PSIRA Security Officer Grade D Exam (South Africa)

What is the primary purpose of access control at a security checkpoint?

• ATo welcome visitors and act as a receptionist
• BTo prevent unauthorized entry and ensure only approved people and vehicles enter
• CTo search everyone who leaves the premises for stolen property
• DTo record the personal details of company employees only

When a visitor arrives at the gate, what is the first action a Grade D security officer should take?

• ASearch the visitor's vehicle thoroughly immediately
• BGreet the visitor politely and ask for their identity document and reason for the visit
• CAllow the visitor to pass through and register later
• DCall the police to verify the visitor's credentials

Which of the following is considered an physical access control barrier?

• AA visitor register book
• BA handheld two-way radio
• CA perimeter fence with a locked turnstile gate
• DA security patrol checklist

What information MUST be recorded in the Visitor Register Book for access control?

• AThe visitor's home address, physical height, and eye color
• BThe visitor's full name, ID number, vehicle registration, and person they are visiting
• CThe visitor's salary details and employment history
• DOnly the visitor's first name and arrival time

What does the term 'Tailgating' mean in access control?

• ADriving a patrol vehicle too close to another security car
• BFollowing an authorized person through a secured gate or door without scanning a badge
• CHaving a social gathering or braai near the gatehouse
• DSearching the boot (trunk) of a car at the egress point

If a visitor refuses to sign the visitor register or show their ID, what should the Grade D officer do?

• ALet them in anyway to avoid an argument
• BRefuse them entry and explain politely that registration is a mandatory security requirem…
• CArrest the visitor immediately for non-compliance
• DConfiscate the visitor's driver's license

Which of the following is an example of an biometric access control system?

• AA mechanical padlock and key
• BA proximity card reader
• CA fingerprint or retina scanner
• DA combination lock code pad

What is the primary responsibility of a security officer at a vehicle access control point?

• ATo check vehicles for roadworthiness and issue traffic fines
• BTo verify driver authorization, check delivery notes, log vehicle details, and perform re…
• CTo wash the vehicles of executives and visitors
• DTo direct traffic on public roads outside the property

What is an 'Access Card' or 'Badge' used for?

• ATo identify an employee and electronically unlock authorized doors or gates
• BTo pay for lunch at the staff canteen
• CTo show that the officer has completed their firearm training
• DTo record patrol routes on the guard monitoring system

Under what circumstance may a Grade D security officer leave their access control gate unmanned?

• AWhen they need to buy lunch down the road
• BOnly when they have been properly relieved by another security officer
• CWhen there are no visitors arriving for more than 30 minutes
• DIf they need to go to sleep during a night shift

What is the key control register used for at a security station?

• ATo list the names of visitors who drive cars
• BTo record who issued, received, and returned keys, and at what times
• CTo hold spare duplicate keys that are never used
• DTo register the lock combination codes of all safes

What does 'Egress' mean in security terms?

• AThe process of entering a secure area
• BThe process of leaving or exiting an area
• CConducting a search of a female visitor
• DA report written about a fence breach

What is the best way to handle a delivery truck arriving at the gate with no paperwork or delivery note?

• ALet the truck enter and assume the paperwork will arrive later
• BInstruct the driver to wait outside the gate, contact the receiving department to verify…
• CArrest the driver for delivering goods without authorization
• DConfiscate the delivery goods and store them in the gatehouse

Why should a security officer check the seal number on a delivery container truck entering or leaving a site?

• ATo see if the seal is made of high-quality plastic or metal
• BTo ensure the cargo seal is intact and matches the number on the delivery documents, prev…
• CTo check if the seal matches the truck's engine number
• DTo determine if the driver has paid their toll gate fees

Which register is specifically used to record the movement of company assets leaving the premises?

• AThe Visitor Register Book
• BThe Asset Removal Register (or Goods Outward Book)
• CThe Guard Shift Handover Logbook
• DThe Occurrence Book (OB)

What is the primary role of a 'turnstile' gate in access control?

• ATo allow vehicles to drive through slowly
• BTo restrict entry to one person at a time, preventing large crowds or tailgating
• CTo measure the body temperature of people entering
• DTo scan bags for explosive materials

If a permanent employee forgets their access card, what access protocol should the Grade D officer follow?

• ALet them pass because the officer knows their face
• BRegister them as a visitor, verify their employment status, and issue a temporary day pass
• CSend the employee back home to fetch the card immediately
• DRefuse them entry and tell them they are fired

Which of the following is considered an 'access control point'?

