Northwest Territories Fire Watch Course 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is the main territorial fire law in the Northwest Territories?

   • AThe Fire Prevention Act
   • BThe Safety Codes Act
   • CThe Fire Services Act of Canada
   • DThe Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The Fire Prevention Act

   The NWT's fire law is the Fire Prevention Act. It creates the Fire Marshal's office and sets out inspections, orders and exit rules.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Under the Fire Prevention Act, where does the NWT Fire Marshal have jurisdiction?

   • AOnly in Yellowknife
   • BOnly on territorial government property
   • COnly in communities without a fire department
   • DThroughout the Northwest Territories
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Throughout the Northwest Territories

   Section 4(1) of the Act says the Fire Marshal has jurisdiction throughout the Northwest Territories.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Who appoints the NWT Fire Marshal under the Fire Prevention Act?

   • AThe RCMP
   • BThe Minister
   • CThe building owner
   • DThe local fire chief
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The Minister

   Section 2 says the Minister may appoint a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshals and Assistant Fire Marshals.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which edition of the National Fire Code of Canada has the NWT used since October 1, 2024?

   • A2010
   • B2020
   • C2015
   • D2005
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 2020

   Regulation R-087-2024 amended the Fire Prevention Regulations to adopt the National Fire Code of Canada 2020, in force October 1, 2024.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which building code did the NWT adopt along with the 2020 National Fire Code?

   • ANo building code applies in the NWT
   • BThe International Building Code
   • CThe Ontario Building Code
   • DThe National Building Code of Canada 2020
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The National Building Code of Canada 2020

   R-087-2024 replaced the 2015 editions with the National Building Code of Canada 2020 and the National Fire Code of Canada 2020.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Under the NWT Fire Prevention Regulations, who is the authority having jurisdiction for the adopted codes?

   • AThe insurance company
   • BThe Fire Marshal
   • CThe WSCC
   • DThe building's security company
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The Fire Marshal

   The regulations name the Fire Marshal as the authority having jurisdiction under the adopted codes.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Under section 5 of the Fire Prevention Act, who is a local assistant to the Fire Marshal by virtue of their job?

   • AA WSCC claims officer for the area
   • BThe chief or acting chief of a municipal fire department
   • CAny building manager or property owner
   • DAny security supervisor on duty at the site
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The chief or acting chief of a municipal fire department

   Section 5 makes the chief or acting chief of a municipal fire department a local assistant. Where there is no fire department, the senior administrative officer or a council-appointed employee fills the role.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under the Fire Prevention Act, who has all the powers of a local assistant while on duty in the NWT?

   • AA security guard on fire watch
   • BA licensed electrician
   • CA municipal bylaw officer
   • DAn RCMP member
   Show answer

   Answer: D. An RCMP member

   Section 5(4) gives an RCMP member on duty in the NWT all the powers of a local assistant.

9. Question 9 of 25

   When may fire officials inspect a building under section 11 of the Fire Prevention Act?

   • AOn a complaint or on their own, at any reasonable hour
   • BOnly once a year, on a date set in January
   • COnly with a court warrant signed by a judge
   • DOnly when the owner invites them in writing
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On a complaint or on their own, at any reasonable hour

   Section 11 lets the Fire Marshal, deputies, assistants and local assistants inspect on a complaint or on their own initiative, at any reasonable hour.

10. Question 10 of 25

    A fire official gives the owner a written order to fix a fire hazard. Under section 12(2), what must every such order state?

    • ANothing; orders are always verbal
    • BThe fine for the guard on duty
    • CThe date by which it must be complied with
    • DThe name of the building's insurer
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The date by which it must be complied with

    Section 12(2) of the Fire Prevention Act says every order must state the date by which it must be complied with.

11. Question 11 of 25

    There is a danger to public safety from poor exits or flammable material. What may the Fire Marshal, a Deputy or an Assistant order under section 13?

    • AClose the building to the public until it is fixed
    • BHave the RCMP arrest the owner on the spot
    • CSell the building to pay for the repairs
    • DFire the guard who was on duty at the time
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Close the building to the public until it is fixed

    Section 13 allows an order closing the structure to the public until the order to fix the danger is satisfied.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Under section 18, which way must the outside and main inside doors open in a school, church or other public place with seating for more than 50 people?

    • AInward only
    • BFreely outward
    • CEither way, as the owner chooses
    • DThey must slide sideways
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Freely outward

    Section 18(1) requires these doors in theatres, dance halls, rinks, churches, schools and similar public places to open freely outward.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A manager at a community hall asks you to padlock an exit door during a public event to stop people sneaking in. What does section 18 of the Fire Prevention Act say?

    • AIt is allowed if an exit sign is posted beside it
    • BIt is allowed as long as a guard stands at the door
    • CIt is allowed for events shorter than four hours
    • DDuring public use, they may be locked only with panic hardware
    Show answer

    Answer: D. During public use, they may be locked only with panic hardware

    Section 18(1) says the doors may not be locked during public use except with standard panic hardware. Refuse and report the request.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What emergency numbers does the City of Yellowknife Fire Division list?

