Side by side
Which certificates of fitness a NYC shelter relies on, side by side
A NYC homeless shelter runs on an F-80 coordinator, a deputy who also holds the F-80, and F-02 fire guards on patrol. Around them sit certificates for voice announcements, alarm supervision and outside service work. Each one below comes from its own FDNY Notice of Exam, as of October 2026.
Plan ref 7.4Updated October 25, 2026
How to read this list
The F-02 Study Material prints a list of certificates that may be found at shelter locations: F-53, F-80, F-03/F-04, F-89/T-89, S-12/S-15, S-13, S-95, S-97/S-98 and W-96. Some of them work inside the building every day. Others belong to the contractors who test and service its systems.
Three pages go deeper on the pairs that get mixed up: the F-80 and the fire guards, the F-80 and the S-95, and the F-80 and the F-89.
Certificates held by shelter staff
Staff certificates around a shelter, each from its own FDNY Notice of Exam (as of October 2026)
| Certificate | Name | FDNY test | Valid where | In a shelter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-80 | Coordinator of Fire Safety and Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters | 50 questions, 75 min | One location; up to two shelters | Required in every homeless shelter; coordinator or deputy on site at all times |
| F-02 | Fire Guard for Shelter (Citywide) | 25 questions, 38 min | Citywide | Hourly patrols and fire watch; F-01 duties in shelters only |
| F-01 | Fire Guard for Impairment (Citywide) | 20 questions, 30 min | Citywide | Fire watch when a required system is out of service |
| F-53 | Emergency One-Way Voice Announcement Personnel | 45 questions, 68 min | Citywide | F-80 holders who work in shelters are exempt, per the F-80 Notice of Exam |
| S-95 | Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems | 35 questions, 53 min | One location | F-80 holders who work in shelters are exempt |
| F-89 | Fire and Life Safety Director | N-85 and Z-89, plus an on-site exam | One location | Where the building needs an FLSD, for example two-way voice |
The computer tests are multiple choice on a touch screen at FDNY Headquarters, with 70% to pass. The F-80, F-02, F-01, F-53 and S-95 cost $25 to apply. The F-89 charges $25 per computer test plus on-site exam and card fees. Renewal is $15 every three years.
Service certificates the Study Material names
- S-12 and S-13
- Sprinkler (S-12) and standpipe (S-13) systems. Their annual and five-year tests are done by a master fire suppression piping contractor, or a master plumber, holding the matching certificate (Source: Study Material §11, Source: Study Material §12). The coordinator checks that the right certificate is held and that a written record stays on site.
- S-97 and S-98
- Fire alarm inspection, testing and servicing. Smoke detectors are cleaned and maintained every six months by an S-97 or S-98 holder (Source: Study Material §10.3). An F-80 holder may do the visual inspections; only S-97 or S-98 holders service and test the system (Source: Study Material §2).
- W-96
- Portable fire extinguisher service. The monthly quick check goes on the tag; at least once a year a W-96 holder checks every extinguisher and replaces the tag (Source: Study Material §15.3).
- F-03 and F-04
- Place of assembly safety personnel. The F-02 list names them among certificates that may be found at shelter locations.
What this list cannot tell you
This page says what each FDNY document assigns to each certificate. Which ones your shelter needs on site depends on its building, its systems and its plan, and the FDNY decides. If you are the one being named coordinator, start with how to become a shelter fire safety coordinator.
Using this list
Which certificate do I need for my shelter job?
It follows the job. Running fire safety and the alarm panel is F-80 work. Patrolling is F-02 work. Testing and servicing systems belongs to contractors with S- and W- certificates (FDNY Notices of Exam, as of October 2026).
Where is the full list of FDNY certificates of fitness?
On the FDNY Certificates of Fitness page (Source: FDNY Certificates of Fitness page). This page covers only the ones a shelter’s documents name.
Does the F-80 replace the F-53 too?
The F-80 Notice of Exam says yes, for coordinators who work in shelters only: no separate S-95 or F-53. Study Material §1 names only the S-95. We print the Notice of Exam wording (rev. January 2026, as of October 2026).
- FDNY F-80 Notice of Exam and Study Material, rev. January 2026Checked October 25, 2026
- FDNY F-02 Notice of Exam and Study Material, rev. July 2026Checked October 25, 2026
- FDNY F-01 Notice of Exam and Study Material, rev. January 2026Checked October 25, 2026
- FDNY F-53 Notice of Exam and Study Material, rev. January 2026Checked October 25, 2026
- FDNY S-95 Notice of Exam and Study Material, rev. March 2024Checked October 25, 2026
- FDNY F-89/T-89 Notice of Exam, rev. October 26, 2022Checked October 25, 2026
- FDNY Certificates of Fitness pageChecked October 25, 2026
On an iPhone or iPad?
Then F-80 is the one to install. On an Android phone or a computer, keep practicing here; it costs nothing.