Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer FAE
Ultimate Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following fluid levels is NOT typically checked
during a daily “circle check” of a fire apparatus?
A) Engine oil
B) Power steering fluid
C) Transmission fluid
D) DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Transmission fluid is usually inspected during scheduled
maintenance, not the daily walk-around; daily checks focus on engine oil, power
steering, coolant, fuel, and DEF.
**Question 2.** According to NFPA 1911, a fire apparatus must be placed “Out of
Service” when:
A) The tire tread is 4/32 inches or less
B) The battery voltage reads 12.6 V
C) The windshield wipers operate correctly
D) The siren sounds at 85 dB
**Answer:** A
**Explanation:** NFPA 1911 specifies that tires with tread depth of 4/32 inches
or less are a safety hazard and require the apparatus to be taken out of service.
**Question 3.** The “Due Regard” standard for emergency vehicle operators
requires:
A) Driving at the posted speed limit at all times
B) Operating the vehicle with the same care as a private vehicle driver
, Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer FAE
Ultimate Exam
C) Exercising the degree of care that a prudent person would use under similar
circumstances
D) Ignoring all traffic signals when responding to a fire
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** “Due Regard” means using the level of care a reasonable person
would under the same conditions, not merely the private-driver standard.
**Question 4.** Liquid surge in a fire truck is most likely to occur when:
A) The engine is idling with the brakes applied
B) The pump is stopped while the pump panel is still set to “run”
C) The vehicle accelerates rapidly with a full water tank
D) The air brakes are released slowly
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Sudden acceleration with a full water tank shifts the liquid mass
forward, creating surge that can affect vehicle stability.
**Question 5.** When operating an ABS-equipped fire apparatus, the driver
should:
A) Pump the brake pedal rapidly to increase stopping power
B) Apply steady pressure and allow the system to modulate brake force
C) Use the engine brake exclusively on wet roads
D) Disable the ABS when descending steep grades
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** ABS automatically modulates brake pressure; the driver should
maintain steady pedal pressure and let the system work.
, Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer FAE
Ultimate Exam
**Question 6.** In Illinois, the “Move Over” law requires drivers to:
A) Stop completely when a fire apparatus is parked on the side of the road
B) Reduce speed and change lanes, if safe, when passing stationary emergency
vehicles
C) Increase speed to pass the apparatus quickly
D) Honk the horn to alert the apparatus of their presence
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** The law mandates slowing down and moving over a lane, when
possible, to protect emergency responders.
**Question 7.** During the “Alley Dock” maneuver, the primary hazard is:
A) Over-steering while entering the alley
B) Contact with the curb or walls due to limited clearance
C) Excessive speed on the approach
D) Failure to engage the parking brake
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** The alley dock tests the driver’s ability to back into a tight space
without striking curbs or walls.
**Question 8.** Which of the following is a correct method for reducing “blind
spot” risk while backing a fire apparatus?
A) Rely solely on rear-view mirrors
B) Use a spotter equipped with a high-visibility vest and hand signals
, Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer FAE
Ultimate Exam
C) Turn off the backup alarm to avoid noise pollution
D) Back at a speed greater than 10 mph to shorten maneuver time
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** A spotter provides visual confirmation of obstacles that mirrors
may miss, improving safety.
**Question 9.** The friction loss (FL) formula $FL = C \times Q^2 \times L$ uses
“C.” What does “C” represent?
A) The hose’s inner diameter in inches
B) A constant based on hose diameter and material
C) The pump’s flow capacity in GPM
D) The elevation change in feet
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** “C” is a friction loss coefficient that varies with hose size and
type; it is multiplied by flow squared and length.
**Question 10.** If a 2-inch supply line has a friction loss coefficient (C) of 0.08,
the flow is 250 GPM, and the hose length is 150 ft, what is the friction loss?
A) 300 psi
B) 600 psi
C) 750 psi
D) 900 psi
**Answer:** B
Ultimate Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following fluid levels is NOT typically checked
during a daily “circle check” of a fire apparatus?
