EXTINGUISHER TECHNICIAN LICENSE Exam –Verified Questions
& Answers with Explanations | Updated 2026 Study Guide
University of Maryland
Fire Classes & Fundamentals
1. A three-dimensional fire often involves static flammable liquid.
A. True
B. False
*Answer: B. False *
*Explanation: 3D fires involve flammable liquid in motion as well as both
horizontal and vertical surfaces. They are not static. *
2. Class A fire extinguishers are suitable for which types of materials?
A. Flammable liquids and gases
B. Live electrical equipment
C. Wood, paper, some plastics, and textiles
D. Cooking media (grease/oil)
*Answer: C. Wood, paper, some plastics, and textiles *
*Explanation: Class A extinguishers are designed for ordinary combustibles. They
offer the coating effects of dry chemicals. *
3. Which class of fire involves ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper,
cloth, and rubber?
A. Class B
B. Class C
C. Class D
D. Class K
E. Class A
*Answer: E. Class A *
*Explanation: Class A fires involve ordinary combustible solid materials such as
,wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics. Water or multipurpose dry
chemical extinguishers are typically used on Class A fires. *
4. Which class of fire involves flammable and combustible liquids and gases?
A. Class A
B. Class C
C. Class D
D. Class K
E. Class B
*Answer: E. Class B *
*Explanation: Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease,
tar, oil-based paints, lacquers, and flammable gases. CO2 and dry chemical
extinguishers are effective on Class B fires. *
5. Which class of fire involves energized electrical equipment?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class D
D. Class K
E. Class C
*Answer: E. Class C *
*Explanation: Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment. Once the
electricity is de-energized, the fire may become a Class A or B fire. Nonconductive
agents like CO2 or dry chemical must be used. *
6. Which class of fire involves combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium,
and sodium?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class K
E. Class D
*Answer: E. Class D *
*Explanation: Class D fires involve combustible metals. Special dry powder agents
designed specifically for the metal involved are required. Water or other common
extinguishing agents can intensify Class D fires. *
7. Which class of fire involves cooking oils and fats in commercial cooking
equipment?
,A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
E. Class K
*Answer: E. Class K *
*Explanation: Class K fires involve cooking oils and animal or vegetable fats used
in commercial cooking equipment. Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically
designed for Class K fires through a process called saponification. *
8. What is the primary NFPA standard governing portable fire extinguishers in the
United States?
A. NFPA 72
B. NFPA 13
C. NFPA 25
D. NFPA 101
E. NFPA 10
*Answer: E. NFPA 10 *
*Explanation: NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, is the primary
standard governing the selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and
testing of portable fire extinguishers in the United States. *
9. Class A/B fire extinguishers should be used on which type of fire?
A. Fires involving live electrical equipment
B. Ordinary combustibles only
C. Flammable liquids only
D. Both ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids, but not electrical fires
*Answer: D. Both ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids, but not electrical
fires *
*Explanation: Class A/B extinguishers should NOT be used for fires that involve
live electrical equipment. They are suitable for Class A (ordinary combustibles) and
Class B (flammable liquids) only. *
10. Class C fire extinguishers must use agents that are:
A. Water-based
B. Foam-based
C. Electrically nonconductive
D. High-pressure only
, *Answer: C. Electrically nonconductive *
*Explanation: Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment; using a
conductive agent puts the operator at risk of shock. *
11. Class K extinguishers work on the principle of:
A. Cooling
B. Saponification
C. Oxygen dilution
D. Chemical flame inhibition
*Answer: B. Saponification *
*Explanation: Class K extinguishers use a wet chemical agent that reacts with
cooking oils/fats to create a foam layer (saponification), preventing reflash. *
12. Which UL rating indicates the square footage a Class B extinguisher covers?
A. A:B
B. B:C
C. C:A
D. K:B
*Answer: B. B:C *
*Explanation: The "B:C" rating on an extinguisher label refers to the approximate
square footage of fire the extinguisher can cover, though it also relates to
operator skill. *
13. What does a Type B license allow you to do?
A. Install, Certify, and Service pre-engineered cooking systems
B. Install, Certify, and Service portable extinguishers and do low-pressure hydrostatic
testing
C. Only inspect extinguishers
D. Only recharge extinguishers
*Answer: B. Install, Certify, and Service portable extinguishers and do low-pressure
hydrostatic testing *
*Explanation: A Type B license authorizes the holder to install, certify, and service
portable extinguishers and perform low-pressure hydrostatic testing. *
14. What are the required tests for a Type B Portable License?
A. TFM01 and TFM02
B. TFM03 and TFM04
C. TFM01 only
D. TFM02 only