Fire Alarm Response

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Questions and Answers

What code should units respond to upon dispatch to an automatic fire alarm?

Code 2

Code 1 (correct)

Code 4

Code 3

Under what circumstance may Company Officers choose to respond Code 3?

When a fire is suspected from the dispatch

Based on information from the Communications Center (correct)

If the alarm is a known false alarm

If responding units are nearby

What should happen if a monitoring company notifies the Communications Center that the fire alarm was false?

Verification of the alarm should be attempted

All responding units shall cancel (correct)

A Code 3 response should be initiated

All units should continue to the scene

When a business or homeowner indicates there is no emergency, what should the responding units do?

Continue Code 1 to verify the situation Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action taken upon arrival at the incident site?

Give an arrival report and check for hazards Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when the interior of the building is not visible from the exterior?

Gain access to the building Signup and view all the answers

When should forcible entry be utilized according to the guidelines?

When no key or key holder is available and fire is suspected Signup and view all the answers

What should be checked on the alarm annunciator panel upon arrival?

Activation of pull stations or smoke detectors Signup and view all the answers

What action should personnel take first upon arrival at a water flow alarm with no indications of fire from Side Alpha?

Locate the outside risers Signup and view all the answers

How should personnel respond to alerts of automatic fire alarms that are reported as water flow alarms?

Respond Code 3 and perform a 360-degree size up Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a building with a fire alarm system does not have a Knox Box?

Notify the appropriate area inspector Signup and view all the answers

What should be verified to confirm actual water flow in response to a water flow alarm?

Check pressure gauges and water gong alarm Signup and view all the answers

If no building representative is present at the scene of an alarm, what should personnel do?

Advise the Communications Center that the alarm has been silenced Signup and view all the answers

In the case where the proper keys are not available in the Knox Box, what should the Company Officer do?

Determine if a keyholder can respond in a timely manner Signup and view all the answers

During a response to a water flow alarm, what is the primary reason for performing a size-up?

To evaluate potential fire hazards and building conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action if a water flow is confirmed during an alarm response?

Complete interior inspection and evaluate the cause of the alarm Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Purpose and Authority

Establishes procedures for response to fire alarms.
Authority vested in the Fire Rescue Administrator.

Scope

Applies to all Emergency Operations personnel.

Response Protocol

Units respond to automatic fire alarms Code 1.
Company Officers may use discretion to respond Code 3 if updated information is available.
If notified of a false alarm by a monitoring company, responding units shall cancel.
If informed by a business/homeowner that there is no emergency, units proceed Code 1 to verify.

Arrival Procedures

Arrival reports follow SOG 210-01 Communications.
Conduct checks for fire, smoke, or water flow upon arrival.
Access should be gained if the building's interior is not visible from the exterior.
Forcible entry is permitted when no access is available and potential fire indications exist.
Locate the alarm annunciator panel and check for activated pull stations or smoke detectors.
After a thorough search, a fire alarm may be silenced; do not reset the fire alarm system.

Water Flow Alarms

Units dispatched for water flow alarms respond Code 3.
Confirm fire status from Side Alpha; if clear, perform a 360-degree size up and locate outside risers.
Check for actual water flow using pressure gauges or alarms.
If water flow is confirmed, access the building to evaluate the cause of the alarm.

Gaining Access

Buildings with fire alarm systems must maintain access keys in a Knox Box.
Report any missing or malfunctioning Knox Boxes to Bureau of Safety Services inspectors.
If proper keys are not available, determine if a key holder can respond or if forcible entry is necessary.

Notification Procedures

If a building representative is present, inform them of the situation and hand over responsibilities.
If no representative is present, inform the Communications Center that the alarm has been silenced.

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Description

This quiz covers the essential procedures and authority guidelines for responding to fire alarms as established for Emergency Operations personnel. It highlights the appropriate response protocols, arrival procedures, and the discretion allowed to Company Officers based on situational updates.