FPE Emergency Evacuation Planning & Design 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) must include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Procedures for reporting fires and emergencies
- Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments
- A list of major workplace fire hazards and their handling (Correct answer)
- Names or job titles of persons who can be contacted for further information
Correct answer: A list of major workplace fire hazards and their handling
A list of major fire hazards is required in a Fire Prevention Plan (29 CFR 1910.39), not the Emergency Action Plan under 29 CFR 1910.38.
Question 2: The 'flow rate' method for sizing egress capacity is based on which principle?
- The maximum speed a person can walk multiplied by door width
- Persons per minute per unit of width passing through an egress component (Correct answer)
- Total occupant load divided by number of exits
- Square footage per occupant multiplied by a velocity constant
Correct answer: Persons per minute per unit of width passing through an egress component
The flow rate method calculates egress capacity as the number of persons per minute that can pass through each unit of width of an egress component.
Question 3: Under NFPA 101, an exit passageway must be separated from adjacent spaces with a fire resistance rating of at least:
- 30 minutes
- 1 hour (Correct answer)
- 2 hours
- No rating required if sprinklered
Correct answer: 1 hour
NFPA 101 requires exit passageways to be enclosed with 1-hour fire-rated construction, or 2-hour construction if connecting more than three stories.
Question 4: Which of the following is a primary goal of an Emergency Evacuation Drill per NFPA 101 requirements?
- Testing fire suppression system response times
- Familiarizing occupants with egress routes and procedures under simulated conditions (Correct answer)
- Evaluating structural integrity under thermal loads
- Documenting sprinkler activation patterns
Correct answer: Familiarizing occupants with egress routes and procedures under simulated conditions
Evacuation drills are intended to familiarize building occupants with egress paths and procedures so they can respond effectively during an actual emergency.
Question 5: When calculating the occupant load of a mercantile (retail) occupancy, NFPA 101 uses a load factor of:
- 15 gross sq ft per person
- 30 gross sq ft per person (Correct answer)
- 60 gross sq ft per person
- 100 gross sq ft per person
Correct answer: 30 gross sq ft per person
NFPA 101 assigns a load factor of 30 gross square feet per person for mercantile (retail) occupancies on the street floor.
Question 6: A horizontal exit in an egress system must lead to an area of refuge on the same floor with a minimum area of how many square feet per occupant?
- 3 sq ft (Correct answer)
- 6 sq ft
- 15 sq ft
- 20 sq ft
Correct answer: 3 sq ft
NFPA 101 requires that the refuge area on the same floor beyond a horizontal exit provide at least 3 net square feet per occupant accommodated.
Question 7: Which egress component is specifically defined as a protected path of travel that leads from exit access into an exit and ultimately to a public way?
- Exit access corridor
- Exit passageway (Correct answer)
- Vestibule
- Smoke compartment
Correct answer: Exit passageway
An exit passageway is a protected, enclosed horizontal egress component that connects exit access areas to the exit discharge or public way.
FPE Emergency Evacuation Planning & Design 3
According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) must include all of the following EXCEPT: