TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TFM10 NFPA 24 EXAM 2026–2027 – SPRINKLER
UNDERGROUND PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & TECHNICAL REVIEW
Core Domains
Scope, Application, and General Requirements of NFPA 24
Water Supply and Distribution System Requirements
Private Fire Service Main Pipe, Fittings, and Materials
Valves, Hydrants, and Fire Department Connections
Installation, Burial Depth, Restraint, and Thrust Blocking
Flushing, Hydrostatic Testing, and Commissioning Procedures
Plans, Submittals, and AHJ Approval Requirements
Texas Insurance Code Chapter 6003 and TDI Licensing Regulations
Introduction
The TDI TFM10 NFPA 24 examination assesses a candidate's technical mastery of the installation
of private fire service mains and their appurtenances as governed by NFPA 24 and the Texas
Department of Insurance. This comprehensive assessment evaluates knowledge of pipe materials,
burial depths, joint restraint, thrust blocking, hydrant spacing, valve placement, flushing
procedures, hydrostatic testing, and regulatory compliance. The multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions emphasize real-world application, code interpretation, and decision-making
skills essential for fire sprinkler underground contractors and Responsible Managing Employees.
Candidates must demonstrate competency across all core domains to earn TFM10 licensure.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
According to NFPA 24, what is the primary purpose of the standard?
A. To provide minimum requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and their
appurtenances
B. To regulate the maintenance of fire sprinkler systems
,C. To establish design criteria for fire pumps
D. To govern the inspection of fire hydrants
🟢 A. To provide minimum requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and
their appurtenances
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 1.1 states that the standard provides the minimum
requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and their appurtenances,
including automatic sprinkler systems, open sprinkler systems, water spray fixed systems, foam
systems, private hydrants, and monitor nozzles.
Question 2
Which of the following systems is NOT covered by NFPA 24?
A. Automatic sprinkler systems supplied by private fire service mains
B. Private fire hydrants and monitor nozzles
C. Dry fire hydrants utilized for drafting operations
D. Water spray fixed systems supplied by private mains
🟢 C. Dry fire hydrants utilized for drafting operations
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 1.1.3 explicitly states that the standard does not apply to dry
fire hydrants utilized for drafting or mains connected to dry fire hydrants utilized for drafting.
Options A, B, and D are all systems explicitly listed in Section 1.1.1 as being covered by NFPA
24.
Question 3
What is the minimum depth of cover for private fire service mains installed in vehicular traffic
areas per NFPA 24?
A. 12 inches (305 mm)
,B. 18 inches (457 mm)
C. 24 inches (610 mm)
D. 30 inches (762 mm)
🟢 D. 30 inches (762 mm)
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.4.3 requires a minimum depth of cover of 30 inches (762
mm) or 2.5 feet in areas subject to vehicular traffic to protect against mechanical damage.
Question 4
In non-vehicular grass areas where freezing is not a factor, what is the minimum depth of cover
for private fire service mains?
A. 6 inches (152 mm)
B. 12 inches (305 mm)
C. 18 inches (457 mm)
D. 24 inches (610 mm)
🟢 B. 12 inches (305 mm)
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.4.3 allows a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) of cover in
non-vehicular areas where freezing is not a concern.
Question 5
What is the minimum water velocity required when flushing underground fire service mains?
A. 5 ft/sec
B. 10 ft/sec
C. 15 ft/sec
, D. 20 ft/sec
🟢 B. 10 ft/sec
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.10.2.1 requires flushing at a flow producing a water
velocity of at least 10 ft/s (3.0 m/s) in the pipe, as this velocity has proved sufficient for moving
obstructive material out of the pipes.
Question 6
What is the required hydrostatic test pressure for new underground piping?
A. 100 psi
B. 150 psi
C. 200 psi or 50 psi above system working pressure, whichever is greater
D. 300 psi
🟢 C. 200 psi or 50 psi above system working pressure, whichever is greater
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.10.2.2.1 requires all piping and attached appurtenances
subjected to system working pressure to be hydrostatically tested at 200 psi or 50 psi in excess
of the system working pressure, whichever is greater.
Question 7
How long must the hydrostatic test pressure be maintained?
A. 30 minutes
B. 1 hour
C. 2 hours
D. 4 hours
UNDERGROUND PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & TECHNICAL REVIEW
Core Domains
Scope, Application, and General Requirements of NFPA 24
Water Supply and Distribution System Requirements
Private Fire Service Main Pipe, Fittings, and Materials
Valves, Hydrants, and Fire Department Connections
Installation, Burial Depth, Restraint, and Thrust Blocking
Flushing, Hydrostatic Testing, and Commissioning Procedures
Plans, Submittals, and AHJ Approval Requirements
Texas Insurance Code Chapter 6003 and TDI Licensing Regulations
Introduction
The TDI TFM10 NFPA 24 examination assesses a candidate's technical mastery of the installation
of private fire service mains and their appurtenances as governed by NFPA 24 and the Texas
Department of Insurance. This comprehensive assessment evaluates knowledge of pipe materials,
burial depths, joint restraint, thrust blocking, hydrant spacing, valve placement, flushing
procedures, hydrostatic testing, and regulatory compliance. The multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions emphasize real-world application, code interpretation, and decision-making
skills essential for fire sprinkler underground contractors and Responsible Managing Employees.
Candidates must demonstrate competency across all core domains to earn TFM10 licensure.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
According to NFPA 24, what is the primary purpose of the standard?
A. To provide minimum requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and their
appurtenances
B. To regulate the maintenance of fire sprinkler systems
,C. To establish design criteria for fire pumps
D. To govern the inspection of fire hydrants
🟢 A. To provide minimum requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and
their appurtenances
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 1.1 states that the standard provides the minimum
requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and their appurtenances,
including automatic sprinkler systems, open sprinkler systems, water spray fixed systems, foam
systems, private hydrants, and monitor nozzles.
Question 2
Which of the following systems is NOT covered by NFPA 24?
A. Automatic sprinkler systems supplied by private fire service mains
B. Private fire hydrants and monitor nozzles
C. Dry fire hydrants utilized for drafting operations
D. Water spray fixed systems supplied by private mains
🟢 C. Dry fire hydrants utilized for drafting operations
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 1.1.3 explicitly states that the standard does not apply to dry
fire hydrants utilized for drafting or mains connected to dry fire hydrants utilized for drafting.
Options A, B, and D are all systems explicitly listed in Section 1.1.1 as being covered by NFPA
24.
Question 3
What is the minimum depth of cover for private fire service mains installed in vehicular traffic
areas per NFPA 24?
A. 12 inches (305 mm)
,B. 18 inches (457 mm)
C. 24 inches (610 mm)
D. 30 inches (762 mm)
🟢 D. 30 inches (762 mm)
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.4.3 requires a minimum depth of cover of 30 inches (762
mm) or 2.5 feet in areas subject to vehicular traffic to protect against mechanical damage.
Question 4
In non-vehicular grass areas where freezing is not a factor, what is the minimum depth of cover
for private fire service mains?
A. 6 inches (152 mm)
B. 12 inches (305 mm)
C. 18 inches (457 mm)
D. 24 inches (610 mm)
🟢 B. 12 inches (305 mm)
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.4.3 allows a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) of cover in
non-vehicular areas where freezing is not a concern.
Question 5
What is the minimum water velocity required when flushing underground fire service mains?
A. 5 ft/sec
B. 10 ft/sec
C. 15 ft/sec
, D. 20 ft/sec
🟢 B. 10 ft/sec
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.10.2.1 requires flushing at a flow producing a water
velocity of at least 10 ft/s (3.0 m/s) in the pipe, as this velocity has proved sufficient for moving
obstructive material out of the pipes.
Question 6
What is the required hydrostatic test pressure for new underground piping?
A. 100 psi
B. 150 psi
C. 200 psi or 50 psi above system working pressure, whichever is greater
D. 300 psi
🟢 C. 200 psi or 50 psi above system working pressure, whichever is greater
🔴 RATIONALE: NFPA 24 Section 10.10.2.2.1 requires all piping and attached appurtenances
subjected to system working pressure to be hydrostatically tested at 200 psi or 50 psi in excess
of the system working pressure, whichever is greater.
Question 7
How long must the hydrostatic test pressure be maintained?
A. 30 minutes
B. 1 hour
C. 2 hours
D. 4 hours
