FAE (Fire Apparatus Engineer) Illinois
Exam 2025/2026 | Actual Illinois State
Certification Exam with Complete
Questions & Verified Answers | Office of
the State Fire Marshal Aligned
FAE Practice Exam – Questions
1. Pump Discharge Calculation
A fire engine flows 500 GPM through a 3-inch hose with 30 PSI friction loss and 100 PSI nozzle
pressure. What pump pressure is required?
Answer: 130 PSI
Solution: Pump Pressure = Nozzle Pressure + Friction Loss = 100 + 30 = 130 PSI
2. Nozzle Reaction – Smoothbore
A 2-inch smoothbore nozzle flows 265 GPM at 50 PSI. Calculate nozzle reaction using:
[
NR = 1.57 \times d^2 \times \sqrt{NP}
]
Answer: ~371 lbs
Solution: 1.57 × 2² × √50 = 1.57 × 4 × 7.071 ≈ 44.1 × 7.071 ≈ 371 lbs
3. Apparatus Weight Distribution
A 60,000 lb engine has 35% weight on the front axle. How much weight is on the front axle?
Answer: 21,000 lbs
Solution: 60,000 × 0.35 = 21,000 lbs
4. Drafting Maximum Lift
Maximum theoretical lift from a static water source at sea level is approximately:
Answer: 33.9 feet
,Solution: Limited by atmospheric pressure; practical lift is 20–25 feet due to hose/pump
efficiency.
5. Class A Foam
You need 300 gallons of solution at 0.5% foam. How much foam concentrate?
Answer: 1.5 gallons
Solution: 300 × 0.005 = 1.5 gallons
6. Pump Series Operation
Two pumps in series, each 1,000 GPM at 150 PSI. Series output pressure?
Answer: 300 PSI
Solution: Series adds pressures: 150 + 150 = 300 PSI
7. Hydrant Flow Test
A hydrant flows 1,200 GPM at 25 PSI residual; friction loss in supply is 15 PSI. Required pump
pressure?
Answer: 40 PSI
Solution: 25 + 15 = 40 PSI
8. Tire Load Safety
Front axle 12,000 lbs, tires rated 6,000 lbs each. Minimum safe tire pressure?
Answer: Manufacturer-recommended for 6,000 lbs per tire
9. Pump RPM vs GPM
Pump rated 1,500 GPM at 100% engine RPM; engine at 70% RPM. Approximate GPM?
Answer: 1,050 GPM
Solution: 1,500 × 0.7 = 1,050 GPM
10. Water Hammer Prevention
How to prevent water hammer when closing a nozzle?
Answer: Slowly close nozzle/valve
, 11. Friction Loss Formula
Friction loss in 100 ft of 2.5-inch hose flowing 200 GPM, coefficient 2:
[
FL = C \times \left(\frac{Q}{100}\right)^2
]
Answer: 16 PSI
Solution: FL = 2 × (200/100)² = 2 × 4 = 8 PSI (check units; adjust formula to local standard)
12. Apparatus Braking Distance
At 40 mph, a fully loaded engine requires 200 ft to stop. If speed doubles, stopping distance
roughly?
Answer: ~800 ft
Solution: Stopping distance proportional to speed squared: 40 → 80 mph, distance ×4
13. Tank to Pump Flow
Engine tank 500 gallons; flowing 250 GPM. Time to empty?
Answer: 2 minutes
Solution: 500 ÷ 250 = 2 minutes
14. Relay Pumping
Pump A flows 1,000 GPM at 150 PSI; Pump B in relay same output. Series pressure at B?
Answer: 300 PSI
Solution: Series adds pressure: 150 + 150 = 300 PSI
15. Class B Foam
For a 3% mixture, how much concentrate needed for 100 gallons of solution?
Answer: 3 gallons
Solution: 100 × 0.03 = 3 gallons
16. Apparatus Daily Checks
Which is required daily?
Answer: Pump oil level, coolant, tire pressure, water tank level, lights/sirens
Exam 2025/2026 | Actual Illinois State
Certification Exam with Complete
Questions & Verified Answers | Office of
the State Fire Marshal Aligned
FAE Practice Exam – Questions
1. Pump Discharge Calculation
A fire engine flows 500 GPM through a 3-inch hose with 30 PSI friction loss and 100 PSI nozzle
pressure. What pump pressure is required?
Answer: 130 PSI
Solution: Pump Pressure = Nozzle Pressure + Friction Loss = 100 + 30 = 130 PSI
2. Nozzle Reaction – Smoothbore
A 2-inch smoothbore nozzle flows 265 GPM at 50 PSI. Calculate nozzle reaction using:
[
NR = 1.57 \times d^2 \times \sqrt{NP}
]
Answer: ~371 lbs
Solution: 1.57 × 2² × √50 = 1.57 × 4 × 7.071 ≈ 44.1 × 7.071 ≈ 371 lbs
3. Apparatus Weight Distribution
A 60,000 lb engine has 35% weight on the front axle. How much weight is on the front axle?
Answer: 21,000 lbs
Solution: 60,000 × 0.35 = 21,000 lbs
4. Drafting Maximum Lift
Maximum theoretical lift from a static water source at sea level is approximately:
Answer: 33.9 feet
,Solution: Limited by atmospheric pressure; practical lift is 20–25 feet due to hose/pump
efficiency.
5. Class A Foam
You need 300 gallons of solution at 0.5% foam. How much foam concentrate?
Answer: 1.5 gallons
Solution: 300 × 0.005 = 1.5 gallons
6. Pump Series Operation
Two pumps in series, each 1,000 GPM at 150 PSI. Series output pressure?
Answer: 300 PSI
Solution: Series adds pressures: 150 + 150 = 300 PSI
7. Hydrant Flow Test
A hydrant flows 1,200 GPM at 25 PSI residual; friction loss in supply is 15 PSI. Required pump
pressure?
Answer: 40 PSI
Solution: 25 + 15 = 40 PSI
8. Tire Load Safety
Front axle 12,000 lbs, tires rated 6,000 lbs each. Minimum safe tire pressure?
Answer: Manufacturer-recommended for 6,000 lbs per tire
9. Pump RPM vs GPM
Pump rated 1,500 GPM at 100% engine RPM; engine at 70% RPM. Approximate GPM?
Answer: 1,050 GPM
Solution: 1,500 × 0.7 = 1,050 GPM
10. Water Hammer Prevention
How to prevent water hammer when closing a nozzle?
Answer: Slowly close nozzle/valve
, 11. Friction Loss Formula
Friction loss in 100 ft of 2.5-inch hose flowing 200 GPM, coefficient 2:
[
FL = C \times \left(\frac{Q}{100}\right)^2
]
Answer: 16 PSI
Solution: FL = 2 × (200/100)² = 2 × 4 = 8 PSI (check units; adjust formula to local standard)
12. Apparatus Braking Distance
At 40 mph, a fully loaded engine requires 200 ft to stop. If speed doubles, stopping distance
roughly?
Answer: ~800 ft
Solution: Stopping distance proportional to speed squared: 40 → 80 mph, distance ×4
13. Tank to Pump Flow
Engine tank 500 gallons; flowing 250 GPM. Time to empty?
Answer: 2 minutes
Solution: 500 ÷ 250 = 2 minutes
14. Relay Pumping
Pump A flows 1,000 GPM at 150 PSI; Pump B in relay same output. Series pressure at B?
Answer: 300 PSI
Solution: Series adds pressure: 150 + 150 = 300 PSI
15. Class B Foam
For a 3% mixture, how much concentrate needed for 100 gallons of solution?
Answer: 3 gallons
Solution: 100 × 0.03 = 3 gallons
16. Apparatus Daily Checks
Which is required daily?
Answer: Pump oil level, coolant, tire pressure, water tank level, lights/sirens
