F-02 Fireguard for Shelters (including 30-day stays) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does the PASS technique stand for when using a fire extinguisher?

Prepare, Aim, Shoot, Step back
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
Pull, Apply, Spin, Spray
Push, Activate, Spray, Stop

Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.

Question 2: Special events with very large crowds typically require what additional FDNY requirement?

A fire safety plan submitted to FDNY and potentially standby FDNY units (Correct answer)
FDNY pre-approval of all decorations and stage materials
Double the standard number of portable fire extinguishers on-site
A dedicated charged fire hose at every entrance point

Correct answer: A fire safety plan submitted to FDNY and potentially standby FDNY units

Large special events typically require a fire safety plan filed with FDNY and may require standby FDNY units based on crowd size and event type.

Question 3: During a patrol, a warden encounters a tenant who has disabled a smoke detector in their office by removing the battery. The warden should:

Report the violation to the fire safety director for corrective action (Correct answer)
Inform the tenant verbally that this is acceptable as long as they remain alert
Contact the fire department directly about the violation
Replace the battery immediately using building supplies

Correct answer: Report the violation to the fire safety director for corrective action

Tampering with smoke detectors is a serious code violation that must be reported to the fire safety director for documentation and correction.

Question 4: What does a fireguard check for when inspecting a stairwell during a fire watch patrol?

Only that the stairwell door is in the open position for ventilation
Whether the stairwell is clean and aesthetically maintained
That the stairwell door closes properly, the stairwell is clear of obstructions, emergency lighting is functioning, and exit signs are illuminated (Correct answer)
Whether the stairwell has been recently painted

Correct answer: That the stairwell door closes properly, the stairwell is clear of obstructions, emergency lighting is functioning, and exit signs are illuminated

Stairwell patrol checks include: proper door closure, clear and unobstructed path, functioning emergency lighting, and illuminated exit signs — all critical for safe evacuation.

Question 5: Which of the following is a valid reason for a Fireguard to NOT evacuate a building during a fire alarm?

Investigation confirms the alarm is a confirmed malfunction with no fire or smoke detected anywhere (Correct answer)
It is raining outside
The building owner says to ignore it
The alarm has sounded before and was a false alarm

Correct answer: Investigation confirms the alarm is a confirmed malfunction with no fire or smoke detected anywhere

If a thorough investigation confirms the alarm is a verified equipment malfunction with no fire or smoke present, evacuation may be withheld, but this decision must be documented.

Question 6: What action should a Fireguard take if the fire alarm sounds but no fire or smoke is found after investigation?

Immediately reset the alarm system and take no further action
Document the false alarm and notify the building manager (Correct answer)
Disconnect the alarm to prevent future false alarms
Ignore it since there is no actual emergency

Correct answer: Document the false alarm and notify the building manager

Even when no fire is found, the Fireguard must document the incident including the time, location of activation, and investigation findings, and notify the building manager. Repeated false alarms may indicate a malfunctioning device that needs repair. Simply resetting without documentation is improper.

Question 7: Which signal on a fire alarm panel indicates that a device such as a smoke detector has been triggered?

Alarm signal (Correct answer)
Restore signal
Supervisory signal
Trouble signal

Correct answer: Alarm signal

An alarm signal on the fire alarm control panel indicates that a detection device has sensed a fire condition and triggered the alarm.

Question 8: What is the correct entry in a fire watch log when a fireguard completes a patrol and finds no hazards?

Leave the entry blank since there is nothing to report
Record the patrol start time, areas covered, completion time, and note 'all areas patrolled — no hazards observed' (Correct answer)
Send a text message to the building manager instead of logging
Record only 'clear' with no additional details

Correct answer: Record the patrol start time, areas covered, completion time, and note 'all areas patrolled — no hazards observed'

A complete no-hazard entry includes start time, areas patrolled, completion time, and a clear notation that all areas were found free of hazards.

Question 9: A Fireguard on patrol at a shelter discovers a fire in a trash can. After activating the nearest fire alarm pull station, what is the IMMEDIATE next step they should take?

Document the discovery in the patrol logbook.
Report the fire to the FDNY and notify shelter emergency staff. (Correct answer)
Begin evacuating the floor where the fire is located.
Attempt to extinguish the fire using a portable extinguisher.

Correct answer: Report the fire to the FDNY and notify shelter emergency staff.

The primary responsibilities of a Fireguard upon discovering a fire are to first alert occupants by activating the alarm, and then immediately report the fire to the fire department and notify the designated shelter staff. Assisting with evacuation follows notification.

Question 10: How often must fire alarm systems in NYC shelters be tested according to FDNY regulations?

Once a year
Monthly (Correct answer)
Every six months
Weekly

Correct answer: Monthly

FDNY regulations require monthly testing of fire alarm systems in shelter facilities to ensure all components are functioning properly. This includes testing pull stations, detectors, notification appliances, and the control panel. Annual inspections by a licensed company are also required.

