Free Practice Questions for NFPA CFPS Exam

The data of a pre-incident plan should be evaluated after an incident, as part of the post incident critique or analysis. This is to assess the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of the pre-incident plan, and to identify any changes or updates needed based on the lessons learned from the incident.Evaluating the pre-incident plan after an incident can also help improve the emergency response performance and the fire safety management of the site.References:123

Fire tests typically relate to two types of fire properties, fire resistance and reaction to fire. Fire resistance is the ability of a building element or component to prevent the passage of heat and flames from one side to another, while reaction to fire is the response of a material or product in contributing to the development and spread of a fire. Fire resistance tests are usually performed on systems or assemblies, such as walls, floors, doors, or windows, while reaction to fire tests are usually performed on materials or products, such as sealants, insulation, cladding, or plastics.References:International Standards and Classifications for Fire Testing - Sika;Testing for Fire Resistance and Reaction to Fire – ICC NTA;‘Reaction to Fire’ Vs ‘Fire resistance’ - Ask HILTI;What is the difference between Reaction to Fire and Resistance to Fire …;Reaction to Fire vs Resistance to Fire | Nullifire UK

The correct answer is B. In wide-open spaces, the sound pressure level (SPL) decreases by 6 decibels (dB) every time the distance from the source is doubled. This is known as the inverse square law of sound propagation, which states that the intensity of sound is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.For example, if the SPL at 1 meter from the source is 100 dB, then the SPL at 2 meters from the source is 94 dB, and the SPL at 4 meters from the source is 88 dB123

The coefficient of discharge of a fire hydrant when the outlet is smooth and well-rounded is 0.90. This is the highest coefficient given by NFPA 291 for fire hydrant outlets, and it means that the stream is almost as large as the outlet diameter. The coefficient of discharge is a factor that accounts for the difference between the actual flow and the theoretical flow from an orifice, based on the shape and condition of the outlet1. A lower coefficient means that the stream is more restricted and has a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet. NFPA 291 provides three coefficients for fire hydrant outlets, depending on how the outlet projects into the barrel: 0.90 for smooth and well-rounded outlets, 0.80 for outlets with a hexagonal or square projection, and 0.70 for outlets with a long projection or adamaged edge2. The coefficient of discharge is used to calculate the flow rate from the pitot pressure measured at the centerline of the stream3. References:

Fire Fighting Foams - Chemguard

Guide to Hydrant Flow Testing | WSRB

New Fire Hydrant Flow Test Charts (PDF) - MeyerFire

Fire extinguisher

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smothering.

The primary mechanism by which carbon dioxide extinguishes fire is smothering, or displacing the oxygen that the fire needs to sustain combustion. Carbon dioxide is a gas that is heavier than air, so when it is released from the extinguisher, it forms a blanket over the fire and pushes away the oxygen.Without oxygen, the fire cannot continue to burn and is extinguished1234

Cooling is a secondary mechanism by which carbon dioxide extinguishes fire. Carbon dioxide is stored as a liquid under high pressure in the extinguisher, and when it is released, it expands rapidly and cools down. The cold gas absorbs heat from the fire and lowers the temperature of the fuel below its ignition point.However, cooling is not the main effect of carbon dioxide, as it is less effective than water in reducing the heat of the fire1234

Saponification and chemical inhibition are not mechanisms by which carbon dioxide extinguishes fire. Saponification is a process by which wet chemical agents react with fats and oils to form a soapy foam that seals the surface of the fire and prevents re-ignition. Chemical inhibition is a process by which dry chemical agents interfere with the chemical chain reaction of the fire and stop the production of free radicals that propagate the combustion.These mechanisms are used by other types of fire extinguishers, such as Class K and Class D extinguishers, respectively1234

References:

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers - University of South Carolina4

