Last updated: March 17, 2026 – this guide explains all key FDNY requirements to work as a Fire and Life Safety Director (F‑89) in New York City, including age, experience, training, exams, employer verification, and Certificate of Fitness steps.
In NYC, the legacy title “Fire Safety Director” has been replaced by “Fire and Life Safety Director (FLSD)” under the FDNY F‑89 Certificate of Fitness program, but many candidates still search for “fire safety director requirements NYC.”
This article focuses on FDNY‑specific rules, NYC Fire Code obligations, and the exact process to qualify, test, and work as an FLSD in New York City office, hotel, and other covered buildings.
Who This Guide is For
- People who want to become an FDNY‑certified Fire and Life Safety Director (F‑89) and work in NYC high‑rise or complex buildings.
- Building owners, property managers, and employers who must comply with the NYC Fire Code and verify FLSD coverage for their properties.
- Security guards, fire guards, building staff, and site safety professionals are exploring promotion paths into the higher‑paid F‑89 Fire and Life Safety Director role.
Quick NYC F‑89 Requirements at a Glance
- Work in NYC buildings that require a Fire and Life Safety Director under the NYC Fire Code and FDNY rules.
- Be at least 18 years old with sufficient English to understand and pass the FDNY exams.
- Have three years of qualifying full‑time experience, or 18 months with at least six months at one location, in accepted fire‑ and life‑safety‑related roles.
- Complete an FDNY‑approved 31‑hour Fire and Life Safety Director course (20‑hour fire component + 11‑hour non‑fire component).
- Pass the FDNY computer‑based fire component exam (N‑85) and non‑fire emergency exam (Z‑89) within the allowed time windows.
- Submit the employer verification letter, then pass the FDNY on‑site practical exam (T‑89) at your building.
- Receive and maintain your F‑89 Certificate of Fitness, which is typically valid for three years and must be renewed.
Fire Safety Director Requirements in NYC (F‑89 / FLSD)
In New York City, the FDNY regulates the Fire and Life Safety Director role through the F‑89 Certificate of Fitness, which replaced the old Fire Safety Director title but serves a similar function under updated fire and emergency planning rules.
Below is a concise overview of the core NYC‑specific requirements you must meet before you can serve as an FLSD in an NYC building.
- At least 18 years of age and legally eligible to work, with a reasonable understanding of English.
- Three years of full‑time qualifying fire‑ and life‑safety‑related experience, or 18 months with at least six continuous months at a single work location.
- Completion of an FDNY‑approved 31‑hour Fire and Life Safety Director course (fire plus non‑fire components).
- Passing scores on the FDNY computer‑based fire component exam (N‑85) and non‑fire emergency component exam (Z‑89).
- Employer verification and building‑specific documentation so the FDNY can schedule your on‑site T‑89 practical exam.
- Successful completion of the T‑89 on‑site test and issuance of the F‑89 Certificate of Fitness, which must be renewed periodically.
FSD vs Fire and Life Safety Director in NYC
Historically, New York City used the title Fire Safety Director (FSD) for the person responsible for fire safety and emergency procedures in many high‑rise and complex buildings. Under updated NYC Fire Code and FDNY rules, that position is now formally titled Fire and Life Safety Director (FLSD) and regulated through the F‑89 Certificate of Fitness, but many New Yorkers and online searches still use “fire safety director” or “FSD.” When you see “fire safety director requirements NYC,” understand that FDNY is really referring to the F‑89 Fire and Life Safety Director certification, including non‑fire emergencies like active shooters, medical events, and utility failures.
Who needs a Fire and Life Safety Director in NYC?
FDNY requires a Fire and Life Safety Director in any commercial building that must maintain a Comprehensive Fire Safety and Emergency Action Plan, as well as buildings that previously needed a Fire Safety Director under older codes.
In practice, this includes high‑rise office buildings, hotels, and certain occupancies equipped with fire alarm and two‑way voice communication systems, plus other buildings that meet NYC Fire Code thresholds for occupant load and height.
