S-95 FDNY TEST STUDY GUIDE Questions and Answers with
complete Solutions | Updated 2025
Question 1
What is the holder of an S-95 Certificate of Fitness authorized to do?
A) Repair and maintain all components of a fire alarm system.
B) Perform only visual inspections of smoke detectors.
C) Reset the fire alarm system after any activation.
D) Silence the fire alarm system during a fire drill.
E) Act as the building's impairment coordinator.
Correct Answer: B) Perform only visual inspections of smoke detectors.
Rationale: The S-95 Certificate of Fitness for Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other
Related Systems is limited in scope. The holder is authorized to perform visual inspections
to ensure there are no obvious issues but is not qualified to perform physical testing,
cleaning, or repairs, which must be done by a licensed technician.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of a fire alarm system on a premise?
A) To automatically extinguish a fire.
B) To notify the building owner of a trouble signal.
C) To warn occupants of a fire and transmit a signal to an FDNY-approved central station.
D) To unlock all emergency exits in the building.
E) To recall all elevators to the lobby.
Correct Answer: C) To warn occupants of a fire and transmit a signal to an FDNY-approved
central station.
Rationale: The main function of a fire alarm system is life safety. This is accomplished by
alerting the building occupants to a fire condition via audible and visual alarms, allowing
them to evacuate, and simultaneously sending a signal to a central station, which then
notifies the FDNY.
Question 3
Which component of a fire alarm system is responsible for monitoring inputs and controlling
outputs?
A) The Central Station Transmitter
B) A Manual Pull Station
C) The Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP)
D) An Audio/Visual Notification Device
E) A Smoke Detector
Correct Answer: C) The Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP)
Rationale: The FACP is the "brain" of the fire alarm system. It receives signals from
initiating devices (like smoke detectors and pull stations), processes these signals, and
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activates the appropriate output devices (like horns, strobes, and the central station
transmitter).
Question 4
A fire alarm system can transmit three types of signals. They are:
A) Fire Alarm, Supervisory, and Test
B) Fire Alarm, Supervisory, and Trouble
C) Alarm, Acknowledge, and Reset
D) Initiating, Notification, and Monitoring
E) Audible, Visual, and Silent
Correct Answer: B) Fire Alarm, Supervisory, and Trouble
Rationale: These are the three distinct categories of signals that a fire alarm system can
generate. A Fire Alarm indicates an active fire condition. A Supervisory signal indicates a
problem with a monitored system (like a sprinkler valve being closed). A Trouble signal
indicates a fault or malfunction in the fire alarm system itself.
Question 5
Which of the following would initiate a fire alarm signal?
A) A closed sprinkler control valve.
B) A low battery condition in the FACP.
C) Activation of a manual pull station.
D) A ground fault on a wiring circuit.
E) A loss of AC power.
Correct Answer: C) Activation of a manual pull station.
Rationale: A fire alarm signal is an emergency signal indicating a fire. It is initiated by
devices that detect a fire or are manually activated for that purpose, such as manual pull
stations, smoke detectors, or water flow switches. The other options would generate
supervisory or trouble signals.
Question 6
A signal indicating that a sprinkler system's control valve is in an abnormal state (e.g., closed) is
an example of a:
A) Fire Alarm Signal
B) Supervisory Signal
C) Trouble Signal
D) Reset Signal
E) Acknowledge Signal
Correct Answer: B) Supervisory Signal
Rationale: Supervisory signals are generated when a system or device being monitored by
the fire alarm system is compromised or in an off-normal state. A closed valve on a
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sprinkler system is a critical issue that needs investigation, but it is not an active fire, so it
generates a supervisory signal.
Question 7
A signal indicating an open or short circuit on a fire alarm system wire is known as a:
A) Fire Alarm Signal
B) Supervisory Signal
C) Trouble Signal
D) Tamper Signal
E) Flow Signal
Correct Answer: C) Trouble Signal
Rationale: Trouble signals indicate a fault or malfunction within the fire alarm system's
wiring or components. This includes issues like a loss of power (AC or battery), a ground
fault, or a break (open) or short in a circuit. These signals alert personnel that the system
itself needs repair.
Question 8
What is the function of the Alarm Silence switch or button on the FACP?
A) To reset the entire fire alarm system.
B) To permanently disable the system.
C) To silence the building's horns and strobes after an evacuation.
D) To send a test signal to the central station.
E) To acknowledge a trouble signal.
Correct Answer: C) To silence the building's horns and strobes after an evacuation.
