FLSD Emergency Preparedness 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a high-rise fire emergency, which floor(s) should be evacuated FIRST according to standard FLSD protocols?
- All floors simultaneously
- The fire floor and the two floors immediately above it (Correct answer)
- Only the fire floor
- The top three floors of the building
Correct answer: The fire floor and the two floors immediately above it
Standard high-rise evacuation protocol prioritizes the fire floor and the two floors directly above it due to upward smoke travel.
Question 2: A Fire Life Safety Director receives a report of a suspected gas leak in the basement. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Evacuate the entire building immediately
- Notify the gas utility company
- Call 911 and notify building occupants to avoid the area (Correct answer)
- Ventilate the basement by opening all windows
Correct answer: Call 911 and notify building occupants to avoid the area
The immediate priority is calling 911 and keeping occupants away from the hazard area while awaiting emergency responders.
Question 3: What does the term 'defend in place' mean in emergency preparedness for a high-rise building?
- Occupants remain in their units or floor areas rather than evacuating (Correct answer)
- Security staff defend the building entrance during an emergency
- The FLSD physically blocks stairwells to control crowd flow
- Fire suppression systems are relied upon exclusively
Correct answer: Occupants remain in their units or floor areas rather than evacuating
Defend in place is a strategy where occupants stay in a protected area, often used in high-rises and healthcare facilities where evacuation is more dangerous.
Question 4: Under NYC Fire Code, how often must a Fire Life Safety Director conduct fire drills in a high-rise office building?
- Once per year
- Twice per year (Correct answer)
- Once per quarter
- Monthly
Correct answer: Twice per year
NYC Fire Code requires high-rise office buildings to conduct fire drills at least twice per year.
Question 5: Which document outlines the specific roles, responsibilities, and procedures for building staff during an emergency in a high-rise?
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan (Correct answer)
- Building Information Card
- Emergency Contact Directory
Correct answer: Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan
The Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan is the required document that details staff roles, evacuation procedures, and emergency protocols for the building.
Question 6: A tenant reports that a corridor door equipped with a magnetic hold-open device is remaining open after the fire alarm activates. What should the FLSD do?
- Ignore it since magnetic doors are exempt from closing requirements
- Manually close the door and report the malfunction for immediate repair (Correct answer)
- Evacuate the floor as the fire suppression system will compensate
- Post a staff member to hold the door closed manually during alarms
Correct answer: Manually close the door and report the malfunction for immediate repair
Fire corridor doors must close upon alarm activation; a malfunctioning hold-open device is a code violation requiring immediate manual closure and repair.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a building's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) as it relates to FLSD duties?
- To satisfy insurance requirements
- To provide a written guide for coordinated emergency response and evacuation procedures (Correct answer)
- To document past fire incidents for legal protection
- To train new staff on building maintenance procedures
Correct answer: To provide a written guide for coordinated emergency response and evacuation procedures
The EAP serves as the authoritative written guide ensuring all staff and occupants respond in a coordinated, pre-planned manner during emergencies.
FLSD Emergency Preparedness 4
During a high-rise fire emergency, which floor(s) should be evacuated FIRST according to standard FLSD protocols?