A) Engine oil
B) Power steering fluid
C) Transmission fluid
D) DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Transmission fluid is usually inspected during scheduled
maintenance, not the daily walk-around; daily checks focus on engine oil, power
steering, coolant, fuel, and DEF.
**Question 2.** According to NFPA 1911, a fire apparatus must be placed “Out of
Service” when:
A) The tire tread is 4/32 inches or less
B) The battery voltage reads 12.6 V
C) The windshield wipers operate correctly
D) The siren sounds at 85 dB
**Answer:** A
**Explanation:** NFPA 1911 specifies that tires with tread depth of 4/32 inches
or less are a safety hazard and require the apparatus to be taken out of service.
**Question 3.** The “Due Regard” standard for emergency vehicle operators
requires:
A) Driving at the posted speed limit at all times
B) Operating the vehicle with the same care as a private vehicle driver
, Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer FAE
Ultimate Exam
C) Exercising the degree of care that a prudent person would use under similar
circumstances
D) Ignoring all traffic signals when responding to a fire
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** “Due Regard” means using the level of care a reasonable person
would under the same conditions, not merely the private-driver standard.
**Question 4.** Liquid surge in a fire truck is most likely to occur when:
A) The engine is idling with the brakes applied
B) The pump is stopped while the pump panel is still set to “run”
C) The vehicle accelerates rapidly with a full water tank
D) The air brakes are released slowly
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** Sudden acceleration with a full water tank shifts the liquid mass
forward, creating surge that can affect vehicle stability.
**Question 5.** When operating an ABS-equipped fire apparatus, the driver
should:
A) Pump the brake pedal rapidly to increase stopping power
B) Apply steady pressure and allow the system to modulate brake force
C) Use the engine brake exclusively on wet roads
D) Disable the ABS when descending steep grades
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** ABS automatically modulates brake pressure; the driver should
maintain steady pedal pressure and let the system work.
, Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer FAE
Ultimate Exam
**Question 6.** In Illinois, the “Move Over” law requires drivers to:
A) Stop completely when a fire apparatus is parked on the side of the road
B) Reduce speed and change lanes, if safe, when passing stationary emergency
vehicles
C) Increase speed to pass the apparatus quickly
D) Honk the horn to alert the apparatus of their presence
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** The law mandates slowing down and moving over a lane, when
possible, to protect emergency responders.
**Question 7.** During the “Alley Dock” maneuver, the primary hazard is:
A) Over-steering while entering the alley
B) Contact with the curb or walls due to limited clearance
C) Excessive speed on the approach
D) Failure to engage the parking brake
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** The alley dock tests the driver’s ability to back into a tight space
without striking curbs or walls.
**Question 8.** Which of the following is a correct method for reducing “blind
spot” risk while backing a fire apparatus?
A) Rely solely on rear-view mirrors
B) Use a spotter equipped with a high-visibility vest and hand signals
, Illinois Fire Apparatus Engineer FAE
Ultimate Exam
C) Turn off the backup alarm to avoid noise pollution
D) Back at a speed greater than 10 mph to shorten maneuver time
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** A spotter provides visual confirmation of obstacles that mirrors
may miss, improving safety.
**Question 9.** The friction loss (FL) formula $FL = C \times Q^2 \times L$ uses
“C.” What does “C” represent?
A) The hose’s inner diameter in inches
B) A constant based on hose diameter and material
C) The pump’s flow capacity in GPM
D) The elevation change in feet
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** “C” is a friction loss coefficient that varies with hose size and
type; it is multiplied by flow squared and length.
**Question 10.** If a 2-inch supply line has a friction loss coefficient (C) of 0.08,
the flow is 250 GPM, and the hose length is 150 ft, what is the friction loss?
A) 300 psi
B) 600 psi
C) 750 psi
D) 900 psi
**Answer:** B
