IAAI CFI EXAM BANK 2026 | ACCURATE
CURRENTLY TESTING EXAM VERSIONS
WITH PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES AND A
STUDY GUIDE | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes convection?
A. Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves
B. Heat transfer by movement of a fluid or gas
C. Heat transfer by direct contact
D. Heat transfer by chemical reaction
Answer: B
Rationale: Convection is heat transfer through moving fluids (air or liquid).
2. The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite is called
the:
A. Flash point
B. Autoignition temperature
C. Fire point
D. Boiling point
Answer: A
Rationale: Flash point is the least temperature where vapors ignite momentarily.
3. Which fire behavior indicator shows slowed burning due to lack of oxygen?
A. Backdraft
B. Flashover
C. Smoldering combustion
D. Turbulent flame
Answer: C
Rationale: Smoldering indicates low oxygen and low heat release.
4. Heat release rate (HRR) is most important because it:
A. Determines color of smoke
B. Correlates to fire growth and severity
C. Dictates all ignition sources
D. Controls ventilation effects only
Answer: B
Rationale: HRR is the key measure of a fire’s energy output.
5. Which component of the fire tetrahedron differentiates it from the fire triangle?
A. Fuel
, B. Heat
C. Oxygen
D. Chemical chain reaction
Answer: D
Rationale: The fire tetrahedron adds the chemical chain reaction, which sustains
combustion.
6. Radiant heat transfer occurs primarily through:
A. Direct contact
B. Fluid motion
C. Electromagnetic waves
D. Mechanical force
Answer: C
Rationale: Radiation transfers heat through electromagnetic energy without contact.
7. Flashover is best described as:
A. Sudden oxygen reintroduction
B. Rapid fire spread due to accelerants
C. Simultaneous ignition of exposed combustibles
D. Collapse of structural members
Answer: C
Rationale: Flashover occurs when radiant heat ignites all combustibles in a
compartment.
8. Which factor most directly affects flame spread rate?
A. Color of smoke
B. Fuel surface area
C. Time of day
D. Investigator response time
Answer: B
Rationale: Greater surface area allows faster heat transfer and flame spread.
9. Autoignition differs from piloted ignition because autoignition:
A. Requires a spark
B. Occurs at lower temperatures
C. Requires an open flame
D. Does not require an external ignition source
Answer: D
Rationale: Autoignition occurs solely due to heat.
10. Which combustion process produces glowing without flames?
A. Flaming combustion
B. Detonation
C. Smoldering combustion
D. Explosive combustion
Answer: C
Rationale: Smoldering produces heat and smoke without visible flames.
11. Which material typically has the highest heat release rate?
A. Concrete
B. Wood
C. Upholstered furniture
, D. Gypsum board
Answer: C
Rationale: Synthetic materials in furniture release heat rapidly.
12. Incomplete combustion is most likely to produce:
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Water vapor
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Nitrogen
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen-limited fires produce CO.
13. What phase of fire development involves rapid temperature increase?
A. Incipient
B. Growth
C. Fully developed
D. Decay
Answer: B
Rationale: The growth stage shows accelerating fire intensity.
14. Ventilation-limited fires are characterized by:
A. Excess oxygen
B. Low fuel load
C. Restricted airflow
D. High humidity
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen availability limits fire growth.
15. Which phenomenon is most likely when oxygen is suddenly introduced to a
smoldering fire?
A. Flashover
B. Backdraft
C. BLEVE
D. Spalling
Answer: B
Rationale: Backdraft occurs when oxygen mixes with hot, fuel-rich gases.
16. Pyrolysis refers to:
A. Combustion of vapors
B. Thermal decomposition of fuel
C. Heat transfer by contact
D. Smoke movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat breaks down solid fuel into combustible gases.
17. Which factor does NOT influence fire spread?
A. Fuel arrangement
B. Oxygen supply
C. Heat transfer
D. Investigator presence
Answer: D
Rationale: Investigators do not influence fire behavior.
, 18. The minimum oxygen concentration needed for flaming combustion is
approximately:
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 16%
D. 25%
Answer: C
Rationale: Most flaming combustion requires ~16% oxygen.
19. Which fire behavior indicator suggests rapid fire growth?
A. Light gray smoke
B. Thick, dark smoke under pressure
C. No visible smoke
D. White condensation
Answer: B
Rationale: Dark, pressurized smoke indicates high heat and fuel-rich conditions.
20. Heat transfer by direct molecular contact is called:
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Diffusion
Answer: C
Rationale: Conduction occurs through physical contact.
21. Which condition promotes vertical fire spread?
A. Horizontal fuel layout
B. Open stairwells
C. Fire stops
D. Closed doors
Answer: B
Rationale: Vertical openings allow convective heat flow upward.
22. Which statement about smoke is TRUE?
A. Smoke always rises
B. Smoke is harmless
C. Smoke composition varies by fuel
D. Smoke does not affect fire behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Different fuels produce different smoke products.
23. Thermal buoyancy causes hot gases to:
A. Sink
B. Condense
C. Remain stationary
D. Rise
Answer: D
Rationale: Heated gases become less dense and rise.
24. Which fuel property most affects ignition temperature?
A. Density
B. Moisture content
CURRENTLY TESTING EXAM VERSIONS
WITH PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES AND A
STUDY GUIDE | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes convection?
A. Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves
B. Heat transfer by movement of a fluid or gas
C. Heat transfer by direct contact
D. Heat transfer by chemical reaction
Answer: B
Rationale: Convection is heat transfer through moving fluids (air or liquid).
2. The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite is called
the:
A. Flash point
B. Autoignition temperature
C. Fire point
D. Boiling point
Answer: A
Rationale: Flash point is the least temperature where vapors ignite momentarily.
3. Which fire behavior indicator shows slowed burning due to lack of oxygen?
A. Backdraft
B. Flashover
C. Smoldering combustion
D. Turbulent flame
Answer: C
Rationale: Smoldering indicates low oxygen and low heat release.
4. Heat release rate (HRR) is most important because it:
A. Determines color of smoke
B. Correlates to fire growth and severity
C. Dictates all ignition sources
D. Controls ventilation effects only
Answer: B
Rationale: HRR is the key measure of a fire’s energy output.
5. Which component of the fire tetrahedron differentiates it from the fire triangle?
A. Fuel
, B. Heat
C. Oxygen
D. Chemical chain reaction
Answer: D
Rationale: The fire tetrahedron adds the chemical chain reaction, which sustains
combustion.
6. Radiant heat transfer occurs primarily through:
A. Direct contact
B. Fluid motion
C. Electromagnetic waves
D. Mechanical force
Answer: C
Rationale: Radiation transfers heat through electromagnetic energy without contact.
7. Flashover is best described as:
A. Sudden oxygen reintroduction
B. Rapid fire spread due to accelerants
C. Simultaneous ignition of exposed combustibles
D. Collapse of structural members
Answer: C
Rationale: Flashover occurs when radiant heat ignites all combustibles in a
compartment.
8. Which factor most directly affects flame spread rate?
A. Color of smoke
B. Fuel surface area
C. Time of day
D. Investigator response time
Answer: B
Rationale: Greater surface area allows faster heat transfer and flame spread.
9. Autoignition differs from piloted ignition because autoignition:
A. Requires a spark
B. Occurs at lower temperatures
C. Requires an open flame
D. Does not require an external ignition source
Answer: D
Rationale: Autoignition occurs solely due to heat.
10. Which combustion process produces glowing without flames?
A. Flaming combustion
B. Detonation
C. Smoldering combustion
D. Explosive combustion
Answer: C
Rationale: Smoldering produces heat and smoke without visible flames.
11. Which material typically has the highest heat release rate?
A. Concrete
B. Wood
C. Upholstered furniture
, D. Gypsum board
Answer: C
Rationale: Synthetic materials in furniture release heat rapidly.
12. Incomplete combustion is most likely to produce:
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Water vapor
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Nitrogen
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen-limited fires produce CO.
13. What phase of fire development involves rapid temperature increase?
A. Incipient
B. Growth
C. Fully developed
D. Decay
Answer: B
Rationale: The growth stage shows accelerating fire intensity.
14. Ventilation-limited fires are characterized by:
A. Excess oxygen
B. Low fuel load
C. Restricted airflow
D. High humidity
Answer: C
Rationale: Oxygen availability limits fire growth.
15. Which phenomenon is most likely when oxygen is suddenly introduced to a
smoldering fire?
A. Flashover
B. Backdraft
C. BLEVE
D. Spalling
Answer: B
Rationale: Backdraft occurs when oxygen mixes with hot, fuel-rich gases.
16. Pyrolysis refers to:
A. Combustion of vapors
B. Thermal decomposition of fuel
C. Heat transfer by contact
D. Smoke movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat breaks down solid fuel into combustible gases.
17. Which factor does NOT influence fire spread?
A. Fuel arrangement
B. Oxygen supply
C. Heat transfer
D. Investigator presence
Answer: D
Rationale: Investigators do not influence fire behavior.
, 18. The minimum oxygen concentration needed for flaming combustion is
approximately:
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 16%
D. 25%
Answer: C
Rationale: Most flaming combustion requires ~16% oxygen.
19. Which fire behavior indicator suggests rapid fire growth?
A. Light gray smoke
B. Thick, dark smoke under pressure
C. No visible smoke
D. White condensation
Answer: B
Rationale: Dark, pressurized smoke indicates high heat and fuel-rich conditions.
20. Heat transfer by direct molecular contact is called:
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Diffusion
Answer: C
Rationale: Conduction occurs through physical contact.
21. Which condition promotes vertical fire spread?
A. Horizontal fuel layout
B. Open stairwells
C. Fire stops
D. Closed doors
Answer: B
Rationale: Vertical openings allow convective heat flow upward.
22. Which statement about smoke is TRUE?
A. Smoke always rises
B. Smoke is harmless
C. Smoke composition varies by fuel
D. Smoke does not affect fire behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Different fuels produce different smoke products.
23. Thermal buoyancy causes hot gases to:
A. Sink
B. Condense
C. Remain stationary
D. Rise
Answer: D
Rationale: Heated gases become less dense and rise.
24. Which fuel property most affects ignition temperature?
A. Density
B. Moisture content
