SIA Security Officer Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   In the UK, a fire extinguisher with a black label or band contains:

   • AFoam
   • BDry powder
   • CWater
   • DCarbon dioxide (CO2)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

   All extinguishers have red bodies with a coloured band: red for water, cream for foam, blue for dry powder, black for CO2 and yellow for wet chemical.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What is the standard of proof in a criminal court?

   • ABeyond reasonable doubt
   • BOn the balance of probabilities
   • CMore likely than not
   • DPossible but not certain
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Beyond reasonable doubt

   The prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Civil cases use the lower standard of the balance of probabilities.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which of these jobs needs an SIA front-line licence when done under a contract?

   • ADriving a taxi
   • BServing drinks behind a bar in a licensed nightclub
   • CDoor supervision at licensed premises
   • DCleaning offices at night
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Door supervision at licensed premises

   Door supervision, security guarding, public space surveillance (CCTV), close protection, cash and valuables in transit and key holding are licensable activities.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which is a barrier to effective communication?

   • ALoud background noise
   • BChecking the person has understood
   • CUsing simple words
   • DSpeaking clearly
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Loud background noise

   Noise, language differences, intoxication and strong emotions can all stop a message being understood.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, what is an employee's duty?

   • ATo carry out and sign every risk assessment for the site on their own each year
   • BTo write the company's safety policy
   • CTo pay for their own safety equipment
   • DTo take reasonable care of themselves and others affected by their work
   Show answer

   Answer: D. To take reasonable care of themselves and others affected by their work

   Section 7 requires employees to take reasonable care and to co-operate with their employer on health and safety.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What is the safest approach to lifting a heavy box at work?

   • AAvoid lifting if possible; if not, assess it and lift safely
   • BTwist your body while you lift
   • CLift it quickly with a bent back
   • DAlways lift alone so that no one else can be injured if you drop it
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Avoid lifting if possible; if not, assess it and lift safely

   Manual handling rules say to avoid hazardous lifting where possible, assess what cannot be avoided, and reduce the risk of injury.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You discover a fire. What should you do first?

   • AOpen all the windows
   • BCollect your belongings
   • CRaise the alarm
   • DFinish your patrol
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Raise the alarm

   Raising the alarm warns everyone and starts the evacuation. Then call the fire service and follow the site fire plan.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When should an incident report be written?

    • AOnly if a customer makes a formal complaint later
    • BAt the end of the month
    • COnly if the police ask for it
    • DAs soon as possible after the incident
    Show answer

    Answer: D. As soon as possible after the incident

    Reports written soon after an event are more accurate and carry more weight as evidence.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How many protected characteristics does the Equality Act 2010 list?

    • A5
    • B7
    • C12
    • D9
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 9

    They are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which law sets out the general duties of employers and employees for health and safety at work?

    • AThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
    • BThe Private Security Industry Act 2001
    • CThe Licensing Act 2003
    • DThe Equality Act 2010
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

    The 1974 Act places duties on employers to protect workers and others, and on employees to take reasonable care.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Under data protection law, what is "personal data"?

    • AInformation about an identifiable living person
    • BOnly a person's bank account and payment card details
    • COnly information written on paper
    • DInformation about companies only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Information about an identifiable living person

    Personal data includes names, images, CCTV footage and notes that can identify someone.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    The ADVOKATE mnemonic helps you to:

    • ARemember the order of fire extinguisher colours
    • BPlan a patrol route
    • CFill in a licence application
    • DRecord the details of what a witness saw
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Record the details of what a witness saw

    ADVOKATE stands for Amount of time, Distance, Visibility, Obstruction, Known or seen before, Any reason to remember, Time lapse and Errors.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Under section 24A of PACE, when may a non-police officer make an arrest?

    • AWhen a police officer cannot reasonably make the arrest instead and it is necessary for a listed reason
    • BOnly with the written permission of the venue manager or the client who employs them
    • COnly after a court has issued a warrant
    • DWhenever they feel like it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When a police officer cannot reasonably make the arrest instead and it is necessary for a listed reason

    The arrest must be necessary, for example to stop the person causing injury or damage or making off, and it must not be reasonably practicable for a constable to do it.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Before taking door supervisor or security officer licence training for the first time, what must a learner hold?

    • AA full UK driving licence
    • BA firearms certificate
    • CA personal licence to sell alcohol from the local council
    • DA valid first aid or emergency first aid certificate
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A valid first aid or emergency first aid certificate

    The SIA requires learners to hold a first aid certificate that is valid for at least 12 months from the start of the course.

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 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    In radio procedure, what does "over" mean?

    • AThe conversation has now ended
    • BThis is an emergency message
    • CPlease repeat your last message more slowly and clearly
    • DI have finished speaking and am waiting for your reply
    Show answer

    Answer: D. I have finished speaking and am waiting for your reply

    "Over" passes the turn to the other person. "Out" means the conversation has ended.

23. Question 23 of 25

    In Scotland, what is the legal basis for an arrest by a private citizen?

    • ASection 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
    • BThe Data Protection Act 2018
    • CCommon law
    • DThe Licensing Act 2003
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Common law

    PACE does not apply in Scotland. A citizen's arrest there is based on common law, generally for a serious crime the person has seen being committed.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What colour are safe condition signs, such as fire exit and first aid signs?

    • AYellow
    • BRed
    • CBlue
    • DGreen
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Green

    Green signs show escape routes, emergency exits and first aid equipment.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is a risk assessment?

    • AA test of how fast an operative can run
    • BA list of customers banned from a venue
    • CA report written only after an accident has already happened on site, for insurers
    • DA careful look at what could cause harm and what precautions are needed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A careful look at what could cause harm and what precautions are needed

    Employers must assess risks so they can remove hazards or reduce them as far as reasonably practicable.

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

The real test: 70% in each multiple-choice exam (72 questions and 60 questions)