FDNY S-98 FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS INSPECTION,
TESTING AND SERVICE TECHNICIAN – EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1–25: Credential, Responsibilities, Definitions, and System
Fundamentals
1. What is the primary role associated with the FDNY S-98 Certificate of
Fitness?
A) Programming, testing, inspecting, and servicing fire alarm systems
B) Supervising only building evacuation procedures
C) Designing every fire alarm system installed in New York City
D) Operating an FDNY central station
Correct Answer: A) Programming, testing, inspecting, and servicing fire alarm systems
Rationale: The S-98 credential is specifically intended for technicians who program,
inspect, test, and service fire alarm systems. These activities must be performed within the
scope of the applicable NYC Fire Code, Fire Rules, NFPA 72, and manufacturer
recommendations. S-98 is therefore broader than credentials limited to visual supervision
or smoke-detector maintenance.
2. Which person is specifically authorized to perform low-voltage fire alarm
component programming, servicing, testing, repair, or replacement?
A) An S-95 holder only
B) An S-97/S-98 holder
C) Any building occupant
D) An F-58 holder only
Correct Answer: B) An S-97/S-98 holder
,Rationale: FDNY distinguishes the scope of S-97/S-98 from other fire-alarm-related
Certificates of Fitness. The study material identifies programming, servicing, cleaning,
testing, repair, and replacement of low-voltage fire alarm components as S-97/S-98
functions. S-95 and F-58 holders have more limited responsibilities.
3. What is a fire alarm control unit primarily responsible for?
A) Supplying municipal water pressure
B) Measuring building occupancy
C) Receiving inputs and controlling fire alarm system functions
D) Replacing the central station
Correct Answer: C) Receiving inputs and controlling fire alarm system functions
Rationale: The fire alarm control unit receives signals from automatic and manual initiating
devices and performs system control functions. It can supply power to detection devices
and transfer power or conditions to notification appliances and relays. It is therefore a
central operating component of the fire alarm system rather than merely a display.
4. Which device is an example of a fire alarm initiating device?
A) Horn
B) Strobe light
C) Speaker
D) Manual fire alarm box
Correct Answer: D) Manual fire alarm box
Rationale: An initiating device originates a change-of-state condition that enters the fire
alarm system. A manual fire alarm box is specifically identified as an initiating device
because a person operates it to initiate an alarm signal. Horns, speakers, and visual
appliances are notification appliances that communicate the resulting condition.
5. What does an alarm notification appliance do?
A) Provides an audible, tactile, and/or visual alert
B) Stores fire alarm inspection records
C) Measures circuit resistance only
, D) Determines the required building occupancy classification
Correct Answer: A) Provides an audible, tactile, and/or visual alert
Rationale: Notification appliances communicate alarm or other conditions to occupants or
users. FDNY identifies examples including bells, horns, speakers, lights, text displays, and
vibration devices. Their purpose is notification rather than initiating the original signal or
maintaining inspection documentation.
6. Which signal indicates a fault in a monitored circuit or component?
A) Supervisory signal
B) Trouble signal
C) Alarm signal
D) Evacuation signal
Correct Answer: B) Trouble signal
Rationale: A trouble signal indicates that a fault exists in a monitored circuit or component.
It is different from an alarm signal, which indicates an emergency requiring immediate
action, and from a supervisory signal, which concerns the supervision of fire protection
equipment or related conditions.
7. What is the purpose of a supervisory signal?
A) To indicate a fire alarm test has passed
B) To activate every notification appliance
C) To indicate a condition requiring action involving supervised equipment or systems
D) To replace a trouble signal
Correct Answer: C) To indicate a condition requiring action involving supervised
equipment or systems
Rationale: A supervisory signal indicates a need for action involving supervised fire
protection equipment, fire alarm systems, or related maintenance features. Examples can
involve valve supervisory switches, water levels, or low-air pressure. Supervisory signals
therefore differ from alarm signals because they do not necessarily indicate an actual fire.
8. Which condition best describes an out-of-service system?
A) A system operating normally during a scheduled inspection
, B) A system with a newly replaced detector
C) A system receiving a normal alarm signal
D) A fire protection system that is not fully functional or is impaired
Correct Answer: D) A fire protection system that is not fully functional or is impaired
Rationale: FDNY defines an out-of-service system as a fire protection system that is not
fully functional, is impaired, or is otherwise not in good working order. Such a condition
requires appropriate impairment procedures and precautions. It should not be treated as
ordinary system operation.
9. Who is responsible for ensuring proper safety precautions when a fire
protection system is out of service?
A) The impairment coordinator
B) Any available tenant
C) The central station operator alone
D) The nearest firefighter
Correct Answer: A) The impairment coordinator
Rationale: The impairment coordinator is specifically defined as the person responsible for
ensuring that proper safety precautions are taken when a fire protection system is out of
service. This role is important because an impaired system can reduce the building’s fire
protection capability and requires appropriate coordination.
10. What is a central station?
A) A room containing only manual fire alarm boxes
B) A facility that receives alarm signals and reports or retransmits them to the Fire
Department
C) A building’s fire command center
D) A location where fire extinguishers are stored
Correct Answer: B) A facility that receives alarm signals and reports or retransmits
them to the Fire Department
Rationale: A central station receives signals from protected premises and retransmits or
otherwise reports those signals to the Fire Department. It is part of a central station
TESTING AND SERVICE TECHNICIAN – EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1–25: Credential, Responsibilities, Definitions, and System
Fundamentals
1. What is the primary role associated with the FDNY S-98 Certificate of
Fitness?
