IAAI Fire Investigation Technician Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. The primary objective of a fire origin and cause investigation is to
determine:
A. The monetary value of the loss
B. The person to blame
C. The area where the fire started and the cause of the fire
D. Which fire extinguisher failed
Answer: C
The investigator’s main task is to locate the origin and determine
the cause (heat source, fuel, and the sequence that led to ignition).
Liability and value are secondary aspects.
2. A V-shaped burn pattern on a wall typically indicates:
A. Slow oxygen-limited burning
B. Ignition from the ceiling
C. Origin near the point of the V (heat source at the tip)
D. That the fire was electrically caused
Answer: C
V-patterns point toward the area of greatest heat and are useful
for locating the origin; the tip commonly indicates the ignition
area.
3. The term “flashover” describes:
A. A small flare-up during overhaul
, B. Near-simultaneous ignition of all combustible surfaces in an
enclosure
C. Ignition of a portable fuel source only
D. A reflash after a fire has been declared out
Answer: B
Flashover occurs when the environment reaches temperatures
that cause most exposed combustible surfaces to ignite nearly
simultaneously.
4. Chain of custody documentation is important because it:
A. Prevents fires from restarting
B. Maintains integrity and admissibility of physical evidence
C. Shows who fought the fire
D. Replaces laboratory analysis
Answer: B
Documenting who handled evidence, when, and where ensures it’s
admissible and its condition is traceable.
5. An ignitable liquid residue sample should be stored in:
A. Plastic bag
B. Cardboard box
C. A clean, airtight metal can or glass jar with a tight-sealing lid
D. Open container to air out odors
Answer: C
Metal cans or glass jars prevent loss of volatile residues; plastics
can absorb or contaminate samples.
6. The presence of multiple small, deep, round burn holes in a floor
may suggest:
A. Smoke staining only
, B. A normal fire pattern
C. Post-fire vandalism
D. Accelerant poured and ignited in multiple spots (incised pour
patterns)
Answer: D
Multiple deep burn holes arranged or spaced can indicate
ignitable liquids were applied in separate locations and ignited.
7. Soot that is easily smeared by touch on a surface is called:
A. Fixed soot
B. Non-fixed (loose) soot
C. Carbon film
D. Creosote
Answer: B
Non-fixed soot can smear and is deposited late or under
ventilation; fixed soot is more bonded to the substrate.
8. When photographing an exterior fire scene, the first photos
should be:
A. Close-ups of charred items only
B. Overall (establishing) views showing context and access points
C. Photos of personnel only
D. Laboratory result labels
Answer: B
Start broad to document the scene context and then move to
midrange and close-up photos to preserve scene layout and
relationships.
9. Spalling of concrete during a fire is caused primarily by:
A. Chemical reaction with paint
, B. Moisture in concrete vaporizing and causing surface
fragmentation
C. Low temperatures
D. Electrical current through rebar only
Answer: B
Rapid heating vaporizes internal moisture, producing pressure that
causes surface pieces to flake or spall.
10. The MOST reliable indicator of an electrical short as an
ignition source is:
A. Burned wiring insulation alone
B. The smell of ozone only
C. Physical evidence of localized arcing damage at a device or
conductor with corroborating circuit analysis
D. A tripped breaker
Answer: C
Arcing damage combined with circuit analysis and elimination of
other heat sources gives the best support for an electrical origin.
11. A “charring profile” on a wooden beam that is deeper on the
underside than the topmost likely indicates:
A. Water damage
B. The beam was heated from below (origin below the beam)
C. Paint failure
D. Intentional cutting
Answer: B
Deeper charring on one face indicates that face was exposed to
higher temperatures, pointing to the fire’s direction.
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. The primary objective of a fire origin and cause investigation is to
determine:
A. The monetary value of the loss
B. The person to blame
C. The area where the fire started and the cause of the fire
D. Which fire extinguisher failed
Answer: C
The investigator’s main task is to locate the origin and determine
the cause (heat source, fuel, and the sequence that led to ignition).
Liability and value are secondary aspects.
2. A V-shaped burn pattern on a wall typically indicates:
A. Slow oxygen-limited burning
B. Ignition from the ceiling
C. Origin near the point of the V (heat source at the tip)
D. That the fire was electrically caused
Answer: C
V-patterns point toward the area of greatest heat and are useful
for locating the origin; the tip commonly indicates the ignition
area.
3. The term “flashover” describes:
A. A small flare-up during overhaul
, B. Near-simultaneous ignition of all combustible surfaces in an
enclosure
C. Ignition of a portable fuel source only
D. A reflash after a fire has been declared out
Answer: B
Flashover occurs when the environment reaches temperatures
that cause most exposed combustible surfaces to ignite nearly
simultaneously.
4. Chain of custody documentation is important because it:
A. Prevents fires from restarting
B. Maintains integrity and admissibility of physical evidence
C. Shows who fought the fire
D. Replaces laboratory analysis
Answer: B
Documenting who handled evidence, when, and where ensures it’s
admissible and its condition is traceable.
5. An ignitable liquid residue sample should be stored in:
A. Plastic bag
B. Cardboard box
C. A clean, airtight metal can or glass jar with a tight-sealing lid
D. Open container to air out odors
Answer: C
Metal cans or glass jars prevent loss of volatile residues; plastics
can absorb or contaminate samples.
6. The presence of multiple small, deep, round burn holes in a floor
may suggest:
A. Smoke staining only
, B. A normal fire pattern
C. Post-fire vandalism
D. Accelerant poured and ignited in multiple spots (incised pour
patterns)
Answer: D
Multiple deep burn holes arranged or spaced can indicate
ignitable liquids were applied in separate locations and ignited.
7. Soot that is easily smeared by touch on a surface is called:
A. Fixed soot
B. Non-fixed (loose) soot
C. Carbon film
D. Creosote
Answer: B
Non-fixed soot can smear and is deposited late or under
ventilation; fixed soot is more bonded to the substrate.
8. When photographing an exterior fire scene, the first photos
should be:
A. Close-ups of charred items only
B. Overall (establishing) views showing context and access points
C. Photos of personnel only
D. Laboratory result labels
Answer: B
Start broad to document the scene context and then move to
midrange and close-up photos to preserve scene layout and
relationships.
9. Spalling of concrete during a fire is caused primarily by:
A. Chemical reaction with paint
, B. Moisture in concrete vaporizing and causing surface
fragmentation
C. Low temperatures
D. Electrical current through rebar only
Answer: B
Rapid heating vaporizes internal moisture, producing pressure that
causes surface pieces to flake or spall.
10. The MOST reliable indicator of an electrical short as an
ignition source is:
A. Burned wiring insulation alone
B. The smell of ozone only
C. Physical evidence of localized arcing damage at a device or
conductor with corroborating circuit analysis
D. A tripped breaker
Answer: C
Arcing damage combined with circuit analysis and elimination of
other heat sources gives the best support for an electrical origin.
11. A “charring profile” on a wooden beam that is deeper on the
underside than the topmost likely indicates:
A. Water damage
B. The beam was heated from below (origin below the beam)
C. Paint failure
D. Intentional cutting
Answer: B
Deeper charring on one face indicates that face was exposed to
higher temperatures, pointing to the fire’s direction.
