F89 Life Safety Measures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum illumination level required for means of egress in NYC buildings?
- 0.5 foot-candles
- 1 foot-candle at floor level (Correct answer)
- 5 foot-candles
- 10 foot-candles
Correct answer: 1 foot-candle at floor level
NYC Building Code requires a minimum of 1 foot-candle of illumination at the floor level along the entire means of egress path.
NYC Building Code requires means of egress be illuminated to a minimum of 1 foot-candle at floor level at all times the building is occupied. Emergency lighting must also provide this minimum level for at least 90 minutes after a power failure.
Question 2: What is the purpose of compartmentalization in high-rise building fire safety?
- To maximize floor space for tenants
- To divide the building into fire-rated compartments that contain fire and smoke spread to the area of origin (Correct answer)
- To separate different tenants for security purposes
- To reduce heating and cooling costs
Correct answer: To divide the building into fire-rated compartments that contain fire and smoke spread to the area of origin
Compartmentalization uses fire-rated barriers to contain fire and smoke within a limited area, protecting the rest of the building.
Compartmentalization is a fundamental passive fire protection strategy that divides a building into separate fire-rated compartments using fire-rated walls, floors, ceilings, and doors. Key elements include stairwell enclosures, elevator shaft enclosures, floor-to-floor separations, corridor walls, and tenant demising walls.
Question 3: What are luminous exit path markings and where are they required in NYC?
- LED light strips in corridors only
- Photoluminescent markings in exit stairwells that glow in low-light conditions, required in high-rise buildings (Correct answer)
- Reflective paint on exit doors only
- Electronic signs with battery backup
Correct answer: Photoluminescent markings in exit stairwells that glow in low-light conditions, required in high-rise buildings
NYC requires photoluminescent exit path markings in stairwells of high-rise buildings to guide evacuees when lighting fails.
Following Local Law 26 of 2004, NYC requires photoluminescent exit path markings in exit stairwells of high-rise buildings. Required markings include step edges and landings, handrail markings, floor identification signs, door hardware identification, and directional indicators. The markings must maintain visibility for at least 90 minutes.
Question 4: What is a fire watch and when must one be implemented?
- A fire watch is an FDNY station outside the building
- A fire watch involves trained personnel continuously patrolling to monitor for fire hazards when fire protection systems are impaired (Correct answer)
- A fire watch is a type of surveillance camera system
- A fire watch is only required during construction
Correct answer: A fire watch involves trained personnel continuously patrolling to monitor for fire hazards when fire protection systems are impaired
A fire watch is a compensating measure where trained personnel continuously patrol to monitor for fire when fire protection systems are impaired or during hot work.
A fire watch involves assigning trained personnel to continuously patrol specified areas at regular intervals to watch for signs of fire. Fire watch is required when sprinkler or fire alarm systems are impaired beyond specified timeframes, during hot work operations, and when required by the FDNY. Fire watch personnel must have communication equipment and a means to sound the alarm.
Question 5: What is the purpose of smoke control systems in high-rise buildings?
- To eliminate all smoke from the building
- To manage smoke movement using pressurization, exhaust, and airflow to maintain tenable conditions in egress paths (Correct answer)
- To ventilate the building for occupant comfort
- To reduce fire alarm sensitivity
Correct answer: To manage smoke movement using pressurization, exhaust, and airflow to maintain tenable conditions in egress paths
Smoke control systems manage smoke migration through pressurization and exhaust to maintain tenable conditions in stairwells, corridors, and areas of refuge.
Smoke control systems manage smoke movement during a fire using stairwell pressurization, zoned smoke control, smoke exhaust, and elevator shaft pressurization. These systems work by controlling airflow and pressure relationships. NYC Building Code requires smoke control in high-rise buildings.
Question 6: What is the maximum door opening force allowed for egress doors under NYC Building Code?
- 50 pounds
- 30 pounds for interior doors and 50 pounds for exterior doors (Correct answer)
- 15 pounds
- No maximum is specified
Correct answer: 30 pounds for interior doors and 50 pounds for exterior doors
NYC Building Code limits door opening force to 30 pounds for interior egress doors and 50 pounds for exterior egress doors.
NYC Building Code sets maximum opening force limits for egress doors to ensure accessibility: interior egress doors require no more than 30 pounds of force and exterior doors may require up to 50 pounds. The FLSD should test door opening forces during inspections, especially fire-rated doors with closers.
F89 Life Safety Measures 2
What is the minimum illumination level required for means of egress in NYC buildings?