Hawaii Fire Protection Contractor Exam Questions And
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1. According to NFPA 13 standards, what is the maximum allowable distance between
sprinklers on a standard coverage branch line for an Ordinary Hazard occupancy?
A. 12 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 18 feet
D. 20 feet
Rationale: NFPA 13 specifies that for Ordinary Hazard occupancies, the maximum distance
allowed between sprinklers on a branch line is 15 feet, ensuring adequate density and
distribution of water over the design area.
2. Which Hawaii administrative rule governs the licensing requirements and scope of work
for C-20 Fire Protection Contractors?
A. Title 12, Chapter 39
B. Title 16, Chapter 77
C. Title 19, Chapter 15
D. Title 14, Chapter 100
Rationale: Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 16, Chapter 77 sets forth the regulations,
licensing criteria, and scope of operations for specialized contractors, including C-20 Fire
Protection Contractors under the Contractors License Board.
3. In a deluge fire sprinkler system, which component keeps the deluge valve closed until an
automatic detection system triggers activation?
A. A closed automatic sprinkler head on the pipe network
B. A pneumatic or hydraulic release diaphragm panel
C. An internal check valve flapper held by water pressure
D. A pressure relief valve set to 175 psi
Rationale: Deluge systems utilize open nozzles/sprinklers; therefore, the deluge valve itself is
held closed by a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric release system connected to a separate
automatic fire detection network.
4. When performing hydrostatic testing on a newly installed class I standpipe system, what
minimum pressure must be maintained and for how long under NFPA 14?
,A. 150 psi for 1 hour
B. 200 psi for 2 hours
C. 250 psi for 3 hours
D. 175 psi for 4 hours
Rationale: NFPA 14 requires hydrostatic testing at a minimum of 200 psi or 50 psi in excess of
the maximum working pressure (whichever is greater) for a duration of at least 2 hours.
5. A contractor is installing a wet pipe sprinkler system in a high-rise commercial office in
Honolulu. Which device is required to prevent water backflow into the municipal potable
water main?
A. Single check valve assembly
B. Double check detector backflow preventer assembly
C. Atmosphere vacuum breaker
D. Pressure vacuum breaker
Rationale: Fire protection systems connected to public water supplies require approved
backflow prevention assemblies. A double check detector assembly (DCDA) is standard for
wet sprinkler systems to protect drinking water from contamination and detect unauthorized
usage.
6. What is the primary purpose of a jockey pump in a fire pump installation?
A. To supply full design flow during a major fire event
B. To maintain system static pressure and prevent main pump churn
C. To purge air from the suction piping during start-up
D. To automatically flush sediment out of the sprinkler lines
Rationale: A jockey pump (pressure maintenance pump) compensates for small pressure
drops due to minor leaks or temperature fluctuations, preserving static line pressure without
starting the main fire pump unnecessarily.
7. In accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 444, what must a licensed
contractor do before commencing excavation work for underground fire service mains?
A. File a permit directly with the Department of Health
B. Call the Hawaii One Call Center (811) to locate utilities
C. Submit a structural load calculation to the Fire Marshal
D. Notify adjacent landowners via certified mail 30 days prior
Rationale: HRS Chapter 444 and state safety regulations mandate contacting the Hawaii One
Call Center (811) at least five working days before any excavation to identify and protect
underground utilities.
,8. Which type of fire extinguisher is specifically rated for commercial kitchen cooking
media fires involving vegetable oils and fats?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class D
D. Class K
Rationale: Class K fire extinguishers utilize alkaline wet chemical agents that react with hot
cooking fats and oils through saponification to form a thick foam blanket that smothers the
fire and prevents re-ignition.
9. When sizing a diesel engine-driven fire pump fuel tank according to NFPA 20, what is
the required fuel capacity rule?
A. 1 gallon per horsepower plus 5% expansion volume
B. 50 gallons total regardless of engine horsepower
C. 1 gallon per horsepower plus 5% for expansion and 5% for sump volume
D. 2 gallons per horsepower minimum
Rationale: NFPA 20 stipulates that fuel tanks for diesel engine-driven fire pumps must hold 1
gallon per horsepower, plus an extra 5% for thermal expansion and 5% for unusable volume
at the bottom of the tank.
