LA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE PREVENTION
OFFICER WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of a fire prevention officer?
A. Extinguish fires
B. Investigate arson
C. Reduce the risk of fire hazards and enforce fire codes
D. Rescue trapped individuals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fire prevention officers focus on preventing fires
through inspections, education, and code enforcement, rather
than directly fighting fires.
2. Which of the following is a Class A fire?
A. Flammable liquids
B. Electrical equipment
C. Ordinary combustibles like wood and paper
D. Combustible metals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials
such as wood, paper, and cloth.
,3. NFPA stands for:
A. National Fire Prevention Agency
B. National Fire Protection Association
C. National Fire Patrol Association
D. National Fire Police Authority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association,
which sets codes and standards for fire safety.
4. Which type of sprinkler system is most suitable for high-
value equipment areas?
A. Wet-pipe system
B. Dry-pipe system
C. Pre-action system
D. Standpipe system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pre-action systems are used in areas with sensitive
equipment; water is released only after smoke or heat
detection.
5. A “fire load” refers to:
A. The number of fire extinguishers in a building
B. The amount and type of combustible material in a space
C. The weight of firefighters on a ladder
D. Water pressure in a sprinkler system
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fire load is the total potential energy available from
combustible materials in a given area.
6. What is the primary code enforced by fire prevention
officers in LA?
A. California Penal Code
B. California Building Code (CBC)
C. California Fire Code (CFC)
D. Occupational Safety and Health Code
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fire prevention officers enforce the California Fire
Code (CFC) to ensure fire safety compliance.
7. Which type of extinguisher should be used on electrical
fires?
A. Water
B. Foam
C. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) or dry chemical
D. Wet chemical
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CO₂ or dry chemical extinguishers safely put out
electrical fires without conducting electricity.
, 8. The “triangle of fire” includes:
A. Fuel, heat, oxygen
B. Fuel, smoke, oxygen
C. Heat, water, oxygen
D. Fuel, heat, pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fire requires three elements: fuel, heat, and oxygen.
Removing any one element extinguishes the fire.
9. Which is a common cause of residential fires?
A. Smoking materials
B. Cooking equipment
C. Electrical faults
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Smoking, cooking, and faulty wiring are all leading
causes of residential fires.
10. What is the minimum exit width required for a corridor in
a commercial building per CFC?
A. 24 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 48 inches
D. 60 inches
OFFICER WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of a fire prevention officer?
A. Extinguish fires
B. Investigate arson
C. Reduce the risk of fire hazards and enforce fire codes
D. Rescue trapped individuals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fire prevention officers focus on preventing fires
through inspections, education, and code enforcement, rather
than directly fighting fires.
2. Which of the following is a Class A fire?
A. Flammable liquids
B. Electrical equipment
C. Ordinary combustibles like wood and paper
D. Combustible metals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials
such as wood, paper, and cloth.
,3. NFPA stands for:
A. National Fire Prevention Agency
B. National Fire Protection Association
C. National Fire Patrol Association
D. National Fire Police Authority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association,
which sets codes and standards for fire safety.
4. Which type of sprinkler system is most suitable for high-
value equipment areas?
A. Wet-pipe system
B. Dry-pipe system
C. Pre-action system
D. Standpipe system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pre-action systems are used in areas with sensitive
equipment; water is released only after smoke or heat
detection.
5. A “fire load” refers to:
A. The number of fire extinguishers in a building
B. The amount and type of combustible material in a space
C. The weight of firefighters on a ladder
D. Water pressure in a sprinkler system
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fire load is the total potential energy available from
combustible materials in a given area.
6. What is the primary code enforced by fire prevention
officers in LA?
A. California Penal Code
B. California Building Code (CBC)
C. California Fire Code (CFC)
D. Occupational Safety and Health Code
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fire prevention officers enforce the California Fire
Code (CFC) to ensure fire safety compliance.
7. Which type of extinguisher should be used on electrical
fires?
A. Water
B. Foam
C. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) or dry chemical
D. Wet chemical
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CO₂ or dry chemical extinguishers safely put out
electrical fires without conducting electricity.
, 8. The “triangle of fire” includes:
A. Fuel, heat, oxygen
B. Fuel, smoke, oxygen
C. Heat, water, oxygen
D. Fuel, heat, pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fire requires three elements: fuel, heat, and oxygen.
Removing any one element extinguishes the fire.
9. Which is a common cause of residential fires?
A. Smoking materials
B. Cooking equipment
C. Electrical faults
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Smoking, cooking, and faulty wiring are all leading
causes of residential fires.
10. What is the minimum exit width required for a corridor in
a commercial building per CFC?
A. 24 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 48 inches
D. 60 inches