How Does A Co2 Fire Extinguisher Work2

Why is Carbon Dioxide Used to Extinguish Oil Fires3

What is a Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher?- Safeopedia1

the goals of the first edition of NFPA 13D were to provide sufficient time for safe egress or rescue, economic viability, and limit damage to the dwelling. The first edition of NFPA 13D was published in 1975 and was based on the concept of a “life safety” sprinkler system that was intended to protect the occupants of one- and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes from fire.The first edition of NFPA 13D stated that the system was not designed to protect the property or contents from fire damage, but rather to provide a tenable environment for escape or rescue1.The first edition of NFPA 13D also recognized the need for economic viability of the system, and therefore allowed for reduced water supply and piping requirements compared to other sprinkler standards2.The first edition of NFPA 13D did not explicitly state the goal of limiting damage to the dwelling, but it implied that the system would have some beneficial effect on the fire spread and severity by stating that the system was designed to prevent flashover in the room of fire origin1.References:

NFPA 13D: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, 1975 Edition, Section 1-11

Fire Protection Handbook, 20th Edition, Volume 1, Chapter 8, Section 8.2.1.22

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]

Large quantities of flammable or combustible liquids (all classes) are best transferred through piping by pumps. This method minimizes the risk of spills, leaks, fires, and explosions that may occur when transferring liquids by other means, such as air pressure, inert gas pressure, or gravity flow. Piping systems should be designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code and other applicable standards. Piping systems should also include proper grounding and bonding, venting, and emergency shutoff devices to prevent static electricity, overpressure, and accidental release of liquids.

References: NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2021 Edition, Chapter 271; Fire Protection Handbook, 20th Edition, Volume 1, Chapter 8, Section 8.3.12.

The maximum allowable number of clients for a family day-care home varies by state and territory, but generally ranges from four to six children unrelated to the operator. A family day-care home is a facility in which a small group of children receive child care services in the provider’s own home, such as a house, apartment, or condo unit1. To ensure a safe care environment, states and territories use child care licensing regulations to limit the number of children, as well as the number of infants and toddlers, that can receive care in a family day-care home1. Some states and territories may also offer certification or registration to help ensure some basic health and safety standards in certain home-based child care programs1. To learn more about how your state or territory regulates family day-care homes, you can visit the child care consumer education website and child care resource and referral agency for your state or territory1. References:

Family Child Care Homes | Childcare.gov

The correct answer is B. After an emergency incident has occurred, a post-incident critique of the emergency preparedness procedure should be conducted covering the detection of the incident, implementation of incident command, andnotification, alerting and warning procedures. These are some of the key elements of an effective emergency response that need to be evaluated and improved after an incident.A post-incident critique is a systematic review of the actions and decisions taken during an emergency incident, with the aim of identifying lessons learned, best practices, gaps, and corrective actions1.A post-incident critique should involve all the relevant stakeholders, such as emergency responders, emergency managers, facility managers, and affected community members2.A post-incident critique should also follow a structured format, such as the one suggested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)3:

Introduction: The facilitator introduces the purpose, objectives, ground rules, and agenda of the critique session.

Incident Overview: The facilitator provides a brief summary of the incident, including the date, time, location, type, size, and impact of the incident.

Timeline Review: The facilitator leads a chronological review of the major events and actions that occurred during the incident, using a timeline or a log as a reference.

Strengths and Areas for Improvement: The facilitator solicits feedback from the participants on what went well and what needs to be improved, focusing on the following topics:

Detection of the incident: How was the incident detected and reported? How timely and accurate was the information? How effective were the communication systems and protocols?

Implementation of incident command: How was the incident command system established and maintained? How clear and appropriate were the roles and responsibilities of the incident commander and other staff? How well did the incident command coordinate with other agencies and organizations?

Notification, alerting and warning procedures: How were the internal and external stakeholders notified, alerted, and warned about the incident? How timely and accurate were the messages? How effective were the methods and channels of communication?

Other topics: Depending on the nature and scope of the incident, other topics may include resource management, operational tactics, safety and security, public information, recovery and restoration, etc.

Action Plan: The facilitator summarizes the main findings and recommendations from the critique session, and assigns responsibilities and deadlines for implementing the corrective actions.

Conclusion: The facilitator thanks the participants for their contributions, and provides information on how the results of the critique will be documented and shared.