Facility Management Course NFPA 101 Code Flashcards
1
Q
UL
A
Underwriters Laboratories - a safety consulting and certification company.
2
Q
What Life Safety Code does the Air Force operate under?
A
Life Safety 2012
3
Q
CMS
A
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Federal Agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare and works with state governments on Medicaid
4
Q
NFPA 99
A
Compilation of healthcare related of hospital regulations in 1999. Before, all the regulation was found throughout in several regs.
5
Q
Why is the door swing significant?
A
Egress doors must swing in the direction of egress (smoke doors exempt). In 1958, the fire of the Lady of Angels School in Chicago, the first person that went to open the door, was impeded by the crowd, and they died. The cause of death was the fire, but the indirect cause was the facility.
6
Q
ANSI
A
American National Standards Institute - Non-Profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products.
7
Q
FSES
A
Fire Safety Evaluation System
8
Q
NFPA
A
National Fire Protection Association - a private association that creates and maintains standards for usage and adoption by local governments. It has no regulatory/legislative authority.
9
Q
What is the goal of regulation?
A
To protect the life of the occupants. It is not to ensure absolute protection. It is the minimum standard.
10
Q
AHJ
A
Authority Having Jurisdiction - Usually the Wing/CC
11
Q
AAAHC
A
Triple AHC, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Accreditation of business and ambulatory occupancies.
12
Q
Ambulatory Care
A
Health services provided on an outpatient basis to those who visit a hospital or another health care facility and depart after treatment on the same day. Healthcare operations cannot exceed 24 hours and treat four or more patients incapable of self-preservation.
13
Q
Hospital
A
Must operate over 24 hours and treat 4 inpatients or more
14
Q
What area of a clinic is susceptible to converting into a business occupancy to a ambulatory occupancy?
A
Dental Clinic
15
Q
FSES equivalency vs. Traditional equivalency
A
FSES equivalency requires you to write the NFPA, but you have to technically write it out for the entire hospital, which is very time consuming. It also costs money to do this. Traditional requires the local authority and one more expert without invested interest to sign and approve the deviation. In the civilian world, this is a very expensive option.
16
Q
If you make any modification on rated features of the hospital building, what must be done?
A
You have to get an evaluation from the Underwritten Laboratories. This is very expensive.
17
Q
What is an example of how local policy can be onerous?
A
Chicago has over 40 different exit signs…you have to pick the correct one designated for the specific function of the exit sign.
18
Q
Ambulatory
A
Occupancy is less than 24 hours, but there are 4 or more patients incapable of self-preservation. (Out-Patient)
19
Q
Business
A
Occupancy is based on that all patients but 3 are capable of self -preservation and hospital operations are under 24 hours. (Out-Patient)
20
Q
Is the AF under CMS jurisdiction?
A
No. Joint Commission will not apply CMS regulation to the AF.
21
Q
Why is occupancy status important?
A
It drives regulation and associated costs. You have to declare the occupancy status of the different sections of the hospital to the JC surveyor.
22
Q
When can you have a business occupancy and a ambulatory occupancy next to each other?
A
A fire wall must separate the two and the exits must be correct.
23
Q
What is the definition of new construction?
A
If the final design approval is after the code is adopted.
24
Q
What are the three pieces of an exit?
A
Exit Access (all doors leading out to the corridors and corridors between you and the exit door into the stairwell), the Exit (the stairwell), and the Exit Discharge (outside the last exit door leading to unobstructed path).
25
Interior Finish
Needs to have a flame spread information on file (this is any material that is 1/28th of an inch). (Paint and thin wall paper should be fine). It also must be used as its function intended (if the flame spread was tested horizontally, you can't glue it to vertically to the wall).
26
Flame Spread Rating
Flame Spread Rating is the numeric value of burn rate relative to burning red oak. Red Oak Flame Spread rating is 100. All interior finish materials have a Flame Spread rating of 75 or less (in egress corridors).
27
How can you can deviate from the fire code?
You can request a waiver from the The designs have to be reevaluated every year.
28
What are some things that are intentionally ignored in Joint Commission and all regulations?
Elevators.
29
Can you decommission fire rated doors?
Yes. There is greater opportunity for inspection failure and greater maintenance costs.
