F89 Building Evacuation and Drills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A tenant moves a heavy storage cabinet blocking the corridor path to the fire exit. What is the FSD's authority in this situation?
- The FSD has no authority and must wait for FDNY to act
- The FSD can immediately remove the cabinet without notifying anyone
- The FSD must direct the tenant to remove the obstruction and document it; notify building management and FDNY if not corrected (Correct answer)
- The FSD should post a sign warning occupants of the obstruction
Correct answer: The FSD must direct the tenant to remove the obstruction and document it; notify building management and FDNY if not corrected
The FSD must direct removal of exit obstructions, document the violation, and escalate to building management and FDNY if the tenant does not comply.
Question 2: During an announced drill, an actual fire alarm activates on a different floor. What should the FSD do?
- Continue the drill as planned since it is a scheduled event
- Immediately treat the alarm as a real emergency and respond accordingly (Correct answer)
- Pause the drill and wait for confirmation before acting
- Announce over the PA that the alarm is part of the drill
Correct answer: Immediately treat the alarm as a real emergency and respond accordingly
Any activated fire alarm during a drill must be treated as a real emergency until confirmed otherwise.
Question 3: What is the role of a 'searcher' or 'area warden' distinct from a 'floor warden' in an evacuation plan?
- The searcher operates the elevator controls during evacuation
- The searcher systematically checks restrooms, conference rooms, and other areas for occupants who may not have heard the alarm (Correct answer)
- The searcher coordinates with FDNY at the command post
- The searcher assists occupants with mobility impairments at areas of rescue assistance
Correct answer: The searcher systematically checks restrooms, conference rooms, and other areas for occupants who may not have heard the alarm
Searchers are assigned to check non-obvious spaces like restrooms and conference rooms to ensure no one is left behind during evacuation.
Question 4: How should a Fire Safety Director handle an occupant with a mobility impairment who cannot use the stairs during an evacuation drill?
- Exclude the occupant from all drills to avoid liability
- Direct the occupant to the designated area of rescue assistance and ensure a warden remains with them (Correct answer)
- Have the occupant use the elevator immediately
- Allow the occupant to shelter in place at their workstation
Correct answer: Direct the occupant to the designated area of rescue assistance and ensure a warden remains with them
Occupants with mobility impairments should be directed to areas of rescue assistance, where a warden stays with them until FDNY arrives.
Question 5: A floor warden reports that 3 occupants from her floor are unaccounted for after evacuation. What is the FSD's first action?
- Immediately re-enter the building to search for the missing occupants
- Report the missing persons to the FDNY Incident Commander at the command post (Correct answer)
- Announce the names over the PA system to locate them
- Wait 10 minutes to see if the occupants self-report
Correct answer: Report the missing persons to the FDNY Incident Commander at the command post
Missing occupant information must immediately be reported to the FDNY Incident Commander so firefighters can conduct a targeted search.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the 'defend in place' strategy sometimes used in healthcare occupancies?
- All occupants evacuate the entire building simultaneously
- Patients unable to move are relocated horizontally to a safe compartment on the same floor rather than vertically evacuated (Correct answer)
- Staff lock all doors and shelter until the fire is extinguished
- Only the floor with the fire evacuates while all other floors shelter in place
Correct answer: Patients unable to move are relocated horizontally to a safe compartment on the same floor rather than vertically evacuated
Defend in place involves moving non-ambulatory patients horizontally behind fire-rated barriers on the same floor rather than a full vertical evacuation.
Question 7: After completing a required evacuation drill, within how many days must the FSD submit the drill report to building management under standard FDNY fire safety plan requirements?
- Within 24 hours
- Within 3 business days
- Within 30 days (Correct answer)
- No specific deadline; report is kept on file at the building
Correct answer: Within 30 days
Drill reports must be completed and maintained on file; FDNY typically requires submission or availability within 30 days of the drill.
F89 Building Evacuation and Drills 5
A tenant moves a heavy storage cabinet blocking the corridor path to the fire exit.
What is the FSD's authority in this situation?