PE Fire Protection Engineering Exam Prep Guide (PE FPE)

Formulas, Diagrams, Practice Exams, and Step-by-Step Solved Problems for the NCEES CBT Professional Engineer License Exam

Preparing for the NCEES PE Fire Protection Engineering Exam is one of the most demanding milestones in an engineer’s career. The exam requires a solid understanding of fire dynamics, systems design, codes, smoke movement, egress analysis, hydraulics, and the ability to solve quantitative problems quickly in a closed-book, computer-based testing environment. The PE Fire Protection Engineering Exam Prep Guide is designed to give you every tool needed to pass the exam with confidence.

This comprehensive study guide follows the exact structure of the NCEES exam blueprint and blends technical depth with exam-focused efficiency. It is written for engineers at all levels—fire protection engineers, NICET technicians looking to advance to the PE level, and engineers transitioning from mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, or related fields. Every chapter is concise, practical, and aligned with the CBT format.

Part I introduces the PE exam structure, scoring, CBT navigation, and how to use the NCEES Fire Protection Reference Handbook. You will learn how exam questions are formatted and how to manage time effectively.

Part II covers Fire Protection Analysis, including combustion fundamentals, fire dynamics, heat transfer, smoke movement, plume behavior, egress modeling, tenability thresholds, performance-based design, ASET/RSET, fire growth modeling (t² fires), and key quantitative correlations. This part builds the scientific foundation needed for solving system activation and tenability problems.

Part III covers Fire Protection Systems and includes water supply and hydraulics, sprinkler system design (NFPA 13), standpipes (NFPA 14), fire alarm and detection systems (NFPA 72), special suppression systems (clean agents, CO₂, foam, water mist), smoke control systems (NFPA 92), fire pumps (NFPA 20), explosion protection, system integration, and emergency control functions. Each chapter includes formulas, diagrams, examples, and practical exam-focused design considerations.

Part IV focuses on Fire Protection Management, including codes (IBC, IFC, NFPA 101), life safety requirements, means of egress, inspection/testing/maintenance practices, risk analysis, hazard evaluation, and fire safety planning.

Part V provides topic-based practice problems for Fire Protection Analysis, Fire Protection Systems, and Fire Protection Management. These problems reinforce critical concepts and strengthen your ability to solve exam-style questions quickly.

Part VI includes three full-length, 85-question practice exams, each written to match the difficulty, structure, and diversity of the real NCEES exam. Detailed, step-by-step solutions are included for every question to help you understand not only the correct answer but also the reasoning behind it.

Part VII contains extensive appendices including unified formula sheets, text-based diagrams compatible with the CBT environment, quick-reference tables, sprinkler/standpipe worksheets, voltage drop and battery templates, hydraulics worksheets, exam pitfalls, study plans, rapid review sheets, high-resolution system diagrams, code summaries (NFPA 13, 14, 20, 72, 92, 101), and PE exam design worksheets.

This book is intentionally designed to help you build speed, accuracy, and exam readiness. Every formula uses standardized coding for easy understanding. Every diagram is structured for CBT-friendly interpretation. Every practice question trains you to think like the exam.

Whether you are early in your preparation or nearing exam day, the PE Fire Protection Engineering Exam Prep Guide provides the clarity, structure, and depth needed to pass the PE exam on your first attempt.