FDNY F-60 Certificate of Fitness — Fire Guard for Torch Operations — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A fire guard must remain on watch after torch operations cease. What is the required minimum watch period per FDNY regulations?

1 hour (Correct answer)
4 hours
2 hours
30 minutes

Correct answer: 1 hour

FDNY requires the fire guard to maintain a 1-hour watch after hot work ends to detect any smoldering or delayed ignition.

Question 2: What requirement applies to torch equipment before it is brought to a job site?

Equipment must be less than 5 years old
Equipment must display a current city inspection sticker
Equipment must be inspected and in safe operating condition (Correct answer)
Equipment must be registered with the FDNY by serial number

Correct answer: Equipment must be inspected and in safe operating condition

All torch equipment must be inspected and confirmed to be in safe operating condition before being used on a job site.

Question 3: What should a fire guard do if the assigned portable fire extinguisher is found to be discharged or damaged at the start of a shift?

Document the issue and continue the watch since other fire protection is available
Notify the supervisor and ensure a fully charged replacement is obtained before work begins (Correct answer)
Wait until the end of the shift to report the deficiency
Proceed with the fire watch using another floor's extinguisher as backup

Correct answer: Notify the supervisor and ensure a fully charged replacement is obtained before work begins

A fire guard must not allow torch operations to begin without a fully charged, operable extinguisher immediately available at the work site.

Question 4: What is the primary reason fire guards must know the location of all fire department connections (FDCs) at the work site?

To ensure they are not used as water sources during torch operations
To prevent workers from accidentally blocking them with equipment
To verify they meet NYC code compliance before work begins
To direct FDNY to them quickly so firefighters can augment the sprinkler system during a fire (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To direct FDNY to them quickly so firefighters can augment the sprinkler system during a fire

Knowing FDC locations allows the fire guard to immediately direct arriving FDNY units to augment the building's sprinkler or standpipe system during an emergency.

Question 5: Which item does NOT typically appear on a Hot Work Permit?

Description of the work to be performed
Location of the nearest fire extinguisher
Date and expected duration of operations
The contractor's social security number (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The contractor's social security number

Personal identification numbers like social security numbers are not required on a Hot Work Permit; the permit focuses on work details and safety information.

Question 6: A hot work permit lists an authorized time window of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Operations run until 5:00 PM. What is the violation?

A minor administrative infraction only if no fire occurred
Working outside the authorized time window without a permit amendment (Correct answer)
No violation because the work was in the same building
No violation if the Fire Guard stayed the extra hour

Correct answer: Working outside the authorized time window without a permit amendment

Conducting torch operations beyond the permit's authorized time window is a direct violation, regardless of whether an incident occurred.

Question 7: Under FDNY rules, who is responsible for ensuring a properly rated fire extinguisher is present during torch operations?

The roofing materials supplier
The torch equipment manufacturer
The building owner alone
The Certificate of Fitness (F-60) holder on site (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The Certificate of Fitness (F-60) holder on site

The F-60 Certificate of Fitness holder is responsible for ensuring all fire safety equipment, including extinguishers, is present and ready during torch operations.

Question 8: During rooftop torch-applied membrane work, sparks fall into an open HVAC duct. The fire guard's IMMEDIATE response should be:

Stop all torch operations and investigate the duct for fire or smoldering material (Correct answer)
Note the incident in the logbook and continue monitoring
Increase ventilation through the duct to clear sparks
Call the HVAC technician to inspect the duct after work is complete

Correct answer: Stop all torch operations and investigate the duct for fire or smoldering material

An HVAC duct can spread fire throughout a building; operations must stop immediately and the duct must be checked for ignition.

Question 9: If an F-60 certificate is lost or stolen, what must the certificate holder do?

Create a photocopy of any available documentation and continue working
Notify their employer and wait until the renewal date
Obtain a new certificate by restarting the full initial application process
Report the loss to FDNY and apply for a duplicate certificate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Report the loss to FDNY and apply for a duplicate certificate

Lost or stolen certificates must be reported to FDNY so a duplicate can be issued to prevent fraudulent use.

Question 10: Under the NYC Fire Code, who is responsible for ensuring a portable fire extinguisher is present and serviceable at a torch operation site?

The torch operator exclusively
The fire guard assigned to the operation
The building owner exclusively
The permit holder or contractor supervising the hot work (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The permit holder or contractor supervising the hot work

The permit holder or supervising contractor is responsible under the NYC Fire Code for ensuring appropriate fire protection equipment is in place before torch operations begin.

Question 11: What action must the fire guard take if combustible materials cannot be relocated away from the hot work zone on a construction site?

Reduce torch flame intensity only
Ask the torch operator to work faster
Proceed without modification
Use fire-resistant barriers or shields to protect the materials in place (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use fire-resistant barriers or shields to protect the materials in place

When combustibles cannot be moved, fire-resistant barriers must be used to protect them in place.

Question 12: During post-torch monitoring, a fire guard detects heat in a wall with an infrared thermometer. The reading is significantly above ambient temperature. What action is required?

Notify the roofing foreman and continue monitoring
Record the reading and check again in one hour
Treat it as a potential hidden fire and call 911 (Correct answer)
Open the wall with tools to visually confirm before calling anyone

Correct answer: Treat it as a potential hidden fire and call 911

An anomalous heat reading in a structural component after torch work indicates a potential concealed fire and must be treated as an emergency requiring 911.

Question 13: During a fire watch, what is the fire guard's PRIMARY responsibility?

Assisting the torch operator with work tasks
Continuously monitoring the work area for signs of fire or smoke (Correct answer)
Documenting the amount of work completed
Contacting the building owner about progress

Correct answer: Continuously monitoring the work area for signs of fire or smoke

The fire guard's primary duty is continuous visual monitoring of the work area and surrounding areas for any sign of fire, smoke, or smoldering materials.

Question 14: During post-fire emergency response, what is the fire guard's responsibility regarding the scene before FDNY arrives?

Keep all personnel out of the affected area and preserve the scene (Correct answer)
Restart torch operations in unaffected areas to minimize downtime
Begin documenting damage for the insurance report
Ventilate the space by opening all windows and doors

Correct answer: Keep all personnel out of the affected area and preserve the scene

The fire guard must restrict access to the affected area and preserve conditions for FDNY investigators until fire department personnel take command.

Question 15: During torch operations, where must the fire guard be positioned?

Outside the building monitoring exits
At the building's main fire alarm panel
In direct visual contact with the torch operator and work area (Correct answer)
At the nearest fire extinguisher location

Correct answer: In direct visual contact with the torch operator and work area

The fire guard must maintain direct visual contact with the torch operator and work area at all times during operations.

Question 16: The fire guard must ensure that the fire watch area is properly defined before torch operations begin. What does this primarily involve?

Coordinating the watch area boundaries with the local fire company
Obtaining a survey map from the building's architect
Establishing the perimeter within which the fire guard monitors for fire hazards, based on the scope of the operation (Correct answer)
Installing permanent signage identifying the fire watch boundaries

Correct answer: Establishing the perimeter within which the fire guard monitors for fire hazards, based on the scope of the operation

Defining the fire watch area means establishing the monitoring perimeter based on where sparks, heat, or fire could travel given the location and nature of the torch operation.

Question 17: When should the fire guard sweep the nozzle from side to side during extinguisher use?

During the final 'Sweep' step of PASS (Correct answer)
Before aiming at the fire
Only when using CO2 extinguishers
Only when the fire is overhead

Correct answer: During the final 'Sweep' step of PASS

The sweep motion during the last step of PASS ensures full coverage across the base of the fire.

Question 18: How long must completed hot work permits be retained after the work is finished?

They can be discarded once work is complete
At least three years
For the life of the building
At least one year (Correct answer)

Correct answer: At least one year

Completed hot work permits must be kept on file for at least one year to provide a record in case of a delayed fire-related incident investigation.

Question 19: When torch operations are conducted in a building with an active sprinkler system, and a fire activates the sprinklers, the fire guard should:

Evacuate all personnel and call 911 — a sprinkler activation indicates fire (Correct answer)
Manually shut off the sprinkler system to prevent water damage
Continue torch operations since the sprinklers will control the fire
Reset the sprinkler system and document the false alarm

Correct answer: Evacuate all personnel and call 911 — a sprinkler activation indicates fire

A sprinkler activation is evidence of a fire requiring emergency response; personnel must evacuate and 911 must be called regardless of apparent cause.

