FE – Certified Portable Fire Extinguisher
Technician Newest Main Exam Study Guide 2
versions
This professional regulatory resource is a premier test bank explicitly engineered for fire
safety professionals preparing for the national Certified Portable Fire Extinguisher
Technician (FE) Examination. It features high-yield multiple-choice practice questions,
100% verified answers, and comprehensive technical rationales mapped perfectly
to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) frameworks
Question 1
What is the maximum interval for hydrostatic testing of a stored-pressure water
extinguisher?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) 12 years
Answer: C) 5 years
Rationale: NFPA 10 Table 8.3.1 specifies that stored-pressure water extinguishers must be
hydrostatically tested every 5 years. This interval is shorter than dry chemical extinguishers
because water-based agents can cause more internal corrosion.
Question 2
During annual maintenance, a technician finds that a dry chemical extinguisher's hose
has a small cut that does not penetrate the inner layer. What action should be taken?
A) Return the extinguisher to service as-is
B) Replace the hose
C) Tape the cut
D) Note it on the tag and continue
Answer: B) Replace the hose
Rationale: Any damage to the hose, even if it does not penetrate the inner layer,
,compromises its structural integrity. NFPA 10 requires damaged hoses to be replaced.
Taping is not an approved repair.
Question 3
What is the minimum rating for a fire extinguisher to be used on a Class A fire in a light
hazard occupancy?
A) 1-A
B) 2-A
C) 3-A
D) 4-A
Answer: B) 2-A
Rationale: NFPA 10 requires a minimum 2-A rating for extinguishers in light hazard
occupancies. This ensures adequate capacity for the expected fire load.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a required component of the annual maintenance tag?
A) Month and year of maintenance
B) Name of the person performing maintenance
C) The extinguisher's purchase price
D) The type of maintenance performed
Answer: C) The extinguisher's purchase price
Rationale: The annual maintenance tag must indicate the month and year of
maintenance, identify the person who performed the service, and may include the type of
maintenance. The purchase price is not required.
Question 5
A technician is performing a six-year internal maintenance on a stored-pressure dry
chemical extinguisher. What must be done with the old dry chemical agent?
,A) Reuse it if it looks clean
B) Discard it according to regulations
C) Mix it with new agent
D) Return it to the manufacturer
Answer: B) Discard it according to regulations
Rationale: The old agent must be replaced with new agent during six-year maintenance.
The old agent must be disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Question 6
What is the maximum travel distance to a Class K fire extinguisher?
A) 15 feet
B) 20 feet
C) 30 feet
D) 50 feet
Answer: C) 30 feet
Rationale: NFPA 10 requires that the maximum travel distance to a Class K extinguisher
not exceed 30 feet from the cooking area. This ensures quick access to extinguishers for
cooking oil fires.
Question 7
During inspection, a technician finds that a CO₂ extinguisher's safety pin is missing.
What is the appropriate action?
A) Replace the pin and return to service
B) Remove the extinguisher from service and recharge
C) Ignore it if the extinguisher is still pressurized
D) Replace the entire valve assembly
Answer: B) Remove the extinguisher from service and recharge
Rationale: A missing safety pin indicates the extinguisher may have been partially
discharged or tampered with. It must be removed from service, inspected, and recharged
before being placed back in service.
, Question 8
What is the purpose of the six-year maintenance collar?
A) To indicate the extinguisher's manufacturing date
B) To indicate that six-year maintenance has been performed
C) To show the extinguisher's pressure rating
D) To display the owner's name
Answer: B) To indicate that six-year maintenance has been performed
Rationale: A Verification of Service collar is placed around the neck of the container after
six-year maintenance or recharging. It documents that the service was performed and
identifies the person who performed it.
Question 9
A technician is recharging a cartridge-operated dry chemical extinguisher. Which
component must be replaced?
A) The dry chemical powder only
B) The CO₂ cartridge only
C) Both the dry chemical powder and the CO₂ cartridge
D) Neither, both can be reused
Answer: C) Both the dry chemical powder and the CO₂ cartridge
Rationale: When recharging a cartridge-operated dry chemical extinguisher, both the dry
chemical powder and the CO₂ cartridge must be replaced. The old cartridge may have lost
pressure or been compromised.
Question 10
What is the maximum mounting height for the top of a fire extinguisher weighing 35
pounds?
