Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified Answers.
GRADED A+. Latest 2026/2027
Update
Aqueous - Answer✔✔-dissolved in water
Dry-Barrel Hydrant - Answer✔✔-Fire hydrant that has its operating valve
located at the base or foot of the hydrant rather than in the barrel of the
hydrant. When operating properly, there is no water in the barrel of the
hydrant when it is not in use. These hydrants are used in areas where freezing
may occur.
Elevation pressure - Answer✔✔-The amount of pressure created by gravity
Flow pressure - Answer✔✔-Forward pressure at a discharge opening while
water is flowing.
Hardness - Answer✔✔-Mineral content of water, usually consisting of calcium
and magnesium.
,Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
heat of vaporization - Answer✔✔-The amount of energy required for the liquid
at its boiling point to become a gas
kinetic energy - Answer✔✔-the energy an object has due to its motion
Normal operating pressure - Answer✔✔-The observed static pressure in a
water distribution system during a period of normal demand.
Pitot gauge - Answer✔✔-A type of gauge that is used to measure the velocity
pressure of water that is being discharged from an opening. It is used to
determine the flow of water from a hydrant.
potential energy - Answer✔✔-stored energy that results from the position or
shape of an object
Residual pressure - Answer✔✔-The pressure that exists in the distribution
system, measured at the residual hydrant at the time the flow readings are
taken at the flow hydrants.
specific heat index - Answer✔✔-The amount of heat energy required to raise
the temperature of a substance. These values are determined experimentally
and then made available in tabular form.
surface tension - Answer✔✔-Elastic like force at the surface of a liquid, which
tends to minimize the surface area, causing water droplets to form
,Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
Turbidity - Answer✔✔-Amount of suspended particles in water
How often should dry hydrants be flow-tested? - Answer✔✔-Annually
Class C fire hydrant color and flow - Answer✔✔-Red; less than 500 gpm
A Class B hydrant has a flow rate of ___________ gallons per minute. Color? -
Answer✔✔-500 to 999 gpm; orange
CLASS A HYDRANT COLOR AND GPM - Answer✔✔-Green, 1000-1499 GPM
Class AA Hydrant - Answer✔✔-1 500 gpm (5 680 L/min) or greater. Light blue
top and nozzles.
Which way should the fire hydrant connections, especially the large steamer
connection, be facing? - Answer✔✔-Towards the street
How much clearance does NFPA 291 require the center of a hose outlet on a
fire hydrant be from the finish grade surface? - Answer✔✔-A minimum of 8
inches
How can you tell if a dry-barrel hydrant is fully drained before replacing caps? -
Answer✔✔-Placing a hand over the outlet, if you feel suction, the hydrant has
not finished draining
How far are fire hydrants placed apart? - Answer✔✔-About 500 ft in residential
areas and about 300 ft in high value commercial or industrial areas
, Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
True or false; you should always fully open and fully close a dry barrel hydrant. -
Answer✔✔-True; A partially opened valve on a dry barrel hydrant means the
drain is also partially open, causing the water to flow out. This can cause
erosion of the soil and damage the base of the hydrant.
For the driver/operator, elevation refers to the position of the pump (above or
below) as it relates to the nozzle. Pressure will __________ when the nozzle is
below the pump and __________ when the nozzle is above the pump. -
Answer✔✔-Increase; decrease
How much does atmospheric pressure decrease (in psi) per 1000 ft the location
rises above sea level? - Answer✔✔-0.5 psi
In the fire service, what is the minimum usable residual pressure without
risking damage to underground pumps or water mains? - Answer✔✔-20 psi
What are the six principals of fluid pressure? - Answer✔✔-1: fluid pressure is
exerted perpendicular to any surface on which it acts
2: pressure in a fluid acts equally in all directions
3: pressure applied to a confined liquid from without is transmitted equally in
all directions
4: pressure of a liquid in an open vessel is proportional to the depth of the
liquid; pressure increases and depth increases
5: the pressure of the liquid in an open container is proportional to the density
of the liquid
6: liquid pressure at the bottom of a container is unaffected by the size and the
shape of the container; only the distance between the top and bottom matter
Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified Answers.