30
In the eyes of the Joint Commission, which is more egregious: an nonoperational fire alarm or a practicing doctor without a current license?
Nonoperational fire alarm.
31
What does a foot candle mean?
The amount of illumination produced by a standard candle at a distance of one foot. (10.764 Lux)
32
How often do you have to have a fire drill?
Healthcare occupancy is once per shift per quarter. Business occupancy is once per shift per year. Areas that are more hazardous need to have greater frequency.
33
What are the consequences of a write-up during a CMS inspection?
Immediate loss of reimbursement.
34
What walls require fire retardant cock?
Only fire/smoke rated walls. Nominal walls do not require fire cock. It helps to clearly mark the walls Smoke or Fire.
35
Which rooms are excluded from rated door and wall requirements?
Restroom, bathing areas, nurse station, doctors chart room, sink closets.
36
Are door stops allowed?
No.
37
What is the undercut allowance of doors?
1 inch average for normal doors. No more than 5/8 of an inch on fire/smoke doors.
38
Should you be seeing any light or holes in a fire wall or smoke wall?
None!
39
Joint Commission has adopted which Life Safety Code?
Life Safety Code 2003, March 15, 2003
40
How much of a gap can be between double doors?
1/8 inch
41
What are considered hazardous areas and what are the measures to protect these areas?
Fuel-fired heater rooms, laundries ( >100 sq ft), repair shops, soiled linen rooms, trash collection rooms, storage rooms (sq ft matters), some laboratories. New construction requires 1 hour fire rated enclosure and sprinklers. Existing construction requires 1 hour fire enclosure or sprinklers.
42
What is the distance away from the sprinkler head that storage must be kept?
18 inches away from the sprinkler head.
43
Do smoke doors require positive self-latching mechanism?
No, but if they do have positive latching mechanisms, they have to work, or it will be a write-up. Every structure must function properly whether it is required or not. Fire doors always need to have self-latching mechanisms.
44
Is a smoke damper required when both zones on both sides have sprinklers?
Nope! If you have them...consider decommissioning them.
45
What is the rating of smoke doors?
20 minute door rating. This also applies to nominal walls as well.
46
What is an example of how tedious hospital building code can be?
The speed of door closure is regulated.
47
Fire door must have a how many latching mechanisms into the door frame and floor (not releasing mechanisms)?
Two. One on the top and the bottom.
48
ILSM
Interim Life Safety Measures
49
Will every code violation require a ILSM?
NO. If it affects patient safety (specifically involving the fire alarm, sprinkler system, exiting, penetrations)
50
When must a generator transfer power from primary to emergency?
10 seconds
51
EPSS
Emergency Power Supply system
52
What is the rating for the room with the generators?
2 hour and must be able to resist the entry of rain or snow
53
When do you have to test the generators?
You must test the generators 30% of their load monthly.
54
What does the EPSS provide power to?
Red outlets, exit lighting, and some procedural lighting.
55
What is the minimum height of the ceiling in a room? Stairwell?
7.5 feet in room. 6 feet 8 inches in stairwell.
56
How far can the handrail extend into the corridor?
3 5/8 inches, 38 inch level or lower from the floor.
57
How many compressed gas canisters can you store with a chain?
In existing construction, unlimited. In new construction, must chain each canister individually.
58
How is compressed gas canisters stored?
Within a 300 cubic feet storage area in any smoke compartment, 5 feet away from combustible materials (in sprinkled areas) or 20 feet from combustible materials (in non-sprinklered areas).
59
"E" cylinder can contain how much cubic feet?
25 cubic feet
60
"H" cylinder can contain how much cubic feet?
150 cubic feet
61
In existing, sprinklered, door how thick is the door?
Doesn't matter.
62
Can a door swing out into the egress corridor?
It can only take up 50% of the space in between the other wall and it has to swing to 180 degrees and can only protrude 7 inches
63
Hand sanitizes can extend into the corridor?
6 inches
64
In a new building, how far from a room can the exit sign be?
100 feet
65
In an existing building, how far from a room can the exit sign be?
As long as you can see it.
66
How is the appendix important?
The appendix is not considered as part of the code...it is clarification. You have to get a letter from the NFPA to get official clarification.
67
Smoke partition doors need?
windows
68
Class A flame spread?
0-25
69
Class B flame spread?
26-75
70
Can you put a door wedge on patient room doors?
