SIA Door Supervisor Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which is one of the data protection principles under the UK GDPR?

   • APersonal data must be kept no longer than necessary
   • BPersonal data must be kept forever in case it is useful
   • CPersonal data must always be published online
   • DPersonal data may be shared with anyone who asks
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Personal data must be kept no longer than necessary

   The principles include lawfulness, fairness and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, security, and accountability.

2. Question 2 of 25

   An incident report should contain:

   • AYour honest opinions about the people involved
   • BFacts: who, what, when, where, why and how
   • COnly the parts that make you look good
   • DGuesses about what might have happened
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Facts: who, what, when, where, why and how

   A good report is factual, clear and complete. It may be used by the police, the courts or insurers.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Why should fire doors be kept closed?

   • ATo slow the spread of fire and smoke
   • BTo make patrols quicker
   • CTo keep the building warm in winter
   • DTo stop customers seeing into the kitchen and staff areas
   Show answer

   Answer: A. To slow the spread of fire and smoke

   Fire doors hold back fire and smoke so people have time to escape. Wedging them open defeats their purpose.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What is the minimum age to hold an SIA front-line licence?

   • A21
   • B17
   • C16
   • D18
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 18

   You must be 18 or over to apply for an SIA licence.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does a blue circular safety sign mean?

   • ASomething you must do, such as wear protective equipment
   • BA warning of danger
   • CSomething you must not do, such as smoking or using a mobile phone
   • DThe location of an emergency exit
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Something you must do, such as wear protective equipment

   Blue signs are mandatory. Red signs show prohibitions or fire equipment, yellow signs warn of hazards, and green signs show safe conditions such as escape routes.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which group of people is most likely to be vulnerable at a venue?

   • AA staff member finishing a shift
   • BA sober person waiting for a lift with a partner
   • CSomeone very drunk and alone
   • DA group of friends leaving together by taxi
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Someone very drunk and alone

   Vulnerability can come from alcohol or drugs, being alone, age, mental health or being targeted by others.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does RIDDOR require?

   • ARegistering every CCTV camera on site with the local police force each year
   • BReporting certain serious injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences
   • CRecording every customer who enters a building
   • DRenewing an SIA licence every year
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Reporting certain serious injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences

   The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 require certain incidents to be reported, usually to the HSE.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does "invacuation" mean?

   • AMoving everyone outside to the assembly point as fast as possible
   • BRefusing entry to new customers only
   • CClosing the venue for good
   • DMoving people to a safer place inside the building
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Moving people to a safer place inside the building

   Invacuation may be safer than evacuation if the danger is outside, such as an attack or a hazardous release.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What is one of the SIA's main functions?

   • ATraining police officers
   • BIssuing alcohol licences to pubs and clubs
   • CLicensing individuals who work in designated security activities
   • DProsecuting all crimes committed in licensed premises across the UK
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Licensing individuals who work in designated security activities

   The SIA licenses individuals, runs the Approved Contractor Scheme and works to raise standards in the industry.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which extinguisher is suitable for a fire in electrical equipment?

    • AWet chemical
    • BWater
    • CA bucket of sand on live wiring with the power still on
    • DCarbon dioxide (CO2)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

    CO2 does not conduct electricity and leaves no residue. Never use water on electrical fires.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Under section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, what is an offence?

    • ACarrying out licensable conduct without a valid SIA licence
    • BWorking as a security officer for more than one company in the same week
    • CFailing to pass a fitness test
    • DRefusing to work overtime
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Carrying out licensable conduct without a valid SIA licence

    It is a criminal offence to engage in licensable conduct without a licence. It can lead to up to 6 months in prison, a fine, or both.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How much force may be used to make a lawful arrest?

    • AAny force at all, because the arrest itself is lawful
    • BTwice the force the other person uses
    • COnly reasonable, necessary and proportionate force
    • DNo force at all in any situation
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only reasonable, necessary and proportionate force

    The law allows reasonable force in preventing crime or making a lawful arrest. Excessive force can be an assault.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What number can be used to call the emergency services in the UK?

