F89 Fire Code Compliance Questions and Answers

Question 1

An FLSD notices that the Fire Department Connection (FDC) for the building's standpipe system is not visible from the street. According to NYC Fire Code, what is required in this situation?

Accepted Answer

An approved sign with letters 'FDC' at least 10 inches high must be mounted on the street front, with an arrow indicating the location.

Answer

When a Fire Department Connection is not visible from the street, the NYC Fire Code and related standards require an approved sign to be placed on the street-facing side of the building to direct the arriving fire department. This sign must have letters 'FDC' that are a minimum of 10 inches high and include an arrow to point towards the connection's location.

Question 2

During a routine tour, an FLSD discovers that hot work (welding) is being performed on the roof without proper authorization. What is a critical immediate action the FLSD must take?

Accepted Answer

Immediately stop the work and verify that a valid FDNY permit and a pre-hot work check have been completed.

Answer

Hot work, such as welding, presents a significant fire hazard and is strictly regulated. The FLSD's primary responsibility upon discovering unauthorized hot work is to stop the operation immediately to prevent a potential fire. They must then confirm that all safety protocols, including obtaining a valid permit and conducting a pre-hot work check by a responsible person, have been followed before work can safely resume.

Question 3

What is the function of Phase I Emergency Recall Operation for an elevator during a fire alarm activation?

Accepted Answer

It automatically returns the elevator car to a designated recall level, typically the lobby, and removes it from normal service.

Answer

Phase I Emergency Recall is a critical life safety feature that, upon activation by a fire alarm initiating device (like a smoke detector in an elevator lobby), automatically recalls the elevator car to a designated level, usually the ground floor lobby. This action prevents occupants from using a potentially unsafe elevator and makes it available for FDNY use. Phase II is the in-car operation used by firefighters.

Question 4

Which of the following alarm signals at the Fire Command Center indicates a condition that could prevent a fire protection system from operating correctly, such as a closed sprinkler control valve?

Accepted Answer

A Supervisory signal

Answer

A Supervisory signal indicates that a system or device is in an off-normal state that could adversely affect its performance, but it is not an active fire or system fault. A common example is a tamper switch on a sprinkler control valve, which sends a supervisory signal if the valve is not in the fully open position. A trouble signal typically indicates a fault in the wiring or components of the alarm system itself.

Question 5

In a high-rise office building, a fire alarm system that includes both automatic fire detection and a two-way voice communication system for issuing instructions to occupants is classified as which type of system?

Accepted Answer

Class E System

Answer

A Class E fire alarm system is the designation used in the NYC Fire Code for systems found in high-rise office buildings. These systems are required to feature, among other things, automatic smoke detection, manual pull stations, alarm signals, and a two-way voice communication capability to allow the FLSD and FDNY to provide instructions to occupants during an emergency.

F89 - Fire and Life Safety Director Practice Test

F89 - Fire and Life Safety Director Practice Test

F89 Fire Code Compliance Questions and Answers