No.
71
If there is an adjoining building, do you have to have a fire rating separation?
If the occupancy is different, 2 hour
72
Fire alarms will be placed within how many feet?
200 feet and within 5 feet next to exits.
73
What should be on the linen or trash chute?
Must have labels.
74
Do you need fire cock smoke walls?
Nope, any kind of non-flammable material
75
What should be the width of stairs?
44 inches
76
How wide should the corridor be?
New construction 8 feet. Existing, 48 inches.
77
What is the minimum width of doors?
New hospital, 41.5 inches. Existing healthcare 32 inches.
78
How many exits per floor (minimum)?
2 exits
79
Travel distance to an exit from a room door?
100 feet in non-sprinklered and 150 feet in sprinklered
80
How often must emergency lighting be conducted?
30 seconds monthly, and 90 minutes annually
81
How big do the letters need to be on exit signs?
6 inches in New and 4 inches in old
82
Travel distance to an exit from inside room to exit?
non-sprinklered 150 feet and sprinkled 200 feet
83
How thick does the door to a patient room need to be?
In a non-sprinklered room, 1 3/4 inches
84
What is the maximum square footage of wire/fire glass on a wall in a non-sprinklered building?
3 feet by 3 feet
85
How many indirect deviations will typically result in a direct finding?
Depends. Usually three is enough to show a trend.
86
How can you tell if it is an area is a horizontal exit?
There will be two fire pull stations on both sides of the doors.
87
Do rooms in corridors need doors that positively latch?
Yes.
88
Can anything touch the sprinkler lines or hang on the sprinklers themselves? Can they be dirty?
No.
89
Can a J-box above the ceiling have its cover off?
No.
90
Will the Joint Commission go into the warehouse?
Typically no, because it is business occupancy.
91
Building drawings need to include:
Fire ratings, smoke partitions, chutes, chases, occupancies, exits, suites, and hazardous areas.
92
How far away from the wall can the sprinkler be?
No less than 4 inches.
93
What is a good solution for IT's needs to punch holes through the fire walls?
The Hilti Firestop Sleeves
94
How long can a dead-end corridor be in New construction and old?
30 feet and unlimited.
95
How many facilities are accredited by Joint Commission in the AF?
14. The Navy and Army have all their MTF's accredited by JC.
96
The calling cords in the restrooms should be how far from the ground?
6 inches
97
SOC
Statement of Conditions
98
PFI
Plan for Improvement
99
In the regulations, what does the word "shall" mean?
Indicates a mandatory requirement
100
In the regulations, what does the word "should" mean?
Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.
101
Equivalency
An alternative means of providing an equal or greater degree of safety than that afforded by strict conformance to prescribed codes and standards.
102
Occupancy
The purpose for which a building or other structure, or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.
103
Facility's air intake has to be no less than how many feet away from the facility's exhaust vent?
30 feet
104
What is an example of how have the NFPA regulations relaxed?
New construction corridors can allow three feet of blockage (there is specific guidance as to what can be in the corridor and it must be explained in your fire plan how you intend to move the items from the corridors).
105
Patient Care Suite
A series of rooms/spaces separated from the remainder of the building by walls and doors.
106
When can you start installing projecting structures into the corridor?
80 inches (six foot 8 inches)
107
The gap between the railing of a stair case has to be no more than how much on new construction?
4 inches
108
Can you have two types of releasing devices or locking mechanisms on a fire door (e.g. panic hardware coupled with another exit hardware creating two releasing mechanisms)?
No. The releasing mechanism shall open the door leaf with not more than one releasing operation. 7.2.1.5.10.2.
109
Some fire doors are not rated fire doors (decommissioned). Can you modify these doors?
Yes, but inspectors might cringe, even though it is not a write-up.
110
Does the Joint Commission recognize the CMS 2013 waivers?
Yes.
111
How do civilian institutions benefit from Joint Commission accreditation?
Insurance rates are lower when hospitals operate IAW TJC accreditation. Also reimbursement through CMS regulation overlaps with TJC regulation.
112
Can you have a lock on a patient room that can't be opened from the inside?
This would be a direct-impact finding...threat to life and eliminated the patient/employee's ability of egress under their own power. The general rule is: "the survey would have just ended, and we will be back. We will contact the central office of your impending none accreditation." There are some exceptions, like a psychiatric unit, where this would be permissible.
