CFI Portable Fire Extinguishers & Suppression Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NFPA 10, how often must portable fire extinguishers receive an annual maintenance inspection?
- Every 6 months
- Once per year (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Only when visually damaged
Correct answer: Once per year
NFPA 10 requires a thorough annual maintenance inspection of all portable fire extinguishers to verify they are fully charged and operable.
Question 2: Which class of fire extinguisher is specifically designed for use on cooking oil and grease fires in commercial kitchens?
- Class B
- Class C
- Class K (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class K
Class K extinguishers use a wet chemical agent designed specifically for high-temperature cooking oil and animal/vegetable fat fires found in commercial kitchens.
Question 3: What is the maximum travel distance to a Class B fire extinguisher in an area with a low-hazard flammable liquid occupancy?
- 30 feet
- 50 feet
- 75 feet (Correct answer)
- 100 feet
Correct answer: 75 feet
NFPA 10 specifies a maximum travel distance of 75 feet to a Class B extinguisher for low-hazard flammable liquid areas.
Question 4: A fire extinguisher labeled '2-A:10-B:C' — what does the '2-A' rating indicate?
- The extinguisher weighs 2 pounds
- It can extinguish twice the fire as a 1-A unit (Correct answer)
- It is rated for 2 square feet of coverage
- It requires 2 people to operate
Correct answer: It can extinguish twice the fire as a 1-A unit
The numerical prefix in Class A ratings is a relative effectiveness rating, where 2-A extinguishes twice the fire area compared to a 1-A rated extinguisher.
Question 5: According to NFPA 10, when must a dry chemical extinguisher receive a 6-year internal examination?
- Every 6 years from date of manufacture
- Every 6 years from the last hydrostatic test
- Every 6 years from the date of the last internal examination (Correct answer)
- Every 6 years from the initial installation date
Correct answer: Every 6 years from the date of the last internal examination
NFPA 10 requires dry chemical extinguishers to undergo internal examination every 6 years from the date of the last internal examination or hydrostatic test.
Question 6: Which type of portable fire extinguisher agent is most appropriate for use on Class D (combustible metal) fires?
- Dry chemical (ABC)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Dry powder (specific to metal type) (Correct answer)
- Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)
Correct answer: Dry powder (specific to metal type)
Class D fires involving combustible metals require a specific dry powder agent matched to the burning metal type, as standard agents can react violently with some metals.
Question 7: Under NFPA 10, what minimum height must the handle of a portable fire extinguisher be mounted from the floor when the extinguisher weighs 40 pounds or less?
- 2 feet
- 3.5 feet
- 5 feet (Correct answer)
- 6 feet
Correct answer: 5 feet
NFPA 10 requires that extinguishers with a gross weight of 40 lbs or less have their handle mounted no higher than 5 feet from the floor.
CFI Portable Fire Extinguishers & Suppression Equipment 1
According to NFPA 10, how often must portable fire extinguishers receive an annual maintenance inspection?