S95 Regulatory Codes and Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for a new building, which fire alarm-related document is typically required?
- A manufacturer's warranty only
- A signed inspection and test report from qualified personnel (Correct answer)
- A letter of intent from the installing contractor
- Only the original building permit
Correct answer: A signed inspection and test report from qualified personnel
A Certificate of Occupancy requires a signed fire alarm inspection and test report demonstrating the system was accepted per applicable codes.
Question 2: When a fire alarm system modification requires a permit, who typically issues this permit?
- The building owner
- The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) (Correct answer)
- The fire alarm equipment manufacturer
- The central monitoring company
Correct answer: The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Permits for fire alarm system modifications are issued by the AHJ, typically the local fire department or building department.
Question 3: In New York City, the holder of an S95 Certificate of Fitness is primarily responsible for:
- Installing new fire alarm equipment in buildings
- Supervising the operation and maintenance of fire alarm systems (Correct answer)
- Designing fire alarm system layouts and drawings
- Approving new fire alarm equipment models for use in NYC
Correct answer: Supervising the operation and maintenance of fire alarm systems
The S95 certificate holder is responsible for supervising the fire alarm system in a building, including overseeing its proper operation and maintenance.
Question 4: Before conducting a fire alarm test, who must typically be notified to prevent an unnecessary emergency response?
- Only the building superintendent
- The fire department and the central monitoring station (Correct answer)
- Only the central monitoring station
- Only the fire department dispatch center
Correct answer: The fire department and the central monitoring station
Both the fire department and the central monitoring station must be notified prior to testing so that test signals are not dispatched as real emergencies.
Question 5: Which NYC agency is primarily responsible for enforcing fire alarm regulations in commercial buildings?
- NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
- NYC Fire Department (FDNY) (Correct answer)
- NYC Department of Health
- NYC Office of Emergency Management
Correct answer: NYC Fire Department (FDNY)
The FDNY is the primary agency responsible for enforcing fire alarm regulations and code compliance in NYC commercial buildings.
Question 6: A fire alarm system found to be non-compliant with applicable codes is subject to:
- Automatic government funding for required upgrades
- Violations, fines, and a potential order to vacate (Correct answer)
- An automatic 90-day grace period before enforcement
- Transfer of liability to the AHJ
Correct answer: Violations, fines, and a potential order to vacate
Non-compliant fire alarm systems can result in code violations, monetary fines, and potentially an order to vacate until corrections are made.
Question 7: Under NYC Fire Code, plans for a new fire alarm system installation must be filed with and approved by which entity before work begins?
- The building owner's insurance carrier
- The FDNY or applicable AHJ (Correct answer)
- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- The fire alarm equipment manufacturer
Correct answer: The FDNY or applicable AHJ
Plans must be submitted to and approved by the FDNY or applicable AHJ before fire alarm installation work may begin.
S95 Regulatory Codes and Requirements 3
Before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for a new building, which fire alarm-related document is typically required?