F89 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response

Question 1

A building occupant reports an unknown chemical spill with a strong odor on the 7th floor, and several people feel nauseous. What is the Fire and Life Safety Director's IMMEDIATE response?

Accepted Answer

Call 911 to report a possible hazardous materials incident, begin evacuation of the affected floor, and prevent others from entering the area

Answer

Send the fire warden to identify the chemical before calling 911

Answer

Increase HVAC airflow on the 7th floor to dilute the chemical vapors

Answer

Wait for the odor to dissipate naturally before taking action

Question 2

During a hazardous materials incident on an upper floor, the FDNY HAZMAT unit advises that the chemical poses an outdoor air risk. What occupant protection strategy should the FLSD implement?

Accepted Answer

Shelter-in-place: direct occupants to move to interior spaces, seal gaps under doors, and shut down HVAC systems drawing outside air

Answer

Full building evacuation to the street immediately

Answer

Partial evacuation of only the top five floors

Answer

Continue normal operations and wait for FDNY to resolve the incident

Question 3

What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and why is it relevant to the Fire and Life Safety Director?

Accepted Answer

A document that identifies hazardous chemicals stored in the building, their properties, health risks, and emergency response procedures

Answer

A building permit document required before any renovation work

Answer

A fire inspection report issued by the FDNY after an annual inspection

Answer

A tenant lease addendum that lists prohibited activities in the building

Question 4

A gas line is suspected to be leaking in the building's basement. Which action should the Fire and Life Safety Director take FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Call 911 and Con Edison (the utility), evacuate areas near the suspected leak, and prohibit use of electrical switches or open flames

Answer

Go to the basement to locate and manually shut the gas valve

Answer

Turn on all exhaust fans in the basement to vent the gas

Answer

Wait for the gas smell to dissipate before notifying anyone

Question 5

After a hazardous materials incident is resolved by FDNY HAZMAT, what must the Fire and Life Safety Director do before allowing occupants to re-enter the affected area?

Accepted Answer

Obtain explicit clearance from FDNY HAZMAT or other authority having jurisdiction before authorizing re-entry

Answer

Re-entry may proceed as soon as the HAZMAT truck leaves the building

Answer

The FLSD may independently declare the area safe after visually inspecting it

Answer

Allow re-entry after 30 minutes regardless of FDNY guidance

Question 6

Which of the following is the Fire and Life Safety Director's best preventive measure regarding hazardous materials in the building?

Accepted Answer

Conduct periodic surveys of tenant spaces to verify that hazardous materials are properly labeled, stored, and that SDS documents are accessible

Answer

Prohibit all tenants from storing any chemicals of any kind in the building

Answer

Require tenants to submit annual reports to FDNY listing all chemicals stored

Answer

Hire a licensed hazmat contractor to permanently monitor all tenant spaces