BFP Entrance Exam BFP Knowledge — Fire Prevention & Firefighting FundamentalsCheat Sheet
Cheat sheet for BFP Entrance Exam BFP Knowledge — Fire Prevention & Firefighting Fundamentals. Compact, printable, and organised around the concepts Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) tests most frequently in the BFP Entrance Exam 2026. Perfect for the week before exam day.
Exam context
The Bureau of Fire Protection Entrance Examination is conducted by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and is scheduled for Announced by BFP per cycle. The BFP Knowledge subtest is marked as "Core" in the official pattern, and Fire Prevention & Firefighting Fundamentals appears in position 2nd of 3 in the BFP Entrance Exam BFP Knowledge review rotation. Passing mark: BFP-set percentile (typically 70%+). Recent BFP Entrance Exam 2026 papers have drawn roughly a meaningful share of questions from this subject.
Fire Prevention & Firefighting Fundamentals - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering fire science and firefighting fundamentals for the BFP entrance exam.
Sections
Common Values
Value
21%
Symbol
O₂
Quantity
Oxygen in air
Section Title
Fire Tetrahedron & Fire Science
Important Facts
- Remove any one element of fire tetrahedron to extinguish fire
- Air contains approximately 21% oxygen at standard conditions
- Fire requires continuous fuel supply to maintain combustion
- Chemical chain reaction sustains fire once started
Key Definitions
Term
Fire Tetrahedron
Example
Remove any one element and fire dies
Definition
Four elements needed for fire: fuel, heat, oxygen, and chemical chain reaction
Term
Combustion
Example
Wood burning in campfire
Definition
Chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen producing heat and light
Term
Ignition Temperature
Example
Paper ignites at 451°F
Definition
Minimum temperature at which a material will ignite and sustain combustion
Diagrams To Know
- Fire tetrahedron diagram
- Heat transfer modes illustration
Section Title
Fire Stages & Development
Important Facts
- Early detection during incipient stage saves lives and property
- Growth stage is most critical for firefighter response time
- Fully developed stage poses highest risk to firefighters
- Decay stage risks backdraft if oxygen suddenly introduced
Key Definitions
Term
Incipient Stage
Example
Small trash can fire
Definition
Initial fire stage with limited fuel involvement, easily extinguished
Term
Growth Stage
Example
Fire spreading from room to room
Definition
Fire spreads rapidly, heat builds, temperature rises
Term
Fully Developed Stage
Example
House fully engulfed in flames
Definition
Maximum heat release, all available fuel burning
Term
Decay Stage
Example
Smoldering remains after main fire
Definition
Fuel exhausted, heat decreases, risk of backdraft
Diagrams To Know
- Fire development curve
- Temperature vs time graph
Section Title
Heat Transfer Methods
Important Facts
- Convection causes fire to spread upward naturally
- Conduction transfers heat through building materials
- Radiation can ignite materials at distance
- All three methods work simultaneously in fires
Key Definitions
Term
Conduction
Example
Metal beam conducting heat to adjacent room
Definition
Heat transfer through direct contact in solids
Term
Convection
Example
Hot smoke rising through stairwell
Definition
Heat transfer through movement of hot gases and liquids
Term
Radiation
Example
Heat from fire felt on face from distance
Definition
Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves without contact
Diagrams To Know
- Heat transfer modes diagram
- Fire spread patterns
Section Title
Fire Classifications & Extinguishers
Important Facts
- NEVER use water on Class B, C, or D fires
- Water extinguisher only for Class A fires
- ABC powder works on Classes A, B, and C
- CO₂ extinguisher for Classes B and C
- Wet chemical for Class K kitchen fires
Key Definitions
Term
Class A Fire
Example
House fire, paper fire
Definition
Ordinary combustibles: wood, paper, cloth, rubber
Term
Class B Fire
Example
Gas station fire, oil spill fire
Definition
Flammable liquids and gases: gasoline, oil, propane
Term
Class C Fire
Example
Electrical panel fire, appliance fire
Definition
Energized electrical equipment
Term
Class D Fire
Example
Industrial metal fire
Definition
Combustible metals: magnesium, sodium
Term
Class K Fire
Example
Kitchen grease fire
Definition
Cooking oils and fats
Diagrams To Know
- Fire classification chart
- Extinguisher selection guide
