Page 1 of 160
FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate of
Fitness Exam Questions with Correct Answers and
explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate of Fitness Exam
Below is a summarized exam coverage for the FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate of
Fitness Exam, followed by 250 randomized, scenario-based MCQs with answers and italicized
rationales. Each question has 5 answer options, and rationales are based on FDNY regulations, the NYC
Fire Code, NFPA standards, and study materials for the C-15 exam.
Summarized Exam Coverage — FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment
The C-15 Certificate of Fitness is required to treat or supervise the treatment of combustible
decorations, scenery, fabrics, and other materials with FDNY-approved flame-retardant chemicals in
New York City . The certificate is issued by the FDNY and is valid for 3 years . Key coverage areas include:
• Flame-retardant chemicals: Must be FDNY-approved, applied per manufacturer instructions,
properly stored, and not altered or diluted without approval
• Application requirements: Even and complete coverage via spray, dipping, or brushing; clean
surfaces; proper PPE (gloves, goggles, respirator); adequate ventilation
• Testing requirements: Treated items must resist flame for at least 30 seconds (field flame test) ;
baseline and final verification testing required
• Documentation: Certificate of Approval issued by FDNY; treatment logs include chemical name,
batch number, application method, date, location, and C-15 holder name
• Labeling: FDNY approval labels must be visible and attached to treated materials
• Retreatment triggers: Washing, cleaning, weather exposure, wear, damage, or any alteration
that may remove chemicals
• Occupancies requiring treatment: Groups A, E, I, M; R-1 college/university dorms; common
areas of Groups B, R-1, R-2; public gathering places
• NFPA standards: NFPA 701 (fabric flame propagation), NFPA 703 (fire-retardant coatings), NFPA
260 (upholstered furniture), UL 94 (plastics flammability)
• Inherently flame-resistant vs. treated materials: Inherently FR materials require documentation
and initial C-15 testing only; treated materials must be retested annually and re-treated every 3
years
• Safety protocols: Chemical storage away from ignition sources, PPE use, proper ventilation, spill
containment, SDS accessibility
• Inspection and compliance: Records must be available on-site; FDNY may inspect at any time;
untreated combustible decorations are prohibited in regulated spaces
• Certificate holder responsibility: Must be present during treatment application and supervision;
cannot delegate to uncertified personnel
• Flame-retardant mechanisms: Char formation, gas-phase inhibition, intumescent expansion
(heat-induced swelling creating insulating barrier), cooling via endothermic fillers
• Environmental considerations: Halogenated retardants persist in environment;
phosphorus/nitrogen-based considered more eco-friendly
The C-15 exam is a written test (multiple choice/true-false) covering these topics. Candidates must
apply in person with a letter of employment and valid government-issued ID; passing results in
immediate certificate issuance .
, Page 2 of 160
1. A theater manager asks you to treat stage curtains for an upcoming Broadway show. Which FDNY
Certificate of Fitness is required to perform this work?
A) F-01
B) C-14
C) C-15
D) S-95
E) G-60
Answer: C
*Rationale: C-15 is specifically designated for Flame Retardant Treatment operations, including
supervision and application on decorations, scenery, and fabrics .*
2. Flame-retardant treatment must be performed according to which two sets of requirements?
A) National Fire Academy rules and installer preference
B) FDNY regulations and manufacturer's instructions
C) Local community board standards and building codes
D) EPA guidelines and OSHA requirements only
E) NFPA 101 and NYC Building Code only
, Page 3 of 160
Answer: B
Rationale: Both FDNY rules and manufacturer guidelines are required to ensure approved application
methods and safety compliance .
3. After applying flame-retardant treatment, who must issue the Certificate of Approval?
A) The building owner
B) The contractor's supervisor
C) FDNY
D) The customer
E) The chemical manufacturer
Answer: C
Rationale: FDNY issues Certificates of Approval for approved flame-retardant chemicals and treated
materials .
4. According to NYC Fire Code, a treated item must resist flame for at least how many seconds during a
field test?
A) 2 seconds
, Page 4 of 160
B) 5 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) 60 seconds
E) 120 seconds
Answer: C
*Rationale: NYC Fire Code requires a minimum 30-second flame-resistance test to verify treatment
effectiveness .*
5. Which material typically requires flame-retardant treatment in public assembly spaces?
A) Metal walls
B) Glass partitions
C) Fabric draperies
D) Concrete columns
E) Ceramic tiles
FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate of
Fitness Exam Questions with Correct Answers and
explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate of Fitness Exam
Below is a summarized exam coverage for the FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate of
Fitness Exam, followed by 250 randomized, scenario-based MCQs with answers and italicized
rationales. Each question has 5 answer options, and rationales are based on FDNY regulations, the NYC
Fire Code, NFPA standards, and study materials for the C-15 exam.
