FDNY A-35 Certificate of Fitness Exam Actual Exam 2026/2027:
Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
100% VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Total Questions: 20 multiple-choice, single best answer
Recommended Time: 30 minutes (mirroring official FDNY time limit)
Passing Threshold: 70% (14 correct answers required)
Difficulty Distribution: Easy (25%), Moderate (60%), Difficult (15%)
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1 — Domain: Permit Requirements & Regulatory Framework (Easy)
A construction company in Brooklyn operates a diesel-powered air compressor
outdoors at a building site to power pneumatic nail guns. The compressor pressurizes
air to 85 psi. The site supervisor asks whether an FDNY permit is required for this
operation. What is the correct determination?
A. A permit is required because the compressor exceeds 50 psi and operates on a
construction site within city limits.
B. No permit is required because outdoor air compressing (other than at a fair or
festival) does not require a FDNY permit, regardless of pressure.
,C. A permit is required because any air compressor operating in New York City must
have a FDNY permit regardless of location or pressure.
D. No permit is required because the compressor is diesel-powered, and only electric
compressors require FDNY permits.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the FDNY A-35 Study Material (Revised 1/2026), a FDNY permit
is required if a compressor is used to compress any nonflammable, corrosive or
oxidizing gas, including air, to a pressure exceeding 100 psi. However, outdoor air
compressing (other than a fair or festival) does not require a FDNY permit, regardless of
the pressure level. The compressor in this scenario operates outdoors at a construction
site (not a fair or festival), so no permit is required. Option A is incorrect because the 50
psi threshold is not the regulatory trigger; the correct threshold is 100 psi. Option C is
incorrect because it ignores the outdoor exemption. Option D is incorrect because the
power source (diesel vs. electric) is not a factor in permit determination. (See FDNY
A-35 Study Material, Part 1: Introduction, "Permits" section, page 6.)
QUESTION 2 — Domain: Air Compressor System Components & Safety
Devices (Moderate)
During a weekly inspection of a reciprocating air compressor in an auto repair shop, you
notice the pressure gauge on the air receiver reads 155 psi. The manufacturer's
maximum recommended operating pressure is 150 psi. The automatic control device
(pressure switch) does not appear to have shut down the compressor. Which
component serves as the backup safety device designed to automatically release
excess pressure and prevent tank rupture?
, A. The unloading valve, which releases air from the compression chamber during motor
startup.
B. The check valve, which prevents backflow from the tank to the compressor head.
C. The pressure relief valve, which automatically opens when receiver pressure reaches
dangerous levels.
D. The constant speed control switch, which allows excess air to escape into the
atmosphere during continuous operation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pressure relief valve acts as a backup safety device to the pressure
switch (automatic control device). It is designed to automatically open when the
pressure in the receiver reaches dangerous levels, preventing tank rupture or explosion.
The pressure relief valve should be set no less than 15 psi or 10 percent (whichever is
greater) above the operating pressure, but never higher than the maximum allowable
working pressure of the air receiver. Option A is incorrect because the unloading valve
releases air from the compression chamber to reduce motor strain during startup, not to
relieve overpressure in the receiver. Option B is incorrect because the check valve
prevents backflow and has no pressure-relief function. Option D is incorrect because the
constant speed control switch is used for continuous-demand operations and releases
excess air through the pressure release valve as part of normal operation, not as an
emergency overpressure safety device. (See FDNY A-35 Study Material, Part 2:
Operation of Air Compressors, "Safety Components" and "The Pressure Relief Valve"
sections, pages 10-12.)
QUESTION 3 — Domain: Operation & Maintenance Procedures (Moderate)
Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
100% VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Total Questions: 20 multiple-choice, single best answer
Recommended Time: 30 minutes (mirroring official FDNY time limit)
Passing Threshold: 70% (14 correct answers required)
Difficulty Distribution: Easy (25%), Moderate (60%), Difficult (15%)
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1 — Domain: Permit Requirements & Regulatory Framework (Easy)
A construction company in Brooklyn operates a diesel-powered air compressor
outdoors at a building site to power pneumatic nail guns. The compressor pressurizes
air to 85 psi. The site supervisor asks whether an FDNY permit is required for this
operation. What is the correct determination?
A. A permit is required because the compressor exceeds 50 psi and operates on a
construction site within city limits.
B. No permit is required because outdoor air compressing (other than at a fair or
festival) does not require a FDNY permit, regardless of pressure.
,C. A permit is required because any air compressor operating in New York City must
have a FDNY permit regardless of location or pressure.
D. No permit is required because the compressor is diesel-powered, and only electric
compressors require FDNY permits.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the FDNY A-35 Study Material (Revised 1/2026), a FDNY permit
is required if a compressor is used to compress any nonflammable, corrosive or
oxidizing gas, including air, to a pressure exceeding 100 psi. However, outdoor air
compressing (other than a fair or festival) does not require a FDNY permit, regardless of
the pressure level. The compressor in this scenario operates outdoors at a construction
site (not a fair or festival), so no permit is required. Option A is incorrect because the 50
psi threshold is not the regulatory trigger; the correct threshold is 100 psi. Option C is
incorrect because it ignores the outdoor exemption. Option D is incorrect because the
power source (diesel vs. electric) is not a factor in permit determination. (See FDNY
A-35 Study Material, Part 1: Introduction, "Permits" section, page 6.)
QUESTION 2 — Domain: Air Compressor System Components & Safety
Devices (Moderate)
During a weekly inspection of a reciprocating air compressor in an auto repair shop, you
notice the pressure gauge on the air receiver reads 155 psi. The manufacturer's
maximum recommended operating pressure is 150 psi. The automatic control device
(pressure switch) does not appear to have shut down the compressor. Which
component serves as the backup safety device designed to automatically release
excess pressure and prevent tank rupture?
, A. The unloading valve, which releases air from the compression chamber during motor
startup.
B. The check valve, which prevents backflow from the tank to the compressor head.
C. The pressure relief valve, which automatically opens when receiver pressure reaches
dangerous levels.
D. The constant speed control switch, which allows excess air to escape into the
atmosphere during continuous operation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pressure relief valve acts as a backup safety device to the pressure
switch (automatic control device). It is designed to automatically open when the
pressure in the receiver reaches dangerous levels, preventing tank rupture or explosion.
The pressure relief valve should be set no less than 15 psi or 10 percent (whichever is
greater) above the operating pressure, but never higher than the maximum allowable
working pressure of the air receiver. Option A is incorrect because the unloading valve
releases air from the compression chamber to reduce motor strain during startup, not to
relieve overpressure in the receiver. Option B is incorrect because the check valve
prevents backflow and has no pressure-relief function. Option D is incorrect because the
constant speed control switch is used for continuous-demand operations and releases
excess air through the pressure release valve as part of normal operation, not as an
emergency overpressure safety device. (See FDNY A-35 Study Material, Part 2:
Operation of Air Compressors, "Safety Components" and "The Pressure Relief Valve"
sections, pages 10-12.)
QUESTION 3 — Domain: Operation & Maintenance Procedures (Moderate)
