CFPE test

[pipesnpumps]

Has anyone here studied for and passed NFPA's CFPE (certified fire plans examiner) test?

I would like to have this credential since that is what I do, so I was wondering what subjects I should focus on. I ordered the IFMA manual recommended by NFPA for studying, and it is REAL basic.

Is the test going to be as easy as the manual looks? If so I might just go ahead and pull the trigger and take it now. If not what areas do you recommend studying?

 

[NJ1]

I thought that you could download the list of books you need to bring to the test. They also offer a 2-3 day class prior to test. At least i know they do that for the CFPS test.

You should double check in their website just to clarify.

 

[byrnesf]

pipesnpumps,
Go to the NFPA website and click on Training. Just follow the linkls from there. The test is similar to the Fire Inspector I test.

 

[pipesnpumps]

Thanks guys. I have ordered the IFMA manual, as I said. I'm aware the test covers NFPA 1, 13, 72, and 101.

The main purpose of my post was to find out how difficult the exam is from someone how has taken it.

Let me pose the question a different way. If I regularly work with NFPA 13, 72, and 101 on plans reviews and have enough knowledge to pass the Fire Protection PE test, will the CFPE cover any material that I don't already know?

 

[byrnesf]

pipenpumps

Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the IFMA Manual?

 

[NJ1]

Oh no absolutely you be able to breeze thru the test if you are familiar with those standards. I have seen sample questions and have spoken to people I know that took the test. They also have sample questions on the NFPA website. It is not harder than NICET Level III and IV test I heard.
Good Luck with that.

 

[FFP1]

The knowledge required to obtain NICET Level III and/or NICET Level IV is not even close to the level required to pass the FPE exam (there is a HUGE difference). I know from personal experience and from discussions with others who also have passed both. Based on the comments above, the CFPE test must be relatively simple. Good Luck!

 

[pipesnpumps]

Heh, sorry I have so many acronyms running around in my head.

Not IFMA (Int'l Facilities Managers Assoc), I meant to say
IFSTA (International Fire Service Training Association) Fire Plans Examiner for Fire and Emergency Services Manual.

 

[NJ1]

IFSTA is the only book that is used for most certification involving Fire Official related certification. I remember i used it when i got my fire marshall certification in Florida.

I think it goes like this:

FPE is the hardest
NICET Level III and IV is hard
CFPE challenging but not so hard
CFPS same as CFPE

 

[Arsnman4]

Little late but I assisted in developing the pilot programs for all their certifications including writing, revising and correcting the test questions. I teach the programs also. Based on what you have indicated, you should have no problem. Make sure you have good eye sight or glasses since some of the text on the plans for the test is small in scale. Best wishes!

"Fire suppression is a failure in prevention"

 

[byrnesf]

pipesnpumps,
I definately agree with Arsnman4 about the size of the print on the plans. I took a magnifying glass with me to the exam, after my instructor advised of the problem.