Skyscraper Security Systems Guide

Skyscraper Security Mgt.
Part VII- Building Systems & Designs
By, Richard Garrity

This presentation is proprietary
information and can’t be copied or
reproduced in any fashion without
consent from the publisher owner,
Richard Garrity

Building Systems
Building Designs

John Hancock Building, Boston
Massachusetts (Back Bay)

5
Technicians working near the top ofTechnicians working near the top of
the Empire State Building antenna~the Empire State Building antenna~

The Center for Life Sciences,The Center for Life Sciences, BostonBoston
Sgt. Dennis Reardon- left foregroundSgt. Dennis Reardon- left foreground

7
Your most valuable asset resource:Your most valuable asset resource:
“The Security Officer”“The Security Officer”

8
Supplement:Supplement: Dig Safe (811)Dig Safe (811)
Guidelines & RulesGuidelines & Rules

9
Supplement:Supplement: Mechanical &Mechanical &
Building Systems AwarenessBuilding Systems Awareness

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Special Supplement:Special Supplement:
HVAC Glossary termsHVAC Glossary terms

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Why do I need to know aboutWhy do I need to know about
mechanical equipment?mechanical equipment? I amI am
not a building engineer….not a building engineer….

High Rise Access ControlHigh Rise Access Control
Supplement: Mechanical & BuildingSupplement: Mechanical & Building
SystemsSystems AwarenessAwareness
Building security personnel who
conduct high rise access control
procedures also execute many
other related duties while in the
performance of their daily
activity. As we have touched on
previously in this presentation,
one of the most dangerous &
costly incidents that can happen
in a high rise building, is
mechanical failures within the
interior facility.

High Rise Access ControlHigh Rise Access Control
Supplement: Mechanical & BuildingSupplement: Mechanical & Building
SystemsSystems AwarenessAwareness
When a mechanical failure has
occurred, weather it be a broken
water pipe, a short circuit, a
malfunctioning air handler, or a
chiller valve that is exceeding
it’s pressure limits, it is the
amount of “time” that has
elapsed since the initial failure
that makes all the difference in
terms of the extent of damage
and potential injury to other
individuals in the vicinity.

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HVAC:HVAC: Cooling TowersCooling Towers

What is a cooling tower?What is a cooling tower?
Cooling towersCooling towers are heatare heat
removal devices used toremoval devices used to
transfer process waste heat totransfer process waste heat to
the atmosphere. Cooling towersthe atmosphere. Cooling towers
may either use the evaporationmay either use the evaporation
of water to remove process heatof water to remove process heat
and cool the working fluid toand cool the working fluid to
near the wet-bulb airnear the wet-bulb air
temperature or, in the case oftemperature or, in the case of
closed circuit dry coolingclosed circuit dry cooling
towerstowers, rely solely on air to cool, rely solely on air to cool
the working fluid to near thethe working fluid to near the
dry-bulb air temperature.dry-bulb air temperature.

What is a cooling tower?What is a cooling tower?
Cooling towers are generally
found on the roof of your
building. They are especially
vital in terms of air
conditioning for the
building. During your tours
and inspections of the
building, it is imperative that
scheduled water level
checks of cooling towers
are made.

17
The standard buildingThe standard building “air handler”“air handler”
that distributes fresh air throughoutthat distributes fresh air throughout
the facilitythe facility

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Building Air Handlers:Building Air Handlers:
HowHow “Air”“Air” is movedis moved

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Emergency shut-off valves:Emergency shut-off valves:

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Knowledge & locations ofKnowledge & locations of hot waterhot water
supply valves &supply valves & chilled waterchilled water valvesvalves
are enormously helpful in the eventare enormously helpful in the event
of anof an emergencyemergency shutoff scenario. Itshutoff scenario. It
is highly unlikely that you wouldis highly unlikely that you would
have to do this but if your buildinghave to do this but if your building
engineer is not on-duty, yourengineer is not on-duty, your
knowledge would be helpful.knowledge would be helpful.
Emergency shut-off valves:Emergency shut-off valves:

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Pressure gauges:Pressure gauges: During your buildingDuring your building
rounds their maybe certain gauges torounds their maybe certain gauges to
check and record temperature variances.check and record temperature variances.

