CAL FIRE Weekly Fire Pump Certification —Q&A
CAL FIRE WEEKLY FIRE PUMP CERTIFICATION EXAM
Questions & Answers| Latest Update| Pass Guaranteed
California State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Weekly Fire Pump Test Certificate
Q1. Which California agency issues the Weekly Fire Pump Test Certificate?
Answer: The California State Fire Marshal (CSFM/CAL FIRE-OSFM)
Rationale: Under Title 19 CCR §905, the Office of the State Fire Marshal issues
this certificate to individuals authorized to perform weekly fire pump tests.
Q2. An individual holding a Weekly Fire Pump Test Certificate must be
employed by which type of licensed concern to legally perform the test?
Answer: A California State Fire Marshal Licensed A (Type L) Concern
Rationale: Title 19 CCR §905 limits who may perform weekly fire pump tests to
certificate holders employed by a Type L (or broader Type A) licensed concern
for the property they service.
Q3. What is a Type L license limited to performing?
Answer: Annual testing/maintenance of wet pipe sprinkler systems, standpipe
systems, private fire service mains, and weekly fire pump tests on property
owned or leased by that entity
Rationale: Type L is a limited license for entities (such as building owners) that
only service their own fire protection systems, not the systems of others.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of the weekly fire pump test?
Answer: To verify the pump assembly is in operating condition and free from
physical damage or defects not evident by visual inspection alone
Rationale: Weekly testing is designed to catch both visible issues and hidden
deficiencies before an actual fire emergency requires the pump to perform.
Page 1 of 20
, CAL FIRE Weekly Fire Pump Certification —Q&A
Q5. Which national standard forms the technical basis for the weekly fire pump
inspection and testing checklist used in California?
Answer: NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of
Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
Rationale: NFPA 25 establishes the weekly visual inspection categories and no-
flow (churn) test procedures that the California program incorporates.
Q6. How often must the fire pump churn (no-flow) test be performed at
minimum?
Answer: Weekly
Rationale: The certification is specifically for weekly testing, distinguishing it
from the more comprehensive annual flow test.
Q7. What distinguishes the weekly fire pump test from the annual fire pump
test?
Answer: The weekly test is a visual inspection plus a brief no-flow (churn) run,
while the annual test includes a full flow test at multiple points on the pump
curve
Rationale: The annual test is more comprehensive and typically requires a
different (often higher) level of qualification and flow-testing equipment.
Q8. Who is responsible for ensuring that weekly fire pump tests are actually
performed and documented at a facility?
Answer: The building owner or the owner's designated responsible party
Rationale: While a certified individual performs the test, ultimate compliance
responsibility rests with the property owner under applicable fire and building
codes.
Q9. What must a certificate holder do if a weekly test reveals a deficiency that
could impair the pump's ability to perform in a fire?
Answer: Immediately report the deficiency to the responsible party/owner so
corrective action can be taken
Rationale: Prompt reporting ensures impairments are addressed quickly, since
a non-functional fire pump is a life-safety hazard.
Page 2 of 20
, CAL FIRE Weekly Fire Pump Certification —Q&A
Q10. Which type of pump driver arrangements are addressed in the weekly fire
pump testing program?
Answer: Electric motor-driven, diesel engine-driven, and steam turbine-driven
fire pumps
Rationale: NFPA 25 (and the corresponding California checklist) addresses all
three common driver types, each with its own specific checklist items.
2. Pump House Conditions
Q11. What should be verified regarding ventilating louvers in the pump house
during the weekly inspection?
Answer: That they are free to operate (not stuck, obstructed, or damaged)
Rationale: Louvers must open and close freely to maintain proper ventilation
and temperature control for the pump room.
Q12. What is the minimum acceptable temperature in a diesel engine pump
room?
Answer: Not less than 40°F
Rationale: Diesel engines require a minimum ambient temperature to start
reliably and to protect the engine and batteries from cold-related failures.
Q13. Besides ventilation, what other pump house condition must be checked
weekly?
Answer: That adequate heat is being maintained in the pump room
Rationale: Heat and ventilation are the two primary weekly pump house
checklist items, since both affect the pump's ability to start and run properly.
Q14. Why is heating particularly important in a diesel fire pump room?
Answer: Cold temperatures can prevent the diesel engine from starting or
damage the battery and fuel system
Rationale: Diesel engines are sensitive to cold-weather starting issues, making
room temperature a critical readiness factor.
Q15. During the pump house inspection, what visual condition should the pump
room itself be free of?
Page 3 of 20
CAL FIRE WEEKLY FIRE PUMP CERTIFICATION EXAM
Questions & Answers| Latest Update| Pass Guaranteed
California State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Weekly Fire Pump Test Certificate
Q1. Which California agency issues the Weekly Fire Pump Test Certificate?
Answer: The California State Fire Marshal (CSFM/CAL FIRE-OSFM)
Rationale: Under Title 19 CCR §905, the Office of the State Fire Marshal issues
this certificate to individuals authorized to perform weekly fire pump tests.
Q2. An individual holding a Weekly Fire Pump Test Certificate must be
employed by which type of licensed concern to legally perform the test?
Answer: A California State Fire Marshal Licensed A (Type L) Concern
Rationale: Title 19 CCR §905 limits who may perform weekly fire pump tests to
certificate holders employed by a Type L (or broader Type A) licensed concern
for the property they service.
Q3. What is a Type L license limited to performing?
Answer: Annual testing/maintenance of wet pipe sprinkler systems, standpipe
systems, private fire service mains, and weekly fire pump tests on property
owned or leased by that entity
Rationale: Type L is a limited license for entities (such as building owners) that
only service their own fire protection systems, not the systems of others.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of the weekly fire pump test?
Answer: To verify the pump assembly is in operating condition and free from
physical damage or defects not evident by visual inspection alone
Rationale: Weekly testing is designed to catch both visible issues and hidden
deficiencies before an actual fire emergency requires the pump to perform.
Page 1 of 20
, CAL FIRE Weekly Fire Pump Certification —Q&A
Q5. Which national standard forms the technical basis for the weekly fire pump
inspection and testing checklist used in California?
Answer: NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of
Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
Rationale: NFPA 25 establishes the weekly visual inspection categories and no-
flow (churn) test procedures that the California program incorporates.
Q6. How often must the fire pump churn (no-flow) test be performed at
minimum?
Answer: Weekly
Rationale: The certification is specifically for weekly testing, distinguishing it
from the more comprehensive annual flow test.
Q7. What distinguishes the weekly fire pump test from the annual fire pump
test?
Answer: The weekly test is a visual inspection plus a brief no-flow (churn) run,
while the annual test includes a full flow test at multiple points on the pump
curve
Rationale: The annual test is more comprehensive and typically requires a
different (often higher) level of qualification and flow-testing equipment.
Q8. Who is responsible for ensuring that weekly fire pump tests are actually
performed and documented at a facility?
Answer: The building owner or the owner's designated responsible party
Rationale: While a certified individual performs the test, ultimate compliance
responsibility rests with the property owner under applicable fire and building
codes.
Q9. What must a certificate holder do if a weekly test reveals a deficiency that
could impair the pump's ability to perform in a fire?
Answer: Immediately report the deficiency to the responsible party/owner so
corrective action can be taken
Rationale: Prompt reporting ensures impairments are addressed quickly, since
a non-functional fire pump is a life-safety hazard.
Page 2 of 20
, CAL FIRE Weekly Fire Pump Certification —Q&A
Q10. Which type of pump driver arrangements are addressed in the weekly fire
pump testing program?
Answer: Electric motor-driven, diesel engine-driven, and steam turbine-driven
fire pumps
Rationale: NFPA 25 (and the corresponding California checklist) addresses all
three common driver types, each with its own specific checklist items.
2. Pump House Conditions
Q11. What should be verified regarding ventilating louvers in the pump house
during the weekly inspection?
Answer: That they are free to operate (not stuck, obstructed, or damaged)
Rationale: Louvers must open and close freely to maintain proper ventilation
and temperature control for the pump room.
Q12. What is the minimum acceptable temperature in a diesel engine pump
room?
Answer: Not less than 40°F
Rationale: Diesel engines require a minimum ambient temperature to start
reliably and to protect the engine and batteries from cold-related failures.
Q13. Besides ventilation, what other pump house condition must be checked
weekly?
Answer: That adequate heat is being maintained in the pump room
Rationale: Heat and ventilation are the two primary weekly pump house
checklist items, since both affect the pump's ability to start and run properly.
Q14. Why is heating particularly important in a diesel fire pump room?
Answer: Cold temperatures can prevent the diesel engine from starting or
damage the battery and fuel system
Rationale: Diesel engines are sensitive to cold-weather starting issues, making
room temperature a critical readiness factor.
Q15. During the pump house inspection, what visual condition should the pump
room itself be free of?
Page 3 of 20
