Prepare for your firefighter exam with our comprehensive written practice quiz. Test your knowledge and skills through engaging multiple-choice questions designed to reflect the actual exam format. Build confidence and enhance your test-taking skills as you approach your exam day!

Practice this question and more.


What percentage of normal air is composed of oxygen?

  1. 16%

  2. 21%

  3. 25%

  4. 30%

The correct answer is: 21%

Normal air is composed of approximately 21% oxygen, which is essential for supporting combustion and is crucial for the respiratory needs of most living organisms. This percentage allows for sufficient oxygen for fire to exist and thrive while also being safe for humans and other aerobic life forms to breathe. Understanding the composition of air is vital for firefighters when they analyze fire behavior and dynamics. The right concentration of oxygen not only influences how a fire burns but also impacts the tactics used to control and extinguish flames. The notion that air contains about 21% oxygen is a fundamental fact in fire science and is widely accepted in various safety and health disciplines. Recognizing this composition helps firefighters make informed decisions about ventilation and fire suppression strategies.