, Question 1
A high-rise office building's fire command center loses primary power. The
standby generator starts but the automatic transfer switch fails to transfer.
According to NFPA 72 and NFPA 101 requirements for a high-rise, which
condition is the most critical code violation?
A. The fire alarm system lost primary power but remained on battery
backup.
B. The emergency voice/alarm communication system and fire command
center lost standby power, impairing occupant notification and fire
department communications.
C. The generator started but the fuel supply is sized for only 4 hours
instead of 8 hours.
D. The transfer switch failure is acceptable because the fire alarm system
has 24 hours of battery capacity.
Correct Answer: B - The emergency voice/alarm communication
system and fire command center lost standby power, impairing
occupant notification and fire department communications.
RATIONALE
High-rise emergency systems, including the fire command center and
emergency voice/alarm communication, must have standby power
capable of automatic transfer. A transfer switch failure defeats the
required standby power and impairs both occupant notification and
firefighter communications. Battery backup alone does not satisfy
standby power requirements for these systems.
Question 2
During a plan review for a new 4-story hotel, the designer proposes a sprinkler
system with a 30-minute water supply duration. The building is Type V-A
construction and is fully sprinklered. Based on NFPA 13 and the NC Fire
Prevention Code, what is the correct water supply duration requirement?
Page 2
, A. 30 minutes is acceptable because the building is fully sprinklered and
Type V-A.
B. 60 minutes is required for all hotel occupancies regardless of
construction type.
C. 30 minutes is required only if the building is protected throughout by a
supervised sprinkler system.
D. 90 minutes is required because the building exceeds three stories.
Correct Answer: C - 30 minutes is required only if the building is
protected throughout by a supervised sprinkler system.
RATIONALE
For a fully sprinklered building with a supervised system, NFPA 13
permits a 30-minute water supply duration for light hazard
occupancies such as hotels, provided the system is properly
supervised. The 30-minute duration is not automatic; it depends on
supervision and occupancy classification. Higher durations apply to
unsprinklered or higher-hazard conditions.
Question 3
An inspector evaluates a 12,000 ft² assembly occupancy with a calculated
occupant load of 800. The means of egress consists of two 36-inch doors.
Which statement correctly applies the egress width requirements?
A. Two 36-inch doors provide 72 inches of egress width, which is
sufficient for 800 occupants.
B. The required egress width is 0.2 inches per occupant for level
components, so 800 occupants require 160 inches, making two 36-inch
doors insufficient.
C. The doors are sufficient because the occupant load is divided between
two exits.
D. Egress width is based on 0.15 inches per occupant, requiring 120
inches, so the doors are insufficient.
Correct Answer: B - The required egress width is 0.2 inches per
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, occupant for level components, so 800 occupants require 160
inches, making two 36-inch doors insufficient.
RATIONALE
NFPA 101 requires 0.2 inches of egress width per occupant for level
components and 0.15 inches for stairs. For 800 occupants, 160 inches
of clear width is required, but two 36-inch doors provide only 72
inches. Thus, the proposed egress width is insufficient.
Question 4
An inspector finds a commercial cooking operation with a Type I hood and a
wet chemical extinguishing system. The system was last serviced 18 months
ago. Which action is required by NFPA 96 and the NC Fire Prevention Code?
A. No action is required because the system is inspected annually.
B. The system must be serviced every 6 months, so the inspection is
overdue and a violation must be issued.
C. The system must be serviced every 12 months, so the inspection is
overdue and a violation must be issued.
D. The system must be serviced every 24 months, so the inspection is
current.
Correct Answer: B - The system must be serviced every 6 months,
so the inspection is overdue and a violation must be issued.
RATIONALE
NFPA 96 requires automatic fire-extinguishing systems for
commercial cooking to be inspected and serviced at least every 6
months. An 18-month interval exceeds this requirement and
constitutes a violation. Annual or biennial servicing is not compliant.
