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100+ Free NM CID MS-12 Practice Questions

Prepare for the New Mexico CID MS-12 Fire Protection Systems Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NM CID MS-12 Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

80 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

135 min

Time Allowed

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

USD 68.88

PSI Exam Fee

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

NM CID MS-12 is an 80-question PSI fire protection systems exam, 75% pass, 135 minutes, USD 68.88 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM CID MS-12 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NM CID MS-12 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per UPC 2021 Section 603.5.14, a potable water supply to a pressurized commercial automatic sprinkler or standpipe system that has no chemical additives may be protected by which testable assembly?
A.A double check valve backflow prevention assembly (DC)
B.An atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) under continuous pressure
C.A non-testable dual-check device listed only to ASSE 1024
D.A hose-connection vacuum breaker on the fire department connection
Explanation: UPC 2021 603.5.14 lists four testable assemblies for pressurized fire-protection supplies: a DC, a double-check detector assembly, an RP, or a reduced-pressure detector assembly. An atmospheric vacuum breaker is not for continuous pressure or backpressure, and a residential dual-check is not one of the listed fire-protection assemblies.
2Where antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, or other chemicals are added to a fire-protection system supplied from potable water, UPC 2021 Section 603.5.14.2 requires which protection?
A.A double check valve assembly is always sufficient
B.No backflow assembly is required if the antifreeze is listed
C.A pressure vacuum breaker installed 6 inches above the highest head
D.A reduced-pressure principle assembly (RP) or a reduced-pressure detector fire-protection assembly
Explanation: Chemicals in the fire system are a high-hazard cross-connection. UPC 2021 603.5.14.2 therefore requires an RP or a reduced-pressure detector assembly, not a double check. Listing of the antifreeze does not remove the potable-side RP requirement.
3What component distinguishes a reduced-pressure principle backflow assembly from a double check valve assembly?
A.A single spring-loaded check valve and no test cocks
B.A hydraulically operated differential relief valve located between two independently operating check valves
C.An air inlet that opens only on the downstream side of the second check
D.A water-motor gong piped off the supply side
Explanation: An RP has two independent checks plus a differential relief valve in the zone between them. If the zone pressure approaches supply pressure, the relief opens to atmosphere and dumps water, which is why the assembly is used for high-hazard fire systems. A DC has two checks but no relief valve.
4A sprinkler riser is supplied from potable water and has a fire-department (siamese) connection less than 1,700 ft from a nonpotable source the fire department could use. Per UPC 2021 603.5.14.1, the potable supply shall be protected by:
A.A double check valve assembly only
B.A pressure vacuum breaker at the FDC
C.A reduced-pressure principle assembly or a reduced-pressure detector fire-protection assembly
D.No additional protection; the FDC check valve is sufficient
Explanation: UPC 2021 603.5.14.1 upgrades the required assembly to an RP or reduced-pressure detector when the FDC is within 1,700 ft of a nonpotable secondary source. The concern is backpressure of questionable tanker, pond, or treated water through the FDC into the potable main. A DC is not listed for that condition.
5UPC 2021 Section 603.5.14.3 requires which action when a backflow assembly is placed on the potable supply to a fire-protection system?
A.Ignore the assembly friction loss if the device is listed
B.Add a flat 50 psi to every remote-head calculation
C.Wait five years and then perform a main-drain test in lieu of design
D.Account for the pressure drop through the assembly in the hydraulic design, and recheck an existing system if the device is retrofitted
Explanation: Backflow assemblies, especially RPs, consume significant residual pressure. UPC 2021 603.5.14.3 requires the hydraulic design to include that drop, and it requires a retrofit check so the remote sprinklers still operate at the required residual. Listing does not make the friction loss disappear.
6Why is a reduced-pressure principle assembly generally not installed in an undrained underground pit?
A.An RP cannot resist backpressure, so it is only used on vacuum systems
B.The differential relief valve can discharge a large volume of water and must dump to atmosphere; a flooded pit can impair the assembly
C.RP assemblies are permitted only on roofs above the highest sprinkler
D.Pits freeze the check springs but never affect the relief valve
Explanation: The RP relief valve opens to atmosphere whenever the reduced-pressure zone is threatened. That discharge must be visible and drained. A flooded pit can submerge the relief port, hide a failed assembly, and contaminate the zone. Freeze protection still matters, but drainage of the relief is the controlling pit issue.
7A hydraulically calculated light-hazard occupancy is designed at 0.10 gpm/ft² over 1,500 ft². What is the sprinkler water demand before hose-stream allowance?
A.100 gpm
B.150 gpm
C.225 gpm
D.250 gpm
Explanation: Density times design area is 0.10 gpm/ft² × 1,500 ft² = 150 gpm. That is sprinkler demand only. Light-hazard hose-stream allowance is a separate 100 gpm added at the supply, not included in this 150 gpm figure.
8An Ordinary Hazard Group 2 area is calculated at 0.20 gpm/ft² over 1,500 ft². Adding the NFPA 13 combined hose-stream allowance of 250 gpm, what total supply flow must be available (before elevation and pipe friction beyond that point)?
A.300 gpm
B.450 gpm
C.550 gpm
D.750 gpm
Explanation: Sprinkler demand is 0.20 × 1,500 = 300 gpm. Ordinary-hazard hose-stream allowance is 250 gpm, so the water supply must furnish 550 gpm for the required duration. Hose is added at the supply, not pushed through the branch-line calculation.
9A standard K-5.6 sprinkler has 16 psi residual at the orifice. Using Q = K√P, what is the discharge?
A.16.0 gpm
B.22.4 gpm
C.5.6 gpm
D.89.6 gpm
Explanation: Q = 5.6 × √16. The square root of 16 is 4, so discharge is 5.6 × 4 = 22.4 gpm. Do not multiply K by pressure, and do not treat K as the flow.
10A K-8.0 sprinkler must discharge 28.0 gpm to meet the design density. What residual pressure is required at that sprinkler?
A.3.5 psi
B.7 psi
C.12.25 psi
D.22.4 psi
Explanation: Rearrange Q = K√P to P = (Q/K)². 28.0 ÷ 8.0 = 3.5, and 3.5² = 12.25 psi. Seven psi is only the NFPA 13 minimum for a standard-spray sprinkler, not the pressure this K-8.0 needs for 28 gpm.