    • AOnly 3-1-1
    • BOnly the WSCC line
    • C9-1-1 or 873-2222
    • DThe building manager's cell phone
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 9-1-1 or 873-2222

    The City of Yellowknife lists 9-1-1 or the Fire Division emergency line, 873-2222.

15. Question 15 of 25

    In Yellowknife, you see a "Local Alarm Only" sign at a pull station. What does it mean?

    • AThe pull station is out of service until repaired
    • BThe alarm calls the Fire Division automatically
    • COnly building staff are allowed to pull the alarm
    • DThe alarm is not monitored, so someone must call it in
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The alarm is not monitored, so someone must call it in

    Yellowknife Fire Division says a Local Alarm Only sign means the system is not monitored. Leave the building and call 9-1-1 or 873-2222.

16. Question 16 of 25

    A monitored alarm activates in a Yellowknife building and you know it was caused by burnt toast. What does the Fire Division advise?

    • AReset the alarm panel yourself and say nothing
    • BLeave the site without telling anyone what happened
    • CCall the emergency line and pass on what you know
    • DWait until the next day and put it in a report
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Call the emergency line and pass on what you know

    The monitoring company calls the Fire Division, but anyone with information about the fire or false alarm should call the emergency line so crews are updated.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You smell smoke from an apartment suite in Yellowknife and no one answers your knock. What does the Fire Division advise?

    • APull the station, leave and call with the suite number
    • BWait an hour, then knock on the door again
    • CLeave a note on the door and continue your patrol
    • DForce the door open and search the suite alone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pull the station, leave and call with the suite number

    Suites are not connected to the building alarm. If no one responds, pull the station, leave and call 9-1-1 or 873-2222 with the building, address and suite number.

18. Question 18 of 25

    On a night patrol near the edge of town, you see smoke rising from the bush. Which line does the City of Yellowknife list for reporting it?

    • AThe Fire Marshal's plan review office
    • BThe city's parking line
    • CThe WSCC incident line
    • DThe Forest Fire Hotline, 1-877-698-3473
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Forest Fire Hotline, 1-877-698-3473

    The City of Yellowknife lists the Forest Fire Hotline, 1-877-698-3473. Call 9-1-1 if people or buildings are in danger.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Under section 7 of the Fire Prevention Act, what must a local assistant do after a fire damages property in their area?

    • ADo nothing unless someone was hurt in the fire
    • BInvestigate whether it was carelessness, accident or design
    • CClose every business in the community for a week
    • DOrder the owner to hire a security guard for a year
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Investigate whether it was carelessness, accident or design

    Section 7(1) requires local assistants to investigate fires that destroy or damage property to find the cause, and to tell the Fire Marshal if a fire seems deliberate.

20. Question 20 of 25

    If the Fire Marshal believes there is enough evidence to charge arson, who must they report to under section 9?

    • AThe local newspaper
    • BThe nearest RCMP detachment
    • CThe security company
    • DThe building's insurer only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The nearest RCMP detachment

    Section 9 says the Fire Marshal must report to the nearest RCMP detachment. Guards help by protecting the scene and keeping good notes.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Under section 18 of the NWT Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, what must the employer train workers in?

    • AHow to repair and recharge sprinkler systems
    • BEmergency procedures, including what to do in a fire
    • CHow to investigate fires and collect evidence
    • DHow to write changes to the National Fire Code
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Emergency procedures, including what to do in a fire

    Section 18(2) requires training in emergency procedures, including fire, and in where first aid supplies and facilities are.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Where do the site-specific details of a fire watch, such as patrol frequency and who must be told, come from in the NWT?

    • AFrom the alarm company's sales staff
    • BFrom the guard's own judgment only
    • CFrom the Fire Prevention Act, which lists them for every building
    • DFrom the fire safety plan, the fire authority and your post orders
    Show answer

    Answer: D. From the fire safety plan, the fire authority and your post orders

    The Fire Prevention Act does not list fire watch steps. The National Fire Code it adopts covers impaired systems and hot work, and the details come from the fire safety plan, the Fire Marshal or local fire department, and your post orders.

23. Question 23 of 25

    When is a fire watch most often needed?

    • AOnly after a fire has been put out by firefighters
    • BWhen the fire alarm or sprinklers are out of service
    • CWhen the elevators are shut down for servicing
    • DWhen the building is closed for a long holiday
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When the fire alarm or sprinklers are out of service

    A fire watch is a temporary measure used while fire protection systems are impaired or while hot work such as welding is done.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You find a small fire during a fire watch while the alarm system is out. What should you do first?

    • AOpen the windows to let the smoke out
    • BFinish your round first, then report the fire
    • CTake photos of the fire for your log book
    • DWarn people nearby and raise the alarm
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Warn people nearby and raise the alarm

    Your first job is to warn people. Then leave the area, call 9-1-1 from a safe place, and fight the fire only if it is small and you are trained and have a way out.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What should a fire watch log entry include for each round?

    • AOnly problems you found, never the normal rounds
    • BThe weather forecast and the outside temperature
    • CTimes, areas checked, what you found and what you did
    • DOnly your initials and the date of the shift
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Times, areas checked, what you found and what you did

    A complete log shows every round with times, areas checked, findings and actions. It may be read by the fire authority, your employer or a court.

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