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Refrigerant Monitors:Refrigerant Monitors:

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Cooling TowerCooling Tower
Pressure Monitor:Pressure Monitor:

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Know the location of yourKnow the location of your
buildingbuilding emergency generatoremergency generator

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An emergency power system is
a standby generator which may
include lighting, electric
generators, fuel cells,
uninterruptible power supplys and
other apparatus, to provide backup
power resources in a crisis or
when regular systems fail.
Emergency Power Generator:Emergency Power Generator:

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Emergency Lights & Exits:Emergency Lights & Exits:

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Emergency lighting is not a
type of light fixture; it is a
pattern of the building's normal
lights that provides a path of
lights to allow for safe exit, or
lights up service areas such as
mechanical rooms and electric
rooms.

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Exit signs, Fire alarm
systems (that are not on
back up batteries) and the
electric motor pumps for the
fire sprinklers are almost
always on emergency
power.

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A backup power fuel cell for
telecom & internet applications

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Explosion Suppression Systems:Explosion Suppression Systems:

31

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When it comes to preventing the
tragic consequences of an
explosion, time is the most
important factor. Explosion
Suppression systems are designed
to detect and chemically suppress
an explosion in its earliest stages.
Explosion pressures reach
dangerous levels in less than 50
milliseconds

33
If the building you work in createsIf the building you work in creates
or handles dust during any phase ofor handles dust during any phase of
your program, you most likely are atyour program, you most likely are at
risk for an explosion, and may notrisk for an explosion, and may not
even know it. Since 1980 there haveeven know it. Since 1980 there have
been overbeen over 350 REPORTED350 REPORTED
combustible dust explosions whichcombustible dust explosions which
have killedhave killed 133133 people and injuredpeople and injured
hundreds more.hundreds more.

34
Contrary to many people's opinionsContrary to many people's opinions
and beliefs, dust explosions areand beliefs, dust explosions are
preventable and avoidable. The U.S.preventable and avoidable. The U.S.
Chemical Safety Board, which is anChemical Safety Board, which is an
independent federal agency whichindependent federal agency which
investigates chemical accidents,investigates chemical accidents,
has produced a video detailing ahas produced a video detailing a
massive sugar dust explosion.massive sugar dust explosion.

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This explosion occurred in February 2008 atThis explosion occurred in February 2008 at
the Imperial Sugar refinery northwest ofthe Imperial Sugar refinery northwest of
Savannah, Georgia, causingSavannah, Georgia, causing 14 deaths14 deaths andand
injuring 38 others. The explosion was fueledinjuring 38 others. The explosion was fueled
by massiveby massive accumulationsaccumulations of combustibleof combustible
sugar dust throughout the packagingsugar dust throughout the packaging
building. Although it would be rare to comebuilding. Although it would be rare to come
across dangerous & explosive dust clouds oracross dangerous & explosive dust clouds or
contained dust accumulations in a high risecontained dust accumulations in a high rise
office tower or similar structure,office tower or similar structure,

36
it is possible depending on theit is possible depending on the
mechanical systems and scope ofmechanical systems and scope of
the building’s machinerythe building’s machinery
operations. Therefore, it is vitaloperations. Therefore, it is vital
that you are educated and mostthat you are educated and most
importantly,importantly, awareaware of suchof such
conditions as well as theconditions as well as the
Explosion Suppression SystemsExplosion Suppression Systems
that maybe activated due tothat maybe activated due to
unsafe dust accumulations.unsafe dust accumulations.

