1 | Page
S95 Personal exam Questions and Answers
Which duties can an S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder perform?
Ans: Visual Inspections Only - of fire alarm system components and
smoke detectors
What is the primary purpose of Fire Alarm Systems?
Ans: To warn building occupants and transmit signals indicating a fire
condition to the Fire Department via central station.
What is a Fire Alarm signal?
Ans: The signal initiated by a fire alarm initiating device such as a
manual fire alarm pull station, smoke detector, water-flow switch, or any
device in which their activation indicates presence of fire.
What is a Supervisory Signal?
Ans: A signal indicating that a system or device being monitored has
been compromised or is in an abnormal state.
Is the FDNY dispatched for Supervisory Signals?
Ans: No. The Facility Manager should investigate and correct the
supervisory condition indicated by the FACP.
What is a Trouble Signal?
Ans: A signal that indicates a fault with the fire equipment. It must have
an audible signal, distinctive from alarm signals
What is the maximum number of minutes that routine handling
should take?-- from receipt of trouble signal by central station
until initiation of the investigation by telephone.
Ans: FOUR minutes
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Is the FDNY dispatched for Trouble Signals?
Ans: No. Trouble Signals aren't indicative of a fire condition.
What is an Acknowledge Switch (ACK) ?
Ans: This switch/button is used to acknowledge alarm, supervisory, or
trouble conditions.
Why is an Alarm Silence Switch helpful after an evacuation - while
the source of alarm is being investigated?
Ans: This switch/button silences audible and visual devices (sirens,
bells, gongs) so it's easier for Emergency Responders to communicate.
Which switch/button is pushed once an alarm condition is
cleared?
Ans: The System Reset Switch
Smoke Detectors should be cleaned not less than
Ans: Once every six months
How often should Analog Smoke Detectors be cleaned?
Ans: One week from receipt of an indication that cleaning is needed.
How often should Smoke Detectors be tested for smoke entry?
Ans: Not less than once a year
After activation, which type of heat detector self-restores? Which
type doesn't?
Ans: Fixed-Temperature heat detectors: Doesn't self -restore and
requires replacement. Rate of Rise heat detectors: self-restore
Fire Alarm Circuits' primary power source shouldn't generate
electric power exceeding which voltage?
Ans: 277/480 volts
© 2025 All rights reserved
S95 Personal exam Questions and Answers
Which duties can an S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder perform?
Ans: Visual Inspections Only - of fire alarm system components and
smoke detectors
What is the primary purpose of Fire Alarm Systems?
Ans: To warn building occupants and transmit signals indicating a fire
condition to the Fire Department via central station.
What is a Fire Alarm signal?
Ans: The signal initiated by a fire alarm initiating device such as a
manual fire alarm pull station, smoke detector, water-flow switch, or any
device in which their activation indicates presence of fire.
What is a Supervisory Signal?
Ans: A signal indicating that a system or device being monitored has
been compromised or is in an abnormal state.
Is the FDNY dispatched for Supervisory Signals?
Ans: No. The Facility Manager should investigate and correct the
supervisory condition indicated by the FACP.
What is a Trouble Signal?
Ans: A signal that indicates a fault with the fire equipment. It must have
an audible signal, distinctive from alarm signals
What is the maximum number of minutes that routine handling
should take?-- from receipt of trouble signal by central station
until initiation of the investigation by telephone.
Ans: FOUR minutes
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Is the FDNY dispatched for Trouble Signals?
Ans: No. Trouble Signals aren't indicative of a fire condition.
What is an Acknowledge Switch (ACK) ?
Ans: This switch/button is used to acknowledge alarm, supervisory, or
trouble conditions.
Why is an Alarm Silence Switch helpful after an evacuation - while
the source of alarm is being investigated?
Ans: This switch/button silences audible and visual devices (sirens,
bells, gongs) so it's easier for Emergency Responders to communicate.
Which switch/button is pushed once an alarm condition is
cleared?
Ans: The System Reset Switch
Smoke Detectors should be cleaned not less than
Ans: Once every six months
How often should Analog Smoke Detectors be cleaned?
Ans: One week from receipt of an indication that cleaning is needed.
How often should Smoke Detectors be tested for smoke entry?
Ans: Not less than once a year
After activation, which type of heat detector self-restores? Which
type doesn't?
Ans: Fixed-Temperature heat detectors: Doesn't self -restore and
requires replacement. Rate of Rise heat detectors: self-restore
Fire Alarm Circuits' primary power source shouldn't generate
electric power exceeding which voltage?
Ans: 277/480 volts
© 2025 All rights reserved