F89 Fire Safety Regulations and Codes 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which local law requires high-rise office buildings in NYC to have an FLSD on duty?
- Local Law 5 of 1973 (Correct answer)
- Local Law 26 of 2004
- Local Law 58 of 2009
- Local Law 141 of 2013
Correct answer: Local Law 5 of 1973
Local Law 5 of 1973 established the requirement for fire safety directors in high-rise office buildings.
Local Law 5 of 1973 was a landmark piece of NYC fire safety legislation enacted in response to several deadly high-rise fires. It established requirements for fire safety directors, fire safety plans, fire drills, communication systems, and other fire safety measures in office buildings 100 feet or more in height.
Question 2: What does the NYC Fire Code require regarding fire department access to building keys?
- Keys are not required to be available to the fire department
- A key box (FDNY key box) must be installed containing keys to all locked areas and fire protection equipment rooms (Correct answer)
- Keys must be mailed to the local fire station annually
- Only the building superintendent needs to have keys
Correct answer: A key box (FDNY key box) must be installed containing keys to all locked areas and fire protection equipment rooms
An FDNY-approved key box must be installed at a designated location containing keys to all locked areas that the fire department may need to access.
NYC Fire Code requires installation of an FDNY key box at a location specified by the FDNY. This box contains keys to all roof access doors, mechanical and electrical rooms, elevator machine rooms, fire pump rooms, and stairwell roof doors. The FDNY holds a master key to these key boxes.
Question 3: Under NFPA 1, what is the Fire Code Official's authority regarding imminent hazards?
- They can recommend building improvements
- They can order immediate vacation of a building and cessation of hazardous operations (Correct answer)
- They can only issue written warnings
- They must obtain a court order before taking action
Correct answer: They can order immediate vacation of a building and cessation of hazardous operations
The Fire Code Official has the authority to order immediate building vacation and cessation of operations when conditions present an imminent hazard to life safety.
NFPA 1 grants the Fire Code Official broad authority to take immediate action when conditions present an imminent hazard to life safety. This includes ordering building evacuation and vacation, cessation of hazardous operations, disconnection of utilities, and any other measures necessary to mitigate the immediate danger.
Question 4: What is the FDNY's requirement for posting fire safety notices in residential high-rise buildings?
- No posting requirements exist for residential buildings
- Fire Safety Notices must be posted in or near each elevator and in the lobby (Correct answer)
- Only a notice at the front entrance is required
- Notices are required only in buildings over 40 stories
Correct answer: Fire Safety Notices must be posted in or near each elevator and in the lobby
Residential high-rise buildings must post fire safety notices near elevators and in the lobby informing residents of the building's fire safety strategy.
NYC Fire Code requires residential high-rise buildings to post FDNY-approved fire safety notices near each elevator landing and in the building lobby. These notices inform residents of the building's fire safety strategy, what to do if they discover a fire, what to do if they hear the fire alarm, and the importance of keeping doors closed.
Question 5: What is the significance of NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) in NYC fire safety?
- It is not applicable in NYC
- It provides the foundation for many building and fire code provisions related to means of egress, fire protection, and life safety features (Correct answer)
- It only applies to healthcare facilities
- It is a voluntary guideline with no legal standing
Correct answer: It provides the foundation for many building and fire code provisions related to means of egress, fire protection, and life safety features
NFPA 101 is a widely referenced standard that provides comprehensive requirements for life safety features and means of egress that inform NYC's building and fire codes.
NFPA 101 provides comprehensive requirements for means of egress, interior finish, fire protection features, building services, and operating features for various occupancy types. While NYC has its own codes, many requirements are based on or informed by NFPA 101 concepts.
Question 6: What records must an FLSD maintain regarding fire protection system impairments?
- No records are required for temporary impairments
- A log of all impairments including date, time, system affected, reason, compensating measures, and restoration (Correct answer)
- Only impairments lasting more than 24 hours need documentation
- Records are maintained by the fire protection contractor, not the FLSD
Correct answer: A log of all impairments including date, time, system affected, reason, compensating measures, and restoration
The FLSD must maintain a detailed impairment log documenting every fire protection system impairment.
The FLSD must maintain an impairment log documenting every instance when a fire protection system is taken out of service. The log must include the date and time, which system is affected, the reason, compensating measures implemented, the person authorizing the impairment, expected duration, and confirmation of restoration and testing.
F89 Fire Safety Regulations and Codes 2
Which local law requires high-rise office buildings in NYC to have an FLSD on duty?