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Dust Buster?Dust Buster? An industrial shredderAn industrial shredder
machine in Holliston, Massachusettsmachine in Holliston, Massachusetts

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Explosion Suppression System:Explosion Suppression System:

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As we stated earlier, Explosion SuppressionAs we stated earlier, Explosion Suppression
systems are designed to detect andsystems are designed to detect and
chemically suppress an explosion in itschemically suppress an explosion in its
earliest stages to prevent the development ofearliest stages to prevent the development of
destructive pressures or catastrophicdestructive pressures or catastrophic
explosions, whereas Explosion Isolationexplosions, whereas Explosion Isolation
systems detect and mechanically orsystems detect and mechanically or
chemically block the flame pathways,chemically block the flame pathways,
preventing the spread of an explosion frompreventing the spread of an explosion from
one part of the process to another. It is yourone part of the process to another. It is your
responsibility to beresponsibility to be acquaintedacquainted of suchof such
systems if they are present and operational.systems if they are present and operational.

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As for Imperial Sugar, in a settlementAs for Imperial Sugar, in a settlement
with OSHA regulators, the companywith OSHA regulators, the company
agreed to payagreed to pay $4 million$4 million for safetyfor safety
violations at Port Wentworth. The finesviolations at Port Wentworth. The fines
were part of a $6 million settlement thatwere part of a $6 million settlement that
also included $2 million for violations atalso included $2 million for violations at
the company refinery in Gramercy, La.the company refinery in Gramercy, La.
In separate actions, the state has finedIn separate actions, the state has fined
the company $86,000 for air and waterthe company $86,000 for air and water
quality violations at Port Wentworth.quality violations at Port Wentworth.

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And OSHA fined it $12,000 in 2010And OSHA fined it $12,000 in 2010
for additional violations atfor additional violations at
Gramercy. UnderGramercy. Under federal law,federal law,
employers whose willful violation ofemployers whose willful violation of
an OSHA rule causes the death of aan OSHA rule causes the death of a
worker face up to six months inworker face up to six months in
prison. Individuals can be fined upprison. Individuals can be fined up
to $250,000 and organizations up toto $250,000 and organizations up to
$500,000.$500,000.

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ImperialImperial “cut corners”“cut corners” on safetyon safety “to“to
save money,”save money,” U.S. DeputyU.S. Deputy
Assistant Secretary of LaborAssistant Secretary of Labor
Jordan Barab said in 2010. DespiteJordan Barab said in 2010. Despite
repeated warnings, documentsrepeated warnings, documents
showed, Imperial did little to abateshowed, Imperial did little to abate
the chronic clouds of sugar dustthe chronic clouds of sugar dust
that can — and eventually did —that can — and eventually did —
explode like dynamite.explode like dynamite.

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Imperial Sugar Plant, GeorgiaImperial Sugar Plant, Georgia

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Imperial Sugar- Enhanced PixImperial Sugar- Enhanced Pix

45
Dangerous chemicals inDangerous chemicals in
your building?your building? Be ALERTBe ALERT

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Dangerous Gases inDangerous Gases in
your building?your building? Be ALERTBe ALERT

SIGNSSIGNS are meant to beare meant to be READREAD

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Building Designs:Building Designs:

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How does it not fall down?How does it not fall down?

Colonel William Starrett:Colonel William Starrett:

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Building Designs:Building Designs:
Colonel William A. Starrett, one of
the builders of the Empire State
Building in New York City, once
famously stated and compared
constructing high rise towers to a
military operation: “Building
skyscrapers is the nearest peace-
time equivalent of war” * 1928

Primary structural support
beam, Center for Life Science-
Boston

53
The design and construction of
skyscrapers involves creating safe,
habitable spaces in very tall buildings.
The buildings must support their
weight, resist wind and earthquakes,
and protect occupants from fire. Yet
they must also be conveniently
accessible, even on the upper floors,
and provide utilities and a comfortable
climate for the occupants.
Building DesignsBuilding Designs::
Tube Structure vs. Curtain WallTube Structure vs. Curtain Wall

54
The problems posed in
skyscraper design are
considered among the most
complex encountered given
the balances required between
economics, engineering, and
construction management.
Tube Structure vs. Curtain WallTube Structure vs. Curtain Wall

