Tools Exam Practice Questions And

FDNY E21 Use Ammunition Activated Tools Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

1. FDNY E21 Use Ammunition Activated Tools Exam: What is the primary

purpose of an ammunition-activated tool?

a) Entertainment use

b) Cutting heavy steel beams

c) Driving fasteners into hard materials

d) Starting machinery

Rationale: Ammunition-activated tools are designed to drive fasteners into

dense construction materials using controlled power charges.

2. FDNY E21: What is the cartridge in an ammunition-activated tool

commonly referred to as? 1 / 4

a) A primer

b) A power load

c) A torque pack

d) A stabilizer

Rationale: Power loads are standardized cartridges that generate force to

propel a fastener.

3. FDNY E21: Which type of tool requires the operator to both compress

and pull a trigger?

a) Fully automatic tool

b) Direct-action tool

c) Pneumatic assist tool

d) Battery-assisted tool

Rationale: Direct-action tools require deliberate compression plus trigger

operation for safety.

4. FDNY E21: Which organization certifies ammunition-activated tools and

cartridges for safety?

a) OSHA

b) ANSI

c) FEMA

d) DOT

Rationale: ANSI sets widely recognized safety standards for power-

actuated tools. 2 / 4

• FDNY E21: A basic safety rule for ammunition-activated tools is to:

a) Carry them with the trigger pulled

b) Store them loaded for convenience

c) Never load the tool until it’s ready for use

d) Load multiple cartridges at once

Rationale: Tools must only be loaded when immediately ready to fire to

prevent accidental discharge.

6. FDNY E21: What color coding on power loads indicates increasing

strength levels?

a) Blue to green

b) Gray to purple to red

c) White to black

d) Yellow to teal

Rationale: Power loads use standardized color codes from light to heavy

charge.

7. FDNY E21: An operator should fire ammunition-activated tools only

when:

a) A coworker is holding the material

b) The surface is unstable

c) The tool is perpendicular to the surface

d) Someone is standing behind the workpiece 3 / 4

Rationale: Firing perpendicular ensures accurate penetration and reduces

ricochet risk.

• FDNY E21: Before using a tool on any surface, the operator must:

a) Assume it can accept fasteners

b) Verify material type and thickness

c) Ask a coworker to test it

d) Increase load strength automatically

Rationale: Tools are only safe on approved materials of known properties.

• FDNY E21: A misfire occurs when:

a) The tool recoils excessively

b) The cartridge does not discharge when triggered

c) The fastener bends

d) The operator misses the mark

Rationale: A misfire means the load failed to discharge despite trigger

activation.

• FDNY E21: After a misfire, the operator must wait:

a) Immediately open the tool

• 1 second
• 3 seconds

d) At least 30 seconds

Rationale: Waiting prevents injury in case of delayed ignition.

• / 4