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Key Facts: SSIAP 3 Chef de Service Sécurité Exam

216 hours

Minimum Training Duration

Arrêté du 2 mai 2005 Annexe IV

8 / 20 minimum each

Written-Paper Floor

Arrêté du 2 mai 2005 Annexe IX

12 / 20 average

Combined Written Passing Average

Arrêté du 2 mai 2005 Annexe IX

Triennial

Employment Recycling Cycle

Arrêté du 2 mai 2005 Art. 7

SSIAP 3 is France's fire-safety service-head qualification for ERP and IGH under the Arrêté du 2 mai 2005. Its 216-hour programme leads to a 40-question QCM, a 2-hour-30-minute technical notice, and an oral; initial certification requires both written marks to be at least 8/20, their average at least 12/20, and an apte oral result.

Sample SSIAP 3 Chef de Service Sécurité Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SSIAP 3 Chef de Service Sécurité exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 24+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the distinction between réaction au feu and résistance au feu in a building fire-safety study?
A.Reaction measures evacuation speed; resistance measures alarm volume
B.Reaction applies only to firefighters; resistance applies only to occupants
C.Reaction describes how a product contributes to fire; resistance describes how long an element maintains specified functions under fire exposure
D.The terms are interchangeable classifications of the same property
Explanation: Reaction-to-fire classification concerns a product's contribution to ignition, flame spread, smoke, and droplets. Fire resistance concerns an element's ability to retain criteria such as loadbearing capacity, integrity, or insulation for a stated time.
2On a drawing at 1:100 scale, a corridor measures 7.2 centimetres. What real length does that represent?
A.0.72 metre
B.72 metres
C.7.2 metres
D.720 metres
Explanation: At 1:100, one centimetre on the plan represents one hundred centimetres, or one metre, in reality. Therefore 7.2 centimetres represents 7.2 metres.
3Which drawing is normally most useful for understanding how floors, stairs, and vertical shafts align through the height of a building?
A.A single-level floor plan
B.A reflected ceiling plan
C.A section or coupe
D.A façade elevation
Explanation: A section cuts vertically through the project and reveals levels, heights, stairs, voids, and shafts. It should be read with plans and façades to understand the three-dimensional fire-safety arrangement.
4Why must an SSIAP 3 reviewer compare the plan, section, and façade rather than check the floor plan alone?
A.Because sections replace the need to identify applicable regulations
B.Because only the façade contains room occupancy
C.To verify consistent geometry, levels, openings, access, shafts, and compartment boundaries across different views
D.To confirm only the external material classification
Explanation: Fire-safety constraints operate in three dimensions, and a feature can appear compliant in plan while failing vertically or externally. Cross-checking views exposes inconsistencies that affect access, fire spread, smoke movement, and evacuation.
5When reviewing an escape route on plans, which chain of checks is most defensible?
A.The shortest straight-line distance through walls
B.Exit-sign colour only
C.Occupancy basis, number and independence of exits, usable widths, travel configuration, door operation, protected continuation, and discharge
D.Travel only as far as the nearest stair, without checking its protected continuation or discharge
Explanation: An egress assessment begins with the applicable population and follows the actual usable route to safety. Width alone is insufficient if exits converge, doors obstruct travel, or protection fails between levels.
6What should a notice technique de sécurité do for a proposed alteration?
A.Discuss only interior decoration costs
B.Promise that the project is safe without citing any design information
C.Describe the project, identify its regulatory classification and constraints, explain the safety provisions, and connect claims to plans and supporting documents
D.Copy the previous building's notice without checking differences
Explanation: The notice should let reviewers understand the project and verify how applicable fire-safety requirements are addressed. It must be internally consistent with drawings, equipment proposals, occupancy, and any requested adaptations.
7A project combines two establishments that are not adequately isolated from one another. What is the key classification issue?
A.Whether their leases began on the same date
B.Whether each tenant prefers a different logo
C.Whether both use the same maintenance company
D.Whether they must be assessed as a groupement d'établissements, with combined effects on classification and safety provisions
Explanation: The absence of regulatory isolation can link establishments for classification and fire-safety analysis. The reviewer must determine the applicable groupement rules rather than assume that commercial tenancy creates fire separation.
8In the official SSIAP 3 written practical paper, why is a groupement d'établissements non isolés used as the project context?
A.It converts the paper into an oral team-management exercise
B.It limits the task to naming portable extinguishers
C.It removes the need to state any assumptions
D.It tests integrated classification, plan reading, and drafting of a technical safety notice across interacting premises
Explanation: Annexe IX requires a technical safety notice based on plans for a non-isolated group of first- or second-category establishments. The task tests a reasoned written application of the regulatory programme, not memorization alone.
9Which statement best describes the regulatory sources an SSIAP 3 candidate must navigate?
A.Only European product standards matter; French building rules do not
B.One private training handout overrides all legislation
C.Every building follows a single identical checklist regardless of use
D.Codes, ministerial orders and their ERP or IGH provisions, applicable instructions, and relevant standards have different legal roles and must be identified for the project
Explanation: Annexe IV explicitly teaches the organization and hierarchy of applicable texts. Sound analysis identifies the building regime, current provisions, and the role of supporting technical standards without treating them as interchangeable.
10What two classifications are normally established first for an ERP?
A.Its architectural style and postal zone
B.Its wall colour and opening year
C.Its insurer and maintenance contractor
D.Its type based on activity and its category based on occupancy
Explanation: ERP type identifies the activity and category reflects the relevant occupancy band or fifth-category threshold. Together they direct the reviewer to applicable general and special provisions.

