Exit and Egress Requirements Flashcards

In a large assembly space, exit doors usually have panic hardware. How does panic hardware open?

Answer: By pushing on a bar or touchpad in the direction of travel

Panic hardware releases the latch when someone pushes the bar or pad, so a crowd can get out quickly.

For rooms with larger occupant loads, which way must the exit doors generally swing?

Answer: In the direction of egress travel

Doors serving larger occupant loads must swing in the direction of egress so a crowd cannot pin them shut.

A fire impairment has shut down the sprinkler system, and one of the two exits from a floor is temporarily blocked by construction. What should the fireguard focus on?

Answer: Keeping the remaining exit clear and reporting the reduced egress to the person in charge

With the protection impaired and egress reduced, the fireguard must make sure the remaining exit stays usable and report the condition.

Why should occupants be told not to use elevators during a fire?

Answer: Elevators can stop working or open onto a fire floor, trapping people

Elevators can lose power or be recalled, and their shafts can fill with smoke, so stairs are the safe way out.

Which item is acceptable to have in an exit corridor?

Answer: A wall-mounted fire extinguisher that does not reduce the required corridor width

Required fire protection equipment mounted on the wall is allowed, but storage and movable items must not be placed in exit corridors.

A door on the exit route is marked 'NOT AN EXIT,' but occupants could mistake it for one. Why is this sign used?

Answer: To keep people from entering a dead end or non-exit space during an emergency

'NOT AN EXIT' signs keep occupants from walking into storage rooms, closets, or dead ends while they are trying to escape.

While patrolling, you find that a required exit door is chained shut and the building owner is not on site. What should you do first?

Answer: Get the door unlocked right away if you can, and notify the responsible person and the FDNY as required

A locked or chained exit is an immediate life hazard that must be corrected and reported, not just noted.