S95 Personal Exam 2026/2027 | FDNY
Certificate of Fitness | 100+ Questions with
Verified Answers & Rationales | Graded A+
1. What is the primary duty that an S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder is permitted to
perform?
A) Install new fire alarm control panels
B) Perform electrical wiring repairs
C) Conduct visual inspections of fire alarm system components and smoke detectors
D) Approve building construction plans for fire safety
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The S-95 COF holder is strictly limited to performing visual inspections only.
Installation and complex repairs require different licenses (e.g., S-98 or a licensed
electrician).
2. What is the primary purpose of a fire alarm system?
A) To automatically extinguish a fire
B) To warn building occupants and transmit a signal to the Fire Department via a central
station
C) To monitor elevator operation
D) To control building access
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The system's purpose is twofold: warn occupants locally and transmit a signal to
the FDNY through an approved central station monitoring company.
3. Which of the following is an example of a fire alarm signal?
A) A signal indicating a phone line is disconnected
B) A signal initiated by a manual pull station or smoke detector
C) A signal indicating a sprinkler control valve is partially closed
D) A signal indicating a battery is low
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A fire alarm signal is initiated by a device whose activation indicates the
presence of fire, such as a manual pull station, smoke detector, or water-flow switch.
4. What is a supervisory signal?
A) A signal indicating a fire has been confirmed
B) A signal indicating that a system or device being monitored is in an abnormal state (e.g.,
a valve is closed)
C) A signal indicating a complete system failure
D) A signal indicating a power outage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A supervisory signal indicates that a monitored device (like a sprinkler valve or
fire pump) has been compromised or is not in its normal state. It requires investigation but is
not a fire alarm.
5. If a central station receives a supervisory signal, is the FDNY automatically
dispatched?
, A) Yes, always
B) No, the facility manager should investigate and correct the condition first
C) Yes, but only during business hours
D) Only if it is a weekend
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The FDNY is not dispatched for supervisory or trouble signals. The facility
manager is responsible for investigating and correcting the issue.
6. What is a trouble signal?
A) A signal indicating a confirmed fire
B) A signal indicating a fault with the fire equipment, such as a battery failure or open
circuit
C) A signal indicating a supervisory condition
D) A signal indicating an alarm test is in progress
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A trouble signal indicates a fault in the system (e.g., battery, wiring, phone line)
that must have an audible signal distinctive from an alarm signal.
7. According to FDNY rules, what is the maximum amount of time "routine handling"
of a trouble signal should take, from receipt by the central station to the initiation of
an investigation?
A) 10 minutes
B) 4 minutes
C) 30 minutes
D) 1 hour
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The maximum time for routine handling of a trouble signal is four (4) minutes.
8. What is the function of an Acknowledge Switch (ACK) on a Fire Alarm Control
Panel (FACP)?
A) To silence the alarm bells
B) To acknowledge alarm, supervisory, or trouble conditions
C) To reset the entire fire alarm system
D) To test the system's batteries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ACK switch is used to acknowledge that the system has registered a
condition (alarm, supervisory, or trouble).
9. Why is the Alarm Silence Switch helpful after an evacuation, while the source of an
alarm is being investigated?
A) It turns off the strobe lights to save energy
B) It silences audible and visual devices so emergency responders can
communicate more easily
C) It resets the system automatically
D) It tests the notification appliances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Silencing the local horns and bells after evacuation makes it easier for firefighters
and building personnel to communicate while they investigate the alarm source.
Certificate of Fitness | 100+ Questions with
Verified Answers & Rationales | Graded A+
1. What is the primary duty that an S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder is permitted to
perform?
A) Install new fire alarm control panels
B) Perform electrical wiring repairs
C) Conduct visual inspections of fire alarm system components and smoke detectors
D) Approve building construction plans for fire safety
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The S-95 COF holder is strictly limited to performing visual inspections only.
Installation and complex repairs require different licenses (e.g., S-98 or a licensed
electrician).
2. What is the primary purpose of a fire alarm system?
A) To automatically extinguish a fire
B) To warn building occupants and transmit a signal to the Fire Department via a central
station
C) To monitor elevator operation
D) To control building access
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The system's purpose is twofold: warn occupants locally and transmit a signal to
the FDNY through an approved central station monitoring company.
3. Which of the following is an example of a fire alarm signal?
A) A signal indicating a phone line is disconnected
B) A signal initiated by a manual pull station or smoke detector
C) A signal indicating a sprinkler control valve is partially closed
D) A signal indicating a battery is low
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A fire alarm signal is initiated by a device whose activation indicates the
presence of fire, such as a manual pull station, smoke detector, or water-flow switch.
4. What is a supervisory signal?
A) A signal indicating a fire has been confirmed
B) A signal indicating that a system or device being monitored is in an abnormal state (e.g.,
a valve is closed)
C) A signal indicating a complete system failure
D) A signal indicating a power outage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A supervisory signal indicates that a monitored device (like a sprinkler valve or
fire pump) has been compromised or is not in its normal state. It requires investigation but is
not a fire alarm.
5. If a central station receives a supervisory signal, is the FDNY automatically
dispatched?
, A) Yes, always
B) No, the facility manager should investigate and correct the condition first
C) Yes, but only during business hours
D) Only if it is a weekend
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The FDNY is not dispatched for supervisory or trouble signals. The facility
manager is responsible for investigating and correcting the issue.
6. What is a trouble signal?
A) A signal indicating a confirmed fire
B) A signal indicating a fault with the fire equipment, such as a battery failure or open
circuit
C) A signal indicating a supervisory condition
D) A signal indicating an alarm test is in progress
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A trouble signal indicates a fault in the system (e.g., battery, wiring, phone line)
that must have an audible signal distinctive from an alarm signal.
7. According to FDNY rules, what is the maximum amount of time "routine handling"
of a trouble signal should take, from receipt by the central station to the initiation of
an investigation?
A) 10 minutes
B) 4 minutes
C) 30 minutes
D) 1 hour
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The maximum time for routine handling of a trouble signal is four (4) minutes.
8. What is the function of an Acknowledge Switch (ACK) on a Fire Alarm Control
Panel (FACP)?
A) To silence the alarm bells
B) To acknowledge alarm, supervisory, or trouble conditions
C) To reset the entire fire alarm system
D) To test the system's batteries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ACK switch is used to acknowledge that the system has registered a
condition (alarm, supervisory, or trouble).
9. Why is the Alarm Silence Switch helpful after an evacuation, while the source of an
alarm is being investigated?
A) It turns off the strobe lights to save energy
B) It silences audible and visual devices so emergency responders can
communicate more easily
C) It resets the system automatically
D) It tests the notification appliances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Silencing the local horns and bells after evacuation makes it easier for firefighters
and building personnel to communicate while they investigate the alarm source.
