Certified Fire Investigator Practice Exam

According to NFPA, which is NOT a classification of fire causes?

1. Incendiary

2. Natural

3. Mechanical

4. Accidental

The correct answer is: Mechanical

In the context of fire cause classifications outlined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the classifications of fire causes are generally categorized into several groups, including incendiary, natural, and accidental. Incendiary refers to fires that are intentionally set, natural covers fires caused by natural phenomena such as lightning, and accidental pertains to unintended fires resulting from various incidents. The classification that is not recognized by the NFPA as a standard cause of fire is mechanical. Although mechanical failures can contribute to fire incidents—for example, through faulty equipment or failures in systems that lead to ignition—mechanical itself is not typically classified as a standalone cause within NFPA guidelines. Understanding the categorization provided by the NFPA is crucial for fire investigations and reporting, as it helps ensure a standardized approach to identifying and understanding fire causes in various incidents.