F89 Building Evacuation and Drills Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A high-rise office building (Group B occupancy) has just received its initial Certificate of Occupancy. According to FDNY regulations, how frequently must fire and non-fire emergency drills be conducted for the first two years?
- Annually
- Semiannually (every 6 months)
- Quarterly (every 3 months) (Correct answer)
- Monthly
Correct answer: Quarterly (every 3 months)
For newly constructed high-rise office buildings, the FDNY requires an increased frequency of drills to ensure occupants and staff quickly become familiar with emergency procedures. Drills must be conducted quarterly for the first two years of occupancy. After this initial period, the frequency for Group B office buildings becomes semiannually.
Question 2: During a required fire drill, the FLSD is informed that a group of occupants on one floor are refusing to participate, stating they are too busy. Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding this situation?
- Participation is optional for tenants, but mandatory for building staff.
- The FLSD should document the non-participation and proceed with the drill.
- Participation in required drills is legally mandated for all building occupants, and employers are responsible for ensuring their employees comply. (Correct answer)
- The FLSD can exempt the floor from the drill if a supervisor provides a written justification.
Correct answer: Participation in required drills is legally mandated for all building occupants, and employers are responsible for ensuring their employees comply.
NYC Fire Code Section 401.7 and related rules mandate that building owners and employers are legally required to ensure all specified occupants participate in fire and non-fire emergency drills. It is not optional, and the FLSD must enforce this requirement as part of their duties.
Question 3: An FLSD is planning a phased evacuation drill for a 40-story building. Which group of floors would typically be evacuated FIRST upon activation of the alarm on the 15th floor?
- The top five floors of the building (36-40).
- The fire floor and the two floors directly below it (15, 14, 13).
- The entire building simultaneously.
- The fire floor and the two floors directly above it (15, 16, 17). (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The fire floor and the two floors directly above it (15, 16, 17).
Standard phased evacuation procedure, often directed by the Fire and Life Safety Director, prioritizes the evacuation of the floor where the emergency is located (the fire floor) and the floors immediately above it. This is because smoke and heat rise, posing the most immediate danger to occupants on and above the fire floor.
Question 4: What is a critical procedural requirement for the FLSD or other certified drill conductor when conducting a mandatory fire drill to ensure occupants are familiar with the alarm?
- Verbally describe the sound of the alarm over the PA system.
- Activate the fire alarm system to sound the alarm tones. (Correct answer)
- Play a pre-recorded video of the alarm system activating.
- Distribute written materials describing the alarm tones.
Correct answer: Activate the fire alarm system to sound the alarm tones.
According to NYC Fire Code Section 401.7.5, the fire alarm system must be activated during each drill to initiate the exercise and familiarize occupants with the actual alarm tones. Hearing the actual alarm is a key part of the educational purpose of the drill. An exception may exist if not all occupants are required to participate, but activation is the standard rule.
Question 5: The FLSD is conducting a drill and needs to ensure procedures are in place for occupants with disabilities who may need assistance. Which of the following is a recommended practice to incorporate into the building's evacuation plan?
- Instructing them to use the elevators immediately.
- Designating them as the last group to evacuate after all others have left.
- Establishing a 'buddy system' and identifying Areas of Refuge or Assisted Evacuation Points. (Correct answer)
- Requiring them to self-evacuate without any specific assistance plan.
Correct answer: Establishing a 'buddy system' and identifying Areas of Refuge or Assisted Evacuation Points.
Effective emergency plans must account for all occupants. For those needing assistance, establishing a 'buddy system' with a coworker or staff member and identifying safe locations like Areas of Refuge or Assisted Evacuation Points where they can await help from first responders are key strategies. This ensures they are not left behind and their needs are addressed in an orderly manner.
Question 6: Following every fire and non-fire emergency drill conducted in a high-rise office building, the FLSD must document the event. For how long must the written record of these drills be maintained on the premises and be available for FDNY inspection?
- 1 year
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- Indefinitely
Correct answer: 3 years
FDNY regulations require that a written record of every fire and non-fire emergency drill be maintained in a logbook on the premises for a minimum of three years. This logbook must be readily available for inspection by the FDNY at any time.
F89 Building Evacuation and Drills Questions and Answers 1
A high-rise office building (Group B occupancy) has just received its initial Certificate of Occupancy.
According to FDNY regulations, how frequently must fire and non-fire emergency drills be conducted for the first two years?