F Means of Egress and Exit Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum required width for an exit aisle in a place of assembly?
- 24 inches
- 36 inches
- 44 inches (Correct answer)
- 60 inches
Correct answer: 44 inches
Exit aisles in places of assembly must be at least 44 inches wide to allow safe and efficient evacuation. Some codes require wider aisles based on occupant load.
Question 2: Exit doors in a place of assembly must swing in which direction?
- Inward, toward the building interior
- In the direction of egress travel (outward) (Correct answer)
- Either direction is acceptable
- Sliding doors only are permitted
Correct answer: In the direction of egress travel (outward)
Exit doors must swing in the direction of egress travel (outward) to prevent crowd crush during evacuation. Panic hardware allows doors to be pushed open easily.
Question 3: A fire guard discovers that an exit door has been chained and padlocked from the inside. What should they do?
- Leave it for the building maintenance crew
- Immediately have the chain removed — this is a serious life safety violation (Correct answer)
- Note it in the log and check again next shift
- Accept it if management says it prevents theft
Correct answer: Immediately have the chain removed — this is a serious life safety violation
Chaining or padlocking exit doors while the building is occupied is a severe fire code violation that can trap occupants during an emergency. It must be corrected immediately.
Question 4: How must exit paths be marked in a place of assembly?
- With fluorescent tape on the floor only
- With illuminated exit signs visible from all points along the path (Correct answer)
- With arrows painted on the ceiling
- Verbal directions from staff are sufficient
Correct answer: With illuminated exit signs visible from all points along the path
Exit paths must be marked with illuminated exit signs that are visible from all points along the path of travel. Signs must be lit at all times the building is occupied.
Question 5: What is 'panic hardware' on an exit door?
- An alarm that sounds when the door opens
- A push bar that releases the door latch when pressure is applied (Correct answer)
- A fingerprint scanner for secure exits
- A device that automatically closes the door
Correct answer: A push bar that releases the door latch when pressure is applied
Panic hardware (also called crash bars or push bars) allows exit doors to be opened by simply pushing against the bar, even in a crowd crush situation.
Question 6: An exit stairway in a place of assembly must be free of what?
- Handrails
- Storage, obstructions, and combustible materials (Correct answer)
- Fire extinguishers
- Emergency lighting
Correct answer: Storage, obstructions, and combustible materials
Exit stairways must be completely free of storage, obstructions, and combustible materials. They must provide a clear, unobstructed path to the outside.
F Means of Egress and Exit Maintenance 2
What is the minimum required width for an exit aisle in a place of assembly?