A) Programming, testing, inspecting, and servicing fire alarm systems
B) Supervising only building evacuation procedures
C) Designing every fire alarm system installed in New York City
D) Operating an FDNY central station
Correct Answer: A) Programming, testing, inspecting, and servicing fire alarm systems
Rationale: The S-98 credential is specifically intended for technicians who program,
inspect, test, and service fire alarm systems. These activities must be performed within the
scope of the applicable NYC Fire Code, Fire Rules, NFPA 72, and manufacturer
recommendations. S-98 is therefore broader than credentials limited to visual supervision
or smoke-detector maintenance.
2. Which person is specifically authorized to perform low-voltage fire alarm
component programming, servicing, testing, repair, or replacement?
A) An S-95 holder only
B) An S-97/S-98 holder
C) Any building occupant
D) An F-58 holder only
Correct Answer: B) An S-97/S-98 holder
,Rationale: FDNY distinguishes the scope of S-97/S-98 from other fire-alarm-related
Certificates of Fitness. The study material identifies programming, servicing, cleaning,
testing, repair, and replacement of low-voltage fire alarm components as S-97/S-98
functions. S-95 and F-58 holders have more limited responsibilities.
3. What is a fire alarm control unit primarily responsible for?
A) Supplying municipal water pressure
B) Measuring building occupancy
C) Receiving inputs and controlling fire alarm system functions
D) Replacing the central station
Correct Answer: C) Receiving inputs and controlling fire alarm system functions
Rationale: The fire alarm control unit receives signals from automatic and manual initiating
devices and performs system control functions. It can supply power to detection devices
and transfer power or conditions to notification appliances and relays. It is therefore a
central operating component of the fire alarm system rather than merely a display.
4. Which device is an example of a fire alarm initiating device?
A) Horn
B) Strobe light
C) Speaker
D) Manual fire alarm box
Correct Answer: D) Manual fire alarm box
Rationale: An initiating device originates a change-of-state condition that enters the fire
alarm system. A manual fire alarm box is specifically identified as an initiating device
because a person operates it to initiate an alarm signal. Horns, speakers, and visual
appliances are notification appliances that communicate the resulting condition.
5. What does an alarm notification appliance do?
A) Provides an audible, tactile, and/or visual alert
B) Stores fire alarm inspection records
C) Measures circuit resistance only
, D) Determines the required building occupancy classification
Correct Answer: A) Provides an audible, tactile, and/or visual alert
Rationale: Notification appliances communicate alarm or other conditions to occupants or
users. FDNY identifies examples including bells, horns, speakers, lights, text displays, and
vibration devices. Their purpose is notification rather than initiating the original signal or
maintaining inspection documentation.
6. Which signal indicates a fault in a monitored circuit or component?
A) Supervisory signal
B) Trouble signal
C) Alarm signal
D) Evacuation signal
Correct Answer: B) Trouble signal
Rationale: A trouble signal indicates that a fault exists in a monitored circuit or component.
It is different from an alarm signal, which indicates an emergency requiring immediate
action, and from a supervisory signal, which concerns the supervision of fire protection
equipment or related conditions.
7. What is the purpose of a supervisory signal?
A) To indicate a fire alarm test has passed
B) To activate every notification appliance
C) To indicate a condition requiring action involving supervised equipment or systems
D) To replace a trouble signal
Correct Answer: C) To indicate a condition requiring action involving supervised
equipment or systems
Rationale: A supervisory signal indicates a need for action involving supervised fire
protection equipment, fire alarm systems, or related maintenance features. Examples can
involve valve supervisory switches, water levels, or low-air pressure. Supervisory signals
therefore differ from alarm signals because they do not necessarily indicate an actual fire.
8. Which condition best describes an out-of-service system?
A) A system operating normally during a scheduled inspection
, B) A system with a newly replaced detector
C) A system receiving a normal alarm signal
D) A fire protection system that is not fully functional or is impaired
Correct Answer: D) A fire protection system that is not fully functional or is impaired
Rationale: FDNY defines an out-of-service system as a fire protection system that is not
fully functional, is impaired, or is otherwise not in good working order. Such a condition
requires appropriate impairment procedures and precautions. It should not be treated as
ordinary system operation.
9. Who is responsible for ensuring proper safety precautions when a fire
protection system is out of service?
A) The impairment coordinator
B) Any available tenant
C) The central station operator alone
D) The nearest firefighter
Correct Answer: A) The impairment coordinator
Rationale: The impairment coordinator is specifically defined as the person responsible for
ensuring that proper safety precautions are taken when a fire protection system is out of
service. This role is important because an impaired system can reduce the building’s fire
protection capability and requires appropriate coordination.
10. What is a central station?
A) A room containing only manual fire alarm boxes
B) A facility that receives alarm signals and reports or retransmits them to the Fire
Department
C) A building’s fire command center
D) A location where fire extinguishers are stored
Correct Answer: B) A facility that receives alarm signals and reports or retransmits
them to the Fire Department
Rationale: A central station receives signals from protected premises and retransmits or
otherwise reports those signals to the Fire Department. It is part of a central station
