FDNY P-98 Exam Practice Test Study Guide
Questions And Well Graded Solutions
With Rationales Updated 2026-2027
Pass your FDNY P-98 Certificate of Fitness exam on the very first try! This comprehensive
study resource features 250 high-yield multiple-choice practice questions and answers,
complete with detailed explanations and rationales based directly on the official NYC Fire
Department materials. Master critical safety concepts including fuel-oil piping loops, weekly
leak inspections, burner atomization, safety float switches, flame safeguards, dikes, and
emergency shut-offs. Perfect for building operators, engineers, and property managers.
Question 1: Fuel-oil storage tanks and associated piping system components must
be visually inspected for leaks at least how often?
A) Daily
B) Weekly
C) Monthly
D) Annually
Answer: B) Weekly
Rationale: The FDNY study material explicitly requires a visual inspection of the fuel-
oil storage tanks, piping, and related components for leaks at least once every week.
Question 2: What level of supervision is required from a P-98 holder for the routine
operation of fuel-oil transfer pumps?
A) Personal Supervision
B) General Supervision
C) Direct Supervision
D) Constant Supervision
Answer: B) General Supervision
Rationale: Routine daily operations of fuel-oil storage and transfer systems require
General Supervision, meaning the P-98 holder is responsible but does not need to
be physically present at the exact spot.
Question 3: If an applicant passes the P-98 exam but does not yet have an employer
recommendation letter, what document will the FDNY issue?
A) An active P-98 card
B) A temporary Z-98 letter
C) A Certificate of Completion
D) A temporary variance permit
Answer: B) A temporary Z-98 letter
Rationale: The FDNY issues a Z-98 temporary letter to successful examinees who
lack employment context. This letter can be shown to employers to prove the test
was passed, allowing them to issue the required premises letter.
Question 4: Which flame characteristic generally indicates proper, efficient
combustion in a typical industrial fuel-oil burner?
A) A solid bright white flame
B) A dark blue flame with no sparks
1|Page
,C) An orange flame with reddish tips
D) A heavy smoky black flame
Answer: C) An orange flame with reddish tips
Rationale: An orange flame with slight red tips usually indicates a balanced mix of
fuel and air during combustion. A smoky black flame indicates a dangerous lack of
air, while a white flame may indicate excessive air.
Question 5: What is the minimum passing score required to successfully pass the
FDNY P-98 computer-based examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Answer: C) 70%
Rationale: FDNY Certificate of Fitness exams require a minimum score of 70% to
pass.
Question 6: Which of the following fuel oil grades is most commonly used in
residential and commercial buildings for heating systems?
A) No. 1
B) No. 2
C) No. 4
D) No. 6
Answer: B) No. 2
Rationale: No. 2 fuel oil is the industry standard for residential and commercial
heating boilers due to its distillation properties and viscosity.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a secondary containment dike around an
aboveground fuel storage tank?
A) To insulate the tank from cold weather
B) To catch leaks or catastrophic tank failures and prevent environmental spread
C) To decorative hide the mechanical appearance of the tank
D) To prevent the tank from shifting during an earthquake
Answer: B) To catch leaks or catastrophic tank failures and prevent
environmental spread
Rationale: Secondary containment dikes are safety barriers designed to hold 100%
to 110% of the tank's volume in case the primary tank fails or leaks.
Question 8: A float switch located inside a secondary containment dike is designed
to perform which immediate action upon detecting liquid?
A) Increase pump speed to drain the dike
B) Shut down the fuel oil transfer pump and trigger an alarm
C) Sound a quiet warning buzzer in the boiler room only
D) Open the main supply valve to relieve pressure
Answer: B) Shut down the fuel oil transfer pump and trigger an alarm
Rationale: If fluid reaches the secondary containment float switch, it indicates a
critical leak. The system must immediately stop pumping fuel into the compromised
area.
Question 9: When performing personal supervision of a fuel-oil system test, the P-98
holder must be located where?
A) Anywhere within New York City limits
2|Page
,B) Off-site but accessible by cellular phone
C) On-site and within the immediate area where testing is taking place
D) In the building management office monitoring cameras
Answer: C) On-site and within the immediate area where testing is taking place
Rationale: Personal supervision requires the COF holder to be physically present,
with a direct line of sight or within the immediate area of the operation or test being
performed.
