SSP Fire Safety & Life Safety Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, requires that audible alarm devices produce a sound level of at least how many decibels above ambient noise?
- 5 dB
- 10 dB
- 15 dB (Correct answer)
- 20 dB
Correct answer: 15 dB
NFPA 72 requires alarm sounders to produce a minimum of 15 dB above the average ambient sound level to ensure audibility in occupied spaces.
Question 2: A pre-action sprinkler system requires what combination of events before water is discharged?
- Sprinkler head activation only
- Fire detection system activation only
- Both fire detection activation AND sprinkler head activation (Correct answer)
- Manual pull station activation
Correct answer: Both fire detection activation AND sprinkler head activation
Pre-action systems require two events — detection system activation to open the valve and individual sprinkler head activation from heat — reducing the risk of accidental discharge.
Question 3: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), areas of rescue assistance must be provided in buildings without sprinkler systems in which location?
- In each elevator lobby
- In each exit stairwell landing (Correct answer)
- On each floor at least one per 200 occupants
- At the main entrance only
Correct answer: In each exit stairwell landing
ADA requires areas of rescue assistance to be located within exit stairwell enclosures on each floor above or below the level of exit discharge so occupants with mobility impairments can wait for evacuation assistance.
Question 4: Which fire classification designates fires involving energized electrical equipment?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment, and extinguishers used must be non-conductive to protect the operator.
Question 5: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires portable fire extinguishers to be inspected at a minimum of which interval?
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly (Correct answer)
- Quarterly
Correct answer: Monthly
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157 requires that portable fire extinguishers be visually inspected monthly to ensure they are in proper operating condition.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a fire barrier wall as defined by NFPA 101?
- To support structural loads during fire
- To restrict the movement of fire and smoke between compartments (Correct answer)
- To provide an attachment surface for sprinkler pipes
- To define property boundaries between tenants
Correct answer: To restrict the movement of fire and smoke between compartments
Fire barriers are walls with a fire-resistance rating designed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke, dividing a building into compartments to limit fire damage and protect egress paths.
Question 7: In the context of life safety, what does the acronym 'RACE' stand for in a hospital fire response procedure?
- Remove, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
- Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish (Correct answer)
- Rescue, Alert, Clear, Evacuate
- Remove, Alert, Contain, Evacuate
Correct answer: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
RACE stands for Rescue (remove persons in immediate danger), Alarm (activate the fire alarm), Contain (close doors to limit fire spread), and Extinguish (use a fire extinguisher if safe to do so).
SSP Fire Safety & Life Safety Systems 2
NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, requires that audible alarm devices produce a sound level of at least how many decibels above ambient noise?