Fire Safety Systems Flashcards
6 cards from real F01 practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Fire Safety Systems flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a pre-action sprinkler system, and how does it differ from a standard wet-pipe system?
Answer: Pre-action systems require two triggers (detector + sprinkler head heat) before water flows; wet-pipe systems release water immediately when a head opens
Pre-action systems require both a fire detection signal AND a sprinkler head to open before water is released, preventing accidental discharge. Wet-pipe systems release water immediately when any head opens from heat.
When a sprinkler system control valve is closed for maintenance, what immediate compensatory measure is required by FDNY?
Answer: Assign a fire guard to patrol the affected area on required intervals
When a sprinkler system control valve is closed, FDNY requires a fire guard (fire watch) to be assigned immediately to patrol the affected areas to compensate for the loss of automatic suppression.
A building's fire alarm control panel shows a supervisory signal. What does this indicate?
Answer: A system component (such as a sprinkler valve) is in an abnormal position but no fire has been confirmed
A supervisory signal indicates a system component is in an abnormal condition — commonly a control valve that is partially or fully closed — without necessarily indicating an active fire.
What is the function of a sprinkler system flow switch?
Answer: It detects water movement in the pipes (indicating a head has opened) and sends an alarm signal to the fire alarm panel
A flow switch detects water flowing through the sprinkler pipes (which indicates a sprinkler head has opened and is discharging water) and sends a fire alarm signal to the building's fire alarm panel.
If a portable fire extinguisher mounted on the wall has a broken or missing inspection tag, what should the F-01 fireguard do?
Answer: Remove it from service and obtain a replacement with a current inspection tag
A missing or broken inspection tag means the extinguisher's service history cannot be verified. The fireguard must remove it from service and replace it with a properly tagged, currently inspected extinguisher.
What is the minimum water supply duration (in minutes) that a standard commercial sprinkler system must be designed to provide?
Answer: 30 minutes
NFPA 13 requires standard commercial sprinkler systems to have an adequate water supply to flow for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes at design density, with most light-hazard occupancies requiring at least 30 minutes.