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NFPA 10 Portable Fire Extinguisher Exam 2026 | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The NFPA 10 Portable Fire Extinguisher Certification Exam assesses a candidate’s
comprehensive knowledge of fire extinguisher selection, installation, inspection,
maintenance, and hydrostatic testing as outlined in NFPA 10. Key topics include classifying
fires (Classes A through K), determining proper extinguisher ratings and placement based
on occupancy hazards (light, ordinary, extra), adhering to mounting height and travel
distance requirements, performing monthly visual inspections, conducting annual
maintenance and 6-year internal checks, and following hydrostatic testing intervals. The
exam emphasizes practical application of rules for accessibility, agent suitability (e.g., wet
chemical for Class K, dry powder for Class D), and mandatory corrective actions when
extinguishers fail inspection, ensuring professionals can maintain reliable fire protection in
any facility.
QUESTION 1
A portable fire extinguisher intended for use on Class B fires is placed in a commercial
kitchen. Which rating would be minimally acceptable for a light hazard occupancy near a
grease fryer?
A) 1-A:10-B:C
B) 2-A:20-B:C
C) 5-B:C
D) 40-B:C
CORRECT ANSWER: D) 40-B:C
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 requires a minimum 40-B:C rating for Class B
extinguishers in commercial kitchens, especially near grease fryers, due to the potential
for large flammable liquid fires. Lower ratings would not provide sufficient suppression.
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QUESTION 2
What is the maximum travel distance to a Class A portable fire extinguisher in an
ordinary hazard occupancy?
A) 50 ft (15.2 m)
B) 75 ft (22.9 m)
C) 100 ft (30.5 m)
D) 150 ft (45.7 m)
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 75 ft (22.9 m)
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 Section 6.2.1.1 specifies that for Class A hazards, the
maximum travel distance to an extinguisher is 75 ft for ordinary hazard. Light hazard
allows 75 ft as well, but extra hazard requires 50 ft.
QUESTION 3
During a monthly inspection, you notice a dry chemical extinguisher’s pressure gauge is
in the “recharge” red zone. What is the required action?
A) Note it and reinspect next month
B) Remove from service immediately and replace or recharge
C) Tap the gauge to see if it moves to green
D) Weigh the extinguisher and if full, leave it
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Remove from service immediately and replace or recharge
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 requires that extinguishers with pressure outside the
operable range (green zone) be removed from service and recharged or replaced
immediately to ensure readiness.
QUESTION 4
How high above the floor may the top of a portable fire extinguisher weighing 45 lbs be
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mounted?
A) 3.5 ft (1.07 m)
B) 4 ft (1.22 m)
C) 5 ft (1.52 m)
D) 3 ft (0.91 m)
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 5 ft (1.52 m)
EXPERT RATIONALE: For extinguishers weighing over 40 lbs, the top cannot exceed 3.5
ft; this question says 45 lbs, so the top must be ≤3.5 ft. However, the common rule: ≤40
lbs top ≤5 ft; >40 lbs top ≤3.5 ft. For 45 lbs, correct max is 3.5 ft, but among options, 5
ft is incorrect. Correct answer should be 3.5 ft (not listed). Adjust: The question is flawed.
Better: For ≤40 lbs top ≤5 ft. I will correct: QUESTION 4 revised below.
Correction to avoid error: Let me reissue Q4 properly.
QUESTION 4 (corrected)
A portable extinguisher weighing 30 lbs is mounted on a wall. What is the maximum
allowable height to its top?
A) 3 ft
B) 3.5 ft
C) 5 ft
D) 5.5 ft
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 5 ft
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 Section 6.1.3.8.1 states extinguishers weighing 40 lbs or
less shall have the top not more than 5 ft above the floor. This 30 lb unit meets that.
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QUESTION 5
Which class of fire involves energized electrical equipment?
A) Class A
B) Class B
C) Class C
D) Class D
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Class C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Class C fires are those involving energized electrical components.
Using a non-rated extinguisher risks shock or fire spread.
QUESTION 6
What is the hydrostatic test interval for a dry chemical stored pressure extinguisher with
a steel shell?
A) Every 5 years
B) Every 6 years
C) Every 12 years
D) Never required
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Every 12 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 Table 7.1.3.2.1 specifies 12-year hydrostatic test interval
for dry chemical stored pressure steel cylinders. Carbon dioxide and wet chemical have
different intervals.
QUESTION 7
In a light hazard occupancy, what is the maximum floor area per Class A extinguisher
rating?
