S95 Personal Exam Questions and
Complete Solutions Graded A+
Which duties can an S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder perform? - Answer: Visual Inspections Only - of fire
alarm system components and smoke detectors
What is the primary purpose of Fire Alarm Systems? - Answer: To warn building occupants and transmit
signals indicating a fire condition to the Fire Department via central station.
What is a Fire Alarm signal? - Answer: 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? - Answer: 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? - Answer: No. The Facility Manager should investigate
and correct the supervisory condition indicated by the FACP.
What is a Trouble Signal? - Answer: 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. - Answer: FOUR minutes
Is the FDNY dispatched for Trouble Signals? - Answer: No. Trouble Signals aren't indicative of a fire
condition.
What is an Acknowledge Switch (ACK) ? - Answer: 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? - Answer: 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? - Answer: The System Reset Switch
Smoke Detectors should be cleaned not less than - Answer: Once every six months
How often should Analog Smoke Detectors be cleaned? - Answer: One week from receipt of an
indication that cleaning is needed.
How often should Smoke Detectors be tested for smoke entry? - Answer: Not less than once a year
After activation, which type of heat detector self-restores? Which type doesn't? - Answer: 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? -
Answer: 277/480 volts
All abnormal conditions be investigated and noted where? - Answer: A bound Log Book
Alarm Notification Appliance - Answer: A fire alarm system component (bell, light, etc.) that issues an
audible, tactile, or visual alert.
Annunciator - Answer: A unit containing one or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric displays, etc. in
which each indication provides status info about a circuit, condition, or location.
ARCS (Auxiliary Radio Communication System) - Answer: A wireless two-way building communication
system for Fire Dept. use only.
Accessibility - Answer: Admitting close approach- not guarded by locked doors, elevation, etc.
Complete Solutions Graded A+
Which duties can an S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder perform? - Answer: Visual Inspections Only - of fire
alarm system components and smoke detectors
What is the primary purpose of Fire Alarm Systems? - Answer: To warn building occupants and transmit
signals indicating a fire condition to the Fire Department via central station.
What is a Fire Alarm signal? - Answer: 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? - Answer: 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? - Answer: No. The Facility Manager should investigate
and correct the supervisory condition indicated by the FACP.
What is a Trouble Signal? - Answer: 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. - Answer: FOUR minutes
Is the FDNY dispatched for Trouble Signals? - Answer: No. Trouble Signals aren't indicative of a fire
condition.
What is an Acknowledge Switch (ACK) ? - Answer: 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? - Answer: 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? - Answer: The System Reset Switch
Smoke Detectors should be cleaned not less than - Answer: Once every six months
How often should Analog Smoke Detectors be cleaned? - Answer: One week from receipt of an
indication that cleaning is needed.
How often should Smoke Detectors be tested for smoke entry? - Answer: Not less than once a year
After activation, which type of heat detector self-restores? Which type doesn't? - Answer: 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? -
Answer: 277/480 volts
All abnormal conditions be investigated and noted where? - Answer: A bound Log Book
Alarm Notification Appliance - Answer: A fire alarm system component (bell, light, etc.) that issues an
audible, tactile, or visual alert.
Annunciator - Answer: A unit containing one or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric displays, etc. in
which each indication provides status info about a circuit, condition, or location.
ARCS (Auxiliary Radio Communication System) - Answer: A wireless two-way building communication
system for Fire Dept. use only.
Accessibility - Answer: Admitting close approach- not guarded by locked doors, elevation, etc.