Rationale: After a fire alarm has activated and the building has been evacuated, the Alarm
Silence button can be used to turn off the noisy notification appliances. This allows
personnel to investigate the cause of the alarm without the distraction of the horns.
Importantly, silencing the alarms does not reset the system or clear the alarm at the FACP.
Question 9
Who is authorized to reset the fire alarm system after an alarm condition has been verified?
A) Any building occupant.
B) The S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder.
C) The building owner.
D) Only FDNY personnel.
E) The central station operator, remotely.
Correct Answer: D) Only FDNY personnel.
Rationale: The fire alarm system should never be reset until the condition that caused the
alarm has been investigated and cleared by the responding FDNY personnel. The FDNY
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officer in charge will give the authorization to reset the system after they have determined
it is safe to do so.
Question 10
What is the purpose of the System Reset switch or button on the FACP?
A) To silence the audible alarms only.
B) To return the fire alarm system to its normal, non-alarm condition after a fault has been
cleared.
C) To test the system's batteries.
D) To place the system into a temporary offline mode for maintenance.
E) To acknowledge a supervisory signal without clearing it.
Correct Answer: B) To return the fire alarm system to its normal, non-alarm condition after
a fault has been cleared.
Rationale: After an alarm or supervisory condition has been investigated and corrected
(and with FDNY authorization in the case of a fire alarm), the System Reset button is used
to clear the alarm from the FACP and return the system to its normal standby state.
Question 11
How often must smoke detectors be professionally cleaned?
A) Once every 3 months.
B) Once every 6 months.
C) Once every year.
D) Once every 2 years.
E) Only when a trouble signal is indicated.
Correct Answer: B) Once every 6 months.
Rationale: Dust and debris can accumulate in smoke detectors, affecting their sensitivity
and potentially causing nuisance alarms or a failure to operate. The fire code requires that
they be cleaned by a qualified service technician at least once every six months to ensure
they are in proper working order.
Question 12
How often should smoke detectors be tested for smoke entry?
A) Weekly
B) Monthly
C) Every 6 months
D) Once a year
E) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: D) Once a year
Rationale: In addition to the semi-annual cleaning, smoke detectors must be functionally
tested for smoke entry on an annual basis. This test, often performed with canned smoke,
complete Solutions | Updated 2025
Question 1
What is the holder of an S-95 Certificate of Fitness authorized to do?
A) Repair and maintain all components of a fire alarm system.
B) Perform only visual inspections of smoke detectors.
C) Reset the fire alarm system after any activation.
D) Silence the fire alarm system during a fire drill.
E) Act as the building's impairment coordinator.
Correct Answer: B) Perform only visual inspections of smoke detectors.
Rationale: The S-95 Certificate of Fitness for Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other
Related Systems is limited in scope. The holder is authorized to perform visual inspections
to ensure there are no obvious issues but is not qualified to perform physical testing,
cleaning, or repairs, which must be done by a licensed technician.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of a fire alarm system on a premise?
A) To automatically extinguish a fire.
B) To notify the building owner of a trouble signal.
C) To warn occupants of a fire and transmit a signal to an FDNY-approved central station.
D) To unlock all emergency exits in the building.
E) To recall all elevators to the lobby.
Correct Answer: C) To warn occupants of a fire and transmit a signal to an FDNY-approved
central station.
Rationale: The main function of a fire alarm system is life safety. This is accomplished by
alerting the building occupants to a fire condition via audible and visual alarms, allowing
them to evacuate, and simultaneously sending a signal to a central station, which then
notifies the FDNY.
Question 3
Which component of a fire alarm system is responsible for monitoring inputs and controlling
outputs?
A) The Central Station Transmitter
B) A Manual Pull Station
C) The Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP)
D) An Audio/Visual Notification Device
E) A Smoke Detector
Correct Answer: C) The Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP)
Rationale: The FACP is the "brain" of the fire alarm system. It receives signals from
initiating devices (like smoke detectors and pull stations), processes these signals, and
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activates the appropriate output devices (like horns, strobes, and the central station
transmitter).
Question 4
A fire alarm system can transmit three types of signals. They are:
A) Fire Alarm, Supervisory, and Test
B) Fire Alarm, Supervisory, and Trouble
C) Alarm, Acknowledge, and Reset
D) Initiating, Notification, and Monitoring
E) Audible, Visual, and Silent
Correct Answer: B) Fire Alarm, Supervisory, and Trouble
Rationale: These are the three distinct categories of signals that a fire alarm system can
generate. A Fire Alarm indicates an active fire condition. A Supervisory signal indicates a
problem with a monitored system (like a sprinkler valve being closed). A Trouble signal
indicates a fault or malfunction in the fire alarm system itself.