• AA guardroom gate, a reception desk, or a loading bay entry barrier
• BA patrol path along a fence line
• CA locker room where guards change clothes
• DAn off-site security company head office

Why is perimeter lighting important for access control and site security?

• ATo keep the security guards warm during winter nights
• BTo illuminate boundaries, deter intruders, and help security detect unauthorized movement
• CTo save electricity by replacing interior gatehouse lights
• DTo attract birds and wildlife to the property line

What is the primary risk of leaving keys in locks or hanging in an open key cabinet at a security gatehouse?

• AThe keys might get rusty from humidity
• BUnauthorized persons could easily copy or steal the keys, compromising the site's security
• COther guards might use them to unlock their lockers
• DIt makes the gatehouse look untidy to visitors

What is the legal basis for a private security officer to search a person entering a private property?

• APrivate security officers have the same search powers as police officers in all public sp…
• BThe owner of the private property sets search compliance as a condition of entry, which t…
• CSouth African law allows private security officers to search anyone on public roads
• DThe PSIRA Act gives guards the power to search anyone without their consent

When conducting a physical body search (pat-down) on a female visitor, who is legally allowed to perform the search?

• AAny male security officer on duty
• BOnly a female security officer or a designated female staff member
• CThe male shift supervisor only
• DAny security officer, regardless of gender, as long as they wear gloves

What is the correct procedure for searching a vehicle at an egress checkpoint?

• AOnly look at the driver's license and let them pass
• BAsk the driver to open the boot (trunk), bonnet, and cabin doors, and inspect them while…
• CReach inside the driver's pockets while they are sitting in the vehicle
• DSearch only the glove compartment and ignore the boot

When searching a visitor's bag, what is the safest method for the security officer to avoid injury from sharp objects?

• AReach deep inside the bag with bare hands and feel around
• BAsk the visitor to open the bag, move the items around themselves, or use a search torch/…
• CTurn the bag upside down and dump all contents onto the floor
• DPut on thin woolen gloves and reach inside the bag blindly

What should a Grade D officer do if they discover suspected stolen company property in an employee's bag during an egress search?

• ALet the employee take the property but warn them not to do it again
• BSecure the property, detain the suspect, log the incident in the Occurrence Book, and inf…
• CConfront the employee and demand a cash bribe to overlook the incident
• DThrow the stolen property away and forget about the incident

What is the main function of a handheld metal detector (HHMD) at an access point?

• ATo detect stolen plastic cards or paper money
• BTo locate concealed metallic items, such as knives or firearms, on a person
• CTo measure the weight of the visitor's bag
• DTo scan the barcode on employee identity cards

When using a handheld metal detector, how far should the wand be held from the person's body?

• AIt should be rubbed firmly against the skin
• BApproximately 2 to 5 centimeters away from the body without touching the person
• CAt least 1 meter away from the person to prevent radiation
• DInside the person's pockets

If an HHMD triggers an alarm beep while scanning a person's waist, what is the next step the officer should take?

• AAssume it is a weapon and tackle the person immediately
• BAsk the person politely to identify and show what metallic object triggered the alarm (e.…
• CIgnore the beep as it is usually a false alarm
• DCall the armed response team to search their underwear

What is a 'Search Register' used for?

• ATo log every search conducted, noting date, time, person searched, items found, and offic…
• BTo register the names of guards who are late for work
• CTo list the contact details of nearby police stations
• DTo record the patrol routes completed during the shift

If an employee refuses to be searched when leaving the premises, what action should the security officer take?

• AUse physical force to search them anyway
• BPrevent them from leaving using physical handcuffs
• CLog the refusal, get their details, notify management immediately, and follow corporate d…
• DShoot them with a firearm for non-compliance

Can a private security officer perform a 'strip search' (asking someone to remove all clothing) on a suspect?

• AYes, if they suspect the person has stolen a small item
• BNo, private security officers are never legally allowed to perform strip searches; this m…
• CYes, as long as it is done in a private office with a supervisor present
• DYes, if the suspect signs a written consent form

What does 'Chain of Custody' mean when handling confiscated evidence?

• AUsing metal chains to lock stolen goods inside the security office
• BA document and process tracking every person who handled, stored, or transferred an item…
• CHandcuffing the suspect to the evidence container
• DMoving the suspect between different security companies

When conducting random searches at a factory gate, how should security officers select people?

