FDNY P-99 Certificate of Fitness Exam 2026/2027 | 300 Practice
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
1. What is the primary purpose of the FDNY P-99 Certificate of
Fitness?
A. Operation of low-pressure oil burners
B. Operation of elevators
C. Inspection of fire alarms
D. Operation of refrigeration systems
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The P-99 Certificate of Fitness is associated with the safe
operation of low-pressure oil-burning equipment. The certificate
demonstrates that the operator has the required knowledge for the
regulated activity.
2. Which equipment is specifically associated with the P-99
Certificate of Fitness?
A. Fire pumps
B. Low-pressure oil burners
C. Passenger elevators
D. Refrigeration compressors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: P-99 concerns low-pressure oil burner operation. The
operator must understand combustion, controls, fuel systems,
ventilation, emergency procedures, and applicable fire-safety
requirements.
3. Why is combustion air necessary for an oil burner?
A. It provides oxygen for combustion
B. It increases fuel storage capacity
C. It replaces the exhaust system
D. It prevents all equipment failures
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Fuel combustion requires oxygen. Adequate combustion air
helps the burner maintain proper combustion and reduces the
likelihood of incomplete combustion.
4. What can result from incomplete combustion?
A. Hazardous combustion products
B. Increased fuel storage capacity
C. Elimination of soot
D. Automatic shutdown of every building system
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Incomplete combustion can produce undesirable and
potentially hazardous combustion products. Proper burner
adjustment, adequate air, and functioning equipment help support
complete combustion.
5. What is the primary purpose of burner safety controls?
A. Increase fuel consumption
B. Prevent or stop unsafe burner operation
C. Increase tank capacity
D. Replace all maintenance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Safety controls monitor important operating conditions
and can prevent or stop burner operation when unsafe conditions
occur. They are an essential part of the burner safety system.
6. What should an operator do if a burner develops a dangerous
operating condition?
A. Continue operation
B. Increase fuel flow
C. Follow the appropriate shutdown or emergency procedure
D. Disable the safety controls
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: An unsafe condition should be controlled promptly. The
operator should follow approved emergency and shutdown
procedures instead of continuing operation or defeating protective
devices.
7. What is the main function of a flue or vent?
A. Store fuel
B. Supply electricity
C. Remove combustion products from the appliance
D. Increase fuel pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Venting provides a controlled route for combustion
products to leave the appliance and building. Proper venting is
important for safe operation.
8. Why should a burner room have adequate ventilation?
A. To provide required air and help control operating conditions
B. To eliminate the fuel system
C. To increase fuel viscosity
D. To eliminate the need for maintenance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adequate ventilation helps provide combustion air and
maintain safe environmental conditions around the equipment.
9. What is an indication that an oil burner may not be operating
properly?
A. Unusual smoke or soot
B. Normal flame appearance
C. Proper control operation
D. Normal ventilation
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Unusual smoke or soot may indicate incomplete
combustion, improper adjustment, insufficient air, dirty components,
or another equipment problem.
10. Why should safety devices never be bypassed?
A. They are designed to protect against hazardous operating
conditions
B. They increase building occupancy
C. They replace fuel tanks
D. They make maintenance unnecessary
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Safety devices are installed to detect or prevent dangerous
conditions. Bypassing them removes an important layer of protection.
11. What should be checked before starting an oil burner?
A. The equipment and surrounding area for unsafe conditions
B. Only the building's exterior
C. Only the fuel price
D. Only the room temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Before startup, the operator should check the equipment
and surrounding area for abnormal or hazardous conditions and
follow the approved startup procedure.
12. Why is routine burner maintenance important?
A. It supports safe and reliable operation
B. It guarantees zero equipment failures
C. It eliminates the need for operators
D. It permits safety controls to be removed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maintenance helps keep burners, controls, combustion
components, and related equipment in proper working condition.
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
1. What is the primary purpose of the FDNY P-99 Certificate of
Fitness?
A. Operation of low-pressure oil burners
B. Operation of elevators
C. Inspection of fire alarms
D. Operation of refrigeration systems
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The P-99 Certificate of Fitness is associated with the safe
operation of low-pressure oil-burning equipment. The certificate
demonstrates that the operator has the required knowledge for the
regulated activity.
2. Which equipment is specifically associated with the P-99
Certificate of Fitness?
A. Fire pumps
B. Low-pressure oil burners
C. Passenger elevators
D. Refrigeration compressors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: P-99 concerns low-pressure oil burner operation. The
operator must understand combustion, controls, fuel systems,
ventilation, emergency procedures, and applicable fire-safety
requirements.
3. Why is combustion air necessary for an oil burner?
A. It provides oxygen for combustion
B. It increases fuel storage capacity
C. It replaces the exhaust system
D. It prevents all equipment failures
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Fuel combustion requires oxygen. Adequate combustion air
helps the burner maintain proper combustion and reduces the
likelihood of incomplete combustion.
4. What can result from incomplete combustion?
A. Hazardous combustion products
B. Increased fuel storage capacity
C. Elimination of soot
D. Automatic shutdown of every building system
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Incomplete combustion can produce undesirable and
potentially hazardous combustion products. Proper burner
adjustment, adequate air, and functioning equipment help support
complete combustion.
5. What is the primary purpose of burner safety controls?
A. Increase fuel consumption
B. Prevent or stop unsafe burner operation
C. Increase tank capacity
D. Replace all maintenance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Safety controls monitor important operating conditions
and can prevent or stop burner operation when unsafe conditions
occur. They are an essential part of the burner safety system.
6. What should an operator do if a burner develops a dangerous
operating condition?
A. Continue operation
B. Increase fuel flow
C. Follow the appropriate shutdown or emergency procedure
D. Disable the safety controls
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: An unsafe condition should be controlled promptly. The
operator should follow approved emergency and shutdown
procedures instead of continuing operation or defeating protective
devices.
7. What is the main function of a flue or vent?
A. Store fuel
B. Supply electricity
C. Remove combustion products from the appliance
D. Increase fuel pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Venting provides a controlled route for combustion
products to leave the appliance and building. Proper venting is
important for safe operation.
8. Why should a burner room have adequate ventilation?
A. To provide required air and help control operating conditions
B. To eliminate the fuel system
C. To increase fuel viscosity
D. To eliminate the need for maintenance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adequate ventilation helps provide combustion air and
maintain safe environmental conditions around the equipment.
9. What is an indication that an oil burner may not be operating
properly?
A. Unusual smoke or soot
B. Normal flame appearance
C. Proper control operation
D. Normal ventilation
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Unusual smoke or soot may indicate incomplete
combustion, improper adjustment, insufficient air, dirty components,
or another equipment problem.
10. Why should safety devices never be bypassed?
A. They are designed to protect against hazardous operating
conditions
B. They increase building occupancy
C. They replace fuel tanks
D. They make maintenance unnecessary
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Safety devices are installed to detect or prevent dangerous
conditions. Bypassing them removes an important layer of protection.
11. What should be checked before starting an oil burner?
A. The equipment and surrounding area for unsafe conditions
B. Only the building's exterior
C. Only the fuel price
D. Only the room temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Before startup, the operator should check the equipment
and surrounding area for abnormal or hazardous conditions and
follow the approved startup procedure.
12. Why is routine burner maintenance important?
A. It supports safe and reliable operation
B. It guarantees zero equipment failures
C. It eliminates the need for operators
D. It permits safety controls to be removed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maintenance helps keep burners, controls, combustion
components, and related equipment in proper working condition.
