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

Question 1: If a fire watch building undergoes partial evacuation during a fire alarm, what should the fireguard do to support the evacuation?

Direct evacuating occupants to use elevators for speed
Direct evacuants to use stairwells, keep stairwell doors closed behind them, and do not attempt to use elevators (Correct answer)
Lock all stairwell doors to prevent occupants from re-entering floors
Count each evacuating occupant to maintain a headcount

Correct answer: Direct evacuants to use stairwells, keep stairwell doors closed behind them, and do not attempt to use elevators

Fireguards should direct occupants to use stairs (not elevators) during fire evacuations and remind them to keep stairwell doors closed to protect the egress path from smoke.

Question 2: What type of fire extinguisher should be used on a fire involving flammable liquids?

Class D extinguisher
Any extinguisher regardless of rating
Class B rated extinguisher (CO2, dry chemical, or foam) (Correct answer)
Water extinguisher

Correct answer: Class B rated extinguisher (CO2, dry chemical, or foam)

Fires involving flammable liquids (Class B fires) require Class B rated extinguishers such as CO2, dry chemical (ABC or BC), or foam. Water should never be used on flammable liquid fires as it can spread the burning liquid and cause the fire to grow.

Question 3: What information must a Fireguard relay to a 911 dispatcher when reporting a fire?

Building address, floor, description of fire, and number of occupants in danger (Correct answer)
Their name and certificate number only
The type of extinguisher used so far
Only the building name

Correct answer: Building address, floor, description of fire, and number of occupants in danger

A complete 911 report includes the exact address, floor or location of fire, nature of the emergency, and any people in immediate danger.

Question 4: Which of the following best defines a 'Certificate of Fitness' as required by the FDNY?

An FDNY-issued permit authorizing an individual to perform specific fire safety duties (Correct answer)
A physical fitness certification for fire department personnel
A certificate issued by the fire marshal after a successful inspection
A building permit required before construction begins

Correct answer: An FDNY-issued permit authorizing an individual to perform specific fire safety duties

An FDNY Certificate of Fitness is a permit that authorizes a specifically tested and approved individual to perform designated fire safety functions, such as acting as a fireguard.

Question 5: What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and where should it be located?

A sheet listing the building's safety features
A building permit document stored at city hall
An insurance document listing covered materials
A document describing chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency procedures, kept accessible to workers (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A document describing chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency procedures, kept accessible to workers

A Safety Data Sheet (formerly MSDS) contains detailed information about a chemical product including its hazards, safe handling procedures, storage requirements, first aid measures, and emergency response procedures. SDSs must be readily accessible to all workers who may be exposed to the chemicals.

Question 6: What is a sprinkler head wrench and why is it important?

A special tool used to remove and replace sprinkler heads without damaging them (Correct answer)
A tool used to shut off individual sprinkler heads
A decorative cover for exposed sprinkler heads
A tool to activate sprinkler heads during testing

Correct answer: A special tool used to remove and replace sprinkler heads without damaging them

A sprinkler head wrench is specifically designed to install and remove sprinkler heads without damaging the deflector or seal. Using pliers or other tools can damage the head and cause leaks or malfunction. A wrench matching the installed heads must be kept on site with spare heads.

Question 7: Which of the following is a primary responsibility of an F-02 Fireguard during an emergency evacuation?

Operating the building's main fire alarm control panel.
Using social media to alert the public of the emergency.
Speaking with media representatives outside the shelter.
Assisting with evacuating occupants and speaking in a clear, concise manner. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Assisting with evacuating occupants and speaking in a clear, concise manner.

The F-02 Fireguard plays a crucial role in safely evacuating building occupants. This includes providing clear, calm, and concise instructions to guide people to safety. Operating the main control panel is a more specialized function, and communicating with the media or public via social media is not part of their direct emergency duties.

Question 8: A fireguard discovers during patrol that a fire extinguisher on the 8th floor is missing from its designated wall bracket. What should the fireguard do?

Assume the extinguisher was removed for inspection and do nothing
Remove the bracket to prevent confusion about where the extinguisher should be
Move an extinguisher from another floor to fill the gap
Document the missing extinguisher in the fire watch log and immediately notify building management to replace it (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Document the missing extinguisher in the fire watch log and immediately notify building management to replace it

A missing fire extinguisher is a fire safety deficiency. The fireguard must document it and notify building management to arrange immediate replacement.

Question 9: Which component is NOT part of the F-02 Certificate of Fitness examination process?

Paying a required examination fee
Completing a physical fitness test (Correct answer)
Presenting valid photo identification
Scheduling an appointment through the FDNY

Correct answer: Completing a physical fitness test

There is no physical fitness test required for the F-02 Certificate of Fitness. The process involves scheduling, paying a fee, presenting ID, and passing the written exam.

Question 10: Which FDNY form must be used to report a fire alarm system that is out of service?

Certificate of Fitness application
Building inspection report
Fire alarm impairment notice (Correct answer)
A-35 form

Correct answer: Fire alarm impairment notice

When a fire alarm system is out of service, a fire alarm impairment notice must be filed with the FDNY. This ensures the department is aware that the building's fire detection capability is compromised and additional fire watch measures may be required.