10. What is the maximum distance a worker can travel to reach a portable fire extinguisher
in an Extra Hazard occupancy environment under NFPA 10?
A. 30 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Rationale: NFPA 10 mandates that for Class A hazards in high-hazard/extra-hazard areas, the
maximum travel distance to a portable fire extinguisher shall not exceed 50 feet.
11. Which schedule of steel pipe is considered the minimum standard for threaded pipe
used in fire sprinkler systems under 175 psi pressure?
A. Schedule 10
B. Schedule 30
C. Schedule 40
D. Schedule 80
, Rationale: According to NFPA 13, Schedule 40 steel pipe is the standard minimum wall
thickness required when pipe threads are cut directly into the pipe wall for system working
pressures up to 175 psi.
12. In a dry pipe sprinkler system, what is the maximum recommended time allowed
between the opening of the inspector’s test valve and the delivery of water at the test
connection for a system with a trip test requirement?
A. 15 seconds
B. 60 seconds
C. 120 seconds
D. 180 seconds
Rationale: NFPA 13 specifies a maximum water delivery time of 60 seconds from the opening
of the inspector's test connection to water discharge for standard dry pipe systems,
minimizing fire spread before water application.
13. Which organization publishes the standard governing the inspection, testing, and
maintenance of water-based fire protection systems?
A. NFPA 10
B. NFPA 25
C. NFPA 72
D. NFPA 80
Rationale: NFPA 25 is the industry benchmark standard specifically dedicated to the ongoing
inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of water-based fire protection systems.
14. What is the required clear distance that must be maintained around an outdoor private
fire hydrant to ensure unobstructed fire department access?
A. 18 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 48 inches
D. 60 inches
Rationale: Fire codes require a minimum clear space of 36 inches (3 feet) around the
circumference of a fire hydrant to allow firefighters to connect hoses quickly and operate
wrench valves without interference.
15. Under Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) rules, at what trench depth is
a protective system (such as shoring, sloping, or shielding) mandatory during utility
installation?
A. 3 feet
Answers| Exam Prep |All Questions And Answers | Verified
Answers Plus Rationales | Graded Q&A Comprehensive Study
Guide | Verified Latest
1. According to NFPA 13 standards, what is the maximum allowable distance between
sprinklers on a standard coverage branch line for an Ordinary Hazard occupancy?
A. 12 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 18 feet
D. 20 feet
Rationale: NFPA 13 specifies that for Ordinary Hazard occupancies, the maximum distance
allowed between sprinklers on a branch line is 15 feet, ensuring adequate density and
distribution of water over the design area.
2. Which Hawaii administrative rule governs the licensing requirements and scope of work
for C-20 Fire Protection Contractors?
A. Title 12, Chapter 39
B. Title 16, Chapter 77
C. Title 19, Chapter 15
D. Title 14, Chapter 100
Rationale: Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 16, Chapter 77 sets forth the regulations,
licensing criteria, and scope of operations for specialized contractors, including C-20 Fire
Protection Contractors under the Contractors License Board.
3. In a deluge fire sprinkler system, which component keeps the deluge valve closed until an
automatic detection system triggers activation?
A. A closed automatic sprinkler head on the pipe network
B. A pneumatic or hydraulic release diaphragm panel
C. An internal check valve flapper held by water pressure
D. A pressure relief valve set to 175 psi
Rationale: Deluge systems utilize open nozzles/sprinklers; therefore, the deluge valve itself is
held closed by a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric release system connected to a separate
automatic fire detection network.
4. When performing hydrostatic testing on a newly installed class I standpipe system, what
minimum pressure must be maintained and for how long under NFPA 14?
,A. 150 psi for 1 hour
B. 200 psi for 2 hours
C. 250 psi for 3 hours
D. 175 psi for 4 hours
Rationale: NFPA 14 requires hydrostatic testing at a minimum of 200 psi or 50 psi in excess of
the maximum working pressure (whichever is greater) for a duration of at least 2 hours.
5. A contractor is installing a wet pipe sprinkler system in a high-rise commercial office in
Honolulu. Which device is required to prevent water backflow into the municipal potable
water main?
