S95 - Supervision of Fire Alarm System Regulatory Codes and Requirements Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the NYC Fire Code, when a required fire alarm system is out of service, who is the building owner required to designate to take required actions, such as implementing a fire watch?
- The S-95 Certificate of Fitness Holder on duty.
- The building's fire safety director.
- An Impairment Coordinator. (Correct answer)
- A licensed master electrician.
Correct answer: An Impairment Coordinator.
NYC Fire Code Section 901.7.1 explicitly states that the building owner shall designate an 'Impairment Coordinator' to take the actions required when a fire alarm system is out of service. In the absence of a specific designee, the owner is considered the impairment coordinator.
Question 2: A fire alarm system at a protected premises uses a single communication path to transmit signals to the supervising station. What is the maximum interval at which this communication path must be supervised, according to NFPA 72?
- Every 5 minutes
- Every 24 hours
- Every 6 hours
- Every 60 minutes (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Every 60 minutes
NFPA 72, Section 26.6, requires that a single communication path to a supervising station be supervised at intervals not exceeding 60 minutes. If multiple paths are used, the interval is extended to 6 hours.
Question 3: An S-95 holder is working in a building where the owner has decided to install a fire alarm system, even though it is not required by the NYC Building Code for that specific occupancy type. Which of the following is true regarding this non-required system?
- The system is exempt from all FDNY inspection and testing requirements.
- The system must still meet the design and installation requirements of the NYC Fire Code and Building Code. (Correct answer)
- Only supervisory and trouble signals need to be transmitted to a central station.
- An S-95 holder is not required to supervise a non-required system.
Correct answer: The system must still meet the design and installation requirements of the NYC Fire Code and Building Code.
According to the NYC Fire Code (Section 901.4.2), any fire protection system installed, even if not required by code, must meet the applicable requirements of the Fire Code, rules, and construction codes as if it were a required system.
Question 4: During a planned fire alarm system test, what is a critical notification requirement that must be met before any testing begins, as per NFPA 72?
- Notify the building owner and the S-95 holder only.
- Post signs on the main floor indicating testing is in progress.
- Notify all persons and facilities receiving signals, as well as all building occupants. (Correct answer)
- Contact the FDNY borough dispatcher with the exact test schedule.
Correct answer: Notify all persons and facilities receiving signals, as well as all building occupants.
NFPA 72 Section 14.2.4.1 mandates that before proceeding with any testing, all persons and facilities that receive alarm, supervisory, or trouble signals (like the central station) and all building occupants must be notified to prevent unnecessary response and confusion.
Question 5: A new fire alarm system is being installed in a commercial office building in NYC. According to the NYC Building Code (BC 907), what must happen before the system can be installed?
- The S-95 holder must conduct a preliminary site survey.
- The system must pass a preliminary test by a certified technician.
- The building must be completely vacant during the entire installation process.
- Design and installation documents must be submitted to and approved by the FDNY. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Design and installation documents must be submitted to and approved by the FDNY.
Section BC 907 of the NYC Building Code specifies that documents for fire alarm systems, including design and installation plans, must be submitted for review and approval to the Fire Department before the system is installed.
Question 6: Which of the following is a specific regulatory requirement for the S-95 Certificate of Fitness itself?
- It is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.
- It is valid for use by the holder in any building in New York City.
- It is valid only at a specific location and for the specific person to whom it is issued. (Correct answer)
- It authorizes the holder to perform repairs on the fire alarm control panel.
Correct answer: It is valid only at a specific location and for the specific person to whom it is issued.
The regulations for the S-95 Certificate of Fitness clearly state that the certificate is site-specific and non-transferable. It is valid only for the person to whom it is issued and only at the specific work location listed on the certificate.
S95 - Supervision of Fire Alarm System Regulatory Codes and Requirements Questions and Answers 1
According to the NYC Fire Code, when a required fire alarm system is out of service, who is the building owner required to designate to take required actions, such as implementing a fire watch?