About the SSIAP 3 Chef de Service Sécurité Exam

SSIAP 3 (Service de Sécurité Incendie et d'Assistance à Personnes - Niveau 3) is the French qualification for chefs de service de sécurité incendie in ERP and IGH, governed by the Arrêté du 2 mai 2005. Article 6 permits a level-4 diploma route or a qualifying SSIAP 2, ERP 2, or IGH 2 route with three years in the function, together with the stated first-aid condition; it does not add the level-1/2 medical-certificate prerequisite. The 216-hour programme leads to two written papers and an oral. Each written mark must reach 8/20, their average must reach 12/20, and the oral must be apte. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation and cannot substitute for the plan-based notice or oral assessment.

Exam sponsor: Jury d'examen sous l'autorité du Préfet de département et du Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours (SDIS). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The official jury administers three parts: a 40-question QCM in 40 minutes; a 2-hour-30-minute technical fire-safety notice for a non-isolated group of first- or second-category establishments; and a 15-minute oral after 15 minutes of preparation. Article 9 provides for the designated fire-service president and two serving fire-safety service heads for levels 2 and 3. Initial certification requires at least 8/20 on each written paper, a written-paper average of at least 12/20, and an 'apte' oral result.

Time Limit

40-minute QCM + 2-hour-30-minute notice + 15-minute oral after 15 minutes of preparation

Passing Score

At least 8/20 on each written paper, at least 12/20 average across them, and 'apte' on the oral

Exam / Certification Fees

Set by the accredited training centre; the Arrêté establishes no national examination fee

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

12 of 216 hours

Fire and Its Consequences

Fire development, behavior in fire, and practical extinguishing methods

65 of 216 hours

Fire Safety and Buildings

Construction materials, plan reading, project-analysis tools, and technical safety notices

70 of 216 hours

Fire Regulation

Hierarchy of rules, classification, construction and technical provisions, emergency means, visits, and accessibility

23 of 216 hours

Risk Management

Risk assessment, work controls, verification reports, registers, prevention plans, and fire permits

6 of 216 hours

Advising Management

Oral and written reporting and regulatory monitoring

6 of 216 hours

Safety-Commissions Liaison

Commission composition and role, required documents, and visit preparation

26 of 216 hours

Fire-Safety Team Management

Service organization, supervision, employment-law awareness, and civil and criminal responsibility

