Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Test

What element must be removed from the Fire Triangle to control a fire?

1. Heat

2. Oxygen

3. Fuel

4. Carbon Dioxide

The correct answer is: Fuel

To effectively control a fire, it is essential to remove the element of fuel from the Fire Triangle, which comprises heat, oxygen, and fuel. Each of these elements is necessary for combustion to occur; without one of them, a fire cannot ignite or sustain itself. Fuel refers to any combustible material that can burn, such as wood, paper, gasoline, or any other substance capable of fuel combustion. When fuel is removed, the chemical reaction that produces fire is interrupted, ultimately leading to the extinguishing of the flames. Understanding this principle is crucial for fire safety and firefighting strategies. For instance, when firefighters apply techniques such as cooling (to remove heat) or smothering (to cut off oxygen), they are usually also identifying ways to eliminate the fuel source, either by moving items away from the fire or by using materials that do not support combustion. The other choices — heat, oxygen, and carbon dioxide — play different roles in the fire behavior. Heat provides the energy needed to initiate and sustain combustion, while oxygen is essential for maintaining that combustion. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is often used in fire extinguishers as it displaces oxygen, effectively starving the fire of one of the necessary components but not directly removing