Question 11: What does OS&Y stand for regarding sprinkler valves?

Open System and Yield
Outside Stem and Yoke (Correct answer)
Operational Standard and Year
Overflow Safety and Yield

Correct answer: Outside Stem and Yoke

OS&Y stands for Outside Stem and Yoke. This valve design has the stem visible outside the valve body. When the valve is open, the stem extends out; when closed, the stem retracts. This allows visual confirmation of the valve's open or closed position without operating it.

Question 12: What is the correct action if a Fireguard discovers that the building's fire alarm system is completely non-operational during an occupied shift?

Immediately notify FDNY and implement a fire watch with continuous manual notification capability (Correct answer)
Evacuate the building and lock all entrances until repairs are complete
Wait for the building engineer to repair the system before taking action
Post written notices at elevators describing the impairment and continue normally

Correct answer: Immediately notify FDNY and implement a fire watch with continuous manual notification capability

When a fire alarm system is non-operational in an occupied building, FDNY must be notified immediately and a fire watch with manual notification capability (air horns, etc.) must be implemented.

Question 13: A fireguard is conducting a fire watch in a building where the fire alarm system is out of service. What additional measure is typically required?

Locking all fire doors in the open position
Disabling the HVAC system until repairs are complete
Conducting more frequent patrols and being prepared to manually notify occupants (Correct answer)
Increasing the number of fire extinguishers on each floor

Correct answer: Conducting more frequent patrols and being prepared to manually notify occupants

When the alarm system is impaired, the fireguard must increase patrol frequency and be ready to manually warn occupants since the automated notification system is unavailable.

Question 14: What is the RACE acronym used for in fire emergency response?

Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate (Correct answer)
Remove, Alert, Check, Escape
Report, Assess, Control, Extinguish
React, Assess, Call, Evacuate

Correct answer: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate

RACE stands for Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Alarm by activating the system, Confine the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate.

Question 15: What does a trouble signal on the fire alarm panel indicate?

A fire has been detected in the building
The alarm system has been intentionally deactivated
There is a system malfunction or fault that needs attention (Correct answer)
The fire department has been automatically notified

Correct answer: There is a system malfunction or fault that needs attention

A trouble signal indicates a system fault such as a broken wire, low battery, ground fault, or malfunctioning device. It does not mean a fire has been detected but rather that the system may not function properly if a fire occurs. The Fireguard must report trouble signals immediately.

Question 16: Under NYC Fire Code, which activity performed in a place of assembly requires a Certificate of Fitness holder to be present?

Using pyrotechnics or open flames for a performance (Correct answer)
Displaying artwork on interior walls
Serving food and beverages to guests
Operating a sound system louder than 85 decibels

Correct answer: Using pyrotechnics or open flames for a performance

The use of pyrotechnics, open flames, or special effects in places of assembly requires a Certificate of Fitness holder present to ensure fire safety compliance.

Question 17: During a nighttime patrol, a warden finds a locked door in a fire exit corridor that is supposed to remain unlocked. What should the warden do?

Post a note on the door and continue the patrol
Immediately notify the fire safety director to have the door unlocked (Correct answer)
Document it and wait until the morning supervisor arrives
Break the lock to ensure the exit is accessible

Correct answer: Immediately notify the fire safety director to have the door unlocked

A locked exit door is a life-safety violation requiring immediate notification to the fire safety director for prompt correction.

Question 18: During an evacuation, which floor should be evacuated FIRST after the fire floor?

The top floor of the building
The floor directly above the fire floor (Correct answer)
All floors simultaneously
The floor directly below the fire floor

Correct answer: The floor directly above the fire floor

Heat and smoke rise, so the floor immediately above the fire is at the greatest risk and should be the second priority for evacuation.

Question 19: What should a Fireguard do if they notice a sprinkler head has been painted over?

Report it for replacement because paint can prevent the head from activating properly (Correct answer)
Clean the paint off during patrol
Apply additional protective coating
Nothing; painted heads still work fine

Correct answer: Report it for replacement because paint can prevent the head from activating properly

Painted sprinkler heads must be replaced because paint can insulate the heat-sensitive element, delaying or preventing activation. Paint can also clog the discharge orifice, reducing water distribution. NFPA 25 requires replacement of any sprinkler head that has been painted.

Question 20: A Fireguard observes that a fire hose cabinet door is blocked by a display rack. What is the correct immediate action?

Relocate the display rack to ensure the cabinet is fully accessible (Correct answer)
Affix a visible warning sign to the rack and continue patrol
Inform the building owner at the end of the shift
Note the obstruction on the logbook for the next shift

Correct answer: Relocate the display rack to ensure the cabinet is fully accessible

Fire hose cabinets must be kept unobstructed and immediately accessible at all times; the Fireguard must correct the obstruction immediately.

F-02 Fireguard for Shelters (including 30-day stays) Exam

This exam certifies individuals to serve as Fireguards in New York City shelters, ensuring fire safety and emergency preparedness.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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