,1. What is the definition of "Building Occupants"?
A. All persons in the shelter, including employees, clients, staff and visitors
B. All persons who own the building
C. All persons responsible for the maintenance of the building
D. All persons who work in the building
2. What is the purpose of an "Emergency Preparedness Plan"?
A. To ensure the proper maintenance of fire protection systems
B. To ensure the safe evacuation of building occupants during a fire emergency
C. To ensure the proper training of fire guards
D. To ensure the proper notification of fire alarms to the FDNY
3. What is the definition of "Fire Guard"?
A. A person responsible for maintaining a fire watch
B. A person responsible for monitoring the fire alarm system
C. A person responsible for conducting fire drills
D. A person responsible for operating the fire protection systems
4. What is the definition of "Impairment"?
A. The failure of a fire protection system to perform its designed fire safety function
B. The failure of a fire protection system to receive a signal from the fire alarm system
C. The failure of a fire protection system to activate the sprinkler system
D. The failure of a fire protection system to notify the FDNY
5. What is the definition of "Owner/Occupant Responsibility"?
A. The owner is responsible for the safe maintenance of the building, and the occupant is
responsible for creating hazardous conditions
B. The owner and occupant are jointly responsible for the safe maintenance of the building
C. The occupant is responsible for the safe maintenance of the building, and the owner is
responsible for correcting violations
D. The owner is responsible for the safe maintenance of the building, and the occupant is
responsible for correcting violations
2
, ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS
1. Answer: A
Explanation: Building occupants are defined as all persons in the shelter, including employees,
clients, staff and visitors.
2. Answer: B
Explanation: The purpose of an emergency preparedness plan is to ensure that there are
procedures in place to protect the safety of building occupants, including their evacuation,
relocation or sheltering in place in the event of a fire or non-fire emergency.
3. Answer: A
Explanation: A fire guard is a person holding a Certificate of Fitness who is trained in and
responsible for maintaining a fire watch.
4. Answer: A
Explanation: Impairment is defined as any condition in which a fire protection system, such as a
sprinkler system, standpipe system or fire alarm system, cannot perform its designed fire safety
function.
5. Answer: A
Explanation: The owner is responsible at all times for the safe maintenance of the building, and
if an occupant creates or allows hazardous conditions, the occupant is also responsible for the
abatement of those conditions
3
, Chapter 3 - Fires in Homeless Shelters.
Shelter Fires: Learning from the Past
This chapter explores past fires in homeless shelters and the crucial lessons learned to prevent
future tragedies.
Homelessness and Fire Safety Challenges
New York City faces a significant challenge in sheltering its homeless population. With more
people seeking shelter, fire safety concerns grow. Fire guards play a vital role in ensuring shelters
are maintained safely. This includes:
● Regularly checking for and reporting fire code violations.
● Knowing the emergency preparedness plan.
● Taking immediate action to correct fire safety issues.
Deadly Shelter Fires and Their Causes
Several disastrous shelter fires have highlighted the importance of fire safety measures. Here are
three examples:
Paris, Texas (2009): A shelter fire caused by improperly stored donated clothing tragically
killed five residents. The building lacked fire alarms, sprinklers, and smoke detectors. This fire
emphasizes the need for:
○ Regular fire department inspections
○ Proper storage of flammable materials
4
A. All persons in the shelter, including employees, clients, staff and visitors
B. All persons who own the building
C. All persons responsible for the maintenance of the building
D. All persons who work in the building
2. What is the purpose of an "Emergency Preparedness Plan"?
A. To ensure the proper maintenance of fire protection systems
B. To ensure the safe evacuation of building occupants during a fire emergency
C. To ensure the proper training of fire guards
D. To ensure the proper notification of fire alarms to the FDNY
3. What is the definition of "Fire Guard"?
A. A person responsible for maintaining a fire watch
B. A person responsible for monitoring the fire alarm system
C. A person responsible for conducting fire drills
D. A person responsible for operating the fire protection systems
4. What is the definition of "Impairment"?
A. The failure of a fire protection system to perform its designed fire safety function
B. The failure of a fire protection system to receive a signal from the fire alarm system
C. The failure of a fire protection system to activate the sprinkler system
D. The failure of a fire protection system to notify the FDNY
5. What is the definition of "Owner/Occupant Responsibility"?
A. The owner is responsible for the safe maintenance of the building, and the occupant is
responsible for creating hazardous conditions
B. The owner and occupant are jointly responsible for the safe maintenance of the building
C. The occupant is responsible for the safe maintenance of the building, and the owner is
responsible for correcting violations
D. The owner is responsible for the safe maintenance of the building, and the occupant is
responsible for correcting violations
2
, ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS
1. Answer: A
Explanation: Building occupants are defined as all persons in the shelter, including employees,
clients, staff and visitors.
2. Answer: B
Explanation: The purpose of an emergency preparedness plan is to ensure that there are
procedures in place to protect the safety of building occupants, including their evacuation,
relocation or sheltering in place in the event of a fire or non-fire emergency.
3. Answer: A
Explanation: A fire guard is a person holding a Certificate of Fitness who is trained in and
responsible for maintaining a fire watch.
4. Answer: A
Explanation: Impairment is defined as any condition in which a fire protection system, such as a
sprinkler system, standpipe system or fire alarm system, cannot perform its designed fire safety
function.
5. Answer: A
Explanation: The owner is responsible at all times for the safe maintenance of the building, and
if an occupant creates or allows hazardous conditions, the occupant is also responsible for the
abatement of those conditions
3
, Chapter 3 - Fires in Homeless Shelters.
Shelter Fires: Learning from the Past
This chapter explores past fires in homeless shelters and the crucial lessons learned to prevent
future tragedies.
Homelessness and Fire Safety Challenges
New York City faces a significant challenge in sheltering its homeless population. With more
people seeking shelter, fire safety concerns grow. Fire guards play a vital role in ensuring shelters
are maintained safely. This includes:
● Regularly checking for and reporting fire code violations.
● Knowing the emergency preparedness plan.
● Taking immediate action to correct fire safety issues.
Deadly Shelter Fires and Their Causes
Several disastrous shelter fires have highlighted the importance of fire safety measures. Here are
three examples:
Paris, Texas (2009): A shelter fire caused by improperly stored donated clothing tragically
killed five residents. The building lacked fire alarms, sprinklers, and smoke detectors. This fire
emphasizes the need for:
○ Regular fire department inspections
○ Proper storage of flammable materials
4