A) 36 inches
B) 42 inches
Technician Newest Main Exam Study Guide 2
versions
This professional regulatory resource is a premier test bank explicitly engineered for fire
safety professionals preparing for the national Certified Portable Fire Extinguisher
Technician (FE) Examination. It features high-yield multiple-choice practice questions,
100% verified answers, and comprehensive technical rationales mapped perfectly
to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) frameworks
Question 1
What is the maximum interval for hydrostatic testing of a stored-pressure water
extinguisher?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) 12 years
Answer: C) 5 years
Rationale: NFPA 10 Table 8.3.1 specifies that stored-pressure water extinguishers must be
hydrostatically tested every 5 years. This interval is shorter than dry chemical extinguishers
because water-based agents can cause more internal corrosion.
Question 2
During annual maintenance, a technician finds that a dry chemical extinguisher's hose
has a small cut that does not penetrate the inner layer. What action should be taken?
A) Return the extinguisher to service as-is
B) Replace the hose
C) Tape the cut
D) Note it on the tag and continue
Answer: B) Replace the hose
Rationale: Any damage to the hose, even if it does not penetrate the inner layer,
,compromises its structural integrity. NFPA 10 requires damaged hoses to be replaced.
Taping is not an approved repair.
Question 3
What is the minimum rating for a fire extinguisher to be used on a Class A fire in a light
hazard occupancy?
A) 1-A
B) 2-A
C) 3-A
D) 4-A
Answer: B) 2-A
Rationale: NFPA 10 requires a minimum 2-A rating for extinguishers in light hazard
occupancies. This ensures adequate capacity for the expected fire load.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a required component of the annual maintenance tag?
A) Month and year of maintenance
B) Name of the person performing maintenance
C) The extinguisher's purchase price
D) The type of maintenance performed
Answer: C) The extinguisher's purchase price
Rationale: The annual maintenance tag must indicate the month and year of
maintenance, identify the person who performed the service, and may include the type of
maintenance. The purchase price is not required.
Question 5
A technician is performing a six-year internal maintenance on a stored-pressure dry
chemical extinguisher. What must be done with the old dry chemical agent?
,A) Reuse it if it looks clean
B) Discard it according to regulations
C) Mix it with new agent
D) Return it to the manufacturer
Answer: B) Discard it according to regulations
Rationale: The old agent must be replaced with new agent during six-year maintenance.
The old agent must be disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Question 6
What is the maximum travel distance to a Class K fire extinguisher?
A) 15 feet
B) 20 feet
C) 30 feet
D) 50 feet
Answer: C) 30 feet
Rationale: NFPA 10 requires that the maximum travel distance to a Class K extinguisher
not exceed 30 feet from the cooking area. This ensures quick access to extinguishers for
cooking oil fires.
Question 7
During inspection, a technician finds that a CO₂ extinguisher's safety pin is missing.
What is the appropriate action?
A) Replace the pin and return to service
B) Remove the extinguisher from service and recharge
C) Ignore it if the extinguisher is still pressurized
D) Replace the entire valve assembly
Answer: B) Remove the extinguisher from service and recharge
Rationale: A missing safety pin indicates the extinguisher may have been partially
discharged or tampered with. It must be removed from service, inspected, and recharged
before being placed back in service.
, Question 8
What is the purpose of the six-year maintenance collar?
A) To indicate the extinguisher's manufacturing date
B) To indicate that six-year maintenance has been performed
C) To show the extinguisher's pressure rating
D) To display the owner's name
Answer: B) To indicate that six-year maintenance has been performed
Rationale: A Verification of Service collar is placed around the neck of the container after
six-year maintenance or recharging. It documents that the service was performed and
identifies the person who performed it.
Question 9
A technician is recharging a cartridge-operated dry chemical extinguisher. Which
component must be replaced?
A) The dry chemical powder only
B) The CO₂ cartridge only
C) Both the dry chemical powder and the CO₂ cartridge
D) Neither, both can be reused
Answer: C) Both the dry chemical powder and the CO₂ cartridge
Rationale: When recharging a cartridge-operated dry chemical extinguisher, both the dry
chemical powder and the CO₂ cartridge must be replaced. The old cartridge may have lost
pressure or been compromised.
Question 10
What is the maximum mounting height for the top of a fire extinguisher weighing 35
pounds?
A) 36 inches
B) 42 inches
