Canada. Zebra mussels can attach themselves to hard surfaces, such as pipes, pumps, valves, and filters, and form dense colonies that reduce or block the water flow. This can cause serious problems for industries, utilities, and municipalities that rely on water intake or delivery systems.Zebra mussels can also damage aquatic ecosystems, infrastructure, and recreation by competing with native species, altering water quality, and fouling boats and equipment12345

A proprietary fire alarm system is a type of fire alarm system that transmits signals that are permanently recorded at a constantly attended supervising station located either at the protected premises or at another location of the property owner. A proprietary fire alarm system is owned and operated by the property owner or the owner’s agent. A proprietary fire alarm system is intended to provide fire alarm service to a single property or a campus of related properties.References:

• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2019 Edition, Section 3.3.105.11
• Fire Protection Handbook, 20th Edition, Volume 1, Chapter 7, Section 7.2.1.12

Panic hardware devices are designed to facilitate the release of the latching device on a door with a pressure not exceeding 15 pounds (6.8 kg.) is applied in the direction of exit travel. This is the maximum force allowed by the codes and standards that regulate the use and installation of panic hardware, such as NFPA 101, NFPA 80, and ANSI/BHMAA156.3. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the doors can be easily opened by anyone in an emergency situation, without prior knowledge or special effort.References:Codes to Know for Panic Hardware - Facilitiesnet;Panic and emergency escape hardware | ASSA ABLOY | ASSA ABLOY; NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2023 Edition, Chapter 7, Section 7.2.1.7.2; NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, 2023 Edition, Chapter 6, Section 6.1.3.5.1; ANSI/BHMA A156.3, Standard for Exit Devices, 2014 Edition, Section 4.1.1.

When magnesium shavings or chips come in contact with water, they react to produce magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The chemical equation for the reaction is: 2 Mg (s) + 2 H2O (l)?2 Mg (OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g). This displacement reaction is characterized by effervescence, a vigorous reaction, and the formation of a white precipitate of magnesium hydroxide.

References:

• Reactions of Group 2 Elements with Water - Chemistry LibreTexts1
• Magnesium (Mg) and water - Lenntech2

Fire alarm systems audible appliances ratings are usually stated as a sound pressure level (SPL) at 10 ft (3.05 m) from the appliance. The SPL is measured in decibels (dB) and indicates the loudness of the sound produced by the appliance. The SPL at 10 ft (3.05 m) is used as a standard reference point for comparing different audible appliances and for designing fire alarm systems to meet the required audibility levels.References:

• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2019 Edition, Section 18.4.3.11
• Fire Protection Handbook, 20th Edition, Volume 1, Chapter 7, Section 7.8.2.12

When using water mist as an extinguishing mechanism, the effectiveness of a fine mist depends on the momentum and direction of the spray relative to the fire. The momentum and direction of the spray determine how well the mist can penetrate the fire plume and reach the flame zone, where the mist droplets can evaporate and cool the fire, displace oxygen, and dilute the fuel vapors. The mist spray should have sufficient momentum to overcome the buoyancy and entrainment of the fire plume, and the direction of the spray should be aligned with the fire plume to avoid deflection and dispersion. The ability of the mist to directly spray on the fire, how much mist diverts to the compartment boundaries, and how much conductive heat the mist system will absorb are not the main factors affecting the extinguishing effectiveness of a fine mist.

References:Water Mist Systems Overview | NFPA;Engineering Relations for Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems;Effectiveness of Swirl Water Mist Nozzles for Fire Suppression

The types of overspray collectors associated with spray booths can be categorized into venturi scrubbers, waterfall scrubbers, dry filter, and cartridge filter. Venturi scrubbers use a high-velocity water spray to capture the overspray particles in a turbulent zone. Waterfall scrubbers use a curtain of water flowing over a perforated plate to wash down the overspray. Dry filter collectors use a series of filters, such as paper, fiberglass, or synthetic media, to trap the overspray. Cartridge filter collectors use pleated cartridges with high surface area and efficiency to capture the overspray. These collectors also have a self-cleaning mechanism that uses compressed air to dislodge the overspray from the cartridges.

References:Spray Booth Filters: Types and Selection;Spray Booths and Paint Finishing Operations;Spray Booth Filters: Types and Selection;Spray Booth Filters: Types and Selection;Spray Booth Filters: Types and Selection

The correct answer is A. Type I construction consists of structural members of approved noncombustible or limited combustible materials with specified fire resistance ratings for exterior bearing walls of 3 or 4 hours. This is the highest level of fire resistance among the five types of construction defined by NFPA 220: Standard for Types of Building Construction.Type I construction is typically used for high-rise buildings made of concrete and protected steel12