FSD ON-SITE PREP EXAM — 2026/2027
Fire Safety Director / Fire Life Safety Director | New York City Fire Department
100 Multiple-Choice Questions | Comprehensive Test Bank
Total Questions: 100 | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
Passing Score: 70% (70/100 correct)
Testing Time: Approximately 2–3 hours
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. Correct answers are shown in bold green with
rationales in italics.
NYC Fire Code & Administrative Rules (Questions 1–12)
1. Under NYC Fire Code Chapter 9, which type of building is required to appoint a Fire Safety
Director?
A) Any building over 50 feet in height
B) Buildings classified as Group B with occupancy over 100
C) Buildings with an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest street level
D) All commercial buildings regardless of height
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FC Chapter 9 requires FSD appointment in buildings where any occupied floor is more than
75 feet above the lowest street level. This is a fundamental threshold requirement for FSD designation
under NYC Fire Code.
2. What is the penalty for operating a building without a valid Certificate of Fitness for the
Fire Safety Director?
A) A written warning with 30 days to comply
B) A violation with a fine up to $25,000 per violation
C) Immediate building evacuation and closure
D) Mandatory fire safety training for all occupants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 3 RCNY §113-02, operating without a valid COF results in significant civil penalties. The
building owner/managing agent is subject to fines and potential legal action for non-compliance.
3. How often must a Fire Safety Director's Certificate of Fitness be renewed?
A) Every 2 years
B) Every 3 years
C) Annually
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FSD COF renewal is required annually per FDNY policy. The FSD must complete renewal
requirements including continuing education and application submission to maintain valid
certification.
1
,4. According to NYC Fire Code, the Fire Safety Plan must be updated and submitted to the
FDNY under which circumstances?
A) Every 5 years regardless of changes
B) Only when requested by FDNY
C) Whenever there is a change in building use, occupancy, or fire protection systems
D) At the discretion of the building owner
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FC requires updates to the Fire Safety Plan whenever material changes occur in building
use, occupancy classification, or fire protection systems. This ensures the plan remains current and
effective.
5. Who is responsible for maintaining the Fire Safety Plan in an NYC high-rise building?
A) The Fire Safety Director exclusively
B) The building owner or manager, with the FSD implementing it
C) The FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention
D) The New York City Department of Buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While the FSD implements the plan, the building owner/manager holds ultimate
responsibility for maintaining it per FC requirements. The owner must ensure adequate resources are
provided for fire safety.
6. Under 3 RCNY §113, how soon must a new Fire Safety Director be appointed after the
previous one leaves the position?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within 30 calendar days
C) Within 7 business days
D) Immediately upon vacancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 3 RCNY §113 requires a new FSD be designated within 30 calendar days of a vacancy.
During this period, a Deputy FSD or other qualified individual may serve in the interim.
7. Which NYC administrative rule addresses the qualifications and training requirements for
Fire Safety Directors?
A) 3 RCNY §110
B) 3 RCNY §113
C) 3 RCNY §105
D) 3 RCNY §120
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 3 RCNY §113 specifically governs FSD qualifications, training, and certification
requirements. This rule outlines examination requirements, COF issuance criteria, and continuing
education mandates.
2
, 8. A Fire Safety Director who fails to conduct required fire drills may face which
consequence?
A) Revocation of the Certificate of Fitness
B) A fine and possible suspension of the COF
C) Mandatory retraining at the applicant's expense
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per FDNY enforcement policy, failure to conduct drills can result in fines, COF suspension,
revocation, or mandatory retraining. The severity depends on the nature and frequency of the
violation.
9. Under NYC Fire Code Article 401, what must every Emergency Action Plan include?
A) Emergency evacuation procedures and designated assembly points
B) Fire department access route maps
C) Insurance policy documentation
D) HVAC shutdown procedures only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Article 401 requires EAPs to include evacuation procedures, designated assembly areas, and
accountability measures. These are essential components for effective emergency response.
10. The NYC Fire Code adopts which edition of NFPA standards by reference?
A) NFPA 1 (2009 edition) and related standards
B) NFPA 101 Life Safety Code as amended by FC
C) Various NFPA standards as specifically referenced in FC chapters
D) NFPA standards are not adopted by reference in NYC
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The NYC Fire Code selectively adopts and amends various NFPA standards; specific edition
references are found within individual FC chapters. The FSD must be familiar with both the FC and the
referenced NFPA standards.
11. Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Fire Safety Director under NYC Fire Code?
A) Maintaining the Fire Safety Logbook
B) Directing fire fighting operations during an active fire
C) Conducting fire safety training for building staff
D) Coordinating fire drills
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The FSD does not direct fire fighting operations; that is the responsibility of the FDNY
Incident Commander. The FSD's role is to coordinate building-side emergency response and support
FDNY operations.
12. A building owner fails to provide the FSD with required resources to perform duties.
Under NYC Fire Code, who bears liability?