Question 10: What does a sudden drop in fuel-oil pump discharge pressure most
likely indicate?
A) A completely full day tank
B) A clogged fuel filter, line blockage, or suction line leak
C) The oil viscosity has suddenly increased
D) The draft controller is stuck open
Answer: B) A clogged fuel filter, line blockage, or suction line leak
Rationale: A drop in discharge pressure usually stems from restriction on the suction
side, a clogged filter restricting flow, or an air leak in the suction line.
Question 11: What type of valve must be installed on the fuel oil suction line inside
the tank room to automatically stop fuel flow in case of a fire?
A) Manual needle valve
B) Fusible link safety shut-off valve
C) Standard gate valve
D) Non-return check valve
Answer: B) Fusible link safety shut-off valve
Rationale: Fusible link valves feature a meltable alloy link that snaps under high heat
(fire conditions), triggering a spring to slam the valve closed and isolate the fuel
supply.
Question 12: What color should the smoke coming from a building's boiler
chimney/stack ideally be during normal operation?
A) Dense white smoke
B) Thick black smoke
C) Clear or nearly invisible light haze
D) Dark yellow smoke
Answer: C) Clear or nearly invisible light haze
Rationale: Efficient, complete combustion releases minimal visible particulates. Thick
black smoke indicates unburned fuel, while thick white smoke often signifies too
much excess air or water vapor.
Question 13: What is the function of a "Day Tank" in a high-rise fuel-oil piping
system?
A) To store oil for exactly 24 weeks
B) To hold a limited supply of fuel oil on an upper floor closer to the burning
equipment
C) To separate water from oil using sunlight
D) To measure the annual fuel consumption rate
Answer: B) To hold a limited supply of fuel oil on an upper floor closer to the
burning equipment
Rationale: Day tanks are intermediate storage vessels located near upper-floor
equipment to ensure a steady, local supply of fuel without constantly cycling large
basement transfer pumps.
3|Page
, Question 14: How often must float switches and safety limit controls on fuel-oil tanks
be tested for functionality?
A) Every 5 years
B) At least once a month
C) Regularly as specified by manufacturer guidelines and FDNY rules
D) Only when a leak is actively reported
Answer: C) Regularly as specified by manufacturer guidelines and FDNY rules
Rationale: Safety limits, high-level alarms, and float switches must undergo regular
operational testing to guarantee they trip correctly before an overfill or accident
occurs.
Question 15: Which device prevents fuel oil from flowing backward from an upper-
floor day tank down to a basement storage tank when the transfer pump shuts off?
A) Gate valve
B) Check valve
C) Pressure relief valve
D) Pressure reducing valve
Answer: B) Check valve
Rationale: Check valves allow fluid to flow in only one direction, preventing reverse
flow and draining of upper piping when pumps lose power or cycle off.
Question 16: An "after-drip" condition at the burner nozzle after the burner shuts
down is dangerous primarily because it can lead to what?
A) Increased electrical utility costs
B) Carbon buildup, smoke, and potential small fires or explosions upon the next
ignition cycle
C) Cavitation within the transfer pumps
D) Excessive draft pressure in the chimney
Answer: B) Carbon buildup, smoke, and potential small fires or explosions
upon the next ignition cycle
Rationale: Unburned fuel dripping into a hot combustion chamber after shutdown
vaporizes and creates carbon soot, causing delayed ignition "puffs" or fires next time
the burner fires.
Question 17: Which code dictates the fire safety and mechanical regulations for fuel-
oil piping and storage inside New York City?
A) National Electrical Code (NEC)
B) New York City Fire Code and Mechanical Code
C) Federal Highway Administration regulations
D) New York State Department of Labor guidelines
Answer: B) New York City Fire Code and Mechanical Code
Rationale: The NYC Fire Code and Mechanical Code establish the local legal
standards for storing, piping, and utilizing combustible liquids within city structures.
Question 18: What is the fee required by the FDNY to renew a P-98 Certificate of
Fitness before it expires?