Page 4
A high-rise office building's fire command center loses primary power. The
standby generator starts but the automatic transfer switch fails to transfer.
According to NFPA 72 and NFPA 101 requirements for a high-rise, which
condition is the most critical code violation?
A. The fire alarm system lost primary power but remained on battery
backup.
B. The emergency voice/alarm communication system and fire command
center lost standby power, impairing occupant notification and fire
department communications.
C. The generator started but the fuel supply is sized for only 4 hours
instead of 8 hours.
D. The transfer switch failure is acceptable because the fire alarm system
has 24 hours of battery capacity.
Correct Answer: B - The emergency voice/alarm communication
system and fire command center lost standby power, impairing
occupant notification and fire department communications.
RATIONALE
High-rise emergency systems, including the fire command center and
emergency voice/alarm communication, must have standby power
capable of automatic transfer. A transfer switch failure defeats the
required standby power and impairs both occupant notification and
firefighter communications. Battery backup alone does not satisfy
standby power requirements for these systems.
Question 2
During a plan review for a new 4-story hotel, the designer proposes a sprinkler
system with a 30-minute water supply duration. The building is Type V-A
construction and is fully sprinklered. Based on NFPA 13 and the NC Fire
Prevention Code, what is the correct water supply duration requirement?
Page 2
, A. 30 minutes is acceptable because the building is fully sprinklered and
Type V-A.
B. 60 minutes is required for all hotel occupancies regardless of
construction type.
C. 30 minutes is required only if the building is protected throughout by a
supervised sprinkler system.
D. 90 minutes is required because the building exceeds three stories.
Correct Answer: C - 30 minutes is required only if the building is
protected throughout by a supervised sprinkler system.
RATIONALE
For a fully sprinklered building with a supervised system, NFPA 13
permits a 30-minute water supply duration for light hazard
occupancies such as hotels, provided the system is properly
supervised. The 30-minute duration is not automatic; it depends on
supervision and occupancy classification. Higher durations apply to
unsprinklered or higher-hazard conditions.
Question 3
An inspector evaluates a 12,000 ft² assembly occupancy with a calculated
occupant load of 800. The means of egress consists of two 36-inch doors.
Which statement correctly applies the egress width requirements?
A. Two 36-inch doors provide 72 inches of egress width, which is
sufficient for 800 occupants.
B. The required egress width is 0.2 inches per occupant for level
components, so 800 occupants require 160 inches, making two 36-inch
doors insufficient.
C. The doors are sufficient because the occupant load is divided between
two exits.
D. Egress width is based on 0.15 inches per occupant, requiring 120
inches, so the doors are insufficient.
Correct Answer: B - The required egress width is 0.2 inches per
Page 3
, occupant for level components, so 800 occupants require 160
inches, making two 36-inch doors insufficient.
RATIONALE
NFPA 101 requires 0.2 inches of egress width per occupant for level
components and 0.15 inches for stairs. For 800 occupants, 160 inches
of clear width is required, but two 36-inch doors provide only 72
inches. Thus, the proposed egress width is insufficient.
Question 4
An inspector finds a commercial cooking operation with a Type I hood and a
wet chemical extinguishing system. The system was last serviced 18 months
ago. Which action is required by NFPA 96 and the NC Fire Prevention Code?
A. No action is required because the system is inspected annually.
B. The system must be serviced every 6 months, so the inspection is
overdue and a violation must be issued.
C. The system must be serviced every 12 months, so the inspection is
overdue and a violation must be issued.
D. The system must be serviced every 24 months, so the inspection is
current.
Correct Answer: B - The system must be serviced every 6 months,
so the inspection is overdue and a violation must be issued.
RATIONALE
NFPA 96 requires automatic fire-extinguishing systems for
commercial cooking to be inspected and serviced at least every 6
months. An 18-month interval exceeds this requirement and
constitutes a violation. Annual or biennial servicing is not compliant.
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