F01 Fire Guard Patrol Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When conducting patrols on a floor where sprinklers are temporarily out of service, what specific hazards should the fireguard focus on checking?
- Only electrical panels and HVAC equipment
- Any heat sources, open flames, accumulated debris, blocked exits, and any signs of smoke or unusual heat (Correct answer)
- Only areas where workers are actively present
- Sprinkler heads to check if they have been accidentally damaged
Correct answer: Any heat sources, open flames, accumulated debris, blocked exits, and any signs of smoke or unusual heat
During impairment patrols, the fireguard must check all potential ignition sources and fire indicators: heat sources, open flames, debris accumulation, exit blockages, smoke, and unusual heat — throughout the affected area.
A comprehensive patrol during a sprinkler impairment covers all potential fire hazards because the automatic suppression safety net is gone. Key items include: portable heaters or other heat sources that could ignite nearby materials, open flames (such as gas torches, candles, or pilot lights), accumulations of cardboard, paper, or debris that could fuel a fire, blocked or locked exit doors that would impede evacuation, and any sensory indicators of fire such as smoke, unusual heat, or burning smells.
Question 2: An F-01 fireguard is assigned to a 15-story building during a floor-wide sprinkler impairment on floors 8–10. Which floors require patrol?
- Only floors 8, 9, and 10 where the impairment exists
- Floors 8, 9, and 10 plus the floors immediately above (11) and below (7) (Correct answer)
- The entire building from floor 1 to 15
- Only the highest affected floor (10) since heat rises
Correct answer: Floors 8, 9, and 10 plus the floors immediately above (11) and below (7)
The impaired floors (8–10) must be patrolled, plus the floors immediately adjacent (7 and 11) to detect any fire spread through the floor-ceiling assembly.
FDNY protocols require the fireguard to patrol the impaired floors and the directly adjacent floors. Heat and fire can spread through floor-ceiling assemblies, especially where penetrations exist for pipes, conduits, or ductwork. The floor above an impaired area is particularly vulnerable since heat rises. Patrolling the immediately adjacent floors (one above and one below) catches spreading fires before they can become fully involved. The fireguard does not need to patrol every floor in the building.
Question 3: What should a fireguard do if, during a patrol, they find an exit door propped open or blocked by construction materials?
- Leave it for the contractors to deal with at the end of the shift
- Document it in the logbook only and continue patrol
- Immediately clear the blockage or ensure the door closes, and document the finding in the logbook (Correct answer)
- Call FDNY to report the blocked exit before taking any other action
Correct answer: Immediately clear the blockage or ensure the door closes, and document the finding in the logbook
Blocked or propped exits are a life safety violation. The fireguard must immediately clear the obstruction or ensure the door closes, then document the finding in the logbook.
Clear exit paths are critical to life safety, especially during hot work when fire risk is elevated. The fireguard has the authority and responsibility to immediately address exit obstructions during patrol. Materials blocking an exit door must be moved; propped-open fire doors must be released and confirmed to latch. The finding must be logged with time and corrective action. If the obstruction is severe or the contractor refuses to cooperate, the fireguard should escalate to the building owner and, if necessary, halt hot work operations until the hazard is corrected.
Question 4: An F-01 fireguard is assigned a large floor plate to patrol. How should they structure their patrol route?
- Random walk to keep the patrol unpredictable
- Systematic route covering all areas, starting from the center and working outward
- A fixed systematic route that covers every area of the floor without gaps (Correct answer)
- Focus only on the areas closest to the hot work — other areas do not need patrol
Correct answer: A fixed systematic route that covers every area of the floor without gaps
A systematic patrol route that covers every area of the floor ensures no sections are missed. The route should be consistent enough to guarantee complete coverage within the required patrol interval.
FDNY expects fire guard patrols to provide complete coverage of the assigned area. A consistent systematic route ensures the fireguard covers every room, corridor, storage area, and exit on the floor during each patrol cycle. Starting at one end and walking a grid or perimeter pattern with interior sweeps is effective. Random walking risks leaving gaps. The fireguard should know their assigned area thoroughly and complete the route within the required time frame.
Question 5: What is the maximum gap between patrol cycles that is acceptable for an F-01 fireguard when a sprinkler system is fully impaired?
- No more than 15 minutes between patrol cycles (Correct answer)
- No more than 30 minutes between patrol cycles
- No more than 1 hour between patrol cycles
- There is no maximum — patrol frequency is at the fireguard's discretion
Correct answer: No more than 15 minutes between patrol cycles
When fire suppression systems are fully impaired, FDNY requires patrol intervals of no more than 15 minutes to ensure timely detection of any fire in the absence of automatic systems.
The patrol interval depends on the degree of impairment and fire risk. When an entire sprinkler system or alarm system is fully impaired, FDNY requires patrol cycles of no more than 15 minutes. This tight interval compensates for the complete loss of automatic detection and suppression. If only a portion of the system is impaired or if it is a partial valve closure, a 30-minute interval may be acceptable. The F-01 fireguard must understand what level of impairment is present and apply the appropriate patrol frequency.
Question 6: If a fireguard discovers a locked room that cannot be inspected during patrol, what is the correct action?
- Skip that room and document that it was inaccessible
- Force the door open to ensure the area is safe
- Notify the building manager or responsible person to unlock the room, document the notification, and attempt to inspect before the next patrol cycle (Correct answer)
- Post a 'Do Not Enter' sign and move on
Correct answer: Notify the building manager or responsible person to unlock the room, document the notification, and attempt to inspect before the next patrol cycle
The fireguard must notify the responsible party to gain access, document the notification, and inspect the room before completing the patrol. Uninspected locked rooms are a compliance gap.
Fire guards cannot fulfill their FDNY obligation if portions of the assigned patrol area cannot be accessed. If a room is locked, the fireguard must immediately contact the building manager, superintendent, or the party responsible for the space to arrange entry. This contact must be documented in the logbook with the time and name of person contacted. The room should be inspected before the fireguard completes the patrol cycle. Persistent inaccessibility should be escalated to building management and noted on the FDNY impairment forms.
F01 Fire Guard Patrol Requirements 3
When conducting patrols on a floor where sprinklers are temporarily out of service, what specific hazards should the fireguard focus on checking?