Cooperative Personnel Services Firefighter (CPS) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Firefighter Exam Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

What elements compose the fire triangle?

Heat, Light, Smoke

Fuel, Heat, Oxygen

The fire triangle consists of three essential elements: fuel, heat, and oxygen. Each of these components is necessary for combustion to occur, which is the chemical process that produces fire.

Fuel refers to any combustible material, whether solid, liquid, or gas, that can ignite and burn. Heat is the energy source that raises the fuel to its ignition temperature, enabling it to catch fire. Oxygen is the oxidizing agent in the combustion process, typically derived from the air, which is about 21% oxygen.

Without any one of these elements, a fire cannot start or will be extinguished. For example, removing the fuel means there's nothing to burn, while eliminating heat prevents ignition, and reducing oxygen levels below approximately 16% inhibits combustion. Understanding the fire triangle is fundamental for fire prevention and firefighting strategies, as it helps guide effective approaches to control and extinguish fires.

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Water, Air, Fuel

Smoke, Heat, Water

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