A) 1,500 sq ft per 1-A
NFPA 10 Portable Fire Extinguisher Exam 2026 | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The NFPA 10 Portable Fire Extinguisher Certification Exam assesses a candidate’s
comprehensive knowledge of fire extinguisher selection, installation, inspection,
maintenance, and hydrostatic testing as outlined in NFPA 10. Key topics include classifying
fires (Classes A through K), determining proper extinguisher ratings and placement based
on occupancy hazards (light, ordinary, extra), adhering to mounting height and travel
distance requirements, performing monthly visual inspections, conducting annual
maintenance and 6-year internal checks, and following hydrostatic testing intervals. The
exam emphasizes practical application of rules for accessibility, agent suitability (e.g., wet
chemical for Class K, dry powder for Class D), and mandatory corrective actions when
extinguishers fail inspection, ensuring professionals can maintain reliable fire protection in
any facility.
QUESTION 1
A portable fire extinguisher intended for use on Class B fires is placed in a commercial
kitchen. Which rating would be minimally acceptable for a light hazard occupancy near a
grease fryer?
A) 1-A:10-B:C
B) 2-A:20-B:C
C) 5-B:C
D) 40-B:C
CORRECT ANSWER: D) 40-B:C
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 requires a minimum 40-B:C rating for Class B
extinguishers in commercial kitchens, especially near grease fryers, due to the potential
for large flammable liquid fires. Lower ratings would not provide sufficient suppression.
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QUESTION 2
What is the maximum travel distance to a Class A portable fire extinguisher in an
ordinary hazard occupancy?
A) 50 ft (15.2 m)
B) 75 ft (22.9 m)
C) 100 ft (30.5 m)
D) 150 ft (45.7 m)
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 75 ft (22.9 m)
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 Section 6.2.1.1 specifies that for Class A hazards, the
maximum travel distance to an extinguisher is 75 ft for ordinary hazard. Light hazard
allows 75 ft as well, but extra hazard requires 50 ft.
QUESTION 3
During a monthly inspection, you notice a dry chemical extinguisher’s pressure gauge is
in the “recharge” red zone. What is the required action?
A) Note it and reinspect next month
B) Remove from service immediately and replace or recharge
C) Tap the gauge to see if it moves to green
D) Weigh the extinguisher and if full, leave it
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Remove from service immediately and replace or recharge
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 requires that extinguishers with pressure outside the
operable range (green zone) be removed from service and recharged or replaced
immediately to ensure readiness.
QUESTION 4
How high above the floor may the top of a portable fire extinguisher weighing 45 lbs be
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mounted?
A) 3.5 ft (1.07 m)
B) 4 ft (1.22 m)
C) 5 ft (1.52 m)
D) 3 ft (0.91 m)
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 5 ft (1.52 m)
EXPERT RATIONALE: For extinguishers weighing over 40 lbs, the top cannot exceed 3.5
ft; this question says 45 lbs, so the top must be ≤3.5 ft. However, the common rule: ≤40
lbs top ≤5 ft; >40 lbs top ≤3.5 ft. For 45 lbs, correct max is 3.5 ft, but among options, 5
ft is incorrect. Correct answer should be 3.5 ft (not listed). Adjust: The question is flawed.
Better: For ≤40 lbs top ≤5 ft. I will correct: QUESTION 4 revised below.
Correction to avoid error: Let me reissue Q4 properly.
QUESTION 4 (corrected)
A portable extinguisher weighing 30 lbs is mounted on a wall. What is the maximum
allowable height to its top?
A) 3 ft
B) 3.5 ft
C) 5 ft
D) 5.5 ft
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 5 ft
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 Section 6.1.3.8.1 states extinguishers weighing 40 lbs or
less shall have the top not more than 5 ft above the floor. This 30 lb unit meets that.
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QUESTION 5
Which class of fire involves energized electrical equipment?
A) Class A
B) Class B
C) Class C
D) Class D
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Class C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Class C fires are those involving energized electrical components.
Using a non-rated extinguisher risks shock or fire spread.
QUESTION 6
What is the hydrostatic test interval for a dry chemical stored pressure extinguisher with
a steel shell?
A) Every 5 years
B) Every 6 years
C) Every 12 years
D) Never required
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Every 12 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 10 Table 7.1.3.2.1 specifies 12-year hydrostatic test interval
for dry chemical stored pressure steel cylinders. Carbon dioxide and wet chemical have
different intervals.
QUESTION 7
In a light hazard occupancy, what is the maximum floor area per Class A extinguisher
rating?
A) 1,500 sq ft per 1-A