55
The 2 most common methods toThe 2 most common methods to
building a skyscraper in the Unitedbuilding a skyscraper in the United
States are the steel framed (curtainStates are the steel framed (curtain
wall construction) buildings like thewall construction) buildings like the
Empire State building and theEmpire State building and the
Chrysler tower in NYC and theChrysler tower in NYC and the
relatively new design known as therelatively new design known as the
tube structuretube structure design introduced indesign introduced in
1963 by Fazlur Khan.1963 by Fazlur Khan.
The steel frame designThe steel frame design

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The Twin Towers in New York,The Twin Towers in New York,
the Sears Tower in Chicago, andthe Sears Tower in Chicago, and
the Petronas Towers in Indonesiathe Petronas Towers in Indonesia
areare tube structuretube structure in design.in design.
Both designs (curtain wall vs.Both designs (curtain wall vs.
tube structure) are vastlytube structure) are vastly
different from an engineering &different from an engineering &
architectural standpoint.architectural standpoint.

Iron worker manuallyIron worker manually boltingbolting exteriorexterior
columns on the Empire State Buildingcolumns on the Empire State Building

Skyscraper random fact:Skyscraper random fact:
17 workers were17 workers were killedkilled building the Twin Towers. 11 ofbuilding the Twin Towers. 11 of
those workers fell down elevator shaftsthose workers fell down elevator shafts~~

John Hancock Tower- Boston:John Hancock Tower- Boston: The building's upper-floorThe building's upper-floor
occupants suffered from motionoccupants suffered from motion sicknesssickness when the buildingwhen the building
swayedswayed in the wind. To counter this, two 300 ton weightsin the wind. To counter this, two 300 ton weights
were put on either end of the 58were put on either end of the 58thth
floor!floor!

The Lorraine Kowalski MysteryThe Lorraine Kowalski Mystery

61
In the late 1960’s after the JohnIn the late 1960’s after the John
Hancock’s completion, a 29-year-oldHancock’s completion, a 29-year-old
Chicago woman named LorraineChicago woman named Lorraine
Kowalski fell to her death from herKowalski fell to her death from her
boyfriend’s 90th-floor Hancock Centerboyfriend’s 90th-floor Hancock Center
apartment. To this day, detectives areapartment. To this day, detectives are
dumbfounded by the event; thedumbfounded by the event; the
building’s windows are capable ofbuilding’s windows are capable of
withstanding more thanwithstanding more than 200 pounds200 pounds ofof
pressure per square foot and winds ofpressure per square foot and winds of
more thanmore than 150 miles per hour!150 miles per hour!
John Hancock Tower-John Hancock Tower- ChicagoChicago::

62
Point of interest:Point of interest:
The General Electric Plant built a newThe General Electric Plant built a new
facility in Pittsfield, Massachusetts infacility in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in
1940. The builders, Karl Koch Erecting1940. The builders, Karl Koch Erecting
Company (builders of the World TradeCompany (builders of the World Trade
Center- 1973) built that GE facilityCenter- 1973) built that GE facility
devoid of any bolting of steel beams ordevoid of any bolting of steel beams or
columns. It was the first building in thecolumns. It was the first building in the
nation to be completelynation to be completely welded,welded, like thelike the
World Trade Center.World Trade Center.

63
TheThe classic concept of a skyscraper is a
large steel box with many small boxes
inside it. The genius of the steel frame is
its simplicity. By eliminating the
inefficient part of a shear wall, the central
portion, and consolidating support
members in a much stronger material,
steel, a skyscraper could be built with
both horizontal and vertical supports
throughout. This method, though simple,
has drawbacks

64
All this may sound complicated, soAll this may sound complicated, so
we will simplify the designwe will simplify the design
differences. The Empire Statedifferences. The Empire State
building, for instance, is dense withbuilding, for instance, is dense with
steel and framing. It is one huge steelsteel and framing. It is one huge steel
skeletal frame. Such older buildingsskeletal frame. Such older buildings
were said to be ofwere said to be of “curtain wall”“curtain wall”
construction because their exteriorconstruction because their exterior
walls didn’t do much more thanwalls didn’t do much more than keepkeep
rain out and people in..rain out and people in..

