F89 Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield F89 facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A fire warden observes an occupant propping open a fire door with a trash can. What is the correct response? → Remove the obstruction and educate the occupant on fire door requirements
2. What is the role of a deputy fire warden? → To assume the fire warden's duties if the primary warden is absent
3. What is the regulatory basis for requiring fire drills in NYC commercial high-rise buildings? → NYC Fire Code sections incorporating Local Law 5 of 1973 and subsequent amendments
4. When a fire warden discovers that a stairwell is impassable due to smoke, what should they do? → Redirect occupants to an alternate stairwell and notify the FLSD immediately
5. What type of building communication system is required for FLSD use during emergencies in NYC high-rises? → A fire warden phone system or two-way voice communication
6. What is the purpose of the 'alert tone' that precedes a pre-recorded or live voice emergency message? → To attract attention and signal that an important announcement will follow
7. What is the purpose of the 'fire warden communication system' separate from the public address system? → To allow two-way private communication between the FLSD and individual floor wardens
8. What is the difference between a wet-pipe and dry-pipe sprinkler system? → Wet-pipe has water constantly in the pipes; dry-pipe has pressurized air until activation
9. What information must the FLSD relay to FDNY when reporting a fire via the building's voice communication system? → Floor of the fire, type of fire if known, and any life safety concerns
10. Which agency must be notified before conducting a fire drill that will activate the building's fire alarm system? → The building's alarm monitoring company
11. What is the required fire resistance rating for exit stairwell enclosures in buildings over 4 stories? → 2 hours
12. After a fire drill, what information should the FLSD include in the drill report? → Date, time, number of participants, deficiencies noted, and corrective actions
13. Under NYC Fire Code, how often must a building's emergency action plan be reviewed and updated? → Annually
14. Which communication method should a fire warden use to report conditions to the Fire Safety Director during a high-rise emergency when phone lines are busy? → Use the building's fire command station intercom or designated warden phone on the floor
15. Which of the following is a primary responsibility of a fire warden during an evacuation? → Ensuring all occupants on the assigned floor have exited and reporting to the FLSD
16. Which elevator status information should an FLSD be ready to provide arriving firefighters? → Which elevators have recalled, are available for Phase II use, or are malfunctioning
17. What color EXIT sign is required in New York City buildings? → Red with white lettering
18. During a fire emergency, which person has authority over building occupants and fire wardens in the lobby command center? → The FLSD
19. When the FDNY arrives at a building after a fire alarm activation, the FLSD should first: → Meet the FDNY at the lobby and provide status information
20. Every Building or structure, new or old, designed for human occupancy shall be provided with _________? → Exit
21. What is the purpose of an evacuation assembly point? → To provide a designated location for accounting for evacuated occupants
22. In a non-fire emergency such as a power outage, what is the FLSD's primary concern? → Ensuring emergency lighting and egress paths remain functional
23. How long must an FLSD retain fire safety logs and incident reports in New York City? → 3 years
24. If an elevator fails to respond to Phase I automatic recall, what is the FLSD's immediate required action under NYC fire safety protocols? → Notify the fire department immediately and log the malfunction
25. A Fire and Life Safety Director discovers that a stairwell door used as an evacuation route has been propped open. What is the FIRST action required by the EAP? → Close the door and notify the fire command station of the corrective action
26. What is the minimum education or experience requirement to obtain an F-89 Certificate of Fitness? → Completion of an FDNY-approved fire safety director course and passing the FDNY exam
27. Who is authorized to give the all-clear signal after a building emergency? → The Fire Department Incident Commander or FLSD after FDNY authorization
28. If the main fire command station (FCS) becomes inoperable during an emergency, the FLSD should: → Use the secondary FCS or designated backup communications equipment
29. The primary function of a fire door is to exit a building in case of fire. → FALSE
30. Under ASME A17.1, how long must firefighters' service (Phase II) controls remain operational after a building power failure if the elevator has standby power? → A minimum of 2 hours