ALF Emergency Preparedness and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a fire drill, an administrator notices staff moved residents past the fire's point of origin to reach an exit. What evacuation principle was violated?
- Evacuate residents away from the fire, to the nearest safe exit or smoke compartment (Correct answer)
- Always use the main entrance for evacuations
- Evacuate ambulatory residents last
- Wait for the fire department before moving residents
Correct answer: Evacuate residents away from the fire, to the nearest safe exit or smoke compartment
Residents should always be moved away from the fire toward the nearest safe exit or adjacent smoke compartment, never past the fire's origin.
Question 2: How often must fire drills typically be conducted in an assisted living facility under most state regulations and NFPA Life Safety Code guidance?
- Once per year
- Quarterly on each shift (Correct answer)
- Monthly on the day shift only
- Only when new staff are hired
Correct answer: Quarterly on each shift
Fire drills are generally required quarterly on each shift so all staff, including night staff, practice emergency response.
Question 3: The acronym RACE guides staff response to a fire. What does the 'C' stand for?
- Call 911
- Contain or confine the fire by closing doors (Correct answer)
- Count residents
- Check for smoke
Correct answer: Contain or confine the fire by closing doors
RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain (close doors to confine smoke and fire), and Extinguish or Evacuate.
Question 4: Which document must an administrator make immediately available to emergency responders arriving at the facility?
- Employee payroll records
- A current resident roster with locations and evacuation assistance needs (Correct answer)
- The facility's marketing brochure
- Vendor contracts
Correct answer: A current resident roster with locations and evacuation assistance needs
A current resident census identifying each resident's location and mobility or assistance needs is essential for responders to account for everyone.
Question 5: A resident using a wheelchair lives on the second floor. During a fire, elevators cannot be used. What is the appropriate plan for this resident?
- Leave the resident in their room until the fire is out
- Use a designated area of refuge or evacuation device and staff assistance per the evacuation plan (Correct answer)
- Have the resident crawl down the stairs alone
- Use the elevator anyway since the resident cannot walk
Correct answer: Use a designated area of refuge or evacuation device and staff assistance per the evacuation plan
Non-ambulatory residents should be moved to an area of refuge or evacuated with devices such as evacuation chairs according to the facility's plan.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a facility's fire watch when the sprinkler or alarm system is out of service?
- To repair the system
- To provide continuous trained monitoring for fire and initiate alarm procedures until the system is restored (Correct answer)
- To reduce insurance premiums
- To replace fire drills for the quarter
Correct answer: To provide continuous trained monitoring for fire and initiate alarm procedures until the system is restored
A fire watch assigns trained personnel to continuously patrol and detect fire so occupants can be alerted while protection systems are impaired.
Question 7: Portable fire extinguishers in an assisted living facility must be inspected visually how often?
- Monthly (Correct answer)
- Weekly
- Every two years
- Only during the annual fire marshal visit
Correct answer: Monthly
NFPA 10 requires a monthly visual inspection of portable fire extinguishers in addition to annual professional maintenance.
ALF Emergency Preparedness and Safety 2
During a fire drill, an administrator notices staff moved residents past the fire's point of origin to reach an exit.
What evacuation principle was violated?