A) $5
B) $15
C) $25
D) $50
Answer: B) $15
4|Page
Questions And Well Graded Solutions
With Rationales Updated 2026-2027
Pass your FDNY P-98 Certificate of Fitness exam on the very first try! This comprehensive
study resource features 250 high-yield multiple-choice practice questions and answers,
complete with detailed explanations and rationales based directly on the official NYC Fire
Department materials. Master critical safety concepts including fuel-oil piping loops, weekly
leak inspections, burner atomization, safety float switches, flame safeguards, dikes, and
emergency shut-offs. Perfect for building operators, engineers, and property managers.
Question 1: Fuel-oil storage tanks and associated piping system components must
be visually inspected for leaks at least how often?
A) Daily
B) Weekly
C) Monthly
D) Annually
Answer: B) Weekly
Rationale: The FDNY study material explicitly requires a visual inspection of the fuel-
oil storage tanks, piping, and related components for leaks at least once every week.
Question 2: What level of supervision is required from a P-98 holder for the routine
operation of fuel-oil transfer pumps?
A) Personal Supervision
B) General Supervision
C) Direct Supervision
D) Constant Supervision
Answer: B) General Supervision
Rationale: Routine daily operations of fuel-oil storage and transfer systems require
General Supervision, meaning the P-98 holder is responsible but does not need to
be physically present at the exact spot.
Question 3: If an applicant passes the P-98 exam but does not yet have an employer
recommendation letter, what document will the FDNY issue?
A) An active P-98 card
B) A temporary Z-98 letter
C) A Certificate of Completion
D) A temporary variance permit
Answer: B) A temporary Z-98 letter
Rationale: The FDNY issues a Z-98 temporary letter to successful examinees who
lack employment context. This letter can be shown to employers to prove the test
was passed, allowing them to issue the required premises letter.
Question 4: Which flame characteristic generally indicates proper, efficient
combustion in a typical industrial fuel-oil burner?
A) A solid bright white flame
B) A dark blue flame with no sparks
1|Page
,C) An orange flame with reddish tips
D) A heavy smoky black flame
Answer: C) An orange flame with reddish tips
Rationale: An orange flame with slight red tips usually indicates a balanced mix of
fuel and air during combustion. A smoky black flame indicates a dangerous lack of
air, while a white flame may indicate excessive air.
Question 5: What is the minimum passing score required to successfully pass the
FDNY P-98 computer-based examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Answer: C) 70%
Rationale: FDNY Certificate of Fitness exams require a minimum score of 70% to
pass.
Question 6: Which of the following fuel oil grades is most commonly used in
residential and commercial buildings for heating systems?
A) No. 1
B) No. 2
C) No. 4
D) No. 6
Answer: B) No. 2
Rationale: No. 2 fuel oil is the industry standard for residential and commercial
heating boilers due to its distillation properties and viscosity.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a secondary containment dike around an
aboveground fuel storage tank?
A) To insulate the tank from cold weather
B) To catch leaks or catastrophic tank failures and prevent environmental spread
C) To decorative hide the mechanical appearance of the tank
D) To prevent the tank from shifting during an earthquake
Answer: B) To catch leaks or catastrophic tank failures and prevent
environmental spread
Rationale: Secondary containment dikes are safety barriers designed to hold 100%
to 110% of the tank's volume in case the primary tank fails or leaks.
Question 8: A float switch located inside a secondary containment dike is designed
to perform which immediate action upon detecting liquid?
A) Increase pump speed to drain the dike
B) Shut down the fuel oil transfer pump and trigger an alarm
C) Sound a quiet warning buzzer in the boiler room only
D) Open the main supply valve to relieve pressure
Answer: B) Shut down the fuel oil transfer pump and trigger an alarm
Rationale: If fluid reaches the secondary containment float switch, it indicates a
critical leak. The system must immediately stop pumping fuel into the compromised
area.
Question 9: When performing personal supervision of a fuel-oil system test, the P-98
holder must be located where?
A) Anywhere within New York City limits
2|Page
,B) Off-site but accessible by cellular phone
C) On-site and within the immediate area where testing is taking place
D) In the building management office monitoring cameras
Answer: C) On-site and within the immediate area where testing is taking place
Rationale: Personal supervision requires the COF holder to be physically present,
with a direct line of sight or within the immediate area of the operation or test being
performed.