Owners of high‑rise or large‑area Group B office buildings, and other occupancies specified in the NYC Fire Code, must formally designate an FLS Director and FLS staff in their comprehensive fire safety and emergency action plans.
FDNY F‑89 Requirements and Qualifications
FDNY sets detailed qualification criteria in its F‑89/T‑89 application materials and FLSD overview documents, which outline acceptable experience types, course completion, and exam steps.
Below is a breakdown of major eligibility elements for the NYC Fire and Life Safety Director pathway.
Experience requirements
FDNY requires at least three years of full‑time work in one or more accepted fire‑ and life‑safety‑related fields, or 18 months full‑time with at least six months of continuous employment at one work location.
Qualifying experience can include roles such as firefighter, fire inspector, fire marshal, correction officer, police officer, building evacuation supervisor, or other fire‑safety‑related positions that involve building fire protection systems and emergency response.
FDNY notes that being only a Fire Guard or security guard generally does not qualify by itself, so candidates must show broader fire‑safety‑related responsibilities or other accepted job titles.
Age, language, and fitness
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of English, since the exams and procedures rely on English‑language instructions and communications.
FDNY also expects candidates to be physically able to perform essential FLSD duties, including managing evacuations and operating communication systems in emergencies.
Training and Exams for NYC Fire Safety Directors
All new NYC FLSD candidates must complete an FDNY‑approved 31‑hour Fire and Life Safety Director course before taking the FDNY computer‑based exams. This 31‑hour curriculum is typically split into a 20‑hour fire component and an 11‑hour non‑fire emergency component focused on emergency action plan scenarios like active shooters, medical events, and utility failures.
Approved schools give internal final exams for each component, and the FLSD school diploma is usually valid for nine months to allow time to schedule and pass the FDNY’s computer‑based exams. After the course, candidates must pass the FLSD fire component exam (N‑85) and then the non‑fire emergency component exam (Z‑89) at the FDNY’s testing center, typically within specific nine‑month windows.
Once the written portions are complete and employer verification is in place, the FDNY administers the T‑89 on‑site practical exam in the candidate’s building to ensure they can apply procedures to real systems and plans.
Step‑by‑step: How to Meet NYC Fire Safety Director Requirements
This section lays out the F‑89 process in clear, numbered steps aligned with FDNY guidance so both people and AI systems can follow the exact order.
1. Check if your building needs an FLSD.
Confirm whether your NYC building is a high‑rise office, hotel, or other occupancy that requires a Comprehensive Fire Safety and Emergency Action Plan and an FLS Director under NYC Fire Code.
2. Confirm you have qualifying experience.
Add up your full‑time work in accepted fire‑ and life‑safety‑related fields to meet either three years or 18 months with at least six months at one location, using the FDNY’s qualification criteria.
3. Enroll in an FDNY‑approved 31‑hour FLSD course.
Choose a certified school that offers the 31‑hour Fire and Life Safety Director program (20‑hour fire + 11‑hour non‑fire/EAP content) and attend all required sessions.
4. Pass the school’s internal exams and secure your FLSD diploma.
You must pass each internal component exam to receive the FLSD course completion diploma, which is valid for a limited time (commonly nine months) for FDNY testing.
5. Apply and pay for the FDNY computer‑based exams.
Complete the online Certificate of Fitness application, pay the fees, and schedule your N‑85 fire component and Z‑89 non‑fire emergency component exams at FDNY Headquarters.
6. Pass the N‑85 and Z‑89 exams within the FDNY deadlines.
Take and pass the N‑85 fire exam within the valid period of your school diploma, then pass the Z‑89 non‑fire exam within the FDNY’s required timeframe.
7. Submit employer verification for the T‑89 on‑site exam.
Work with your building employer to prepare the verification letter and ensure your current fire safety and emergency action plan documents are on file with the FDNY.
