Certified Fire Protection Specialist Program

CFPS Examination Content Area Weighting

The following shows the relative importance of each content domain on the certification exam. When
preparing for the exam, candidates should spend proportionately more time studying the content domains
that are more heavily weighted.

It is important to note that while some of the domains correspond both in title and in content to sections
of the FPH, not all of them do, nor are they meant to exactly reflect the title or content of FPH sections.
The subjects you see in the CFPS exam weighting table were chosen by experts in the field of fire
protection based on the expectations, job descriptions, and functions of the various types of CFPS
certification holders and the subjects they encounter in their daily work. For example, content area V:
Fire Prevention does not have a corresponding section within the FPH, and its content is drawn from
multiple FPH sections. Your best course is to study by subject rather than by section or chapter.

I Safety in the Built Environment (2%)

A Identify challenges to safety in the built environment
B Apply fundamentals of safe building design
C Be familiar with the local and regional codes and standards for the built environment

II Basics of Fire and Fire Science (10%)

A Identify the chemistry and physics of fire
B Identify dynamics of fire growth

III Information and Analysis for Fire Protection (3%)

A Conduct fire loss investigation
B Collect and use fire incident data and statistics
C Conduct fire analysis
D Apply data and analysis

IV Human Behavior in Fire Emergencies (5%)

A Identify principles of human behavior and fire
B Identify concepts of egress design
C Use calculation methods for egress prediction

V Fire Prevention (10%)

A Develop policies, procedures, and training programs to inform and educate population in fire
prevention principles and fire and life safety practices
B Understand proper design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems and appliances
C Identify the components that, alone or in combination, form emergency and standby power
systems
D Understand the dynamics of heating systems
E Identify basic components of and the hazards associated with ‘hot work’ and the following
manufacturing processes:
F Practice proper storage and handling procedures
G Identify the fire hazards of grinding processes

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 H Identify common types of refrigeration and associated hazards
I Identify the unique hazards of semiconductor manufacturing
J Identify fire prevention housekeeping basics
K Initiate and track corrective action for life safety and fire protection deficiencies and coordinate
hazard abatement solutions with building managers, physical plant personnel, and engineering
department
L Safety Control Systems (PLC Safety Controllers, Hardwired Interlock Systems) as it applies to:
NFPA 70E, 79, 85 and 86 ANSI/ISA 84.00.01-2003 (IEC 61511) Safety Integrity Levels
1, 2 or 3

VI Facility Fire Hazard Management (10%)

A Possess knowledge of property fire insurance, building construction and/or field experience
in
performing fire/property surveys involving detailed analyses
B Be able to observe, examine, inspect, gather data and describe all aspects of a
property/building and business
C Conduct complex inspection surveys of commercial and residential properties to evaluate
physical characteristics of a property and business
D Understand and apply related NFPA standards and company requirements and standards
E Possess knowledge of fire services, environmental hazards, and building construction
F Oversee acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance and disposition of building
G systems
Manage the maintenance of building structures
H Evaluate code, law, and regulation compliance of a facility’s operations
I Develop and manage emergency preparedness procedures and assure all emergency
systems
and procedures are tested as planned
J Understand public protection class and municipal and private water systems

VII System Approaches to Property Classes (8%)

A Assess life safety as it relates to:
B Understand fire protection in special occupancies
C Understand fire protection in warehouse and storage operations
D Understand fire protection of electronic equipment

VIII Organizing for Fire and Rescue Services (5%)

A Perform pre-incident planning for industrial and commercial facilities
B Understand operations of fire loss prevention and emergency organizations
C Understand operations of emergency medical services
D Understand municipal fire prevention and code enforcement operations
E Train fire and emergency services
F Understand operations of fire department facilities and fire training facilities
G Understand operations of public emergency services communication systems
H Understand fire department apparatus and equipment
I Understand the use and function of fire and emergency services protective clothing and
protective equipment
J Evaluate fire department resources and the placement thereof

IX Materials, Products and Environments (10%)

A Understand the hazards of:
B Understand explosion prevention and protection

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 C Understand the precautionary need for various types of air-moving equipment
D Selection, operation, and maintenance of materials-handling equipment

X Detection and Alarm (10%)

A Understand operational characteristics of the modern fire alarm systems
B Understand operational characteristics and proper application of automatic fire detectors
C Understand the benefits and requirements of fire alarm systems interfaced to other systems
D Understand inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems
E Plan and administer surveillance and fire guard services for fire protection
F Provide plans review for detection and alarm systems

XI Water-Based Suppression (17%)

A Evaluate need for water distribution systems
B Provide plans review for water-based systems
C Identify and understand water supply system requirements
D Identify and understand design criteria for hydraulics for fire protection
E Determine water supply adequacy
F Identify and understand the operating principles of stationary fire pumps
G Understand fine water mist systems and their applications
H Identify and understand the operating principles of automatic sprinkler systems

XII Fire Suppression without Water (5%)

A Identify and understand halogen and direct halogen replacement agents and systems
B Provide plans review for non water-based systems
C Identify and understand the properties, proper use/application, and the limitations of carbon
dioxide extinguishing agents and application systems
D Identify and understand the properties, proper use/application, and the limitations of both dry
and wet chemical extinguishing agents and application systems
E Identify and understand the basic characteristics and applications of various foam
extinguishing agents and the methods for producing fire-fighting foam systems
F Identify and understand proper use and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers
G Identify and understand the proper extinguishing agents and application techniques for
combustible metal fires
H Care and maintenance of non water-based extinguishing systems

XIII Confining Fires (5%)

A Understand building construction elements for fire protection
B Understand the following elements of confinement of fire in buildings
C Identify and describe the structural damage factors to be evaluated after a fire
D Identify fire hazards of construction, alteration and demolition of buildings

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