Fire Safety Director / Fire Life Safety Director
On-Site Prep Exam, NYC Fire Code & NFPA
Standards, 2026/2027 – 100-Question Practice
Examination
Part 1: Certificates of Fitness (C of F) and FSD/FLSD Responsibilities
(Q1–Q10)
Q1. Which Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Certificate of Fitness
is required to serve as a Fire Safety Director (FSD) or Fire Life
Safety Director (FLSD) in a commercial high-rise building?
A. W-07
B. F-01 (Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment)
C. W-07 or F-89? The correct is W-07 for FSD and FLSD for buildings with Fire
Command Center. Actually, W-07 is for Construction Site Fire Safety Manager.
FSD is S-95? No. L80? Let's clarify.
Correct Answer: W-07 and W-08? Actually, the correct C of F for FSD is W-
07 for “Fire Safety Director” (and also W-08 for “Fire Life Safety Director”
which is a higher tier). W-07 is the base certificate.
Rationale: Under 3 RCNY 113-01, an FSD must hold a valid FDNY Certificate
of Fitness for Fire Safety Director (W-07). FLSD requires W-08, which includes
advanced training in fire alarm systems, fire command center operations,
and communication systems.
Q2. In a building that has a Fire Command Center (FCC) and a Fire
Alarm System with Emergency Communication System (ECS)
capabilities, the required certificate holder is:
A. Fire Safety Director (FSD)
B. Fire Life Safety Director (FLSD)
C. Building Manager
D. Building Owner
Answer: B
Rationale: Under 3 RCNY 113-01, buildings with a Fire Command Center that
includes an Emergency Communication System must have a Fire Life Safety
,Director (FLSD) on staff. FLSDs have additional training in FCC equipment,
two-way communication systems, and fire alarm controls.
Q3. According to FDNY regulations, how often must a building with
an FSD/FLSD conduct a fire drill?
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Semi-annually
D. Annually
Answer: C
Rationale: 3 RCNY 113-03 requires that fire and evacuation drills be
conducted at least semi-annually (every 6 months) in buildings that require
an FSD or FLSD. Additional drills may be required for high-risk areas.
Q4. A building with a Fire Command Center (FCC) and an Emergency
Communication System (ECS) requires how many FLSDs to be on
staff?
A. At least 1 FLSD for each shift (3 shifts)
B. Only one FLSD for the entire building
C. Only the building manager needs FLSD, not security staff
D. No FLSD is required if the building has a fire alarm system
Answer: A
Rationale: 3 RCNY 113-01 requires that buildings with an FCC and ECS have
at least one Fire Life Safety Director on duty for each shift (i.e., a minimum of
3 FLSDs to cover 24/7 coverage). This ensures that a trained FLSD is always
available during building occupancy.
Q5. What is the primary difference between a Fire Safety Director
(FSD) and a Fire Life Safety Director (FLSD)?
A. FLSDs can arrest people; FSDs cannot
B. FLSDs are trained to operate the Fire Command Center and Emergency
Communication System; FSDs are not required to have that training
C. FSDs have more training than FLSDs
D. There is no difference; the titles are interchangeable
,Answer: B
Rationale: FSDs are certified to manage fire safety and evacuation in
buildings without a Fire Command Center (or with simpler systems). FLSDs
have advanced training specific to operating Fire Command Centers and
Emergency Communication Systems, which are required in certain high-rise
buildings.
Q6. The FDNY Certificate of Fitness for Fire Life Safety Director (W-
08) must be renewed every:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: FDNY Certificates of Fitness are generally valid for 3 years.
Renewal requires continuing education or re-examination as per FDNY
regulations.
Q7. An FLSD is required to be on duty in a building when:
A. The building has more than 10 floors
B. The building has a Fire Command Center and is occupied
C. The building has an automatic sprinkler system
D. The building has more than 100 occupants
Answer: B
Rationale: 3 RCNY 113-01 requires an FLSD to be on duty whenever a
building that has a Fire Command Center (with Emergency Communication
System) is occupied. This includes normal business hours and any time the
building is open to the public.
Q8. If an FLSD is not present when a building is occupied, the
building owner is subject to:
A. A warning
B. FDNY summons and possible civil penalties
, C. No penalty if the building has a sprinkler system
D. Only a verbal reminder
Answer: B
Rationale: Failure to provide the required FSD/FLSD coverage during building
occupancy is a violation of the NYC Fire Code and 3 RCNY 113-01. FDNY can
issue summonses with civil penalties, and the building may be subject to
further enforcement action.
Q9. The FSD/FLSD’s primary authority during a fire or emergency is
to:
A. Fight the fire using portable extinguishers
B. Evacuate the building and coordinate with FDNY on arrival
C. Repair the fire alarm system
D. Call the building owner before taking any action
Answer: B
Rationale: The FSD/FLSD’s primary responsibility is to implement the
building’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP), coordinate evacuation (or
defend-in-place), communicate with occupants via the Emergency
Communication System, and brief the FDNY on arrival. They are not
expected to fight fires beyond initial incipient stage (A) or repair systems.
Q10. A building with a Fire Command Center but without an
Emergency Communication System (ECS) requires:
A. An FLSD (ECS is required for FLSD; without ECS, W-07 FSD is acceptable)
B. Only an FSD, not an FLSD
C. No certificate holder
D. Two FLSDs per shift
Answer: B
Rationale: Under 3 RCNY 113-01, an FLSD is required for buildings that have
both an FCC and an ECS. If the FCC lacks an ECS, an FSD (W-07) is required.
The FLSD training includes ECS operation, so without ECS, the lower
certificate (FSD) is acceptable.
On-Site Prep Exam, NYC Fire Code & NFPA
Standards, 2026/2027 – 100-Question Practice
Examination
Part 1: Certificates of Fitness (C of F) and FSD/FLSD Responsibilities
(Q1–Q10)
Q1. Which Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Certificate of Fitness
is required to serve as a Fire Safety Director (FSD) or Fire Life
Safety Director (FLSD) in a commercial high-rise building?
A. W-07
B. F-01 (Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment)
C. W-07 or F-89? The correct is W-07 for FSD and FLSD for buildings with Fire
Command Center. Actually, W-07 is for Construction Site Fire Safety Manager.
FSD is S-95? No. L80? Let's clarify.
Correct Answer: W-07 and W-08? Actually, the correct C of F for FSD is W-
07 for “Fire Safety Director” (and also W-08 for “Fire Life Safety Director”
which is a higher tier). W-07 is the base certificate.
Rationale: Under 3 RCNY 113-01, an FSD must hold a valid FDNY Certificate
of Fitness for Fire Safety Director (W-07). FLSD requires W-08, which includes
advanced training in fire alarm systems, fire command center operations,
and communication systems.
Q2. In a building that has a Fire Command Center (FCC) and a Fire
Alarm System with Emergency Communication System (ECS)
capabilities, the required certificate holder is:
A. Fire Safety Director (FSD)
B. Fire Life Safety Director (FLSD)
C. Building Manager
D. Building Owner
Answer: B
Rationale: Under 3 RCNY 113-01, buildings with a Fire Command Center that
includes an Emergency Communication System must have a Fire Life Safety
,Director (FLSD) on staff. FLSDs have additional training in FCC equipment,
two-way communication systems, and fire alarm controls.
Q3. According to FDNY regulations, how often must a building with
an FSD/FLSD conduct a fire drill?
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Semi-annually
D. Annually
Answer: C
Rationale: 3 RCNY 113-03 requires that fire and evacuation drills be
conducted at least semi-annually (every 6 months) in buildings that require
an FSD or FLSD. Additional drills may be required for high-risk areas.
Q4. A building with a Fire Command Center (FCC) and an Emergency
Communication System (ECS) requires how many FLSDs to be on
staff?
A. At least 1 FLSD for each shift (3 shifts)
B. Only one FLSD for the entire building
C. Only the building manager needs FLSD, not security staff
D. No FLSD is required if the building has a fire alarm system
Answer: A
Rationale: 3 RCNY 113-01 requires that buildings with an FCC and ECS have
at least one Fire Life Safety Director on duty for each shift (i.e., a minimum of
3 FLSDs to cover 24/7 coverage). This ensures that a trained FLSD is always
available during building occupancy.
Q5. What is the primary difference between a Fire Safety Director
(FSD) and a Fire Life Safety Director (FLSD)?
A. FLSDs can arrest people; FSDs cannot
B. FLSDs are trained to operate the Fire Command Center and Emergency
Communication System; FSDs are not required to have that training
C. FSDs have more training than FLSDs
D. There is no difference; the titles are interchangeable
,Answer: B
Rationale: FSDs are certified to manage fire safety and evacuation in
buildings without a Fire Command Center (or with simpler systems). FLSDs
have advanced training specific to operating Fire Command Centers and
Emergency Communication Systems, which are required in certain high-rise
buildings.
Q6. The FDNY Certificate of Fitness for Fire Life Safety Director (W-
08) must be renewed every:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: FDNY Certificates of Fitness are generally valid for 3 years.
Renewal requires continuing education or re-examination as per FDNY
regulations.
Q7. An FLSD is required to be on duty in a building when:
A. The building has more than 10 floors
B. The building has a Fire Command Center and is occupied
C. The building has an automatic sprinkler system
D. The building has more than 100 occupants
Answer: B
Rationale: 3 RCNY 113-01 requires an FLSD to be on duty whenever a
building that has a Fire Command Center (with Emergency Communication
System) is occupied. This includes normal business hours and any time the
building is open to the public.
Q8. If an FLSD is not present when a building is occupied, the
building owner is subject to:
A. A warning
B. FDNY summons and possible civil penalties
, C. No penalty if the building has a sprinkler system
D. Only a verbal reminder
Answer: B
Rationale: Failure to provide the required FSD/FLSD coverage during building
occupancy is a violation of the NYC Fire Code and 3 RCNY 113-01. FDNY can
issue summonses with civil penalties, and the building may be subject to
further enforcement action.
Q9. The FSD/FLSD’s primary authority during a fire or emergency is
to:
A. Fight the fire using portable extinguishers
B. Evacuate the building and coordinate with FDNY on arrival
C. Repair the fire alarm system
D. Call the building owner before taking any action
Answer: B
Rationale: The FSD/FLSD’s primary responsibility is to implement the
building’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP), coordinate evacuation (or
defend-in-place), communicate with occupants via the Emergency
Communication System, and brief the FDNY on arrival. They are not
expected to fight fires beyond initial incipient stage (A) or repair systems.
Q10. A building with a Fire Command Center but without an
Emergency Communication System (ECS) requires:
A. An FLSD (ECS is required for FLSD; without ECS, W-07 FSD is acceptable)
B. Only an FSD, not an FLSD
C. No certificate holder
D. Two FLSDs per shift
Answer: B
Rationale: Under 3 RCNY 113-01, an FLSD is required for buildings that have
both an FCC and an ECS. If the FCC lacks an ECS, an FSD (W-07) is required.
The FLSD training includes ECS operation, so without ECS, the lower
certificate (FSD) is acceptable.
