F89 - Fire and Life Safety Director FLSD Roles and Responsibilities 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When an actual fire emergency occurs in a high-rise building, what is the FLSD's primary duty with respect to the Fire Department upon their arrival?
- Evacuate all occupants before FDNY arrives
- Report to the lobby command post and brief the FDNY incident commander (Correct answer)
- Shut down all elevators and HVAC systems independently
- Notify the building owner and await further instructions
Correct answer: Report to the lobby command post and brief the FDNY incident commander
The FLSD must report to the lobby command post and provide the FDNY incident commander with critical information about the fire, building systems, and occupants. This role as a knowledgeable liaison is central to the FLSD's emergency duties.
Question 2: How long must an FLSD retain records of fire drills conducted in the building?
- 6 months
- 1 year
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 3 years
FDNY regulations require the FLSD to retain fire drill records for a minimum of three years so that inspectors can verify compliance with required drill frequencies and procedures.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the FLSD's responsibility regarding the building's Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan (FSEP)?
- Draft the plan once and file it with the building owner only
- Submit the plan to the FDNY for approval and update it whenever significant changes occur in the building (Correct answer)
- Distribute the plan exclusively to floor wardens and keep it confidential from tenants
- Post the plan in a single location near the main entrance for all to see
Correct answer: Submit the plan to the FDNY for approval and update it whenever significant changes occur in the building
The FLSD must submit the FSEP to the FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention for approval and must update and resubmit it whenever significant changes—such as occupancy changes, renovations, or staffing alterations—affect the plan's accuracy.
Question 4: Who is responsible for appointing, training, and maintaining a current roster of fire wardens and deputy wardens in a building that requires an F-89 Certificate of Fitness?
- The building owner, with no involvement from the FLSD
- The FDNY District Office, which assigns wardens directly
- The FLSD, in coordination with floor tenants and building management (Correct answer)
- Each tenant independently selects and trains their own wardens without FLSD oversight
Correct answer: The FLSD, in coordination with floor tenants and building management
The FLSD is directly responsible for selecting, training, and keeping an updated roster of fire wardens and deputy wardens for each floor. This ensures that trained personnel are always available to assist with evacuations.
Question 5: If an FLSD is temporarily absent from the building during normal operating hours, what must be arranged to maintain compliance with FDNY requirements?
- The building superintendent automatically assumes FLSD duties
- A qualified acting FLSD holding an appropriate Certificate of Fitness must be designated to cover the absence (Correct answer)
- The building may operate without FLSD coverage for up to 24 hours before a violation is issued
- Building management may post a notice deferring all fire safety duties until the FLSD returns
Correct answer: A qualified acting FLSD holding an appropriate Certificate of Fitness must be designated to cover the absence
FDNY regulations require that a qualified individual holding an appropriate Certificate of Fitness be designated as acting FLSD whenever the primary FLSD is absent. Fire safety coverage cannot lapse during operating hours.
Question 6: Under FDNY regulations, what is the required minimum frequency for conducting fire drills in a high-rise office building covered by an F-89 Certificate of Fitness?
- Once every two years
- Annually, with at least one drill per calendar year
- Twice per year, with at least one drill per half-calendar year (Correct answer)
- Monthly, with documentation submitted to the FDNY after each drill
Correct answer: Twice per year, with at least one drill per half-calendar year
High-rise office buildings subject to F-89 requirements must conduct fire drills at least twice per year—a minimum of one drill in each half of the calendar year—to ensure occupants and wardens remain prepared.
F89 - Fire and Life Safety Director FLSD Roles and Responsibilities 1
When an actual fire emergency occurs in a high-rise building, what is the FLSD's primary duty with respect to the Fire Department upon their arrival?