FLSD Building Systems and Elevators 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Phase II elevator operation allows FDNY firefighters to:
- Automatically return all elevators to the lobby
- Manually control individual elevators from inside the car (Correct answer)
- Lock all elevators on a specific floor
- Override the elevator intercom system
Correct answer: Manually control individual elevators from inside the car
Phase II gives firefighters direct in-car control of individual elevators, allowing them to manually operate doors and select floors during fire operations.
Phase II elevator operation is activated by a key switch inside the elevator car. This disables normal automatic operation and gives the firefighter complete manual control: door open/close, floor selection, and hold functions. Unlike Phase I (which returns all cars to lobby), Phase II controls one car at a time. FDNY uses Phase II to transport equipment and personnel to fire floors efficiently. The FLSD must ensure all elevators are Phase I/II compliant during annual inspections.
Question 2: A sprinkler head activates on the 12th floor. The FLSD should expect the building's fire alarm system to:
- Sound a general evacuation alarm throughout the entire building
- Activate a local alarm on the 12th floor and transmit a signal to FDNY (Correct answer)
- Shut down all HVAC systems and lock stairwell doors
- Recall all elevators to the 15th floor as the safe floor
Correct answer: Activate a local alarm on the 12th floor and transmit a signal to FDNY
Sprinkler activation triggers a local alarm and automatically transmits a signal to FDNY via the central station monitoring service — this is a waterflow alarm.
When a sprinkler head activates, the flow of water through the system triggers a waterflow alarm device (paddle-type or pressure switch). This sends a signal to the building's fire alarm control panel, which activates audible/visual devices and transmits an automatic signal to FDNY via the central station. The FLSD should acknowledge the alarm at the fire command station, contact the 12th floor floor warden, and prepare to meet FDNY with the exact sprinkler zone information.
Question 3: The primary purpose of a standpipe system in a high-rise building is to:
- Supply water to automatic sprinkler heads on each floor
- Provide firefighters with a water outlet on each floor for hose connections (Correct answer)
- Drain excess water from sprinkler activations
- Pressurize stairwells during fire emergencies
Correct answer: Provide firefighters with a water outlet on each floor for hose connections
Standpipe systems provide firefighters with pre-piped water outlets (hose connections) on each floor, eliminating the need to run hoses up from ground level.
Standpipe systems consist of pipes running vertically through a building with hose connections (outlets) on each floor, typically in stairwells. Class I standpipes have 2.5-inch connections for fire department hose. Class II have 1.5-inch connections for occupant use. Class III have both. In high-rise buildings, FDNY connects their hoses directly to the standpipe outlet on the floor below the fire, avoiding the dangerous and impractical task of running hoses up many flights of stairs.
Question 4: During a fire, the HVAC system in a high-rise should be:
- Set to maximum airflow to dilute smoke concentration
- Shut down automatically or manually to prevent smoke spread (Correct answer)
- Switched to recirculation mode to contain smoke to one zone
- Left in normal operation unless FDNY specifically orders shutdown
Correct answer: Shut down automatically or manually to prevent smoke spread
HVAC systems must be shut down during fires to prevent smoke from being circulated and distributed throughout the building via ductwork.
HVAC systems can spread smoke rapidly through a building if left running during a fire. NYC Fire Code requires high-rise buildings to have HVAC systems that automatically shut down upon alarm activation or can be manually shut down from the fire command station. The FLSD verifies HVAC shutdown status at the fire command station upon alarm activation. Some buildings have smoke control systems that use HVAC for stairwell pressurization — the FLSD must understand their specific building's design.
Question 5: A floor warden reports that the fire door on the 20th floor stairwell will not close properly. The FLSD should:
- Wedge the door open to ensure evacuation access
- Post a staff member at the door to close it manually if needed
- Tag the door out of service and immediately notify building management for repair (Correct answer)
- Ignore the issue until the next scheduled inspection
Correct answer: Tag the door out of service and immediately notify building management for repair
A malfunctioning fire door must be reported immediately for repair. The FLSD must document the deficiency and ensure it is corrected promptly — fire doors are critical life safety components.
Fire doors are self-closing, smoke-resistant barriers that contain fire and smoke within compartments. A fire door that will not close defeats this purpose entirely. The FLSD must: (1) never prop or wedge fire doors open; (2) immediately document the defect in the fire safety log; (3) notify building management/maintenance for emergency repair; (4) notify FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention if the condition cannot be corrected promptly. NYC Fire Code Section 703 requires fire doors to be maintained in proper working condition at all times.
Question 6: The fire command station in a high-rise building provides the FLSD with the ability to:
- Directly extinguish fires remotely using built-in suppression controls
- Monitor alarms, communicate with floors, and control building systems (Correct answer)
- Access tenant units and override electronic door locks
- Generate automatic incident reports for FDNY
Correct answer: Monitor alarms, communicate with floors, and control building systems
The fire command station is the central control point where the FLSD monitors fire alarm signals, communicates with floor wardens via intercom, and controls building systems like elevators and HVAC.
Required by NYC Building Code for high-rise buildings, the fire command station (FCS) contains: fire alarm control panel displays, two-way communication (voice intercom to floors, stairwells, and FDNY), elevator recall controls, HVAC control interface, and firefighters' telephone system. The FLSD must be proficient in operating the FCS and must be at the FCS within a specified time after alarm activation. It is the operational hub for all emergency response coordination.
FLSD Building Systems and Elevators 2
Phase II elevator operation allows FDNY firefighters to: