IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting, 7th Edition
Fire Dynamics COMPLETE EXAM| 2026 EXPECTED
TEST
1. Fires involve a heat-producing chemical reaction between fuel and: (117)
[4.3.11]
A. a catalyst.
B. an oxidizer.
C. free radicals.
D. a reducing agent.
2. When a substance changes from one type of matter into another, such as two
or more substances combining to form compounds, the substance undergoes a:
(118) [4.3.11]
A. dissolution.
B. metamorphosis.
C. chemical reaction.
D. physiological change.
3. Which statement about energy and combustion is accurate? (120) [4.3.11]
A. A fuel's chemical energy is the result of rapid vibrations in the molecules.
B. Chemical and physical changes almost never involve an exchange of energy.
C. A fuel's potential energy releases during combustion and converts to kinetic
energy.
,D. Chemical changes involve an exchange of energy; physical changes involve no
energy exchange.
4. Which element of the fire tetrahedron is included to explain flaming (gas-
phase) combustion? (120) [4.3.11]
A. Fuel
B. Heat
C. Oxygen
D. Chemical chain reaction
5. What occurs when a mixture of fuel and oxygen encounter an external heat
source with sufficient heat or thermal energy to start the combustion reaction?
(120) [4.3.11]
A. Autoignition
B. Piloted ignition
C. Kinetic ignition
D. Sustained ignition
6. The minimum temperature at which a fuel in the air must be heated in order
to start self-sustained combustion is known as the: (122) [4.3.11]
A. autoignition temperature (AIT).
B. piloted ignition temperature (PIT).
C. lower explosive (flammable) limit (LEL).
D. upper explosive (flammable) limit (UEL).
7. What causes flaming combustion to occur? (123) [4.3.11]
A. A solid fuel encounters an open flame and entrains enough air to ignite.
B. A gaseous fuel encounters an external heat source and experiences piloted
, ignition.
C. A gaseous fuel mixes with an adequate amount of oxygen and heats to
ignition temperature.
D. A solid fuel mixes with an adequate amount of liquid fuel to be able to sustain
an open burning flame.
8. What is the cause of most fire deaths? (124) [4.3.10, 4.3.11]
A. Injuries caused by falling materials or structural collapse
B. Exposure to toxic gases found in smoke and/or lack of oxygen
C. Exposure to extreme heat and/or contact with flames and hot surfaces
D. Accidental injuries sustained during escape and/or evacuation procedures
9. Which statement about the dangers of products of combustion is accurate?
(124) [4.3.11]
A. Visible smoke presents the greatest inhalation danger.
B. Low oxygen concentrations alone can result in hypoxia or death.
C. Toxic products of combustion are released only during the combustion
reaction.
D. The toxic effects of smoke inhalation are the result of the interaction between
carbon monoxide and heat.
10. Which product of combustion acts as a chemical asphyxiant by excluding
oxygen from the blood, leading to hypoxia of the brain and tissues? (124-125)
[4.3.11]
A. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B. Carbon monoxide (CO)
Fire Dynamics COMPLETE EXAM| 2026 EXPECTED
TEST
1. Fires involve a heat-producing chemical reaction between fuel and: (117)
[4.3.11]
A. a catalyst.
B. an oxidizer.
C. free radicals.
D. a reducing agent.
2. When a substance changes from one type of matter into another, such as two
or more substances combining to form compounds, the substance undergoes a:
(118) [4.3.11]
A. dissolution.
B. metamorphosis.
C. chemical reaction.
D. physiological change.
3. Which statement about energy and combustion is accurate? (120) [4.3.11]
A. A fuel's chemical energy is the result of rapid vibrations in the molecules.
B. Chemical and physical changes almost never involve an exchange of energy.
C. A fuel's potential energy releases during combustion and converts to kinetic
energy.
,D. Chemical changes involve an exchange of energy; physical changes involve no
energy exchange.
4. Which element of the fire tetrahedron is included to explain flaming (gas-
phase) combustion? (120) [4.3.11]
A. Fuel
B. Heat
C. Oxygen
D. Chemical chain reaction
5. What occurs when a mixture of fuel and oxygen encounter an external heat
source with sufficient heat or thermal energy to start the combustion reaction?
(120) [4.3.11]
A. Autoignition
B. Piloted ignition
C. Kinetic ignition
D. Sustained ignition
6. The minimum temperature at which a fuel in the air must be heated in order
to start self-sustained combustion is known as the: (122) [4.3.11]
A. autoignition temperature (AIT).
B. piloted ignition temperature (PIT).
C. lower explosive (flammable) limit (LEL).
D. upper explosive (flammable) limit (UEL).
7. What causes flaming combustion to occur? (123) [4.3.11]
A. A solid fuel encounters an open flame and entrains enough air to ignite.
B. A gaseous fuel encounters an external heat source and experiences piloted
, ignition.
C. A gaseous fuel mixes with an adequate amount of oxygen and heats to
ignition temperature.
D. A solid fuel mixes with an adequate amount of liquid fuel to be able to sustain
an open burning flame.
8. What is the cause of most fire deaths? (124) [4.3.10, 4.3.11]
A. Injuries caused by falling materials or structural collapse
B. Exposure to toxic gases found in smoke and/or lack of oxygen
C. Exposure to extreme heat and/or contact with flames and hot surfaces
D. Accidental injuries sustained during escape and/or evacuation procedures
9. Which statement about the dangers of products of combustion is accurate?
(124) [4.3.11]
A. Visible smoke presents the greatest inhalation danger.
B. Low oxygen concentrations alone can result in hypoxia or death.
C. Toxic products of combustion are released only during the combustion
reaction.
D. The toxic effects of smoke inhalation are the result of the interaction between
carbon monoxide and heat.
10. Which product of combustion acts as a chemical asphyxiant by excluding
oxygen from the blood, leading to hypoxia of the brain and tissues? (124-125)
[4.3.11]
A. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B. Carbon monoxide (CO)
