Fire Protection Design Manual - Quiz

Quiz Question

1. The Public Buildings Amendment Act (PL 100-678) requires all federal agencies to follow the latest editions of nationally recognized fire and life safety codes. It also requires federal agencies to give local fire protection officials the opportunity to review and comment on projects for compliance with local regulations and compatibility with local fire fighting practices. All reviews by local fire protection officials shall be at no cost to the Government. Designers should meet with local fire authorities during early stages of design to incorporate local requirements to the extent practical; however, recommendations made by local officials should be reviewed for adequacy, cost, and nationally accepted practice before being incorporated into project design.
True
False
2. VA has adopted the National Fire Codes (NFC) published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which establish a minimum acceptable level of life safety and property protection. Life safety requirements are specifically addressed in the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101. Where conflicts exist between codes, the designer shall follow the code specified in the text under the subject section of this manual. Fire Protection design shall be based on the latest editions of the NFC at the Date of Award of the contract to the Architectural/Engineering (A/E) firm (or Design/Build firm). Under special circumstances, the VA will require compliance with a more recent code edition when significant changes to the code have occurred between the Date of Award to the A/E and the Date of Award to the prime contractor for construction.

Note: Special circumstances would include a situation where a designed project sat “on the shelf” for an extended period of time, or where a significant change to the code was made and where incorporating that change would improve safety in the opinion of the AHJ.

True
False
3. Fire protection features not addressed by the NFC or otherwise addressed by this document shall be designed to comply with the requirements of the latest edition of the International Building Code (IBC). Other references are listed in Appendix B.
True
False
4. For design features that are addressed by both the IBC as well as by NFPA 101 or a document referenced by NFPA 101, the requirements of NFPA 101 or the document referenced by NFPA 101 shall be used exclusively (this applies even if the IBC requirements are different).

Note: VA buildings must meet the requirements of NFPA 101 and documents referenced by NFPA 101 in order to comply with the accreditation requirements of the Joint Commission. It is intended that life safety and fire protection features will be designed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101 and documents referenced by NFPA 101. Other building features (including, but not limited to, structural strength, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, and energy conservation) will be designed in accordance with the IBC and documents referenced by the IBC or as identified in VHA Program Guide PG-18-3, Topic 1 – Codes, Standards, and Executive Orders.

True
False
5. Strict compliance to codes and standards is mandatory for new construction. If equivalent protection is proposed by the designer for renovations, submit requests and supporting rationale through the respective Network Safety Manager or SFPE to the Safety and Fire Protection Engineer (10NA8) in VA Central Office.
True
False
6. VA Hospital Building System (Interstitial): Fire protection requirements for facilities designed using the VA Hospital Building System (VAHBS) shall comply with the following:

Provide exit signs at exit doors and other locations to provide clear direction toward exits from interstitial spaces. Provide emergency lighting for adequate egress illumination in the event of a power outage.

True
False
7. In Fig 4.1 occupancy classifications are defined based on:
NFPA 101
NFPA 77
NFPA 303
8. In water supply for Fire protection, water storage tanks shall be designed in accordance with
NFPA 101
NFPA 22
9. According to table 7.3 Fire Alarm system input output matrix, Sprinkler waterflow /pressure switch
Notifies Fire department automatically
Does not do any thing
10. In the page 41 of the manual; Pictorial representation of fire alarm interface with elevators, fire alarm circuits are to be designed and installed in accordance with
NFPA 101
NFPA 72