• ASearch only people of a specific race or nationality
• BUse a systematic, unbiased method (e.g., searching every 5th person or using a random sea…
• CSearch only employees they personally do not like
• DSearch only female employees

What is the purpose of using an under-vehicle inspection mirror (search mirror) at a vehicle checkpoint?

• ATo check if the vehicle's exhaust pipe is polished
• BTo inspect the undercarriage of a vehicle for concealed items, weapons, or explosives wit…
• CTo let the driver check their hair and makeup before entry
• DTo reflect sunlight into the driver's eyes to slow them down

What is the correct way to handle a confiscated illegal weapon, such as an unlicensed firearm, found during a search?

• APoint the firearm at the ground, ensure the safety catch is on, avoid touching it unneces…
• BFire the weapon in the air to test if it is loaded and functional
• CPut the weapon in the guard's pocket and take it home after the shift
• DSell the weapon to a local pawn shop for extra cash

If a person is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, how does this affect the search procedure?

• AThey should not be searched at all and let through
• BConduct the search with extra care and patience, using two officers for safety, and deny…
• CBeat them up to teach them a lesson about sobriety
• DForce them to drink water before searching them

Why is it important to have clear 'Notice: All Persons and Vehicles Subject to Search' signs at the entrance of a property?

• ATo make the entrance look more decorated
• BTo legally establish search compliance as a condition of entry, ensuring visitors are awa…
• CTo satisfy local municipal advertising bylaws
• DTo frighten away all visitors so guards have less work

What should a security officer check when searching the engine compartment (bonnet) of a vehicle leaving a high-security warehouse?

• AIf the oil level is correct and the battery is charged
• BWhether high-value stolen items (like copper wire, tools, or packaged stock) are hidden i…
• CThe serial number of the spark plugs
• DIf the radiator has enough coolant

If a visitor consents to a search but objects to having their wallet opened, how should the Grade D officer proceed?

• AForce the wallet open anyway using physical strength
• BRespect their privacy regarding personal wallet contents, but explain that if they refuse…
• CArrest the visitor for hiding items in their wallet
• DCall the manager to fire the visitor

Why must security officers conduct all searches with dignity and respect?

• ATo comply with constitutional human rights and PSIRA codes of conduct, preventing legal a…
• BTo make the search take longer so they do fewer searches per shift
• CBecause the visitor might give them a cash tip
• DTo convince the visitor to join the security company

Which class of fire involves ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, and textiles?

• AClass A
• BClass B
• CClass C
• DClass D

What type of fire extinguisher is represented by a black label/band and is most suitable for live electrical fires?

• AWater extinguisher
• BCarbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguisher
• CFoam extinguisher
• DWet Chemical extinguisher

What does the 'PASS' acronym stand for when operating a fire extinguisher?

• APush, Aim, Shake, Sweep
• BPull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side
• CPoint, Activate, Spray, Stop
• DProtect yourself, Alarm others, Secure the area, Smother the flame

Why is good housekeeping (keeping paths clear and disposing of waste) important for fire prevention in a warehouse?

• ATo make the warehouse look pretty for photographs
• BTo remove potential fuel sources for fires and ensure emergency escape routes are never b…
• CTo reduce the number of warehouse workers needed
• DTo allow security officers to ride bicycles inside the facility

When a fire alarm sounds, what is the primary duty of a security officer regarding building occupants?

• ALock all emergency doors to protect the stock from theft
• BDirect occupants calmly and quickly to the nearest safe emergency exit and assembly point
• CTell everyone to ignore the alarm and stay at their desks
• DRun out of the building first to save themselves without alerting anyone

Under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act of South Africa, what is a security officer's duty regarding safety hazards?

• ATo fix major electrical issues themselves
• BTo identify, report, and document any safety hazards (like exposed wiring or blocked exit…
• CTo ignore hazards unless they cause an injury
• DTo fine employees who create hazards

Which of the following is considered a safety hazard that must be reported immediately?

• AA fire exit door that is chained and padlocked shut during working hours
• BAn employee wearing a high-visibility vest in a loading zone
• CA wet floor warning sign placed next to a damp surface
• DA locked secure server room

What is the very first step when coming across an unconscious person during a security patrol?

• AGive them water to drink
• BCheck if the scene is safe, then check the person's responsiveness and call for medical h…
• CDrag the person to the security gate immediately
• DSearch their pockets for stolen goods