FLSD Fire Suppression Systems 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which suppression system is most commonly installed in commercial kitchen hood exhaust systems?
- Dry chemical powder system
- Wet chemical (Class K) system (Correct answer)
- Gaseous clean agent system
- Carbon dioxide total flooding system
Correct answer: Wet chemical (Class K) system
Wet chemical systems using potassium-based agents are specifically designed for commercial cooking equipment because they saponify cooking oils and fats to extinguish fires effectively.
Question 2: What action should a Fire Life Safety Director take immediately upon receiving a sprinkler system water flow alarm?
- Shut off the main water supply valve
- Investigate the alarm location and prepare to assist FDNY (Correct answer)
- Reset the alarm panel without investigation
- Evacuate only the floor directly above the alarm
Correct answer: Investigate the alarm location and prepare to assist FDNY
Upon a water flow alarm, the FLSD must investigate the indicated location, treat it as a potential fire, and coordinate with the arriving fire department per the building's fire safety plan.
Question 3: A sprinkler system inspector's tag shows the last annual inspection was 14 months ago. What should the FLSD do?
- Schedule the next inspection for the following year
- Immediately arrange for a qualified inspection contractor to perform the overdue inspection (Correct answer)
- Notify the fire department that the system is out of service
- Drain the system until it is re-inspected
Correct answer: Immediately arrange for a qualified inspection contractor to perform the overdue inspection
NFPA 25 annual inspections must be performed within their required intervals; an overdue inspection requires the FLSD to promptly schedule a qualified contractor to restore compliance.
Question 4: In a high-rise building, standpipe systems are classified as Class I, Class II, or Class III. Which class is designed for use exclusively by fire department personnel?
- Class I (Correct answer)
- Class II
- Class III
- Class IV
Correct answer: Class I
Class I standpipe systems provide 2½-inch hose connections for use by trained firefighters only, while Class II systems are for occupant use and Class III systems serve both.
Question 5: Which NFPA standard governs the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems?
- NFPA 1
- NFPA 13
- NFPA 25 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72
Correct answer: NFPA 25
NFPA 25 is the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, covering sprinklers, standpipes, and fire pumps.
Question 6: If a sprinkler head is accidentally damaged and begins leaking in a building, the FLSD's first priority is to:
- Activate the building fire alarm immediately
- Locate and close the sectional control valve to stop the flow (Correct answer)
- Call FDNY to report a system malfunction
- Replace the sprinkler head personally
Correct answer: Locate and close the sectional control valve to stop the flow
The immediate priority is to stop water damage by closing the appropriate sectional control valve, then notify the building's sprinkler contractor and impair coordinator to make repairs.
Question 7: What is a 'fire protection impairment' and what must occur before one is authorized?
- Any activation of a sprinkler head; must be approved by FDNY
- A planned or emergency shutdown of fire protection equipment; requires an impairment coordinator and notification procedures per NFPA 25 (Correct answer)
- Routine testing of the system; requires only a log entry
- Replacement of a fire pump; requires city permit only
Correct answer: A planned or emergency shutdown of fire protection equipment; requires an impairment coordinator and notification procedures per NFPA 25
An impairment is any condition that renders fire protection equipment inoperable; NFPA 25 requires designation of an impairment coordinator, notifications to AHJ and insurer, and compensatory measures during the outage.
FLSD Fire Suppression Systems 5
Which suppression system is most commonly installed in commercial kitchen hood exhaust systems?