8. Pass the T‑89 on‑site practical exam.
FDNY will test you in your building (or assigned site) on operating the fire command center, following the emergency action plan, and handling both fire and non‑fire emergencies.
9. Receive and maintain your F‑89 Certificate of Fitness.
After passing all components, the FDNY issues your F‑89 Certificate of Fitness, which is generally valid for three years and must be renewed on time with applicable fees and compliance.
Key FDNY requirement questions (NYC‑specific Q&A)
What are the FDNY requirements to become a Fire Safety Director in NYC?
To become an FDNY Fire and Life Safety Director (F‑89), you must meet age and language requirements, have three years of qualifying experience or 18 months with six months at one location, complete the 31‑hour FLSD course, and pass the N‑85, Z‑89, and T‑89 exams.
Only after those steps can the FDNY issue the F‑89 Certificate of Fitness, allowing you to work as an FLSD in covered NYC buildings.
How much experience do you need to be a Fire and Life Safety Director in NYC?
FDNY requires either three years of full‑time work experience in one or more approved fire‑ and life‑safety‑related fields, or 18 months full‑time with at least six continuous months at one location.
Acceptable fields include firefighter, fire inspector, fire marshal, certain building safety roles, and equivalent experience tied to fire protection systems and emergency response.
What training course is required for the F‑89 Certificate of Fitness?
All new applicants must complete a 31‑hour FDNY‑approved Fire and Life Safety Director course that covers general fire topics and non‑fire emergency action planning.
The course is usually split into a 20‑hour fire component and an 11‑hour non‑fire component (including active shooter and medical emergencies), and you must pass internal exams before taking the FDNY’s N‑85 and Z‑89 tests.
Do all NYC buildings need a Fire Safety Director?
No, only certain NYC buildings are required to designate a Fire and Life Safety Director, primarily high‑rise and large‑area office buildings, hotels, and other occupancies that must maintain a Comprehensive Fire Safety and Emergency Action Plan.
The NYC Fire Code and FDNY rules specify exactly which occupancies fall under these requirements, so owners should review their building classification and occupant loads carefully.
Which NYC buildings require an FLSD?
Under NYC Fire Code section 401.4 and related rules, buildings that must have a comprehensive fire safety and emergency action plan must also designate an FLS Director and FLS staff.
This typically covers high‑rise office buildings above certain height and occupant thresholds, large‑area office occupancies, hotels, and any buildings voluntarily installing complex fire alarm and two‑way voice systems for which the FDNY requires an FLSD.
Active Shooter and Medical Emergency Training Requirements
The modern FLSD role is broader than traditional fire‑only responsibilities, and the FDNY’s non‑fire emergency curriculum addresses scenarios like active shooter events, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and utility failures.
The 11‑hour non‑fire component of the 31‑hour course, together with comprehensive emergency action planning, ensures NYC FLSDs can coordinate building responses beyond fires, especially in high‑rise office and hotel environments.
Related NYC Roles and How Experience May Count
FDNY’s qualification criteria allow experience from multiple roles, including firefighter, fire inspector, fire marshal, police officer, correction officer, and building fire safety roles tied to protection systems and emergency plans.
Time spent as a Fire Guard or security guard alone usually does not qualify, but the FDNY can consider broader safety responsibilities or combined roles, such as building evacuation supervisor or site safety manager, when evaluating applications.
Need help meeting NYC Fire Safety Director requirements?
If you are a security professional, building owner, or property manager who needs to understand or meet FDNY Fire and Life Safety Director requirements in NYC, Dahlcore can help with staffing, fire watch, and fire protection consulting services.
Use this guide to check whether you or your building meets the F‑89 criteria, then reach out to Dahlcore to assess your eligibility, plan an FLSD training path, or ensure your property’s fire and life safety program meets current NYC standards.
If you already have two or more years of related experience, your next step is usually to confirm your qualifying titles, enroll in an FDNY‑approved 31‑hour FLSD course, and start preparing for the N‑85 and Z‑89 exams with professional guidance.
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