Question 10: What does a sudden drop in fuel-oil pump discharge pressure most
likely indicate?
A) A completely full day tank
B) A clogged fuel filter, line blockage, or suction line leak
C) The oil viscosity has suddenly increased
D) The draft controller is stuck open
Answer: B) A clogged fuel filter, line blockage, or suction line leak
Rationale: A drop in discharge pressure usually stems from restriction on the suction
side, a clogged filter restricting flow, or an air leak in the suction line.
Question 11: What type of valve must be installed on the fuel oil suction line inside
the tank room to automatically stop fuel flow in case of a fire?
A) Manual needle valve
B) Fusible link safety shut-off valve
C) Standard gate valve
D) Non-return check valve
Answer: B) Fusible link safety shut-off valve
Rationale: Fusible link valves feature a meltable alloy link that snaps under high heat
(fire conditions), triggering a spring to slam the valve closed and isolate the fuel
supply.
Question 12: What color should the smoke coming from a building's boiler
chimney/stack ideally be during normal operation?
A) Dense white smoke
B) Thick black smoke
C) Clear or nearly invisible light haze
D) Dark yellow smoke
Answer: C) Clear or nearly invisible light haze
Rationale: Efficient, complete combustion releases minimal visible particulates. Thick
black smoke indicates unburned fuel, while thick white smoke often signifies too
much excess air or water vapor.
Question 13: What is the function of a "Day Tank" in a high-rise fuel-oil piping
system?
A) To store oil for exactly 24 weeks
B) To hold a limited supply of fuel oil on an upper floor closer to the burning
equipment
C) To separate water from oil using sunlight
D) To measure the annual fuel consumption rate
Answer: B) To hold a limited supply of fuel oil on an upper floor closer to the
burning equipment
Rationale: Day tanks are intermediate storage vessels located near upper-floor
equipment to ensure a steady, local supply of fuel without constantly cycling large
basement transfer pumps.
3|Page
, Question 14: How often must float switches and safety limit controls on fuel-oil tanks
be tested for functionality?
A) Every 5 years
B) At least once a month
C) Regularly as specified by manufacturer guidelines and FDNY rules
D) Only when a leak is actively reported
Answer: C) Regularly as specified by manufacturer guidelines and FDNY rules
Rationale: Safety limits, high-level alarms, and float switches must undergo regular
operational testing to guarantee they trip correctly before an overfill or accident
occurs.
Question 15: Which device prevents fuel oil from flowing backward from an upper-
floor day tank down to a basement storage tank when the transfer pump shuts off?
A) Gate valve
B) Check valve
C) Pressure relief valve
D) Pressure reducing valve
Answer: B) Check valve
Rationale: Check valves allow fluid to flow in only one direction, preventing reverse
flow and draining of upper piping when pumps lose power or cycle off.
Question 16: An "after-drip" condition at the burner nozzle after the burner shuts
down is dangerous primarily because it can lead to what?
A) Increased electrical utility costs
B) Carbon buildup, smoke, and potential small fires or explosions upon the next
ignition cycle
C) Cavitation within the transfer pumps
D) Excessive draft pressure in the chimney
Answer: B) Carbon buildup, smoke, and potential small fires or explosions
upon the next ignition cycle
Rationale: Unburned fuel dripping into a hot combustion chamber after shutdown
vaporizes and creates carbon soot, causing delayed ignition "puffs" or fires next time
the burner fires.
Question 17: Which code dictates the fire safety and mechanical regulations for fuel-
oil piping and storage inside New York City?
A) National Electrical Code (NEC)
B) New York City Fire Code and Mechanical Code
C) Federal Highway Administration regulations
D) New York State Department of Labor guidelines
Answer: B) New York City Fire Code and Mechanical Code
Rationale: The NYC Fire Code and Mechanical Code establish the local legal
standards for storing, piping, and utilizing combustible liquids within city structures.
Question 18: What is the fee required by the FDNY to renew a P-98 Certificate of
Fitness before it expires?
A) $5
B) $15
C) $25
D) $50
Answer: B) $15
4|Page
