BOMA Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a commercial building's 'Emergency Action Plan' (EAP) under OSHA?
- To define procedures for safely evacuating occupants during fire, natural disaster, or other emergencies (Correct answer)
- To outline financial contingency plans for unexpected building repair costs
- To establish protocols for responding to tenant complaints about building conditions
- To document insurance claim procedures following property damage events
Correct answer: To define procedures for safely evacuating occupants during fire, natural disaster, or other emergencies
OSHA requires Emergency Action Plans to establish procedures for safely evacuating employees and occupants during fires, natural disasters, or other life-safety emergencies.
Question 2: What does 'business continuity planning' (BCP) address in the context of commercial building management?
- Strategies to maintain critical business functions during and after a disruptive event (Correct answer)
- Planning for tenant lease renewals to ensure continuous building occupancy
- Capital improvement programs to maintain building competitiveness over time
- Continuous monitoring of building systems to prevent unplanned outages
Correct answer: Strategies to maintain critical business functions during and after a disruptive event
Business continuity planning develops strategies and procedures to ensure critical operations can continue or quickly resume after disruptions like natural disasters, fires, or system failures.
Question 3: In commercial real estate risk management, what is a 'Phase I Environmental Site Assessment'?
- A historical records review and site reconnaissance to identify potential environmental contamination (Correct answer)
- Laboratory testing of soil and groundwater samples for hazardous substances
- An asbestos and lead paint survey required before building renovation
- A regulatory compliance audit of the building's environmental permits
Correct answer: A historical records review and site reconnaissance to identify potential environmental contamination
A Phase I ESA is a non-invasive assessment reviewing historical records, regulatory databases, and conducting a site walk to identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs).
Question 4: What type of fire suppression system is most commonly required in commercial office buildings under current US building codes?
- Wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system (Correct answer)
- Dry-pipe automatic sprinkler system
- Gaseous suppression system
- Foam deluge system
Correct answer: Wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system
Wet-pipe automatic sprinkler systems, which contain pressurized water ready to discharge when a sprinkler head activates, are the most common type required in commercial office buildings.
Question 5: What is the purpose of 'tabletop exercises' in emergency preparedness planning?
- To simulate emergency scenarios in a discussion-based format to identify gaps in plans and procedures (Correct answer)
- To physically test evacuation procedures by moving furniture and equipment
- To train floor wardens in hands-on fire extinguisher operation techniques
- To review insurance policies and coverage limits for various emergency scenarios
Correct answer: To simulate emergency scenarios in a discussion-based format to identify gaps in plans and procedures
Tabletop exercises are facilitated discussions where building teams walk through emergency scenarios to test their plans, identify weaknesses, and improve coordination without full-scale drills.
Question 6: What does 'force majeure' mean in the context of commercial leases and building operations?
- An 'act of God' clause excusing performance obligations due to unforeseeable extraordinary events (Correct answer)
- A landlord's right to forcibly terminate a defaulting tenant's lease
- A legal requirement to perform building upgrades after a major disaster
- A clause requiring tenants to maintain operations during a natural disaster
Correct answer: An 'act of God' clause excusing performance obligations due to unforeseeable extraordinary events
Force majeure clauses excuse performance obligations (like rent payment or construction completion) when prevented by extraordinary events beyond the parties' control, such as natural disasters or government actions.
BOMA Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management 1
What is the primary purpose of a commercial building's 'Emergency Action Plan' (EAP) under OSHA?