GRADED A+. Latest 2026/2027
Update
Aqueous - Answer✔✔-dissolved in water
Dry-Barrel Hydrant - Answer✔✔-Fire hydrant that has its operating valve
located at the base or foot of the hydrant rather than in the barrel of the
hydrant. When operating properly, there is no water in the barrel of the
hydrant when it is not in use. These hydrants are used in areas where freezing
may occur.
Elevation pressure - Answer✔✔-The amount of pressure created by gravity
Flow pressure - Answer✔✔-Forward pressure at a discharge opening while
water is flowing.
Hardness - Answer✔✔-Mineral content of water, usually consisting of calcium
and magnesium.
,Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
heat of vaporization - Answer✔✔-The amount of energy required for the liquid
at its boiling point to become a gas
kinetic energy - Answer✔✔-the energy an object has due to its motion
Normal operating pressure - Answer✔✔-The observed static pressure in a
water distribution system during a period of normal demand.
Pitot gauge - Answer✔✔-A type of gauge that is used to measure the velocity
pressure of water that is being discharged from an opening. It is used to
determine the flow of water from a hydrant.
potential energy - Answer✔✔-stored energy that results from the position or
shape of an object
Residual pressure - Answer✔✔-The pressure that exists in the distribution
system, measured at the residual hydrant at the time the flow readings are
taken at the flow hydrants.
specific heat index - Answer✔✔-The amount of heat energy required to raise
the temperature of a substance. These values are determined experimentally
and then made available in tabular form.
surface tension - Answer✔✔-Elastic like force at the surface of a liquid, which
tends to minimize the surface area, causing water droplets to form
,Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
Turbidity - Answer✔✔-Amount of suspended particles in water
How often should dry hydrants be flow-tested? - Answer✔✔-Annually
Class C fire hydrant color and flow - Answer✔✔-Red; less than 500 gpm
A Class B hydrant has a flow rate of ___________ gallons per minute. Color? -
Answer✔✔-500 to 999 gpm; orange
CLASS A HYDRANT COLOR AND GPM - Answer✔✔-Green, 1000-1499 GPM
Class AA Hydrant - Answer✔✔-1 500 gpm (5 680 L/min) or greater. Light blue
top and nozzles.
Which way should the fire hydrant connections, especially the large steamer
connection, be facing? - Answer✔✔-Towards the street
How much clearance does NFPA 291 require the center of a hose outlet on a
fire hydrant be from the finish grade surface? - Answer✔✔-A minimum of 8
inches
How can you tell if a dry-barrel hydrant is fully drained before replacing caps? -
Answer✔✔-Placing a hand over the outlet, if you feel suction, the hydrant has
not finished draining
How far are fire hydrants placed apart? - Answer✔✔-About 500 ft in residential
areas and about 300 ft in high value commercial or industrial areas
, Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator
True or false; you should always fully open and fully close a dry barrel hydrant. -
Answer✔✔-True; A partially opened valve on a dry barrel hydrant means the
drain is also partially open, causing the water to flow out. This can cause
erosion of the soil and damage the base of the hydrant.
For the driver/operator, elevation refers to the position of the pump (above or
below) as it relates to the nozzle. Pressure will __________ when the nozzle is
below the pump and __________ when the nozzle is above the pump. -
Answer✔✔-Increase; decrease
How much does atmospheric pressure decrease (in psi) per 1000 ft the location
rises above sea level? - Answer✔✔-0.5 psi
In the fire service, what is the minimum usable residual pressure without
risking damage to underground pumps or water mains? - Answer✔✔-20 psi
What are the six principals of fluid pressure? - Answer✔✔-1: fluid pressure is
exerted perpendicular to any surface on which it acts
2: pressure in a fluid acts equally in all directions
3: pressure applied to a confined liquid from without is transmitted equally in
all directions
4: pressure of a liquid in an open vessel is proportional to the depth of the
liquid; pressure increases and depth increases
5: the pressure of the liquid in an open container is proportional to the density
of the liquid
6: liquid pressure at the bottom of a container is unaffected by the size and the
shape of the container; only the distance between the top and bottom matter
