Fire Inspector Chapter 7

Which of the following is the most common numerical factor used to determine the required width of the means of egress for stairways? (268)

0.3 inches (7.62 mm) per person

Illuminated exit signs must be positioned so that no point in the exit access is more than: (263)

100 feet (30 m) from the nearest visible sign.

When occupant loads are greater than 500, the codes generally require how many separate exits? (270)

A minimum of three

What type of hardware is designed to allow occupants to egress freely while enabling the door to be secured from the outside? (254)

Access-controlled egress

Which type of locking hardware must include a sensor on the egress side that detects an occupant approaching? (255)

Access-controlled egress

Which type of locking hardware requires that the occupant use a security card or enter a code to gain entrance? (254)

Access-controlled egress

How is the total exit capacity for the room or building determined? (269)

Adding the capacities of each individual means of egress

Which regulation requires areas of refuge in some occupancies as a way to protect people who are mobility impaired? (245)

Americans with Disabilities Act

Which regulation made ramps more common in occupancies in the United States? (260)

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Which of the following is a subsystem of a means of egress system? (244)

Automatic sprinklers

Which of the following statements about determining occupant load is MOST accurate? (268)

Buildings are often used for more than one purpose or contain more than one occupancy classification.

Which of the following BEST describes how occupant load is determined for a building that has more than one use? (268)

By the use that allows for the largest number of persons to occupy the building

Which of the following refers to a path that all occupants must travel in one direction before reaching a point where they may choose between two separate and distinct paths leading to two separate exits? (272)

Common path of travel

Which of the following should an inspector look for in older buildings? (256)

Concealed penetrations in the walls above decorative-type ceilings

What condition exists when a corridor has no outlet to a means of egress and is more than 20 feet (6 m) in length? (272)

Dead-end corridor

Which of the following would MOST likely be an acceptable bolt lock? (254)

Deadbolt locks that operate with the action of the latch and do not require keys, special tools, or knowledge to operate

Which of the following are likely to be poorly maintained and not secured to the wall? (260)

Fire escape stairs

Which of the following statements about numerical factors for determining means of egress capacity is MOST accurate? (269)

Hazardous occupancies must have greater numerical factors.

Which of the following is MOST likely to have special locking system? (256)

Health care facilities

Which of the following is the BEST reason why exits should be located remotely from each other? (271)

Helps minimize travel distance to an exit

Which type of exit consists of a means of egress from one building to an area of refuge in another building on approximately the same level? (248)

Horizontal exit

Which type of exit is commonly used in high-rise buildings and hospitals as a means of passing through a fire-barrier wall that separates two fire compartments in a structure? (248)

Horizontal exit

Which of the following is MOST likely to be a factor in means of egress issues for occupants? (241)

Improperly designed or marked exits

Which of the following can slow access by fire and emergency services personnel and has been responsible for many fatalities? (256)

Security bars

Which of the following are usually held open by magnetic devices and close automatically to provide a smoke or fire barrier in a fire-barrier wall? (256)

Self-closing doors

Which of the following is an important life safety function of doors? (251)

Separate occupants from the movement of fire, smoke, and other toxic gases

Which of the following are stairways that are designed to limit the penetration of smoke, heat, and toxic gases into the stairway? (249)

Smokeproof enclosure

Which provides the highest degree of fire protection for stair enclosures that the model codes require? (249)

Smokeproof enclosures

When determining exit capacity, which of the following determines the total capacity for the means of egress? (269)

The element with the smallest capacity

Which of the following BEST describes the capacity of the means of egress? (268)

The number of people who can move along the means of egress

Which of the following BEST describes travel distance? (272)

The total length of travel necessary to reach the protection of an exit

Which of the following is the BEST definition for occupant load? (265)

The total number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed

Which of the following statements about exit stairways is MOST accurate? (258)

They cannot be used for any purposes other than as a means of egress.

Which of the following statements about fire escape stairs and new construction is MOST accurate? (260)

They may not be used as any part of a means of egress.

In certain occupancies, when may open stairs be used as a part of the means of egress? (258)

When the building has an automatic sprinkler system

Horizontal exits require fire walls or fire-barrier walls with at least: (248)

a 2-hour fire-resistance rating.

For a balcony, mezzanine, story, or portion thereof that has an occupant load greater than 500 persons, the codes generally require: (270)

a minimum of three separate exits.

For a building or a portion of a building that contains two or more distinct occupancies, the occupant load is determined by calculating the occupant load for each of the occupancies separately and then: (268)

adding them.

The means of egress must terminate in a public way or a(an): (244)

area of refuge.

In most cases, the codes require that there be _____ exits from any balcony, mezzanine, story, or portion thereof that has an occupant load of 500 persons or less. (270)

at least two

When codes require exit illumination, the illumination must be: (262)

continuous during periods of occupancy.

The basic elements of a means of egress are: (242)

exit access, exit, exit discharge.

Which of the following is the most common numerical factor used to determine the required width of the means of egress for ramps or level exit components? (268)

0.2 inches (5.08 mm) per person

Horizontal exits may be substituted for other exits if they do not compose more than _____ percent of the total exit capacity of the building. (248)

50

The letters on exit signs must be at least: (263)

6 inches (150 mm) high.

Which of the following will MOST likely make allowances for an occupancy when determining means of egress? (269)

Automatic sprinkler systems

Which type of locking hardware activates an audible signal when doors are opened? (255)

Delayed egress

Who typically calculates the proposed occupant load? (265)

Design professional

In some jurisdictions, what is required for high-rise structures to control exiting the building? (270)

Designated fire wardens

What is the first step when determining means of egress requirements? (275)

Determine occupant load

Which type of locking hardware must have a built-in switch that directly supplies power to the lock? (255)

Electromagnetically locked

Which of the following is a protected path consisting of exit components constructed of approved fire-resistance-rated assemblies? (246)

Exit

Which of the following leads from an occupied portion of a building or structure to the exit? (246)

Exit access

What must be provided when flights of stairs are greater than 12 feet (3.5 m) high? (258)

Landings

Which of the following will automatically unlock many types of locking hardware? (255)

Loss of power

What information is required to determine occupant load? (266)

Minimum width of each means of egress

How often should the auxiliary power supply and emergency lighting system be tested? (265)

Monthly and annually

The formula for determining occupant load is: (266)

Occupant Load = Net Floor Area ÷ Area per Person

Which of the following is the formula for determining the occupant load of a structure, room, or area? (266)

Occupant Load = Net Floor Area ÷ Area per Person

Which of the following locking hardware should be able to be operated by occupants setting the door in motion by applying a force of no more than 30 pounds (15 N)? (254)

Panic hardware

Which of the following is a way to make the stair enclosure smokeproof? (249)

Pressurize it

Which of the following is the BEST example of an exit discharge? (250)

Privately owned drive or alley that connects the exit to a public way

Which of the following would MOST likely be an appropriate area of refuge? (245)

Rated stairwell

Which of the following statements about exit passageways is MOST accurate? (247)

They must be constructed of the same fire-resistant-rated material as the exit stairs.

Which of the following statements about wired exit signs is MOST accurate? (263)

They must have an auxiliary power source.

Which of the following BEST determines the number of required exits? (269)

Total exit capacity

Why is the type of floor covering a frequent source of concern for inspectors? (257)

Unapproved materials are often used during remodeling

The occupant load for a building or room is established: (265)

during the plans review process.

The means of egress capacity must be at least: (268)

equal to the occupant load.

To determine the exit capacity, the inspector must use mathematical calculations that are based on the: (269)

established minimum exit widths outlined in the model building codes.

When inspectors encounter situations where the occupant load is consistently exceeded, they should: (270)

explore all possible alternatives for correction within the framework of their local codes.

In cases where the layout of the room is unknown or may change, the maximum travel distance is calculated by starting at the most remote point and proceeding by: (272)

following the walls to the door of the room.

For a balcony, mezzanine, story, or portion thereof that has an occupant load greater than 1000 persons, the codes generally require: (270)

four or more exits.

If they are to be useful during an emergency, all of the elements of a means of egress must be: (246)

free from obstructions and combustible materials.

Stairways must be able to accommodate the: (270)

greatest number of people expected to occupy any single floor above.

The exit requirements for a building take on a higher level of significance and additional exiting system requirements must be met: (253)

if 50 or more people are in a room or occupancy.

A common negative factor cited in means of egress systems during fires is: (241)

locked or blocked exit doors.

The common path of travel is the path that all occupants must travel in one direction before reaching a point where they: (272)

may choose between two separate and distinct paths leading to two separate exits.

A ceiling that is part of a means of egress: (257)

must have the same fire-resistance rating as the walls.

When two exits are required, they should be located: (271)

no less than half the length of the overall diagonal dimension of the room or building area.

When determining means of egress requirements, the first step would be to determine: (275)

occupant load.

Inspectors are concerned about floor coverings because: (257)

of the flammability of the materials used.

Where two or more exits are required, no more than _____ of the exits can be equipped with security grilles. (256)

one-half

In multistory structures, personnel can use the emergency notification system to alert occupants to exit in order of: (270)

proximity to the emergency (or fire) floor.

The codes specify that the exits should be as: (271)

remote from each other as possible.

Which of the following BEST describes how many people a stairway must be able to accommodate? (270)

the greatest number of people expected to occupy any single floor above.

The capacity of the means of egress is BEST described as: (268)

the number of people who can move along the means of egress.

An exit passageway must be wide enough to accommodate: (248)

the total capacity of all exits that discharge through it.

Occupant load is BEST described as the: (265)

total number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed.

For a building or a portion of a building that has more than one use, the occupant load is determined by the: (268)

use that allows for the largest number of persons to occupy the building.

Emergency lighting is designed to provide illumination: (263)

when normal power is lost.

Within each model code, maximum travel distances vary depending on the type of occupancy and: (272)

whether the building has an automatic sprinkler system.