Summarized Exam Coverage — FDNY C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment
The C-15 Certificate of Fitness is required to treat or supervise the treatment of combustible
decorations, scenery, fabrics, and other materials with FDNY-approved flame-retardant chemicals in
New York City . The certificate is issued by the FDNY and is valid for 3 years . Key coverage areas include:
• Flame-retardant chemicals: Must be FDNY-approved, applied per manufacturer instructions,
properly stored, and not altered or diluted without approval
• Application requirements: Even and complete coverage via spray, dipping, or brushing; clean
surfaces; proper PPE (gloves, goggles, respirator); adequate ventilation
• Testing requirements: Treated items must resist flame for at least 30 seconds (field flame test) ;
baseline and final verification testing required
• Documentation: Certificate of Approval issued by FDNY; treatment logs include chemical name,
batch number, application method, date, location, and C-15 holder name
• Labeling: FDNY approval labels must be visible and attached to treated materials
• Retreatment triggers: Washing, cleaning, weather exposure, wear, damage, or any alteration
that may remove chemicals
• Occupancies requiring treatment: Groups A, E, I, M; R-1 college/university dorms; common
areas of Groups B, R-1, R-2; public gathering places
• NFPA standards: NFPA 701 (fabric flame propagation), NFPA 703 (fire-retardant coatings), NFPA
260 (upholstered furniture), UL 94 (plastics flammability)
• Inherently flame-resistant vs. treated materials: Inherently FR materials require documentation
and initial C-15 testing only; treated materials must be retested annually and re-treated every 3
years
• Safety protocols: Chemical storage away from ignition sources, PPE use, proper ventilation, spill
containment, SDS accessibility
• Inspection and compliance: Records must be available on-site; FDNY may inspect at any time;
untreated combustible decorations are prohibited in regulated spaces
• Certificate holder responsibility: Must be present during treatment application and supervision;
cannot delegate to uncertified personnel
• Flame-retardant mechanisms: Char formation, gas-phase inhibition, intumescent expansion
(heat-induced swelling creating insulating barrier), cooling via endothermic fillers
• Environmental considerations: Halogenated retardants persist in environment;
phosphorus/nitrogen-based considered more eco-friendly
The C-15 exam is a written test (multiple choice/true-false) covering these topics. Candidates must
apply in person with a letter of employment and valid government-issued ID; passing results in
immediate certificate issuance .
, Page 2 of 160
1. A theater manager asks you to treat stage curtains for an upcoming Broadway show. Which FDNY
Certificate of Fitness is required to perform this work?
A) F-01
B) C-14
C) C-15
D) S-95
E) G-60
Answer: C
*Rationale: C-15 is specifically designated for Flame Retardant Treatment operations, including
supervision and application on decorations, scenery, and fabrics .*
2. Flame-retardant treatment must be performed according to which two sets of requirements?
A) National Fire Academy rules and installer preference
B) FDNY regulations and manufacturer's instructions
C) Local community board standards and building codes
D) EPA guidelines and OSHA requirements only
E) NFPA 101 and NYC Building Code only
, Page 3 of 160
Answer: B
Rationale: Both FDNY rules and manufacturer guidelines are required to ensure approved application
methods and safety compliance .
3. After applying flame-retardant treatment, who must issue the Certificate of Approval?
A) The building owner
B) The contractor's supervisor
C) FDNY
D) The customer
E) The chemical manufacturer
Answer: C
Rationale: FDNY issues Certificates of Approval for approved flame-retardant chemicals and treated
materials .
4. According to NYC Fire Code, a treated item must resist flame for at least how many seconds during a
field test?
A) 2 seconds
, Page 4 of 160
B) 5 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) 60 seconds
E) 120 seconds
Answer: C
*Rationale: NYC Fire Code requires a minimum 30-second flame-resistance test to verify treatment
effectiveness .*
5. Which material typically requires flame-retardant treatment in public assembly spaces?
A) Metal walls
B) Glass partitions
C) Fabric draperies
D) Concrete columns
E) Ceramic tiles