8 of 216 hours

Safety-Service Budget

Budget monitoring, procurement methods, and maintenance contracts

Preparing for the SSIAP 3 Chef de Service Sécurité Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: At least 8/20 on each written paper, at least 12/20 average across them, and 'apte' on the oral
  • Assessment: The official jury administers three parts: a 40-question QCM in 40 minutes; a 2-hour-30-minute technical fire-safety notice for a non-isolated group of first- or second-category establishments; and a 15-minute oral after 15 minutes of preparation. Article 9 provides for the designated fire-service president and two serving fire-safety service heads for levels 2 and 3. Initial certification requires at least 8/20 on each written paper, a written-paper average of at least 12/20, and an 'apte' oral result.
  • Time limit: 40-minute QCM + 2-hour-30-minute notice + 15-minute oral after 15 minutes of preparation
  • Exam / certification fees: Set by the accredited training centre; the Arrêté establishes no national examination fee Official sources

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SSIAP 3 Chef de Service Sécurité: Suggested Study Strategy

1Thoroughly master the general ERP articles: GN (generalities), CO (construction/structural stability), AM (interior furnishings), DF (smoke evacuation), CH (heating/ventilation), EL (electrical), EC (lighting), AS (elevators), and MS (fire extinguishing means)
2Learn IGH specific regulations under the Arrêté du 30 décembre 2011: distinction between high-rise classes (GHA, GHO, GHR, GHS, GHTC, GHU, GHW 1/2, GHZ), independent evacuation, and strict non-propagation between compartments
3Practice drafting a structured Notice de Sécurité: description of building, classification (type/category), structural fire resistance (REI/EI), egress calculation (UP/clear widths), smoke extraction (IT 246), technical utilities, and emergency means
4Understand the statutory responsibilities of the building manager (exploitant) vs. the SSIAP 3 department head: the chef de service advises and assists the employer in legal compliance, safety commission audits, and contractor coordination
5Review the NF S 61-931 series for SSI coordination: role of the SSI Coordinator (coordinateur SSI), definition of safety zones (ZS, ZF, ZC, ZD), and testing protocols for actuated safety devices (DAS)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the entry prerequisites for the SSIAP 3 training course?

Under Article 6 of the Arrêté du 2 mai 2005, candidates use either the level-4 diploma route or a qualifying SSIAP 2, ERP 2, or IGH 2 route with three years in the function, and must meet the stated first-aid condition. Article 6 does not list the medical certificate required for initial SSIAP 1 and SSIAP 2 entry.

What are the three components of the official SSIAP 3 examination?

The examination comprises a 40-question QCM lasting 40 minutes, a 2-hour-30-minute plan-based technical safety notice, and a 15-minute oral after 15 minutes of preparation. For initial certification, neither written paper may be below 8/20, their average must be at least 12/20, and the oral must be graded apte.

Who presides over the official SSIAP 3 examination jury?

Under Article 9 of the Arrêté du 2 mai 2005, the jury is presided over by the Directeur Départemental des Services d'Incendie et de Secours (DDSIS) or an appointed fire officer holding the PRV 2 prevention qualification. The jury also includes an active qualified SSIAP 3 fire safety department head. Course instructors who taught the candidate cannot serve on the jury.

What is the legal role of the Commission de Sécurité in France?

The Commission de Sécurité (specifically the commission consultative départementale de sécurité et d'accessibilité or its communal/intercommunal sub-commissions) conducts statutory inspections of ERP and IGH buildings before opening to the public and periodically thereafter. It delivers an advisory opinion (avis favorable or défavorable) to the Mayor or Préfet, who then issues the administrative authorization or closure decree.

How is SSIAP 3 competence maintained for continued employment?

The Arrêté applies triennial recyclage requirements to personnel exercising SSIAP functions and uses remise à niveau where the recency-of-practice or recycling conditions are not met. This maintenance-of-competence framework should not be simplified into a claim that the diploma itself automatically expires after three years.