Page 1 of 139
NYC Custodian Engineer Exam (Board of
Education) Questions with Correct Answers
and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
NYC Custodian Engineer Exam (Board of Education)
Exam Coverage Summary
The NYC Custodian Engineer Exam (Exam No. 0063) is administered by DCAS for the NYC Department of
Education, Division of School Facilities . Candidates must manage complex school physical plants,
supervise staff, work within budgets, and understand DOE procedures . Key coverage includes boiler
operations (low/high pressure), HVAC systems (VAV, cooling towers, rooftop units), fire protection
(sprinklers, standpipes, extinguishers, alarms), electrical systems (motors, single-phasing, GFCI),
plumbing (backflow prevention, P-traps, sewer gas), OSHA safety standards (illumination, confined
space, LOTO), NYC codes (FDNY Fire Code, DOB Building Code), preventive maintenance scheduling,
administrative record-keeping, and supervisory responsibilities .
All 200 Randomized Questions
Question 1
A Custodian Engineer notices a faint odor of natural gas in a school boiler room. What is the FIRST
course of action?
A) Locate the main gas shut-off valve and close it
B) Open all windows and doors to ventilate the area
C) Evacuate the area and call 911 from a remote location
D) Attempt to locate the leak using a soapy water solution
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Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: Any action that could create a spark (using a phone in the area, operating electrical
switches, lights, or fans) poses an ignition risk. Evacuation and calling emergency services from a safe,
remote location is the mandated first step per FDNY and utility safety protocols .
Question 2
When performing a routine inspection of a fire sprinkler system, the Custodian Engineer observes that
the water pressure gauge on the wet pipe system reads 20 psi below the normal range. What is the
most likely cause?
A) A closed main control valve
B) A faulty fire alarm control panel
C) A tripped circuit breaker on the fire pump
D) A small leak in the system or a compromised city water supply
Correct Answer: D
Summary Rationale: A gradual drop in pressure indicates a loss of water, often due to a slow leak, a
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defective check valve, or a fluctuation in the municipal water supply. If the main control valve were
closed, the pressure would typically drop to zero or static city pressure with no flow .
Question 3
According to NYC Fire Code, how often must fire drills be conducted in a K-12 educational facility?
A) Monthly
B) Bi-monthly (every two months)
C) Quarterly
D) Semi-annually
Correct Answer: A
*Summary Rationale: The New York City Fire Code mandates that fire drills be conducted monthly in
educational facilities (K-12) while school is in session. This high frequency ensures that students and
staff are well-practiced in evacuation procedures .*
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Question 4
A Custodian Engineer is troubleshooting a three-phase induction motor that hums but fails to start.
Which of the following is the most probable cause?
A) An open circuit in the run winding
B) A seized bearing
C) A single-phasing condition (loss of one phase)
D) A low voltage supply to all three phases
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: A three-phase motor that hums and won't start is a classic symptom of single-
phasing, where one of the three power lines is disconnected. The motor lacks the rotating magnetic field
needed to generate starting torque .
Question 5
What is the primary function of a backflow preventer in a building's plumbing system?
A) To regulate the water pressure entering the building
B) To prevent potable water from being contaminated by non-potable water
NYC Custodian Engineer Exam (Board of
Education) Questions with Correct Answers
and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
NYC Custodian Engineer Exam (Board of Education)
Exam Coverage Summary
The NYC Custodian Engineer Exam (Exam No. 0063) is administered by DCAS for the NYC Department of
Education, Division of School Facilities . Candidates must manage complex school physical plants,
supervise staff, work within budgets, and understand DOE procedures . Key coverage includes boiler
operations (low/high pressure), HVAC systems (VAV, cooling towers, rooftop units), fire protection
(sprinklers, standpipes, extinguishers, alarms), electrical systems (motors, single-phasing, GFCI),
plumbing (backflow prevention, P-traps, sewer gas), OSHA safety standards (illumination, confined
space, LOTO), NYC codes (FDNY Fire Code, DOB Building Code), preventive maintenance scheduling,
administrative record-keeping, and supervisory responsibilities .
All 200 Randomized Questions
Question 1
A Custodian Engineer notices a faint odor of natural gas in a school boiler room. What is the FIRST
course of action?
A) Locate the main gas shut-off valve and close it
B) Open all windows and doors to ventilate the area
C) Evacuate the area and call 911 from a remote location
D) Attempt to locate the leak using a soapy water solution
, Page 2 of 139
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: Any action that could create a spark (using a phone in the area, operating electrical
switches, lights, or fans) poses an ignition risk. Evacuation and calling emergency services from a safe,
remote location is the mandated first step per FDNY and utility safety protocols .
Question 2
When performing a routine inspection of a fire sprinkler system, the Custodian Engineer observes that
the water pressure gauge on the wet pipe system reads 20 psi below the normal range. What is the
most likely cause?
A) A closed main control valve
B) A faulty fire alarm control panel
C) A tripped circuit breaker on the fire pump
D) A small leak in the system or a compromised city water supply
Correct Answer: D
Summary Rationale: A gradual drop in pressure indicates a loss of water, often due to a slow leak, a
, Page 3 of 139
defective check valve, or a fluctuation in the municipal water supply. If the main control valve were
closed, the pressure would typically drop to zero or static city pressure with no flow .
Question 3
According to NYC Fire Code, how often must fire drills be conducted in a K-12 educational facility?
A) Monthly
B) Bi-monthly (every two months)
C) Quarterly
D) Semi-annually
Correct Answer: A
*Summary Rationale: The New York City Fire Code mandates that fire drills be conducted monthly in
educational facilities (K-12) while school is in session. This high frequency ensures that students and
staff are well-practiced in evacuation procedures .*
, Page 4 of 139
Question 4
A Custodian Engineer is troubleshooting a three-phase induction motor that hums but fails to start.
Which of the following is the most probable cause?
A) An open circuit in the run winding
B) A seized bearing
C) A single-phasing condition (loss of one phase)
D) A low voltage supply to all three phases
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: A three-phase motor that hums and won't start is a classic symptom of single-
phasing, where one of the three power lines is disconnected. The motor lacks the rotating magnetic field
needed to generate starting torque .
Question 5
What is the primary function of a backflow preventer in a building's plumbing system?
A) To regulate the water pressure entering the building
B) To prevent potable water from being contaminated by non-potable water
