F89 Fire Code Compliance 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the NYC Fire Code, what is the maximum allowable storage height for combustible materials in a sprinklered storage occupancy?
- 8 feet
- 12 feet
- 18 feet
- Up to the sprinkler deflector clearance limit (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Up to the sprinkler deflector clearance limit
Storage height in sprinklered occupancies is limited by required clearance below sprinkler deflectors, typically 18 inches, as specified in the fire code.
Question 2: A Fire and Life Safety Director discovers that a fire door in a required exit corridor has been propped open with a wedge. What is the immediate required action?
- Document the violation and report it at the next monthly meeting
- Remove the obstruction and ensure the door self-closes and latches properly (Correct answer)
- Post a sign prohibiting propping the door open
- Notify the fire department before taking any action
Correct answer: Remove the obstruction and ensure the door self-closes and latches properly
Fire doors in required corridors must be kept closed or equipped with approved hold-open devices; a propped door is an immediate life-safety hazard requiring immediate correction.
Question 3: Which NYC Fire Code section governs the posting of 'No Smoking' signs in buildings where smoking is prohibited?
- FC Chapter 3 (Correct answer)
- FC Chapter 10
- FC Chapter 14
- FC Chapter 27
Correct answer: FC Chapter 3
FC Chapter 3 covers general precautions against fire, including smoking prohibitions and required signage in buildings and occupancies.
Question 4: Under NYC Fire Code, how often must a building's emergency action plan be reviewed and updated?
- Every 6 months
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Only when occupancy changes
Correct answer: Annually
The NYC Fire Code requires that emergency action plans be reviewed and updated at least annually to reflect any changes in building conditions or personnel.
Question 5: A high-rise building installs a new HVAC system. Under fire code compliance requirements, what must be verified regarding smoke control?
- The system must produce at least 10 air changes per hour
- The system must automatically shut down or switch to smoke control mode upon fire alarm activation (Correct answer)
- The system must be connected to a dedicated emergency generator
- The system must be approved by the building owner only
Correct answer: The system must automatically shut down or switch to smoke control mode upon fire alarm activation
HVAC systems in high-rise buildings must be designed to shut down or transition to smoke control mode when a fire alarm activates to prevent smoke spread.
Question 6: What does 'impairment' mean in the context of NYC Fire Code compliance for fire protection systems?
- A system operating at reduced but acceptable capacity
- A condition where a fire protection system is out of service or unable to perform its intended function (Correct answer)
- The scheduled testing of a fire suppression system
- A temporary reduction in staffing of fire safety personnel
Correct answer: A condition where a fire protection system is out of service or unable to perform its intended function
An impairment is a condition in which a fire protection system, or portion thereof, is out of service due to maintenance, testing, or damage.
Question 7: Under NYC Fire Code, which of the following is required when a sprinkler system will be out of service for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period?
- Notify the building owner only
- Notify FDNY and implement a fire watch (Correct answer)
- Evacuate the building immediately
- Disconnect the fire alarm system to avoid false notifications
Correct answer: Notify FDNY and implement a fire watch
When a sprinkler system is out of service for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period, the NYC Fire Code requires notifying FDNY and establishing a fire watch.
F89 Fire Code Compliance 4
Under the NYC Fire Code, what is the maximum allowable storage height for combustible materials in a sprinklered storage occupancy?