F89 Building Construction and Means of Egress — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a New York City high-rise building, a 'means of egress' consists of which three components?
- Exit door, elevator lobby, and fire escape
- Exit access, exit, and exit discharge (Correct answer)
- Stairwell, corridor, and lobby
- Fire door, refuge area, and exit sign
Correct answer: Exit access, exit, and exit discharge
Under the NYC Building Code and NFPA 101, a complete means of egress has three parts: the exit access (path leading to the exit), the exit itself (the protected stairwell or other protected way), and the exit discharge (path from the exit to the public way). Understanding this structure is fundamental to the FLSD's evacuation planning duties.
Question 2: A 'fire door' in a high-rise building stairwell is required to be:
- Propped open during business hours for convenience and closed only when a fire alarm activates
- Self-closing and self-latching, maintaining its rated fire resistance when closed (Correct answer)
- Kept permanently locked from the stairwell side to prevent unauthorized floor access
- Made of glass to allow occupants to see conditions in the stairwell before entering
Correct answer: Self-closing and self-latching, maintaining its rated fire resistance when closed
Fire doors must be self-closing (equipped with a door closer) and self-latching so they automatically return to the closed position, maintaining the fire-resistance rating of the stairwell enclosure. Propping fire doors open — a common violation — eliminates their protective function. Permanent locking from the stairwell side traps evacuating occupants.
Question 3: Under NYC Building Code, how many means of egress (exits) are generally required per floor in a high-rise office building?
- One exit is sufficient if the floor area is under 5,000 square feet
- A minimum of two remote exits to ensure occupants always have an alternate path if one is blocked (Correct answer)
- Three exits are required for all floors above the 10th floor
- The number of exits is at the building owner's discretion
Correct answer: A minimum of two remote exits to ensure occupants always have an alternate path if one is blocked
NYC Building Code requires a minimum of two exits per floor, positioned remotely from each other so that a fire or smoke condition blocking one exit still leaves occupants a viable egress path. This redundancy is a cornerstone of high-rise life safety.
Question 4: During a fire emergency, why are stairwells in high-rise buildings positively pressurized?
- To supply fresh oxygen to firefighters climbing the stairs
- To prevent smoke from entering the stairwell, keeping the evacuation path clear (Correct answer)
- To slow occupant movement and prevent rushing that could cause falls
- To maintain temperature and ensure occupant comfort during extended evacuations
Correct answer: To prevent smoke from entering the stairwell, keeping the evacuation path clear
Stairwell pressurization systems push clean air into the stairwell at a pressure higher than adjacent floors, creating an airflow that prevents smoke infiltration when stairwell doors are opened. Keeping the stairwell smoke-free is critical because it is the primary evacuation and firefighter access path.
Question 5: A Fire and Life Safety Director notices that an exit sign on the 15th floor is not illuminated. What action is required?
- Note it in the log and wait for the next scheduled maintenance inspection
- Remove the non-illuminated sign to avoid misleading occupants
- Report the deficiency immediately to building management for repair and document it in the fire safety log; post a temporary indicator if required (Correct answer)
- Redirect all 15th floor occupants to the floor above until the sign is fixed
Correct answer: Report the deficiency immediately to building management for repair and document it in the fire safety log; post a temporary indicator if required
Exit signs must be continuously illuminated and are code-required life safety components. A non-illuminated sign is an immediately reportable deficiency. The FLSD must document it and notify building management for prompt repair. Removing the sign creates greater hazard; waiting for routine maintenance is not acceptable for a life safety deficiency.
Question 6: Which of the following actions by a tenant is a fire code violation that the Fire and Life Safety Director must report?
- Storing personal items inside a closed office
- Placing boxes and furniture in the exit access corridor, reducing its required clear width (Correct answer)
- Installing additional lighting fixtures in the office
- Painting the interior walls of their suite
Correct answer: Placing boxes and furniture in the exit access corridor, reducing its required clear width
Exit access corridors must maintain their full required clear width at all times. Obstructing the corridor with boxes, furniture, or any materials violates the NYC Fire Code and building code, impedes evacuation, and is subject to FDNY violations. The FLSD has an inspection duty and must report such conditions.
F89 Building Construction and Means of Egress
In a New York City high-rise building, a 'means of egress' consists of which three components?