NFPA 10 Fire Extinguisher Technician
Practice – Questions & Answers
Section 1 — Hydrostatic Testing Fundamentals
Q1.
Hydrostatic testing of fire extinguishers is performed to:
A. Measure chemical concentration
B. Test the integrity of the cylinder
C. Refill the agent
D. Check nozzle operation
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrostatic testing evaluates the strength and structural integrity of the extinguisher
cylinder under pressure.
Q2.
How frequently should stored-pressure dry chemical fire extinguishers undergo hydrostatic
testing?
A. Every year
B. Every 5 years
C. Every 12 years
D. Every 20 years
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: For many dry chemical types, hydrostatic testing is required every 5 years unless
otherwise specified by the manufacturer or standard.
Q3.
,Which device must be used to control pressure safely during a hydrostatic test?
A. A pressure gauge only
B. A relief valve or rupture disc
C. A hand pump
D. A thermometer
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: A relief valve or rupture disc prevents over-pressurization and is required for safe
testing.
Q4.
Before hydrostatic testing, extinguishers must be:
A. Filled with water
B. Empty of agent and expellant
C. Charged with nitrogen
D. Painted
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: All extinguishing agent and propellant must be removed to prevent unsafe reactions.
Q5.
A cylinder fails hydrostatic testing when:
A. It holds pressure without change
B. Permanent expansion exceeds allowable limits
C. The gauge reads exactly set pressure
D. The valve is operational
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Excessive expansion indicates loss of structural integrity, which is failure.
Section 2 — Maintenance & Inspection
Q6.
,According to NFPA 10, extinguishers should be checked:
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Semi-annually
D. Only when used
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: Monthly visual inspections help ensure readiness.
Q7.
What should be checked during a monthly inspection?
A. Hydrostatic test date
B. Weight and pressure gauge
C. Agent concentration
D. Manufacturer address
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Proper pressure and full weight are key readiness indicators.
Q8.
Maintenance means:
A. Throwing away old extinguishers
B. Recharging, repairing, and ensuring readiness
C. Painting them red
D. Recording serial numbers
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Maintenance includes servicing to ensure devices will work if needed.
Q9.
When servicing a wet chemical extinguisher, the technician should primarily:
A. Replace the seals and check agent level
B. Remove all labels
, C. Add water
D. Increase pressure above rating
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: Wet chemical designs require special seals and correct chemical fill.
Q10.
Tags indicating the last inspection are required to show:
A. Inspector’s name and date
B. Color preference
C. Cost of extinguisher
D. Location of nearest fire exit
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: NFPA 10 requires documented evidence of inspection and service.
Section 3 — Mock Technician Exam
Q11.
Which type of extinguisher uses nitrogen or compressed air to maintain pressure?
A. Cartridge-operated
B. Stored-pressure
C. Chemical foam only
D. Water mist
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Stored-pressure units hold the expellant and agent in the same chamber.
Q12.
An extinguisher with a broken safety seal should be:
A. Discharged immediately
B. Tagged and serviced
Practice – Questions & Answers
Section 1 — Hydrostatic Testing Fundamentals
Q1.
Hydrostatic testing of fire extinguishers is performed to:
A. Measure chemical concentration
B. Test the integrity of the cylinder
C. Refill the agent
D. Check nozzle operation
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrostatic testing evaluates the strength and structural integrity of the extinguisher
cylinder under pressure.
Q2.
How frequently should stored-pressure dry chemical fire extinguishers undergo hydrostatic
testing?
A. Every year
B. Every 5 years
C. Every 12 years
D. Every 20 years
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: For many dry chemical types, hydrostatic testing is required every 5 years unless
otherwise specified by the manufacturer or standard.
Q3.
,Which device must be used to control pressure safely during a hydrostatic test?
A. A pressure gauge only
B. A relief valve or rupture disc
C. A hand pump
D. A thermometer
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: A relief valve or rupture disc prevents over-pressurization and is required for safe
testing.
Q4.
Before hydrostatic testing, extinguishers must be:
A. Filled with water
B. Empty of agent and expellant
C. Charged with nitrogen
D. Painted
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: All extinguishing agent and propellant must be removed to prevent unsafe reactions.
Q5.
A cylinder fails hydrostatic testing when:
A. It holds pressure without change
B. Permanent expansion exceeds allowable limits
C. The gauge reads exactly set pressure
D. The valve is operational
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Excessive expansion indicates loss of structural integrity, which is failure.
Section 2 — Maintenance & Inspection
Q6.
,According to NFPA 10, extinguishers should be checked:
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Semi-annually
D. Only when used
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: Monthly visual inspections help ensure readiness.
Q7.
What should be checked during a monthly inspection?
A. Hydrostatic test date
B. Weight and pressure gauge
C. Agent concentration
D. Manufacturer address
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Proper pressure and full weight are key readiness indicators.
Q8.
Maintenance means:
A. Throwing away old extinguishers
B. Recharging, repairing, and ensuring readiness
C. Painting them red
D. Recording serial numbers
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Maintenance includes servicing to ensure devices will work if needed.
Q9.
When servicing a wet chemical extinguisher, the technician should primarily:
A. Replace the seals and check agent level
B. Remove all labels
, C. Add water
D. Increase pressure above rating
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: Wet chemical designs require special seals and correct chemical fill.
Q10.
Tags indicating the last inspection are required to show:
A. Inspector’s name and date
B. Color preference
C. Cost of extinguisher
D. Location of nearest fire exit
✅ Answer: A
Rationale: NFPA 10 requires documented evidence of inspection and service.
Section 3 — Mock Technician Exam
Q11.
Which type of extinguisher uses nitrogen or compressed air to maintain pressure?
A. Cartridge-operated
B. Stored-pressure
C. Chemical foam only
D. Water mist
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Stored-pressure units hold the expellant and agent in the same chamber.
Q12.
An extinguisher with a broken safety seal should be:
A. Discharged immediately
B. Tagged and serviced
