F-02 Fire Guard for Shelter Exam Prep

Flashcards for F-02 Fire Guard for Shelter (Citywide) Certificate of Fitness exam preparation.

What type of buildings must be regularly patrolled by a fire guard?

Buildings or parts of buildings used as emergency shelters.

How often must every area of a shelter building be patrolled by a fire guard?

At least once every hour.

What is the primary responsibility of fire guards in shelters?

The safety of all shelter occupants and employees.

How do fire guards contribute to the safety of shelter occupants?

Eliminating fire hazards and assisting in evacuation.

What specific knowledge should fire guards possess regarding fire alarm systems?

The location and operation of all parts of the fire alarm systems.

Who typically supervises fire guards in a shelter?

The impairment coordinator, Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems, or Fire and Life Safety Director.

What documentation must fire guards maintain?

Maintaining records of their patrols.

What is a specific requirement for buildings operating as emergency shelters?

A unique requirement for fire guards on the premises at all times.

What must fire guards be knowledgeable about in out-of-service situations?

Consistent patrols and knowledge of fire watch procedures.

How long are F-02 Certificates of Fitness valid?

Three years from the date of issuance.

What may Certificate of Fitness holders be required to demonstrate at any time?

Demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in their duties.

Under what circumstances can the Fire Department deny, not renew, suspend, or revoke a certificate?

For misconduct, including failure to properly fulfill duties.

What actions constitute misconduct for a certificate holder?

Failure to properly fulfill their duties, false statements, and unauthorized certificate use.

What notification failures can lead to certificate issues?

Failure to promptly notify the Fire Department of address or work location changes.

Who are considered 'building occupants'?

All persons in the shelter, including employees, clients, staff, and visitors.

What is a central station company?

A facility that receives alarm signals and reports them to the FDNY.

What do emergency preparedness plans ensure?

Procedures to protect the safety of building occupants in emergencies.

What is 'evacuation'?

The emptying of a building in response to a fire or emergency.

What is a fire alarm system?

A system to monitor and announce the status of fire alarm devices.

What is a fire guard?

A person responsible for maintaining a fire watch, holding a Certificate of Fitness.

What are fire protection systems?

Devices, equipment, and systems used to detect, alarm, extinguish, or control a fire.

What does 'fire watch' mean?

Continuous surveillance for identifying and controlling fire hazards.

What is 'impairment' in the context of fire protection systems?

A condition where a fire protection system cannot perform its designed function.

Who is the impairment coordinator?

The person responsible for ensuring proper safety precautions when a fire protection system is out of service.

What constitutes a non-fire emergency?

A biological, chemical, or nuclear incident; explosion; medical emergency; natural disaster; etc.

Who is considered the 'owner'?

The person in control of real property.

What is the owner's responsibility?

Safe maintenance of a building.

What is two-way voice communication?

Both parties can transmit information, useful during emergencies.

In which city is homelessness a significant problem

New York City.

According to examples of shelter fires, what increases the probability of fatal fires?

Lack of fire prevention devices in the shelter increases the probability of fatal fires

In which borough did improperly stored mattresses cause two separate incidents of fire only two days apart?

Bronx, NY

In which city was a homeless shelter fined $45,000 by the Department of Buildings for safety violations?

New York City

What is the main takeaway from the three shelter fires described in the study guide?

Ensuring shelter staff are proactive in identifying and correcting fire safety violations

With what two things must fire guards be familiar within the shelter they are employed?

The fire alarm system, emergency preparedness plan.

How often must fire guards patrol all areas of the shelter?

At least once an hour.

What action should fire guards take regarding defects with the sprinkler and standpipe systems (if applicable)?

Report defects to supervisor, report defects to the Fire Department

Which Certificate of Fitness holders usually supervise F-02 Certificate of Fitness holders?

F-80, F-89/T-89, Impairment Coordinator

To whom will the building owner delegate the role of Impairment Coordinator?

Either the F-80 or the F-89/T-89 Certificate of Fitness holder.

When will any shelter that is required or voluntarily installs a fire alarm system with one-way voice require a specific Certificate of Fitness holder on the premises?

F-53

Does the fire guard have a working cell phone for the purpose of communicating with their supervisor, other staff and to call which emergency phone number if necessary?

911.

Which regulations should the fire guard enforce during patrols?

No smoking

What are often tampered with or painted over in sleeping areas?

Sprinkler heads

What is the FDNY recommended ratio of certified fire guards on duty to occupants?

One fire guard for every 250 occupants.

What must be contacted by one or more persons holding an F-02 certificate of fitness if a required fire protection system in a shelter is out of service or otherwise impaired?

Fire watch.

For how long must a written record of the fire watch patrol be maintained on the premises or other approved location?

3 years.

What are some of the typical causes of fire in a homeless shelter?

Overloaded extension cords, unattended cooking appliances.

What must fire guards who notice that a fire alarm system is in need of inspection, maintenance or testing during their patrols do?

Notify their supervisors immediately

What is often stored within the shelter corridors and stairwells which can obstruct means of egress?

Recycle bins and trash containers

Which type of doors in stairwells, boiler rooms, and electrical rooms are often “propped” open when they should not be?

Fire-rated

If a fire guard becomes aware of an injury or other medical emergency at the shelter premises, which emergency phone number should they call?

911.

If a suspicious package is found and a person is unable to verify its contents, what should they do with it?

Do not touch/move/open the article.

In case of a major chemical spill or release, which organization must be notified by calling 911 immediately?

The Fire Department.

Where must a durable, easy to read sign that has the following information for reporting a fire or other emergency be posted?

Posted in a noticeable location in the lobby by the main front entrance.

In case of a fire emergency, what should the notification procedures be?

Call 911 or the Fire Department Dispatcher number in the borough where the building is located.

What are the classifications of fire alarm systems?

Automatic, manually activated, or both.

How often should smoke detectors be cleaned and maintained?

Every six months only by an S-97 or S-98 Certificate of Fitness holder.

What is a heat detector?

A sensor that detects abnormally high temperatures or rate of temperature rise.

Which type of pull stations requires two steps in order to activate the alarm?

Double action

To what is Carbon Monoxide Alarm responsive?

Carbon monoxide

What is a sprinkler water flow detector?

A device which initiates an alarm indicating a flow of water in a sprinkler system.

Which type of system are required by law in buildings occupied as homeless shelters?

Sprinkler systems

Standpipe systems provide water that firefighters can manually discharge through what onto a fire?

hoses

When operating a fire-extinguisher, fire guards should remember which acronym to make sure it is used properly?

P.A.S.S.

Which safety equipment do not work on lithium-ion batteries fires.

Fire Extinguishers

What center should you bring batteries to when in need of disposal.

NYC Battery Recycling Center.