CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR
CERTIFICATION REVIEW 2026 COMPLETE
GUIDE GRADED A+
⩥ Guide.
Answer: a document that is advisory or informative in nature and that
contains only non-mandatory provisions. A guide may contain
mandatory statements such as when a guide can be used, but the
document as a whole is not suitable for adoption into law.
⩥ Recommended Practice.
Answer: Similar in content and structure to a code or standard, uses the
word "should" to indicate recommendations.
⩥ Standard.
Answer: An NFPA standard, contains mandatory provisions and will use
the word "Shall" to indicate requirements.
⩥ Absolute temperature.
Answer: Temperature measured on the Kelvin scale
⩥ Accelerant.
,Answer: A fuel or oxidizer, often an ignitible liquid, intentionally used to
initiate a fire or increase the rate of growth or spread of fire.
⩥ accident.
Answer: An unplanned event that interrupts an activity and sometimes
causes injury or damage or a chance occurrence arising from unknown
causes; an unexpected happening due to carelessness, ignorance, and the
like.
⩥ Active Fire Protection System.
Answer: A system that uses moving mechanical or electrical parts to
achieve a fire protection goal.
⩥ Ampacity.
Answer: The maximum current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry
continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its
temperature rating.
⩥ Ampere.
Answer: a unit of electric current equal to a flow of one coulomb per
second.
⩥ Arc.
, Answer: High-temperature luminous electric discharge across a gap or
through a medium such as charred insulation.
⩥ Area of origin.
Answer: A structure, part of a structure, or general geographic location
within a fire scene, in which the "point of origin" of a fire or explosion is
reasonably believed to be located.
⩥ Arrow pattern.
Answer: A fire pattern displayed on the cross-section of a burned
wooden structural member.
⩥ Arson.
Answer: The crime of maliciously and intentionally, or recklessly,
starting a fire or causing an explosion.
⩥ Autoignition.
Answer: Initiation of combustion by heat but without a spark or flame.
⩥ Autoignition Temperature.
Answer: The lowest temperature at which a combustible material ignites
in air without a spark or flame.
⩥ Backdraft.
CERTIFICATION REVIEW 2026 COMPLETE
GUIDE GRADED A+
⩥ Guide.
Answer: a document that is advisory or informative in nature and that
contains only non-mandatory provisions. A guide may contain
mandatory statements such as when a guide can be used, but the
document as a whole is not suitable for adoption into law.
⩥ Recommended Practice.
Answer: Similar in content and structure to a code or standard, uses the
word "should" to indicate recommendations.
⩥ Standard.
Answer: An NFPA standard, contains mandatory provisions and will use
the word "Shall" to indicate requirements.
⩥ Absolute temperature.
Answer: Temperature measured on the Kelvin scale
⩥ Accelerant.
,Answer: A fuel or oxidizer, often an ignitible liquid, intentionally used to
initiate a fire or increase the rate of growth or spread of fire.
⩥ accident.
Answer: An unplanned event that interrupts an activity and sometimes
causes injury or damage or a chance occurrence arising from unknown
causes; an unexpected happening due to carelessness, ignorance, and the
like.
⩥ Active Fire Protection System.
Answer: A system that uses moving mechanical or electrical parts to
achieve a fire protection goal.
⩥ Ampacity.
Answer: The maximum current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry
continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its
temperature rating.
⩥ Ampere.
Answer: a unit of electric current equal to a flow of one coulomb per
second.
⩥ Arc.
, Answer: High-temperature luminous electric discharge across a gap or
through a medium such as charred insulation.
⩥ Area of origin.
Answer: A structure, part of a structure, or general geographic location
within a fire scene, in which the "point of origin" of a fire or explosion is
reasonably believed to be located.
⩥ Arrow pattern.
Answer: A fire pattern displayed on the cross-section of a burned
wooden structural member.
⩥ Arson.
Answer: The crime of maliciously and intentionally, or recklessly,
starting a fire or causing an explosion.
⩥ Autoignition.
Answer: Initiation of combustion by heat but without a spark or flame.
⩥ Autoignition Temperature.
Answer: The lowest temperature at which a combustible material ignites
in air without a spark or flame.
⩥ Backdraft.