Question 20: What is the maximum temperature at which compressed gas cylinders should be stored?

125°F (52°C) (Correct answer)
75°F (24°C)
100°F (38°C)
150°F (66°C)

Correct answer: 125°F (52°C)

Storage temperatures exceeding 125°F (52°C) can raise internal cylinder pressure to dangerous levels and risk catastrophic failure of the vessel.

Question 21: When is it acceptable for a fire guard to leave the fire watch post during the required monitoring period?

When the building owner provides written authorization to end the watch
After 30 minutes if no smoke or heat is detected
When rain begins and reduces the fire risk
When a qualified relief with an F60 Certificate of Fitness physically takes over (Correct answer)

Correct answer: When a qualified relief with an F60 Certificate of Fitness physically takes over

The only acceptable reason to leave the fire watch post is if a qualified replacement holding an F60 Certificate of Fitness physically assumes the watch.

Question 22: When conducting torch operations near HVAC air intakes, what hazard must the fire guard be aware of?

The HVAC system will activate sprinklers in the work area
The air intake can cool the work area too rapidly, affecting adhesion
Fumes and combustion gases from torch work can be drawn into the building's ventilation system (Correct answer)
Air intakes pose no additional hazard during torch operations

Correct answer: Fumes and combustion gases from torch work can be drawn into the building's ventilation system

HVAC air intakes can draw toxic combustion gases and fumes from torch operations into occupied parts of the building, creating a serious life-safety hazard.

Question 23: What is the fire guard's responsibility regarding the torch operator's behavior during operations?

To assist the torch operator with physically difficult tasks
To grade the operator's performance for their employer
To monitor the operator and stop work if unsafe practices are observed (Correct answer)
To report only to the building owner, not interfere with the operator

Correct answer: To monitor the operator and stop work if unsafe practices are observed

The fire guard has authority to stop operations if the torch operator engages in unsafe practices that create an unacceptable fire risk.

Question 24: If operations move to a different floor than what is listed on the Hot Work Permit, what must happen?

No action is needed if the building is the same
The C of F holder may verbally authorize the change
Operations must stop and a new or amended permit must be obtained for the new location (Correct answer)
The Fire Guard can update the permit by writing in the new floor number

Correct answer: Operations must stop and a new or amended permit must be obtained for the new location

The specific work location is a required field on the permit; any change in location requires a new or formally amended permit.

Question 25: Which of the following best describes the key difference between a site-specific hot work permit and a citywide hot work permit issued by the FDNY?

A site-specific permit is for indoor work only, while a citywide permit is for outdoor work.
A site-specific permit is issued for a single, fixed location, while a citywide permit allows for work at multiple temporary locations. (Correct answer)
A site-specific permit does not require a fire guard, while a citywide permit always does.
A site-specific permit is valid for 30 days, while a citywide permit is valid for one year.

Correct answer: A site-specific permit is issued for a single, fixed location, while a citywide permit allows for work at multiple temporary locations.

A site-specific permit authorizes hot work at a single premises, such as a permanent repair garage. A citywide permit authorizes the holder to conduct operations at various temporary locations throughout the city, with certain restrictions on the duration at any single location.

Question 26: When torch operations take place within 10 feet of a fire door, the fire guard must verify that the fire door:

Is propped open to allow ventilation
Remains fully operational and is not blocked or wedged open (Correct answer)
Has been temporarily removed to allow hose access
Is locked to prevent unauthorized entry during operations

Correct answer: Remains fully operational and is not blocked or wedged open

Fire doors must remain functional during hot work; propping or blocking them defeats their purpose and violates fire code.

FDNY F-60 Certificate of Fitness — Fire Guard for Torch Operations

The FDNY F-60 Certificate of Fitness exam certifies fire guards to oversee torch operations involving open flames, cutting, welding, and soldering at construction sites and buildings in New York City.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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Sources & references

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