113
What would happen if you falsify records?
Immediate non-accreditation and perhaps prison time depending on what it is.
114
Do you have to have a fire dampener in a vent that passes through a fire wall, even if both sides are sprinkled?
Yes.
115
Do all exits need an exit sign?
No. As long as the exit is readily apparent.
116
Emergency lighting (battery lighting) must be in the generator room?
Yes.
117
Exit signs need to be how far apart from each other?
Under new construction, a new person needs to be no less than 100 feet away from one exit sign. In old construction, there is no requirement other than the exit sign needs to be recognizable. Make sure nothing impedes view of the exit sign.
118
What chapters in the NFPA 101:
7- Egress.
119
What is the required range of inches from the floor that the panic hardware can be installed on doors?
34-48 inches
120
What is the minimum typical door opening width in a means of egress?
32 inches
121
What is an example of a regulation changing from year to year?
The allowable projection of a door extended into the corridor that is fully opened was 7.5 inches in the 2000 NFPA 101 regulation. In the 2012, it is 7 inches.
122
In a stairwell, you can have projects below the the handrail height on each side. How far can they project into the stairwell corridor?
4.5 inches
123
How big of a container can you have in the open?
xx gallon container
124
Can you have an exit that extends from a normal area through a hazardous area?
No, you can't exit through a normal area that exits through a hazardous way.
125
Sometimes you can get around the code. What is one way the code is extremely vague and where there is potential for abuse?
The code works in square feet rather than cubic feet. For example, a storage room with combustible material in excess of 50 square feet becomes a hazardous area. It doesn't account for how much supplies are in the room or how high it could be stacked (unlimited ceiling allowed without cubic foot specification). Rooms 49 square feet room with combustible supplies will not constitute a hazardous area. Many hospitals will have storage areas with less than 50 square feet. Consider putting a sprinkler in the storage area if there is substantial combustible material, even if the storage area meets non-hazardous status.
126
Fire doors/fire-rated assemblies are not supposed to be modified, but some hospitals use what to "fix" their doors rather than get them re-certified?
Bondo putty. If the door is modified, it should be sent to a certifying agency for re-certification.
127
Why do you need to pay close attention to new fire/smoke dampeners.
Many new fire/smoke dampeners do not need to be cocked at all...they have a fire-rating engineered into the product itself. SO, you need to produce the paperwork that justifies if your dampeners do not need cock.
128
Rated doors are classified as what?
A rated door (3 hour door), B rated door (1.5 hour door), C rated door (45 minutes), and a smoke door/nominal door (20 minutes).
129
Elevator lobbies should have what type of fire-rating minimum?
1 hour fire rating.
130
Anywhere there is dirty linen or waste stored, it becomes what?
Potentially could be classified as a hazardous area.
131
What is another vague rule in the code regarding clean/dirty utility rooms?
The code does not define if they are hazardous or not. Is it bigger than 50 square feet? What is the bulk of supplies stored in the room?
132
How much illumination is required for the stair during use?
Existing construction is one foot-candle and new construction is ten.
133
How often does emergency lighting (battery powered) needs to be tested?
Tests must be conducted monthly, with a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 5 weeks between tests for a continuous 30 seconds. It should be conducted annually for 90 minutes.
134
Exit signs are inspected at what interval?
Monthly.
135
Why fire zones?
The idea is to increase the protection of the occupants by dividing the building into compartments to limit the spread of fire and restrict the movement of smoke.
136
How can you tell it is a fire door or fire window?
It will always have an approved label.
137
Smoke partition doors shall not have what?
Louvers or small vents.
138
When a fire alarm system is out of service for more than (blank hours) in a 24-hour period, who should be notified and what must happen?
Four hours, the AHJ, and the previously approved fire watch should be conducted or the building should be evacuated per reg 9.6.1.6 until the fire alarm system has been returned to service.
139
What documentation needs to be maintained for the fire protection system and for how long?
Design of the fire protection system, the procedures for maintenance, inspection, and testing of the system at an "approved and secure location" for the life of the fire protection system. 9.7.7
140
How much space can bulletin boards/posters, and paper cover a wall?
Shall not exceed 20% of the aggregate wall area to which they are applied.