Section Title
PASS Technique & Extinguisher Use
Important Facts
- Pull the pin to activate extinguisher
- Aim at BASE of fire, not flames
- Squeeze handle to discharge
- Sweep side to side to cover fire area
- Stand 6-8 feet from fire
- Have escape route behind you
Key Definitions
Term
PASS Technique
Example
Standard fire extinguisher operation
Definition
Pull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side
Diagrams To Know
- PASS technique steps
- Proper extinguisher stance
Section Title
Fire Prevention & Common Causes
Important Facts
- Faulty electrical wiring - #1 cause in Philippines
- Unattended cooking - #2 cause in Philippines
- Lit cigarettes - #3 cause in Philippines
- Install smoke detectors on every floor
- Plan two escape routes from every room
- Never overload electrical outlets
- Keep flammables away from heat sources
Key Definitions
Term
Fire Prevention
Example
Regular electrical inspections, proper storage
Definition
Proactive measures to eliminate fire hazards before ignition occurs
Diagrams To Know
- Home fire safety checklist
- Escape route planning
Section Title
Firefighting Hazards & PPE
Important Facts
- Structural PPE: helmet, hood, coat, pants, gloves, boots, SCBA
- PASS device sounds alarm if firefighter motionless
- Toxic gases: CO, HCN, particulates
- Steam burns from water on hot surfaces
- Structural collapse from fire damage
- Never work alone on fireground
Key Definitions
Term
Backdraft
Example
Opening door to smoldering room
Definition
Violent reignition when oxygen introduced to oxygen-starved fire
Term
Flashover
Example
Room temperature reaches 1000°F
Definition
Simultaneous ignition of all combustibles in room
Term
SCBA
Example
Air tank and mask system
Definition
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for respiratory protection
Diagrams To Know
- Complete PPE ensemble
- Fire hazard recognition signs
Section Title
Fire Apparatus & Equipment
Important Facts
- Engine carries water, pump, hoses, nozzles
- Ladder truck has aerial ladder and rescue tools
- Rescue truck has specialized extrication equipment
- Brush trucks for wildland fires
- HazMat units for chemical emergencies
Key Definitions
Term
Engine (Pumper)
Example
Primary firefighting vehicle
Definition
Fire truck with water tank, pump, and hoses
Term
Ladder Truck
Example
High-rise operations
Definition
Aerial apparatus for rescue and ventilation
Term
Tanker
Example
Rural firefighting
Definition
Large water capacity truck for areas without hydrants
Diagrams To Know
- Fire apparatus types
- Equipment layout diagrams
Must Remember
- Fire tetrahedron: fuel, heat, oxygen, chemical chain reaction
- PASS technique: Pull, Aim at base, Squeeze, Sweep
- NEVER use water on Class B, C, or D fires
- Top 3 fire causes in PH: electrical, cooking, cigarettes
- Backdraft occurs when oxygen enters oxygen-starved fire
- Flashover is simultaneous ignition of all room contents
- Heat transfer: conduction (solids), convection (gases), radiation (waves)
- Complete structural PPE includes SCBA and PASS device
- Fire prevention better than firefighting
- Plan two escape routes from every room
Last Minute Tips
- Memorize fire class symbols and matching extinguishers - commonly tested
- Know the difference between backdraft and flashover - both are deadly
- Remember PASS acronym order - exam favorites are aim at BASE not flames
- Philippine fire causes are electrical #1, cooking #2, cigarettes #3
- Fire tetrahedron questions: remove ANY element stops fire
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Ordinary combustibles
- Water, Foam, ABC powder
- None specific
Property
Class A
Values
- Flammable liquids/gases
- Foam, CO₂, ABC powder
- Water
Property
Class B
Values
- Electrical equipment
- CO₂, ABC powder
- Water, Foam
Property
Class C
Values
- Combustible metals
- Special D powder
- Water, CO₂
Property
Class D
Values
- Cooking oils/fats
- Wet chemical
- Water
Property
Class K
Columns
- Fire Class
- Fuel Type
- Extinguisher
- Never Use
Table Title
Fire Classes vs Extinguisher Types
Rows
Values
- Small, limited fuel
- Low
- Easy suppression
Property
Incipient
Values
- Rapid spread, heat building
- Medium
- Critical response time
Property
Growth
Values
- Maximum heat release
- High
- Defensive operations
Property
Fully Developed
Values
- Fuel exhausted
- Medium
- Backdraft risk
Property
Decay
Columns
- Stage
- Characteristics
- Danger Level
- Response
Table Title
Fire Stages Comparison
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