A) The Fire Safety Director
3
Fire Safety Director / Fire Life Safety Director | New York City Fire Department
100 Multiple-Choice Questions | Comprehensive Test Bank
Total Questions: 100 | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
Passing Score: 70% (70/100 correct)
Testing Time: Approximately 2–3 hours
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. Correct answers are shown in bold green with
rationales in italics.
NYC Fire Code & Administrative Rules (Questions 1–12)
1. Under NYC Fire Code Chapter 9, which type of building is required to appoint a Fire Safety
Director?
A) Any building over 50 feet in height
B) Buildings classified as Group B with occupancy over 100
C) Buildings with an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest street level
D) All commercial buildings regardless of height
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FC Chapter 9 requires FSD appointment in buildings where any occupied floor is more than
75 feet above the lowest street level. This is a fundamental threshold requirement for FSD designation
under NYC Fire Code.
2. What is the penalty for operating a building without a valid Certificate of Fitness for the
Fire Safety Director?
A) A written warning with 30 days to comply
B) A violation with a fine up to $25,000 per violation
C) Immediate building evacuation and closure
D) Mandatory fire safety training for all occupants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 3 RCNY §113-02, operating without a valid COF results in significant civil penalties. The
building owner/managing agent is subject to fines and potential legal action for non-compliance.
3. How often must a Fire Safety Director's Certificate of Fitness be renewed?
A) Every 2 years
B) Every 3 years
C) Annually
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FSD COF renewal is required annually per FDNY policy. The FSD must complete renewal
requirements including continuing education and application submission to maintain valid
certification.
1
,4. According to NYC Fire Code, the Fire Safety Plan must be updated and submitted to the
FDNY under which circumstances?
A) Every 5 years regardless of changes
B) Only when requested by FDNY
C) Whenever there is a change in building use, occupancy, or fire protection systems
D) At the discretion of the building owner
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FC requires updates to the Fire Safety Plan whenever material changes occur in building
use, occupancy classification, or fire protection systems. This ensures the plan remains current and
effective.
5. Who is responsible for maintaining the Fire Safety Plan in an NYC high-rise building?
A) The Fire Safety Director exclusively
B) The building owner or manager, with the FSD implementing it
C) The FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention
D) The New York City Department of Buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While the FSD implements the plan, the building owner/manager holds ultimate
responsibility for maintaining it per FC requirements. The owner must ensure adequate resources are
provided for fire safety.
6. Under 3 RCNY §113, how soon must a new Fire Safety Director be appointed after the
previous one leaves the position?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within 30 calendar days
C) Within 7 business days
D) Immediately upon vacancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 3 RCNY §113 requires a new FSD be designated within 30 calendar days of a vacancy.
During this period, a Deputy FSD or other qualified individual may serve in the interim.
7. Which NYC administrative rule addresses the qualifications and training requirements for
Fire Safety Directors?
A) 3 RCNY §110
B) 3 RCNY §113
C) 3 RCNY §105
D) 3 RCNY §120
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 3 RCNY §113 specifically governs FSD qualifications, training, and certification
requirements. This rule outlines examination requirements, COF issuance criteria, and continuing
education mandates.
2
, 8. A Fire Safety Director who fails to conduct required fire drills may face which
consequence?
A) Revocation of the Certificate of Fitness
B) A fine and possible suspension of the COF
C) Mandatory retraining at the applicant's expense
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per FDNY enforcement policy, failure to conduct drills can result in fines, COF suspension,
revocation, or mandatory retraining. The severity depends on the nature and frequency of the
violation.
9. Under NYC Fire Code Article 401, what must every Emergency Action Plan include?
A) Emergency evacuation procedures and designated assembly points
B) Fire department access route maps
C) Insurance policy documentation
D) HVAC shutdown procedures only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Article 401 requires EAPs to include evacuation procedures, designated assembly areas, and
accountability measures. These are essential components for effective emergency response.
10. The NYC Fire Code adopts which edition of NFPA standards by reference?
A) NFPA 1 (2009 edition) and related standards
B) NFPA 101 Life Safety Code as amended by FC
C) Various NFPA standards as specifically referenced in FC chapters
D) NFPA standards are not adopted by reference in NYC
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The NYC Fire Code selectively adopts and amends various NFPA standards; specific edition
references are found within individual FC chapters. The FSD must be familiar with both the FC and the
referenced NFPA standards.
11. Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Fire Safety Director under NYC Fire Code?
A) Maintaining the Fire Safety Logbook
B) Directing fire fighting operations during an active fire
C) Conducting fire safety training for building staff
D) Coordinating fire drills
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The FSD does not direct fire fighting operations; that is the responsibility of the FDNY
Incident Commander. The FSD's role is to coordinate building-side emergency response and support
FDNY operations.
12. A building owner fails to provide the FSD with required resources to perform duties.
Under NYC Fire Code, who bears liability?
A) The Fire Safety Director
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