CAL FIRE Weekly Fire Pump Certification Exam
1. What is the minimum run time for a weekly churn test of a diesel-driven fire
pump?
A. 5 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 60 minutes
Answer: B. 30 minutes
Rationale: NFPA 25 calls for diesel-driven fire pumps to run at least 30 minutes
weekly so the engine reaches normal operating temperature and problems surface.
2. A churn test is performed with the pump operating:
A. At 150 percent of rated flow
B. With the discharge fully open to the test header
C. At rated speed with no water flowing through the discharge (shutoff condition)
D. With the engine at idle only
Answer: C. At rated speed with no water flowing through the discharge (shutoff
condition)
Rationale: Churn means the pump runs at shutoff, producing pressure but no flow,
which checks starting, operation and engine/pump condition.
3. What is the main reason for conducting a weekly fire pump test?
A. To satisfy the insurance company only
B. To drain the water supply tank
C. To calibrate the building sprinklers
D. To verify the pump starts and runs reliably before it is needed in an emergency
Answer: D. To verify the pump starts and runs reliably before it is needed in an
emergency
Rationale: Regular operation reveals starting, fuel, battery, cooling and leakage
problems while there is time to correct them.
,4. After completing the weekly test, the pump controller should be left in which
position?
A. Off
B. Automatic
C. Manual-stop
D. Test-lockout
Answer: B. Automatic
Rationale: A controller left out of automatic will not start the pump on a pressure drop,
which defeats the pump's purpose.
5. Which set of readings is normally recorded during a weekly pump test?
A. Only the date and operator's name
B. Only discharge pressure
C. Only the fuel level
D. Suction and discharge pressure, engine rpm, oil pressure and coolant
temperature
Answer: D. Suction and discharge pressure, engine rpm, oil pressure and
coolant temperature
Rationale: A complete log of operating values allows trends to be spotted and shows
when performance is degrading.
6. How should the pump packing glands behave during operation?
A. Remain completely dry
B. Spray a continuous stream
C. Be tightened until all dripping stops
D. Leak slightly to cool and lubricate the packing
Answer: D. Leak slightly to cool and lubricate the packing
Rationale: Packing needs a small amount of water leakage for cooling and lubrication;
a dry gland overheats and scores the shaft sleeve.
,7. What is the likely result of over-tightening pump packing?
A. Overheating and damage to the shaft or sleeve
B. Increased pump pressure
C. Better priming
D. Reduced engine load
Answer: A. Overheating and damage to the shaft or sleeve
Rationale: Excess packing compression creates friction heat and wears the shaft or
sleeve.
8. Diesel fire pump fuel tanks should be kept at least how full?
A. One-quarter full
B. Two-thirds full
C. One-half full
D. Only filled before a test
Answer: B. Two-thirds full
Rationale: A minimum of two-thirds full ensures enough fuel for sustained operation in
an emergency.
9. During weekly starts of a diesel fire pump with two battery sets, you should:
A. Always use the same battery set
B. Alternate between the battery sets or starting circuits
C. Use jumper cables from a vehicle
D. Disconnect both sets and hand-crank
Answer: B. Alternate between the battery sets or starting circuits
Rationale: Alternating exercises both sets so a weak battery or starter circuit is found
before it fails.
, 10. What is the function of a jockey pump?
A. Replace the main fire pump
B. Supply foam concentrate
C. Maintain system pressure so the main pump does not start for minor pressure
losses
D. Drain the sprinkler piping
Answer: C. Maintain system pressure so the main pump does not start for
minor pressure losses
Rationale: The small jockey pump compensates for small leaks, preventing needless
starts of the main fire pump.
11. A fire pump on automatic is normally set to start when:
A. The building temperature rises
B. System pressure falls below the cut-in setting
C. The fuel tank is filled
D. The suction valve is closed
Answer: B. System pressure falls below the cut-in setting
Rationale: Pressure sensing on the controller detects sprinkler flow or demand and
starts the pump.
12. What is the purpose of a circulation relief valve?
A. Discharge a small amount of water at churn to prevent pump overheating
B. Increase discharge pressure
C. Prime the pump
D. Drain the suction line
Answer: A. Discharge a small amount of water at churn to prevent pump
overheating
Rationale: Without flow the water inside the pump heats up; a small bleed keeps the
temperature safe.
