Getting the F89 (Fire and Life Safety Director) certification is key for fire safety pros. It shows you know how to handle emergencies and keep buildings safe. This guide will help you pass the test and keep everyone in your building safe.

The F89 test covers many important topics. You’ll learn about fire prevention, risk assessment, and following fire codes. You’ll also learn how to communicate during emergencies and get ready for them. This knowledge helps you run fire drills, keep fire alarms working, and make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

F89 Exam at a Glance

What changed for F89 in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Exam fee (F-89 On-Site exam) changed to $750 (previously $750 on-site exam; $25 card issuance).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Passing score (F-89 On-Site exam) changed to At least 70%, pass all mandatory questions, and fail no more than one important question (previously Score of 70+, fewer than 2 important questions missed, no mandatory question missed).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Renewal changed to $15 every 3 years; $25 late penalty after 90 days (previously $15 every 3 years; $25 late penalty).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake fee (Computer exams (N-85 and Z-89)) changed to $25 per subsequent exam (previously $25 per retake).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Testing window (Computer exams (N-85 and Z-89)) changed to Monday–Friday, appointments between 1:10 PM and 2:00 PM (previously Mon–Fri, 1:10–2:00 pm appointments).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Validity changed to 3 years (previously 3 years, renewable).^[1]

According to New York City Fire Department, “The FLSD: Fire Component exam (N-85) will consist of 120 multiple-choice questions and the FLSD: Non-Fire component exam (Z-89) will consist of 55 multiple-choice questions.”^[1]

Worked examples: how to reason through F89 questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Which of the following best describes the 'defend in place' strategy sometimes used in healthcare occupancies?

1. All occupants evacuate the entire building simultaneously
2. Patients unable to move are relocated horizontally to a safe compartment on the same floor rather than vertically evacuated
3. Staff lock all doors and shelter until the fire is extinguished
4. Only the floor with the fire evacuates while all other floors shelter in place

Answer: B. Patients unable to move are relocated horizontally to a safe compartment on the same floor rather than vertically evacuated

Explanation:

The correct answer is that patients who cannot move are relocated horizontally to a safe compartment on the same floor. In healthcare buildings, moving non-ambulatory patients down stairs is slow and risky, so the building relies on fire-rated barriers to hold the fire back while people move sideways, away from the danger.

Evacuating everyone at once is wrong because it is impractical for patients who depend on staff. Locking doors and sheltering until the fire is out is wrong because it ignores compartmentation and gives no planned movement. Evacuating only the fire floor while others shelter describes a different, partial approach and does not describe horizontal relocation.

Rule to remember: defend in place depends on barriers and horizontal movement, not on emptying the building.

Example 2

Question: A possible problem in regard to fire detection equipment, such as smoke detectors and sprinklers, is that:

1. Inmates may tamper with or vandalize the equipment.
2. They are usually unreliable.
3. They cost a lot of money.
4. They require a lot of maintenance.

Answer: A. Inmates may tamper with or vandalize the equipment.

Explanation:

The correct answer is that inmates may tamper with or vandalize the equipment. In correctional settings, occupants are confined and some have reason to damage devices, so detectors and sprinklers can be covered, disabled or broken. That can delay detection or suppression when it matters most.

The claim that detection equipment is usually unreliable is wrong; properly installed and tested systems are dependable. Saying the equipment costs a lot is wrong because cost is a budget matter, not a specific operational hazard of the occupancy. Saying it needs a lot of maintenance is wrong for the same reason: maintenance is expected for every system and is not the particular problem the question describes.

Rule to remember: match the hazard to the occupancy. Here, regular inspection and tamper-resistant devices answer the real risk.

Example 3

Question: Spray-applied fire-resistive material (SFRM) on structural steel serves what purpose?

1. It insulates the steel to delay temperature rise and loss of strength
2. It prevents rust on the steel
3. It acts as a sound barrier between floors
4. It makes the steel non-conductive to electricity

Answer: A. It insulates the steel to delay temperature rise and loss of strength

Explanation:

The correct answer is that spray-applied fire-resistive material insulates the steel so its temperature rises slowly and it keeps its strength longer. Unprotected structural steel loses strength as it heats, so the coating buys time for occupants to leave and for firefighters to work.

Preventing rust is wrong because corrosion protection is a separate coating job, not the purpose of this material. Acting as a sound barrier between floors is wrong because acoustic control is handled by other assemblies. Making steel non-conductive to electricity is wrong because the material is about heat, not electrical properties.

Rule to remember: passive fire protection works by slowing heat transfer to structural members, which delays failure of the structure.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official FDNY notice of examination and your course material, because the exams are built from the training you took. Note the exam format, fees and deadlines so your schedule fits inside the 9 month windows.

Next, work through our practice sets by topic. Begin with FLSD roles and responsibilities, then fire protection systems and building evacuation and drills. Those cover the Fire Component material. Later, move to non-fire emergencies and medical emergency preparedness for the Non-Fire Component.

After each set, read the explanation for every question, including those you got right. Write down the rule behind each miss in your own words, and check it against your course notes or the official source. Then redo the set a few days later without looking at your notes.

Because the computer exams are timed, practise answering at a steady pace and flag hard items to return to. If you plan the On-Site exam, rehearse walking through your building's emergency plan and command center aloud, since an inspector will watch you do it. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions, so use them to find weak areas, not to predict wording.

Key Takeaways

• Comprehensive understanding of the F89 (Fire and Life Safety Director) test and its relevance
• Mastery of fire prevention strategies and life safety systems management
• Expertise in emergency response planning and building evacuation protocols
• Proficiency in fire code compliance and risk assessment methods
• Effective coordination of fire drills and fire alarm system maintenance

Importance of Fire Safety Certification

Understanding the F89 (Fire and Life Safety Director) Test

Getting the fire safety certification as a Fire and Life Safety Director is key. It ensures the safety of people in buildings. This certification shows you know how to plan for emergencies, evacuate buildings, prevent fires, and manage safety systems.

The F89 (Fire and Life Safety Director) Test checks if you know enough about fire safety and emergency management. Passing it boosts your career and helps keep buildings safe. It’s crucial for following fire codes and keeping people safe.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Fire and Life Safety Director

A Fire and Life Safety Director does many important jobs. They make sure people know what to do in an emergency, prepare for disasters, and get people out safely. They also keep fire alarms working, teach how to use fire extinguishers, and make sure safety drills work well.

Knowing about fire safety certification and what a Fire and Life Safety Director does helps prepare for the F89 Test. It also helps keep communities safe.

F89 Practice Test: What to Expect on Exam Day

The F89 practice test mirrors the New York City Fire Department's Certificate of Fitness exam for Fire and Life Safety Directors, covering 100 multiple-choice questions drawn from the FDNY study materials. Candidates need a score of 70% or higher to pass, and the real exam is administered at FDNY Headquarters at 9 MetroTech Center in Brooklyn.

Core Topics Covered in the F89 Practice Test

Expect questions on fire alarm systems, evacuation procedures, building construction classifications, and the responsibilities of a Fire Safety Director under NYC Fire Code Chapter 4. Sprinkler operation, standpipe systems, and emergency action plan coordination also appear frequently.

Sources & last verified

1. New York City Fire Department — number of questions, time limit, passing score, exam fee (official source). “The FLSD: Fire Component exam (N-85) will consist of 120 multiple-choice questions and the FLSD: Non-Fire component exam (Z-89) will consist of 55 multiple-choice questions.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.