FDNY Certificate of Fitness P-98 Exam Prep Document
2026/2027 | Sprinkler Alarm Valve Supervisor, Fire
Protection Systems & NYC Fire Code | 40 Verified
Questions with Detailed Rationales
This exam contains verified questions drawn from the official FDNY P-98 study material and Notice of
Exam for the 2026/2027 cycle. It covers the supervision of fuel-oil transfer from stationary tanks on the
lowest floor to tanks or equipment on upper floors, as required by the NYC Fire Code and Mechanical
Code. Questions address general and personal supervision responsibilities, weekly inspection and testing
requirements, combustion principles, flame characteristics, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.
The actual P-98 exam consists of 35 questions with a 70% passing score.
Section 1: General Supervision, Premise-Related Requirements & Fuel-Oil System Overview —
Questions 1–10
Q1: The P-98 Certificate of Fitness is premise-related. What does this mean for the certificate holder?
A. The P-98 holder can supervise fuel-oil transfer at any building in New York City
B. The P-98 holder is qualified to supervise fuel-oil transfer only at the specific premises listed on the
certificate [CORRECT]
C. The P-98 holder can work at any building owned by the same company
D. The P-98 is valid for all five boroughs without restriction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because the P-98 Certificate of Fitness is premise-
related, meaning it is tied to a specific building or facility where the holder has demonstrated knowledge
of that particular fuel-oil system. If the holder changes buildings, a new P-98 must be obtained for the
new premises. This ensures that every P-98 holder is familiar with the specific layout, equipment, and
hazards of the building they supervise.
Q2: In the context of the NYC Fire Code and P-98 study material, what is the key difference between the
word "shall" and the word "should"?
,A. They mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably
B. "Shall" indicates a mandatory Fire Code requirement, while "should" indicates an FDNY-
recommended best practice [CORRECT]
C. "Shall" is a suggestion, while "should" is a strict requirement
D. "Should" only applies to new buildings, while "shall" applies to existing buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because throughout the P-98 study material and
the NYC Fire Code, "shall" denotes a mandatory requirement that must be followed, while "should"
represents a recommended best practice that the FDNY advises but does not legally mandate.
Understanding this distinction is critical for P-98 holders because failure to comply with a "shall"
requirement can result in violations, fines, or certificate revocation.
Q3: What are the two principal uses of fuel-oil in buildings covered by the P-98 Certificate of Fitness?
A. Cooking and water heating
B. Emergency generators and heating equipment [CORRECT]
C. Vehicle fueling and landscaping equipment
D. Industrial manufacturing and refrigeration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because the P-98 study material specifically
identifies the two principal uses of fuel-oil in buildings as powering emergency generators and fueling
equipment used to heat the building. These are the systems that require supervision of fuel-oil transfer
from storage tanks on the lowest floor to upper-floor equipment, which is the core responsibility of the
P-98 holder.
Q4: Fuel-oil is composed primarily of two elements. What are they, and what are their approximate
percentages?
A. Carbon (≈50%) and oxygen (≈45%)
B. Carbon (≈85%) and hydrogen (≈14%) *CORRECT+
C. Hydrogen (≈85%) and carbon (≈14%)
D. Nitrogen (≈60%) and sulfur (≈35%)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because fuel-oil is composed of approximately
85% carbon and 14% hydrogen, with small amounts of sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen making up the
remainder. This composition is important because the combustion process involves the chemical union
, of oxygen with these two principal elements to produce heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The high
carbon content is also why incomplete combustion produces dangerous carbon monoxide.
Q5: A building engineer with a P-98 COF is asked to supervise the transfer of fuel-oil from the basement
storage tank to the day tank on the 15th floor that supplies the emergency generator. Which type of
supervision is required for this fuel-oil transfer?
A. General supervision only
B. Personal supervision [CORRECT]
C. No supervision is required for routine transfers
D. Remote supervision via camera is sufficient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because fuel-oil transfer from a stationary tank on
the lowest floor to tanks or equipment on upper floors requires personal supervision by a P-98
Certificate of Fitness holder. Personal supervision means the holder must be physically present and
actively monitoring the transfer operation. General supervision applies to broader oversight
responsibilities, but the actual transfer process demands the holder's direct, on-site presence.
Q6: The P-98 Certificate of Fitness holder must maintain all qualifications and comply with all applicable
requirements throughout the term of the certificate. Which of the following is a qualification the holder
must maintain?
A. A commercial driver's license
B. Current knowledge of the specific fuel-oil system at the premises and compliance with all FDNY and
Fire Code requirements [CORRECT]
C. A degree in mechanical engineering
D. Membership in a fire safety union
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because the P-98 holder is responsible for
maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the building's fuel-oil system, including tank locations, piping
layouts, pump operations, and emergency procedures. The holder must also remain in compliance with
all applicable FDNY regulations and NYC Fire Code requirements. Failure to maintain these qualifications
can result in certificate suspension or revocation.
Q7: A P-98 holder is supervising a building where fuel-oil is stored in a basement tank. What is the
purpose of the dike surrounding the fuel-oil storage tank?
2026/2027 | Sprinkler Alarm Valve Supervisor, Fire
Protection Systems & NYC Fire Code | 40 Verified
Questions with Detailed Rationales
This exam contains verified questions drawn from the official FDNY P-98 study material and Notice of
Exam for the 2026/2027 cycle. It covers the supervision of fuel-oil transfer from stationary tanks on the
lowest floor to tanks or equipment on upper floors, as required by the NYC Fire Code and Mechanical
Code. Questions address general and personal supervision responsibilities, weekly inspection and testing
requirements, combustion principles, flame characteristics, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.
The actual P-98 exam consists of 35 questions with a 70% passing score.
Section 1: General Supervision, Premise-Related Requirements & Fuel-Oil System Overview —
Questions 1–10
Q1: The P-98 Certificate of Fitness is premise-related. What does this mean for the certificate holder?
A. The P-98 holder can supervise fuel-oil transfer at any building in New York City
B. The P-98 holder is qualified to supervise fuel-oil transfer only at the specific premises listed on the
certificate [CORRECT]
C. The P-98 holder can work at any building owned by the same company
D. The P-98 is valid for all five boroughs without restriction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because the P-98 Certificate of Fitness is premise-
related, meaning it is tied to a specific building or facility where the holder has demonstrated knowledge
of that particular fuel-oil system. If the holder changes buildings, a new P-98 must be obtained for the
new premises. This ensures that every P-98 holder is familiar with the specific layout, equipment, and
hazards of the building they supervise.
Q2: In the context of the NYC Fire Code and P-98 study material, what is the key difference between the
word "shall" and the word "should"?
,A. They mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably
B. "Shall" indicates a mandatory Fire Code requirement, while "should" indicates an FDNY-
recommended best practice [CORRECT]
C. "Shall" is a suggestion, while "should" is a strict requirement
D. "Should" only applies to new buildings, while "shall" applies to existing buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because throughout the P-98 study material and
the NYC Fire Code, "shall" denotes a mandatory requirement that must be followed, while "should"
represents a recommended best practice that the FDNY advises but does not legally mandate.
Understanding this distinction is critical for P-98 holders because failure to comply with a "shall"
requirement can result in violations, fines, or certificate revocation.
Q3: What are the two principal uses of fuel-oil in buildings covered by the P-98 Certificate of Fitness?
A. Cooking and water heating
B. Emergency generators and heating equipment [CORRECT]
C. Vehicle fueling and landscaping equipment
D. Industrial manufacturing and refrigeration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because the P-98 study material specifically
identifies the two principal uses of fuel-oil in buildings as powering emergency generators and fueling
equipment used to heat the building. These are the systems that require supervision of fuel-oil transfer
from storage tanks on the lowest floor to upper-floor equipment, which is the core responsibility of the
P-98 holder.
Q4: Fuel-oil is composed primarily of two elements. What are they, and what are their approximate
percentages?
A. Carbon (≈50%) and oxygen (≈45%)
B. Carbon (≈85%) and hydrogen (≈14%) *CORRECT+
C. Hydrogen (≈85%) and carbon (≈14%)
D. Nitrogen (≈60%) and sulfur (≈35%)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because fuel-oil is composed of approximately
85% carbon and 14% hydrogen, with small amounts of sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen making up the
remainder. This composition is important because the combustion process involves the chemical union
, of oxygen with these two principal elements to produce heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The high
carbon content is also why incomplete combustion produces dangerous carbon monoxide.
Q5: A building engineer with a P-98 COF is asked to supervise the transfer of fuel-oil from the basement
storage tank to the day tank on the 15th floor that supplies the emergency generator. Which type of
supervision is required for this fuel-oil transfer?
A. General supervision only
B. Personal supervision [CORRECT]
C. No supervision is required for routine transfers
D. Remote supervision via camera is sufficient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because fuel-oil transfer from a stationary tank on
the lowest floor to tanks or equipment on upper floors requires personal supervision by a P-98
Certificate of Fitness holder. Personal supervision means the holder must be physically present and
actively monitoring the transfer operation. General supervision applies to broader oversight
responsibilities, but the actual transfer process demands the holder's direct, on-site presence.
Q6: The P-98 Certificate of Fitness holder must maintain all qualifications and comply with all applicable
requirements throughout the term of the certificate. Which of the following is a qualification the holder
must maintain?
A. A commercial driver's license
B. Current knowledge of the specific fuel-oil system at the premises and compliance with all FDNY and
Fire Code requirements [CORRECT]
C. A degree in mechanical engineering
D. Membership in a fire safety union
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. This choice is correct because the P-98 holder is responsible for
maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the building's fuel-oil system, including tank locations, piping
layouts, pump operations, and emergency procedures. The holder must also remain in compliance with
all applicable FDNY regulations and NYC Fire Code requirements. Failure to maintain these qualifications
can result in certificate suspension or revocation.
Q7: A P-98 holder is supervising a building where fuel-oil is stored in a basement tank. What is the
purpose of the dike surrounding the fuel-oil storage tank?
