NIMASA STCW FPFF exam-day guide
NIMASA STCW FPFF · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID (passport or national ID)
Bring the same identity document used at booking. Name and photo must match the enrolment record exactly. If you have changed your name or your document is damaged, confirm with the provider in advance which alternative documents they accept.
STCW medical fitness certificate or engineman's medical
Practical firefighting is physically demanding and providers commonly ask for evidence of medical fitness before allowing you into the hot-fire exercises. Carry the original and one photocopy. Confirm with the provider whether a specific medical form or validity window applies to you.
Pre-course prerequisites and certificates
Bring any basic safety training certificates, sea service records, or company letters the provider listed as prerequisites. Photocopies are usually kept by the centre, so bring duplicates rather than your only original.
Booking confirmation and payment receipt
A printed or offline copy of the confirmation, plus proof that fees are settled, avoids delays at registration. Screenshots on a phone are acceptable only if the provider has confirmed it.
Fire-retardant coveralls or the provider's issued PPE
Many centres issue coveralls, helmets, gloves, and boots, but some require you to bring your own flame-resistant coveralls. Confirm with the provider what is issued and what you must supply. Do not bring synthetic clothing such as nylon or polyester undergarments for live-fire work.
Safety boots and non-synthetic underclothing
Sturdy boots with ankle support and natural-fibre (cotton or wool) underlayers are standard for live-fire exercises. Synthetic base layers can melt against the skin under heat. Confirm the provider's boot standard if you are unsure.
Towel, change of clothes, and toiletries
You will get wet, sooty, and sweaty. A full change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for wet gear make the day far more comfortable, especially if you travel onward the same evening.
Water bottle and light high-energy food
Hot-fire drills are dehydrating. Bring a refillable water bottle and a snack. Check with the provider whether food is provided on site and whether there are restrictions on eating in the training areas.
Fitness and health declaration
Declare any respiratory condition, heart condition, pregnancy, recent injury, medication, or claustrophobia before the practical. Fire training involves heat, smoke, confined spaces, and physical exertion. Confirm with the provider how and when to submit the declaration.
Trimmed facial hair for breathing apparatus
A clean seal on a face mask is required. Facial hair at the mask sealing surface prevents a safe seal and providers may refuse participation. Confirm the provider's facial-hair policy before travelling.
Remove jewellery, contact lenses, and loose items
Rings, necklaces, earrings, watches, and loose objects must come off before drills. Daily-wear contact lenses are usually not permitted under face masks or in hot environments; bring spectacles and a strap if you need correction. Confirm with the provider if you have prescription eyewear.
Know the assessment format in advance
Ask the provider whether assessment is by continuous practical observation, a final practical scenario, a short written or oral check, or a combination, and what the pass standard is. This is not fixed by the exam name alone, so confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Re-read the joining instructions and confirm every prerequisite is met: medical certificate, ID, prerequisite certificates, and any pre-course e-learning. Phone or email the provider about anything unclear, especially PPE, facial-hair policy, and what is issued versus what you bring. Check travel and accommodation so you arrive the night before rather than on the morning. Stop alcohol and heavy training loads in the last 72 hours; sleep and hydration matter more than last-minute cramming.
Do a light review of the theory that underpins the practical: fire triangle and classes of fire, extinguisher selection, hose and nozzle handling, team roles, entry control, and personal protective equipment donning. Practise donning and doffing your gear mentally or physically if you have access. Pack your bag with ID, medical, confirmation, clothing, towel, and water. Check the weather and travel disruption notices for your route.
Confirm your start time and reporting address, including which gate or reception to use. Lay out clothing and documents. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and get a full night's sleep. Charge your phone and save the provider's contact number offline. If you feel unwell, have a fever, chest symptoms, or an injury, contact the provider rather than turning up unfit; confirm their policy on rescheduling.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Arrive early, typically well before the reporting time, to allow for security checks and registration. Wear natural-fibre underlayers and bring your boots and change of clothes. Hand in your documents, complete any fitness declaration honestly, and listen carefully to the safety briefing. Tell the instructor privately about any condition that could affect you in heat or smoke.
Follow the instructor's safety commands without hesitation and ask for clarification if a instruction is unclear. Work as a team: confirm roles, check your buddy, and communicate. Handle hoses, branches, and extinguishers with deliberate control rather than speed. If you feel dizzy, breathless, or unwell, stop and tell the instructor immediately. After each drill, drink water, cool down, and check your gear before the next task. At the end, confirm what has been assessed and when results or certificates will be issued.
Rules to check
Carry original photo ID matching your booking and present it at registration. Candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted if yours is non-standard.
Attend the full safety briefing and obey all instructor commands, exclusion zones, and signals. Practical fire training carries real risk, and unsafe conduct can lead to removal from the course.
Declare medical conditions, medication, pregnancy, or injuries before practical drills. Do not conceal a condition to avoid missing the exercise; instructors can adapt tasks only if they know.
Comply with the provider's PPE and grooming rules, including natural-fibre clothing, boots, and a clean-shaven mask seal where breathing apparatus is used.
Mobile phones and cameras are normally prohibited in training areas and near live fire. Confirm the provider's policy on devices and storage.
Breaks are set by the provider and are usually short and scheduled around drills. Ask about water, toilet, and rest breaks during the briefing, and confirm any religious or medical needs in advance.
Assessment standards, pass marks, and any written or oral component are set by the provider and the applicable STCW requirements. Ask what is assessed and how, rather than assuming.
Results and certificate issuance times vary. Confirm with the provider when and how your certificate will be issued and what happens if you are referred or need to resit.