About the NM CID MS-12 Exam

The New Mexico CID MS-12 examination covers water-based fire protection systems. The official open-book PSI exam has 80 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (60 points), and 135 minutes allowed. Allowed references include NFPA 13 (2007), NFPA 101 (2009), NFPA 25 (2008), NFPA 13R (2002), NFPA 15 (2009), NFPA 14 (2007), NFPA 20 (2007), NFPA 13D (2002), UPC 2021, NFPA 22 (2008), and NFPA 24 (2007). NMAC 14.6.6 MS-12 (Fire protection sprinkler systems) requires four years of experience and covers water-based fire protection systems, required pressure or storage tanks, 24-volt controls, and piping from the structure to the off-site water supply. PSI lists the fee at USD 68.88 (bulletin updated 4/3/2026). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not an official PSI form.

Questions

80 scored questions

Time Limit

135 minutes

Passing Score

75% (60 of 80 points)

Exam Fee

USD 68.88 (PSI Services LLC (for New Mexico Construction Industries Division))

NM CID MS-12 Exam Content Outline

6%

Backflow Prevention

Backflow prevention (5 items)

8%

Hydraulic Calculations and Design

Hydraulic calculations and design (6 items)

6%

Residential Systems

Residential systems (5 items)

10%

Fire Pumps and Standpipes

Fire pumps and standpipes (8 items)

19%

Sprinkler Systems

Sprinkler systems (15 items)

6%

Water Supply, Storage, and Distribution

Water supply, storage, and distribution (5 items)

23%

General and Code Knowledge

General and code knowledge (18 items)

10%

Materials and Methods

Materials and methods (8 items)

13%

Testing and Inspections (NFPA 25)

Testing and inspections (NFPA 25) (10 items)

How to Pass the NM CID MS-12 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (60 of 80 points)
  • Exam length: 80 questions
  • Time limit: 135 minutes
  • Exam fee: USD 68.88

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NM CID MS-12 Study Tips from Top Performers

1General and code knowledge plus sprinkler systems are 33 of 80 official items. Study NFPA 13 (2007) with NFPA 25 (2008).
2This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NM MS-12 exam?

The official PSI examination has 80 scored questions. Passing is 75% (60 points) within 135 minutes (bulletin updated 4/3/2026).