F-01 F-01 Fireguard Sprinkler and Suppression Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a sprinkler system is out of service for repairs, what must the Fireguard establish?
- A written evacuation drill
- A continuous fire watch in the affected area (Correct answer)
- A temporary sprinkler system
- A standpipe connection at every floor
Correct answer: A continuous fire watch in the affected area
FDNY regulations require that when a sprinkler system is impaired, a continuous fire watch must be maintained in the unprotected area until the system is restored.
Question 2: Which of the following is a sign that a sprinkler system may be impaired or out of service?
- The sprinkler heads are installed on the ceiling
- A control valve is found in the closed position (Correct answer)
- Water flows through the system during a test
- The system pressure gauge reads within normal range
Correct answer: A control valve is found in the closed position
A control valve in the closed position means water cannot reach the sprinkler heads, indicating the system is impaired and unable to operate effectively.
Question 3: How many sprinkler heads typically activate during a typical room fire?
- All heads in the building activate simultaneously
- Only the heads directly above the fire source activate
- Between one and four heads activate (Correct answer)
- A minimum of ten heads must activate to control any fire
Correct answer: Between one and four heads activate
Studies show that the vast majority of fires are controlled by one to four sprinkler heads, because each head activates individually based on local heat.
Question 4: What does the term 'impairment' mean in the context of a fire suppression system?
- A system that is operating at reduced water pressure
- A system that is out of service, partially or fully (Correct answer)
- A system undergoing a routine inspection
- A system that has been upgraded with new equipment
Correct answer: A system that is out of service, partially or fully
An impairment means the suppression system is partially or completely out of service, removing fire protection from the affected area and requiring immediate action.
Question 5: Who is authorized to restore a sprinkler system to service after an impairment?
- Any trained Fireguard on duty
- The building owner or tenant
- A licensed sprinkler contractor or fire protection engineer (Correct answer)
- The FDNY fire marshal only
Correct answer: A licensed sprinkler contractor or fire protection engineer
Restoring a sprinkler system after an impairment must be performed by a licensed sprinkler contractor or fire protection engineer, not by untrained personnel.
Question 6: What is the function of a tamper switch on a sprinkler control valve?
- It increases the water flow rate to sprinkler heads
- It sends an alarm signal if the valve is closed unexpectedly (Correct answer)
- It locks the valve in the open position permanently
- It manually activates the sprinkler system in an emergency
Correct answer: It sends an alarm signal if the valve is closed unexpectedly
A tamper switch monitors the position of a control valve and transmits an alarm signal to the fire alarm panel if the valve is moved to a closed position.
Question 7: In buildings with a standpipe system, a Fireguard should know that standpipes are used by:
- Occupants to manually activate sprinkler heads
- FDNY firefighters to connect hoses and fight fires in upper floors (Correct answer)
- Fireguards to test water pressure in sprinkler pipes
- Building engineers to drain the sprinkler system
Correct answer: FDNY firefighters to connect hoses and fight fires in upper floors
Standpipe systems provide FDNY firefighters with water access on upper floors, allowing hose lines to be connected directly without running hoses up stairways.
F-01 F-01 Fireguard Sprinkler and Suppression Systems 2
When a sprinkler system is out of service for repairs, what must the Fireguard establish?