1. What is the minimum run time for a weekly churn test of a diesel-driven fire
pump?
A. 5 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 10 minutes
D. 60 minutes
Answer: B. 30 minutes
Rationale: NFPA 25 calls for diesel-driven fire pumps to run at least 30 minutes
weekly so the engine reaches normal operating temperature and problems surface.
2. A churn test is performed with the pump operating:
A. At 150 percent of rated flow
B. With the discharge fully open to the test header
C. At rated speed with no water flowing through the discharge (shutoff condition)
D. With the engine at idle only
Answer: C. At rated speed with no water flowing through the discharge (shutoff
condition)
Rationale: Churn means the pump runs at shutoff, producing pressure but no flow,
which checks starting, operation and engine/pump condition.
3. What is the main reason for conducting a weekly fire pump test?
A. To satisfy the insurance company only
B. To drain the water supply tank
C. To calibrate the building sprinklers
D. To verify the pump starts and runs reliably before it is needed in an emergency
Answer: D. To verify the pump starts and runs reliably before it is needed in an
emergency
Rationale: Regular operation reveals starting, fuel, battery, cooling and leakage
problems while there is time to correct them.
,4. After completing the weekly test, the pump controller should be left in which
position?
A. Off
B. Automatic
C. Manual-stop
D. Test-lockout
Answer: B. Automatic
Rationale: A controller left out of automatic will not start the pump on a pressure drop,
which defeats the pump's purpose.
5. Which set of readings is normally recorded during a weekly pump test?
A. Only the date and operator's name
B. Only discharge pressure
C. Only the fuel level
D. Suction and discharge pressure, engine rpm, oil pressure and coolant
temperature
Answer: D. Suction and discharge pressure, engine rpm, oil pressure and
coolant temperature
Rationale: A complete log of operating values allows trends to be spotted and shows
when performance is degrading.
6. How should the pump packing glands behave during operation?
A. Remain completely dry
B. Spray a continuous stream
C. Be tightened until all dripping stops
D. Leak slightly to cool and lubricate the packing
Answer: D. Leak slightly to cool and lubricate the packing
Rationale: Packing needs a small amount of water leakage for cooling and lubrication;
a dry gland overheats and scores the shaft sleeve.
,7. What is the likely result of over-tightening pump packing?
A. Overheating and damage to the shaft or sleeve
B. Increased pump pressure
C. Better priming
D. Reduced engine load
Answer: A. Overheating and damage to the shaft or sleeve
Rationale: Excess packing compression creates friction heat and wears the shaft or
sleeve.
8. Diesel fire pump fuel tanks should be kept at least how full?
A. One-quarter full
B. Two-thirds full
C. One-half full
D. Only filled before a test
Answer: B. Two-thirds full
Rationale: A minimum of two-thirds full ensures enough fuel for sustained operation in
an emergency.
9. During weekly starts of a diesel fire pump with two battery sets, you should:
A. Always use the same battery set
B. Alternate between the battery sets or starting circuits
C. Use jumper cables from a vehicle
D. Disconnect both sets and hand-crank
Answer: B. Alternate between the battery sets or starting circuits
Rationale: Alternating exercises both sets so a weak battery or starter circuit is found
before it fails.
, 10. What is the function of a jockey pump?
A. Replace the main fire pump
B. Supply foam concentrate
C. Maintain system pressure so the main pump does not start for minor pressure
losses
D. Drain the sprinkler piping
Answer: C. Maintain system pressure so the main pump does not start for
minor pressure losses
Rationale: The small jockey pump compensates for small leaks, preventing needless
starts of the main fire pump.
11. A fire pump on automatic is normally set to start when:
A. The building temperature rises
B. System pressure falls below the cut-in setting
C. The fuel tank is filled
D. The suction valve is closed
Answer: B. System pressure falls below the cut-in setting
Rationale: Pressure sensing on the controller detects sprinkler flow or demand and
starts the pump.
12. What is the purpose of a circulation relief valve?
A. Discharge a small amount of water at churn to prevent pump overheating
B. Increase discharge pressure
C. Prime the pump
D. Drain the suction line
Answer: A. Discharge a small amount of water at churn to prevent pump
overheating
Rationale: Without flow the water inside the pump heats up; a small bleed keeps the
temperature safe.