Question 5
Which of the following would initiate a fire alarm signal?
A) A closed sprinkler control valve.
B) A low battery condition in the FACP.
C) Activation of a manual pull station.
D) A ground fault on a wiring circuit.
E) A loss of AC power.
Correct Answer: C) Activation of a manual pull station.
Rationale: A fire alarm signal is an emergency signal indicating a fire. It is initiated by
devices that detect a fire or are manually activated for that purpose, such as manual pull
stations, smoke detectors, or water flow switches. The other options would generate
supervisory or trouble signals.
Question 6
A signal indicating that a sprinkler system's control valve is in an abnormal state (e.g., closed) is
an example of a:
A) Fire Alarm Signal
B) Supervisory Signal
C) Trouble Signal
D) Reset Signal
E) Acknowledge Signal
Correct Answer: B) Supervisory Signal
Rationale: Supervisory signals are generated when a system or device being monitored by
the fire alarm system is compromised or in an off-normal state. A closed valve on a
,[Type here]
sprinkler system is a critical issue that needs investigation, but it is not an active fire, so it
generates a supervisory signal.
Question 7
A signal indicating an open or short circuit on a fire alarm system wire is known as a:
A) Fire Alarm Signal
B) Supervisory Signal
C) Trouble Signal
D) Tamper Signal
E) Flow Signal
Correct Answer: C) Trouble Signal
Rationale: Trouble signals indicate a fault or malfunction within the fire alarm system's
wiring or components. This includes issues like a loss of power (AC or battery), a ground
fault, or a break (open) or short in a circuit. These signals alert personnel that the system
itself needs repair.
Question 8
What is the function of the Alarm Silence switch or button on the FACP?
A) To reset the entire fire alarm system.
B) To permanently disable the system.
C) To silence the building's horns and strobes after an evacuation.
D) To send a test signal to the central station.
E) To acknowledge a trouble signal.
Correct Answer: C) To silence the building's horns and strobes after an evacuation.
Rationale: After a fire alarm has activated and the building has been evacuated, the Alarm
Silence button can be used to turn off the noisy notification appliances. This allows
personnel to investigate the cause of the alarm without the distraction of the horns.
Importantly, silencing the alarms does not reset the system or clear the alarm at the FACP.
Question 9
Who is authorized to reset the fire alarm system after an alarm condition has been verified?
A) Any building occupant.
B) The S-95 Certificate of Fitness holder.
C) The building owner.
D) Only FDNY personnel.
E) The central station operator, remotely.
Correct Answer: D) Only FDNY personnel.
Rationale: The fire alarm system should never be reset until the condition that caused the
alarm has been investigated and cleared by the responding FDNY personnel. The FDNY
, [Type here]
officer in charge will give the authorization to reset the system after they have determined
it is safe to do so.
Question 10
What is the purpose of the System Reset switch or button on the FACP?
A) To silence the audible alarms only.
B) To return the fire alarm system to its normal, non-alarm condition after a fault has been
cleared.
C) To test the system's batteries.
D) To place the system into a temporary offline mode for maintenance.
E) To acknowledge a supervisory signal without clearing it.
Correct Answer: B) To return the fire alarm system to its normal, non-alarm condition after
a fault has been cleared.
Rationale: After an alarm or supervisory condition has been investigated and corrected
(and with FDNY authorization in the case of a fire alarm), the System Reset button is used
to clear the alarm from the FACP and return the system to its normal standby state.
Question 11
How often must smoke detectors be professionally cleaned?
A) Once every 3 months.
B) Once every 6 months.
C) Once every year.
D) Once every 2 years.
E) Only when a trouble signal is indicated.
Correct Answer: B) Once every 6 months.
Rationale: Dust and debris can accumulate in smoke detectors, affecting their sensitivity
and potentially causing nuisance alarms or a failure to operate. The fire code requires that
they be cleaned by a qualified service technician at least once every six months to ensure
they are in proper working order.
Question 12
How often should smoke detectors be tested for smoke entry?
A) Weekly
B) Monthly
C) Every 6 months
D) Once a year
E) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: D) Once a year
Rationale: In addition to the semi-annual cleaning, smoke detectors must be functionally
tested for smoke entry on an annual basis. This test, often performed with canned smoke,
