LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS: Quiz / Study Questions

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---1. What three elements must exist for a combustion reaction (fire) to occur?

---2. Describe the difference between piloted ignition temperature and autoignition temperature.

---3. Describe the four stages in the progression of a fire.

---4. Describe the four classifications of fire by type of fuel.

---5. Describe the five types of building construction.

---6. What is compartmentalizing and why is it necessary in fighting a fire?

---7. What is an intumescent material? Where is it used?

---8. What is a fire-resistant rating?

---9. How are fire-resistance ratings established?

---10. What is a flame-spread rating?

---11. How are flame-spread ratings established?

---12. What are passive fire protection and active fire protection? How are they different?

---13. What is a standpipe system?

---14. What are the four types of conventional automatic fire sprinkler systems and how do they function?

---15. What are the four types of alternative fire suppression systems and how do they function?

---16. What are the four classes of fire extinguishers and where are they used?

---17. What is a smoke control system and why is it needed?

---18. What is a smoke detector?

---19. What is a heat detector?

---20. Describe the types of heat and smoke detectors.

---21. Describe a fire alarm control system.

---22. Why has building security become increasingly important?

---23. Identify and describe things that can be implemented in building design that improve security.

---24. What types of electronic devices are used to provide building security?

---25. What types of electronic access control devices are used to provide building security?

---26. What is a building emergency action (BEA) plan?

---27. What is a building evacuation plan?

---28. What are the roles of the members of the emergency management team?

---29. What are the roles of the members of the incident response team?

---30. What are the roles of the members of the building evacuation team?

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Design Exercises

---31. A 184 ft by 242 ft room in a warehouse will be protected by individual fire sprinklers spaced throughout the ceiling. Each sprinkler head covers a 10 ft by 10 ft area and will discharge approximately 40 gal/min (gpm). Sprinkler heads are located in straight rows spaced at 10 ft on center. For preliminary design, approximate the following:

a. The minimum number of sprinkler heads required

b. The minimum number of rows of sprinkler heads, if rows run transversely (widthwise) through the building

c. The minimum number of rows of sprinkler heads, if rows run longitudinally (lengthwise) through the building

d. The flow rate of the system, in gpm, based on the number of sprinkler heads

---32. A 184 ft by 242 ft room in a warehouse will be protected by individual fire sprinklers spaced throughout the ceiling. Each sprinkler head covers a 12 ft by 12 ft area and will discharge approximately 50 gal/min (gpm). Sprinkler heads are located in straight rows spaced at 12 ft on center. For preliminary design, approximate the following:

a. The minimum number of sprinkler heads required

b. The minimum number of rows of sprinkler heads, if rows run transversely (widthwise) through the building

c. The minimum number of rows of sprinkler heads, if rows run longitudinally (lengthwise) through the building

d. The flow rate of the system, in gpm, based on the number of sprinkler heads

---33. A 62 m by 80 m room in a warehouse will be protected by individual fire sprinklers spaced throughout the ceiling. Each sprinkler head covers a 4 m by 4 m area and will discharge approximately 180 liters/minute (L/min). Sprinkler heads are located in straight rows spaced at 4 m on center. For preliminary design, approximate the following:

a. The minimum number of sprinkler heads required

b. The minimum number of rows of sprinkler heads, if rows run transversely (widthwise) through the building

c. The minimum number of rows of sprinkler heads, if rows run longitudinally (lengthwise) through the building

d. The flow rate of the system, in L/min, based on the number of sprinkler heads

---34. Draw a sketch of a fire sprinkler system for the residence.

---35. Draw a sketch of a fire sprinkler system for the apartment building.

---36. Make a visit to a residence with a fire sprinkler system.

Make a sketch of the system and identify chief components of the system. Write out control strategies used.

---37. Make a visit to a commercial building with a fire sprinkler system. Make a sketch and describe chief components of the system. Describe control strategies used.

---38. Make a visit to a high-rise (over 75 ft.) office building with a fire sprinkler system. Make a sketch and de scribe chief components of the system. Describe control strategies used.

---39. Visit a building manager and discuss the building's emergency action plan.

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