    • A999 or 112
    • B101 only
    • C111 only
    • D911 only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 999 or 112

    Both 999 and 112 reach the emergency services. 101 is for non-emergency police matters and 111 for non-emergency medical advice.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which government department is the SIA accountable to?

    • AThe Ministry of Defence
    • BThe Department for Education
    • CThe Home Office
    • DThe Department for Transport
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Home Office

    The SIA is a non-departmental public body accountable to the Home Secretary.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How long is a front-line SIA licence for security guarding, door supervision or CCTV usually valid?

    • A5 years
    • B10 years
    • C3 years
    • D1 year
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 3 years

    Front-line licences in these sectors last three years, after which you must apply to renew.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which class of fire involves cooking oils and fats?

    • AClass D
    • BClass F
    • CClass B
    • DClass A
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Class F

    Class F fires involve cooking oils and fats, such as in a deep fat fryer. A wet chemical extinguisher is used on them.

17. Question 17 of 25

    During an evacuation, what is a security operative's role?

    • ALock the fire exits behind people
    • BLet people go back for their coats and bags if the fire seems small and far away
    • CUse the lifts to move people out faster
    • DHelp people leave calmly by the nearest safe exit and go to the assembly point
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Help people leave calmly by the nearest safe exit and go to the assembly point

    Operatives guide people out, check areas if safe to do so, and report anyone missing to the fire service.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which is a rule for keeping a pocket notebook?

    • AWrite in pencil so it can be changed
    • BMake entries in time order and leave no blank spaces
    • CRemove pages you no longer need
    • DLeave gaps between entries so you can add details later
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Make entries in time order and leave no blank spaces

    Entries should be in order, in ink, with no gaps or torn-out pages, so nothing can be added later.

19. Question 19 of 25

    In Northern Ireland, which law gives private persons a power of arrest similar to section 24A of PACE?

    • AThe Licensing Act 2003
    • BThe Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
    • CThe Equality Act 2010
    • DThe Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

    Article 26A of the PACE (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 gives a power similar to section 24A in England and Wales.

20. Question 20 of 25

    In the HOT principle for unattended items, what does the H stand for?

    • AHidden
    • BHarmless
    • CHeavy
    • DHot to touch
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hidden

    HOT asks whether the item is Hidden, Obviously suspicious, and not Typical of what you would expect in that place.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What colour band is on a foam extinguisher?

    • ACream
    • BYellow
    • CBlack
    • DBlue
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Cream

    Foam extinguishers have a cream band. They are used on Class A and Class B fires.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does the SIA check before granting a licence?

    • AIdentity, criminal record and the right training qualification
    • BOnly the applicant's height and weight
    • COnly whether the applicant owns a car
    • DOnly the applicant's school grades, work history and references
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Identity, criminal record and the right training qualification

    The SIA's licence criteria include identity checks, a criminality check, the right to work in the UK and the relevant licence-linked qualification.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which law covers fire safety in most non-domestic premises in England and Wales?

    • AThe Licensing Act 2003
    • BThe Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
    • CThe Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
    • DThe Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

    The Fire Safety Order applies in England and Wales. Scotland has the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, and Northern Ireland has its own fire safety laws.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What can the SIA do if a licence holder no longer meets the licensing criteria?

    • ANothing until the licence expires
    • BIncrease the holder's pay
    • COnly send a thank-you letter
    • DSuspend or revoke the licence
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Suspend or revoke the licence

    The SIA can suspend or revoke licences, for example after a serious conviction, to protect the public.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the main difference between criminal law and civil law?

    • ACriminal law only covers minor matters; civil law covers serious crimes
    • BCriminal law deals with offences against the state; civil law deals with disputes between people or organisations
    • CThere is no difference
    • DCivil law is only used in Scotland
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Criminal law deals with offences against the state; civil law deals with disputes between people or organisations

    Criminal cases can lead to punishment such as prison. Civil cases usually end with compensation or a court order.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 70% in each main multiple-choice exam (72 questions and 50 questions); 80% in the physical intervention exam