Question 11: A relief patrol warden arriving for duty should do which of the following before beginning their patrol?

Contact the fire department to confirm building status
Review the previous warden's patrol log to be aware of any outstanding deficiencies (Correct answer)
Test all fire extinguishers on the assigned floor
Begin the patrol immediately without delay

Correct answer: Review the previous warden's patrol log to be aware of any outstanding deficiencies

Reviewing the previous patrol log ensures the incoming warden is aware of unresolved deficiencies and can follow up appropriately during their patrol.

Question 12: What is the purpose of documenting the start and end times of each patrol in the fire watch log?

To calculate the fireguard's hourly wages for payroll purposes
To allow the building manager to monitor the fireguard's movements
To automatically notify FDNY when each patrol begins
To create a verifiable record proving that patrols were conducted at required intervals and covered designated areas (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To create a verifiable record proving that patrols were conducted at required intervals and covered designated areas

Start and end times create a verifiable compliance record demonstrating that patrols were conducted at proper intervals and covered required areas.

Question 13: What color are manual fire alarm pull stations typically painted?

Red (Correct answer)
Blue
Yellow
Green

Correct answer: Red

Manual fire alarm pull stations are almost universally painted red for high visibility and instant recognition. This red color is required by NFPA standards and NYC fire codes to ensure occupants can quickly locate them in an emergency.

Question 14: What is the primary purpose of an automatic sprinkler system?

To control or extinguish a fire by discharging water directly onto the fire area (Correct answer)
To detect fires and sound an alarm
To provide water for firefighting hose operations
To prevent fires from starting

Correct answer: To control or extinguish a fire by discharging water directly onto the fire area

An automatic sprinkler system is designed to control or extinguish a fire by automatically discharging water onto the fire area when individual sprinkler heads are activated by heat. The system provides immediate suppression before the fire department arrives, significantly reducing fire damage and casualties.

Question 15: A fireguard assigned to a construction site sees welding sparks landing on a pile of wood shavings. The immediate action is to:

Document the hazard and report it at end of shift
Call the building manager and wait for instructions
Alert the welder and wait to see if the shavings ignite
Extinguish the smoldering shavings with the portable extinguisher and alert the welder to stop (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Extinguish the smoldering shavings with the portable extinguisher and alert the welder to stop

Smoldering materials must be extinguished immediately and the hot work halted to prevent escalation to open fire.

Question 16: Under what circumstance is it acceptable to prop open a stairwell fire door during normal building operations?

Never — fire doors must remain closed at all times (Correct answer)
Only when a fireguard is posted directly at the door
When the building is at less than 50% occupancy
During business hours for staff convenience

Correct answer: Never — fire doors must remain closed at all times

Fire doors in stairwells must never be propped open because they are designed to contain fire and smoke and prevent it from spreading between floors.

Question 17: A fireguard notices that a door to an exit stairwell has been wedged open with a large stone. What is the fire prevention concern?

The propped door allows smoke and fire gases to enter the stairwell, potentially making it unsafe for evacuation and trapping occupants seeking refuge (Correct answer)
There is no fire prevention concern — open stairwell doors improve ventilation
The stone may damage the door's finish, creating an aesthetic concern
The stone may cause a tripping hazard for occupants using the stairwell

Correct answer: The propped door allows smoke and fire gases to enter the stairwell, potentially making it unsafe for evacuation and trapping occupants seeking refuge

Propping stairwell doors open allows smoke and fire gases to enter the stairwell, eliminating its value as a smoke-free evacuation and refuge path.

Question 18: What does a steady (continuous) fire alarm signal typically indicate?

A test of the alarm system in progress
An evacuation order for building occupants (Correct answer)
Low battery in the alarm panel
A system malfunction requiring maintenance

Correct answer: An evacuation order for building occupants

A steady or continuous alarm signal is the general alarm indicating that occupants should evacuate the building immediately. This signal is distinct from intermittent or coded signals that may indicate different conditions or zones.

Question 19: A warden conducting a patrol in a high-rise discovers that occupants on one floor have blocked a corridor with furniture for a temporary event. The warden should:

Only require clearance if the fire alarm has been activated
Allow it if the event will last less than two hours
Reroute occupants through an alternate exit and document the blockage
Immediately require the corridor to be cleared as exit paths must remain unobstructed at all times (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Immediately require the corridor to be cleared as exit paths must remain unobstructed at all times

Exit corridors must remain unobstructed at all times — no event or duration justifies blocking a required means of egress.

Question 20: How should stairwells be managed during a fire evacuation in a high-rise building?

Kept clear of obstacles and monitored to direct occupants safely downward (Correct answer)
Left unmonitored
Locked to prevent reentry
Used for equipment storage during evacuation

Correct answer: Kept clear of obstacles and monitored to direct occupants safely downward

Stairwells must remain clear and should be monitored by the Fireguard to guide occupants to safety and prevent panic or crowding.

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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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
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No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

nyc.gov — Test delivery, exam format, passing score, retake policy, time limit, score validity, eligibility, score release, test dates · verified Oct 2026
nyc-business.nyc.gov — Fees · verified Oct 2026