A. Single check valve assembly
B. Double check detector backflow preventer assembly
C. Atmosphere vacuum breaker
D. Pressure vacuum breaker
Rationale: Fire protection systems connected to public water supplies require approved
backflow prevention assemblies. A double check detector assembly (DCDA) is standard for
wet sprinkler systems to protect drinking water from contamination and detect unauthorized
usage.
6. What is the primary purpose of a jockey pump in a fire pump installation?
A. To supply full design flow during a major fire event
B. To maintain system static pressure and prevent main pump churn
C. To purge air from the suction piping during start-up
D. To automatically flush sediment out of the sprinkler lines
Rationale: A jockey pump (pressure maintenance pump) compensates for small pressure
drops due to minor leaks or temperature fluctuations, preserving static line pressure without
starting the main fire pump unnecessarily.
7. In accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 444, what must a licensed
contractor do before commencing excavation work for underground fire service mains?
A. File a permit directly with the Department of Health
B. Call the Hawaii One Call Center (811) to locate utilities
C. Submit a structural load calculation to the Fire Marshal
D. Notify adjacent landowners via certified mail 30 days prior
Rationale: HRS Chapter 444 and state safety regulations mandate contacting the Hawaii One
Call Center (811) at least five working days before any excavation to identify and protect
underground utilities.
,8. Which type of fire extinguisher is specifically rated for commercial kitchen cooking
media fires involving vegetable oils and fats?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class D
D. Class K
Rationale: Class K fire extinguishers utilize alkaline wet chemical agents that react with hot
cooking fats and oils through saponification to form a thick foam blanket that smothers the
fire and prevents re-ignition.
9. When sizing a diesel engine-driven fire pump fuel tank according to NFPA 20, what is
the required fuel capacity rule?
A. 1 gallon per horsepower plus 5% expansion volume
B. 50 gallons total regardless of engine horsepower
C. 1 gallon per horsepower plus 5% for expansion and 5% for sump volume
D. 2 gallons per horsepower minimum
Rationale: NFPA 20 stipulates that fuel tanks for diesel engine-driven fire pumps must hold 1
gallon per horsepower, plus an extra 5% for thermal expansion and 5% for unusable volume
at the bottom of the tank.
10. What is the maximum distance a worker can travel to reach a portable fire extinguisher
in an Extra Hazard occupancy environment under NFPA 10?
A. 30 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Rationale: NFPA 10 mandates that for Class A hazards in high-hazard/extra-hazard areas, the
maximum travel distance to a portable fire extinguisher shall not exceed 50 feet.
11. Which schedule of steel pipe is considered the minimum standard for threaded pipe
used in fire sprinkler systems under 175 psi pressure?
A. Schedule 10
B. Schedule 30
C. Schedule 40
D. Schedule 80
, Rationale: According to NFPA 13, Schedule 40 steel pipe is the standard minimum wall
thickness required when pipe threads are cut directly into the pipe wall for system working
pressures up to 175 psi.
12. In a dry pipe sprinkler system, what is the maximum recommended time allowed
between the opening of the inspector’s test valve and the delivery of water at the test
connection for a system with a trip test requirement?
A. 15 seconds
B. 60 seconds
C. 120 seconds
D. 180 seconds
Rationale: NFPA 13 specifies a maximum water delivery time of 60 seconds from the opening
of the inspector's test connection to water discharge for standard dry pipe systems,
minimizing fire spread before water application.
13. Which organization publishes the standard governing the inspection, testing, and
maintenance of water-based fire protection systems?
A. NFPA 10
B. NFPA 25
C. NFPA 72
D. NFPA 80
Rationale: NFPA 25 is the industry benchmark standard specifically dedicated to the ongoing
inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of water-based fire protection systems.
14. What is the required clear distance that must be maintained around an outdoor private
fire hydrant to ensure unobstructed fire department access?
A. 18 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 48 inches
D. 60 inches
Rationale: Fire codes require a minimum clear space of 36 inches (3 feet) around the
circumference of a fire hydrant to allow firefighters to connect hoses quickly and operate
wrench valves without interference.
15. Under Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) rules, at what trench depth is
a protective system (such as shoring, sloping, or shielding) mandatory during utility
installation?
A. 3 feet
