F-01 F-01 Fireguard System Impairment Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a sprinkler system is placed out of service for maintenance, the fireguard must notify which agency first?
- The building owner only
- The Fire Department and the Bureau of Fire Prevention (Correct answer)
- The insurance carrier only
- The local police precinct
Correct answer: The Fire Department and the Bureau of Fire Prevention
FDNY and the Bureau of Fire Prevention must be notified whenever a fire suppression system is impaired.
Question 2: A fire watch patrol during a system impairment must be conducted at minimum every:
- 60 minutes
- 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 15 minutes
- 2 hours
Correct answer: 30 minutes
FDNY regulations require a fire watch patrol at least every 30 minutes during any system impairment.
Question 3: Which document must the fireguard maintain to record all fire watch patrols during a system impairment?
- Building inspection certificate
- Impairment log or fire watch log (Correct answer)
- Visitor sign-in sheet
- Sprinkler maintenance contract
Correct answer: Impairment log or fire watch log
An impairment log or fire watch log documenting time, route, and findings must be kept throughout the impairment.
Question 4: If a fireguard discovers a new fire hazard during a fire watch patrol, what is the immediate first step?
- Document it in the log and continue the patrol
- Attempt to extinguish it personally before calling anyone
- Alert occupants and notify the fire department immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait until the patrol is complete before reporting
Correct answer: Alert occupants and notify the fire department immediately
Immediate notification of occupants and the fire department is required upon discovery of any fire hazard.
Question 5: Who is authorized to restore a fire suppression system to service after an impairment?
- The building owner or property manager
- Any trained fireguard on duty
- A licensed sprinkler contractor or qualified maintenance personnel (Correct answer)
- The FDNY inspector only
Correct answer: A licensed sprinkler contractor or qualified maintenance personnel
Only a licensed sprinkler contractor or qualified maintenance personnel may restore an impaired suppression system.
Question 6: Which area should the fireguard pay particular attention to during a fire watch when a dry-pipe sprinkler system is impaired in winter?
- Rooftop mechanical rooms only
- Areas with high foot traffic
- Cold or unheated spaces where pipes could freeze if wet-pipe backup is used (Correct answer)
- Underground parking levels
Correct answer: Cold or unheated spaces where pipes could freeze if wet-pipe backup is used
During winter, unheated areas are especially vulnerable to pipe freezing issues if temporary wet-pipe measures are introduced.
Question 7: An impairment tag (also called an impairment coordinator tag) must be attached to:
- The main entrance of the building
- The control valve that has been shut off (Correct answer)
- The fireguard's uniform
- The fire department connection (FDC)
Correct answer: The control valve that has been shut off
The impairment tag must be attached directly to the control valve that was closed to identify the impaired section.
F-01 F-01 Fireguard System Impairment Procedures 2
When a sprinkler system is placed out of service for maintenance, the fireguard must notify which agency first?