FLSD Building Systems Oversight 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The FLSD is required to maintain a Fire Safety Log that documents:

Only FDNY inspection results and violations
All fire drills, system tests, incidents, impairments, and corrective actions (Correct answer)
Financial records for fire safety equipment purchases
Staff personal certifications and training certificates

Correct answer: All fire drills, system tests, incidents, impairments, and corrective actions

The Fire Safety Log must contain comprehensive records of all fire safety activities including drills, system testing, incidents, equipment impairments, and corrective actions taken.

NYC Fire Code and the building's Fire Safety Plan require the FLSD to maintain a detailed Fire Safety Log. Required entries include: fire drills (date, time, floors, participants), fire alarm and suppression system tests, any false alarms or actual incidents, equipment impairments and repair dates, fire watch logs, FDNY inspection results, and corrective actions. The log must be available for FDNY inspection at any time and is a primary tool for demonstrating compliance.

Question 2: How often must high-rise buildings in NYC conduct fire drills?

Once per year for all occupants
Twice per year — once per shift if building operates multiple shifts (Correct answer)
Monthly for all floor wardens
Quarterly for the entire building

Correct answer: Twice per year — once per shift if building operates multiple shifts

NYC Fire Code requires high-rise buildings to conduct fire drills at least twice per year, with additional drills required for each shift if the building operates multiple work shifts.

NYC Fire Code Section 405.2 requires fire drills for high-rise office buildings at least twice annually. Buildings with multiple shifts must conduct drills during each shift's hours. Drills must include: sounding the alarm, partial or full evacuation to designated areas, accounting for all occupants, and debriefing. The FLSD must document drill results, note any deficiencies, and implement corrective training. FDNY may require additional drills if deficiencies are found during inspections.

Question 3: A fire alarm control panel shows a 'trouble' signal. This indicates:

An active fire has been detected in the building
A system fault — wiring issue, power problem, or device malfunction (Correct answer)
The system is in test mode and should be ignored
All detectors have been manually silenced

Correct answer: A system fault — wiring issue, power problem, or device malfunction

A 'trouble' signal indicates a fault in the fire alarm system itself — such as a wiring break, low battery, or detector malfunction — not an active fire condition.

Fire alarm control panels have three primary signal types: Alarm (active fire/smoke detected), Trouble (system fault — wiring open, device failure, power issue, communication failure), and Supervisory (monitored condition changed — valve shut, tamper switch activated). A trouble signal does not indicate fire but requires prompt investigation and repair. The FLSD must document trouble signals, determine the cause, and arrange repairs. Ongoing unresolved trouble signals may require FDNY notification.

Question 4: The FLSD's certificate of fitness (F-89) issued by FDNY must be:

Kept in a safe deposit box off-site
Carried on the person while performing FLSD duties (Correct answer)
Framed and displayed in the building lobby
Submitted to the building owner annually for review

Correct answer: Carried on the person while performing FLSD duties

FDNY requires that the certificate of fitness (F-89) be carried on the FLSD's person whenever they are performing FLSD duties in the building.

FDNY Certificate of Fitness F-89 (Fire and Life Safety Director) must be carried by the certificate holder whenever performing FLSD duties. FDNY inspectors may ask to see the certificate during any inspection or emergency response. The certificate must be current (renewed every 3 years) and valid for the specific building address. FLSDs working at multiple buildings need separate certificates or properly updated certificates for each location.

Question 5: Fire safety plan updates must be submitted to FDNY when:

The FLSD changes employment
Significant changes occur in building occupancy, use, or fire protection systems (Correct answer)
Annually regardless of building changes
Only when FDNY specifically requests an update

Correct answer: Significant changes occur in building occupancy, use, or fire protection systems

The Fire Safety Plan must be updated and resubmitted to FDNY whenever there are significant changes in building occupancy, use, construction, or fire protection systems.

The Fire Safety Plan is a living document that must reflect current building conditions. Trigger events requiring plan updates include: changes in building occupancy type, major renovations affecting egress or fire protection systems, installation or removal of fire suppression systems, changes in tenant mix affecting hazard levels, and FDNY-mandated revisions. The FLSD is responsible for identifying when updates are needed, preparing the revised plan, and submitting it to the FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention for approval.

Question 6: Portable fire extinguishers in a high-rise building must be inspected by a qualified person:

Every 5 years
Annually, with monthly visual checks by building staff (Correct answer)
Only after each use
Every 3 years

Correct answer: Annually, with monthly visual checks by building staff

Portable fire extinguishers require annual maintenance by a qualified service technician, plus monthly visual inspections by building staff to ensure they are accessible and in apparent working order.

NFPA 10 and NYC Fire Code require: (1) monthly visual inspection by building staff — checking that extinguishers are in designated locations, unobstructed, accessible, and showing full charge; (2) annual maintenance by a licensed fire extinguisher service company; (3) hydrostatic testing every 5-12 years depending on extinguisher type. The FLSD ensures all extinguishers are properly maintained and documents inspections in the fire safety log. Service tags must be attached to each extinguisher showing the last maintenance date.

FLSD Building Systems Oversight 2

The FLSD is required to maintain a Fire Safety Log that documents: