CALIFORNIA FIRE EXTINGUISHER TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION
200 NEW PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED SOLUTIONS –
LATEST UPDATE
1. A portable extinguisher rated 10B is being evaluated for a
flammable liquid hazard. What does the numerical rating indicate?
A. The extinguisher contains 10 pounds of agent
B. The extinguisher can extinguish approximately 10 square feet of Class
B fire
C. The extinguisher has a 10-second discharge time
D. The extinguisher requires 10 psi of pressure
Answer: B. The extinguisher can extinguish approximately 10 square
feet of Class B fire
Rationale: The numerical rating for Class B extinguishers represents the
approximate square footage of fire area a trained operator can
extinguish. A 10B rating covers approximately 10 square feet.
2. Which California agency administers the examination for individuals
who service portable fire extinguishers?
A. California Department of Forestry
B. Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
C. Environmental Protection Agency
D. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
,Answer: B. Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
Rationale: The California Office of the State Fire Marshal administers
the exam for any person who services portable fire extinguishers.
3. During a monthly visual inspection, a technician discovers a dry
chemical extinguisher with a pressure gauge reading in the recharge
zone. What is the required action?
A. Return it to service and note the reading
B. Replace only the gauge
C. Recharge or service the extinguisher as required
D. Increase the pressure manually
Answer: C. Recharge or service the extinguisher as required
Rationale: A gauge reading outside the normal operating range
indicates the extinguisher may not be ready for service and requires
appropriate servicing.
4. What is the minimum pressure required for a stored-pressure ABC
extinguisher to be considered fully charged?
A. 100 psi
B. 195 psi
C. 75 psi
D. 250 psi
Answer: B. 195 psi
,Rationale: ABC stored-pressure extinguishers typically require about
195 psi to be considered fully charged for proper discharge function.
5. A technician encounters a fire involving a pressurized flammable gas
leak. How should this fire be classified?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
Answer: B. Class B
Rationale: While NFPA classifications do not have a separate class for
gas fires, they are typically treated as Class B (flammable liquids/gases).
The priority is shutting off the fuel supply.
6. Which component of a fire extinguisher prevents accidental
operation until intentionally activated?
A. Pressure gauge
B. Discharge horn
C. Safety pin
D. Dip tube
Answer: C. Safety pin
Rationale: The safety pin prevents accidental activation of the operating
mechanism until it is intentionally removed.
, 7. A technician is servicing a stored-pressure dry chemical
extinguisher. What is the most important initial safety consideration
before disassembly?
A. Remove the discharge hose
B. Verify that the extinguisher is depressurized
C. Remove the safety pin
D. Operate the handle repeatedly
Answer: B. Verify that the extinguisher is depressurized
Rationale: An extinguisher must be safely depressurized before
disassembly. Removing components from a pressurized cylinder can
create a serious hazard.
8. Purple-K dry chemical is specifically formulated for which class of
fire?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
Answer: B. Class B
Rationale: Purple-K (potassium bicarbonate) is a specialized dry
chemical agent highly effective on Class B flammable liquid fires. It is
commonly used in airport crash trucks and industrial facilities.
9. How long is a fire extinguisher technician certification valid in
California before renewal is required?
EXAMINATION
200 NEW PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED SOLUTIONS –
LATEST UPDATE
1. A portable extinguisher rated 10B is being evaluated for a
flammable liquid hazard. What does the numerical rating indicate?
A. The extinguisher contains 10 pounds of agent
B. The extinguisher can extinguish approximately 10 square feet of Class
B fire
C. The extinguisher has a 10-second discharge time
D. The extinguisher requires 10 psi of pressure
Answer: B. The extinguisher can extinguish approximately 10 square
feet of Class B fire
Rationale: The numerical rating for Class B extinguishers represents the
approximate square footage of fire area a trained operator can
extinguish. A 10B rating covers approximately 10 square feet.
2. Which California agency administers the examination for individuals
who service portable fire extinguishers?
A. California Department of Forestry
B. Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
C. Environmental Protection Agency
D. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
,Answer: B. Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
Rationale: The California Office of the State Fire Marshal administers
the exam for any person who services portable fire extinguishers.
3. During a monthly visual inspection, a technician discovers a dry
chemical extinguisher with a pressure gauge reading in the recharge
zone. What is the required action?
A. Return it to service and note the reading
B. Replace only the gauge
C. Recharge or service the extinguisher as required
D. Increase the pressure manually
Answer: C. Recharge or service the extinguisher as required
Rationale: A gauge reading outside the normal operating range
indicates the extinguisher may not be ready for service and requires
appropriate servicing.
4. What is the minimum pressure required for a stored-pressure ABC
extinguisher to be considered fully charged?
A. 100 psi
B. 195 psi
C. 75 psi
D. 250 psi
Answer: B. 195 psi
,Rationale: ABC stored-pressure extinguishers typically require about
195 psi to be considered fully charged for proper discharge function.
5. A technician encounters a fire involving a pressurized flammable gas
leak. How should this fire be classified?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
Answer: B. Class B
Rationale: While NFPA classifications do not have a separate class for
gas fires, they are typically treated as Class B (flammable liquids/gases).
The priority is shutting off the fuel supply.
6. Which component of a fire extinguisher prevents accidental
operation until intentionally activated?
A. Pressure gauge
B. Discharge horn
C. Safety pin
D. Dip tube
Answer: C. Safety pin
Rationale: The safety pin prevents accidental activation of the operating
mechanism until it is intentionally removed.
, 7. A technician is servicing a stored-pressure dry chemical
extinguisher. What is the most important initial safety consideration
before disassembly?
A. Remove the discharge hose
B. Verify that the extinguisher is depressurized
C. Remove the safety pin
D. Operate the handle repeatedly
Answer: B. Verify that the extinguisher is depressurized
Rationale: An extinguisher must be safely depressurized before
disassembly. Removing components from a pressurized cylinder can
create a serious hazard.
8. Purple-K dry chemical is specifically formulated for which class of
fire?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
Answer: B. Class B
Rationale: Purple-K (potassium bicarbonate) is a specialized dry
chemical agent highly effective on Class B flammable liquid fires. It is
commonly used in airport crash trucks and industrial facilities.
9. How long is a fire extinguisher technician certification valid in
California before renewal is required?