65
Picture a huge steel framed buildingPicture a huge steel framed building
and throwing a “curtain” over it fromand throwing a “curtain” over it from
the top all the way to the bottom. Thethe top all the way to the bottom. The
exterior is the finishing touch andexterior is the finishing touch and
offers no structural supportoffers no structural support
whatsoever. By the 1960’s,whatsoever. By the 1960’s,
skyscraper design had evolved intoskyscraper design had evolved into
what became known aswhat became known as “tube“tube
structure”structure” in which the load wasin which the load was
shared by heavy steel exteriorshared by heavy steel exterior
columns and a central core.columns and a central core.

66
These newer buildings were lessThese newer buildings were less
expensive to put up because theyexpensive to put up because they
required less of everything:required less of everything:
Modern structural steel wasModern structural steel was
stronger, so a building could dostronger, so a building could do
with less of it. Less steel meantwith less of it. Less steel meant
less riveting, bolting, and on-siteless riveting, bolting, and on-site
welding. Because the tubewelding. Because the tube
construction shifted more of theconstruction shifted more of the
load to the exterior walls……load to the exterior walls……

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……making them something moremaking them something more
than skin, it reduced the need forthan skin, it reduced the need for
interior support columns, freeing upinterior support columns, freeing up
more useable space for tenants.more useable space for tenants.
Basically, in the Twin Towers ofBasically, in the Twin Towers of
New York (110 stories- 1,368 feetNew York (110 stories- 1,368 feet
tall) if some buildings had a curtaintall) if some buildings had a curtain
wall, the Trade Center would havewall, the Trade Center would have
an “iron curtain”.an “iron curtain”.
Tube structure designTube structure design

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The Twin Towers did not collapseThe Twin Towers did not collapse
because of poor design, or what wasbecause of poor design, or what was
called inferior & weak floorcalled inferior & weak floor trussestrusses..
Although lighter than standard steelAlthough lighter than standard steel
columns, it was the very design of thecolumns, it was the very design of the
World Trade Center, this super structureWorld Trade Center, this super structure
of steel, welding, and Alcoa aluminumof steel, welding, and Alcoa aluminum
exterior columns thatexterior columns that preventedprevented thethe
Towers from collapsing during the initialTowers from collapsing during the initial
impact of a fuel laden 767 jumbo jet.impact of a fuel laden 767 jumbo jet.
Vierendeel steel trussesVierendeel steel trusses

69
The primary reason that the TwinThe primary reason that the Twin
Towers collapsed, was simplyTowers collapsed, was simply
thousands of gallons of high grade jetthousands of gallons of high grade jet
fuel burning at temperatures well overfuel burning at temperatures well over
1000 degrees1000 degrees for anfor an unsustainableunsustainable
amount of time. The shear explosion ofamount of time. The shear explosion of
the jetliners actually blew off most of thethe jetliners actually blew off most of the
fire retardant that was sprayed on thefire retardant that was sprayed on the
beams and floor trusses. This allowedbeams and floor trusses. This allowed
the trusses to deform & buckle.the trusses to deform & buckle.
Vierendeel steel trussesVierendeel steel trusses

70
Skyscraper Foundation Layout:Skyscraper Foundation Layout:

Steel floorSteel floor “trusses”“trusses” define a tubedefine a tube
structure building. From wall to core.structure building. From wall to core.

72
United AirlinesUnited Airlines Flight 175Flight 175 slamsslams
into the South Towerinto the South Tower

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Impact Zone- The North TowerImpact Zone- The North Tower

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Massive radio antenna- NorthMassive radio antenna- North

75
What is a skyscraperWhat is a skyscraper sky lobby?sky lobby?

76
A sky lobby is an intermediate
interchange floor where people can
change from an express elevator
that stops only at the sky lobby to a
local elevator which stops at every
floor within a segment of the
building. When designing very tall
(super tall) buildings, supplying
enough elevators is a problem,
space wise.
Building Sky Lobbies….Building Sky Lobbies….

77
Office workers & visitors wanting to
reach a specific higher floor may
conceivably have to stop at a very large
number of other floors on the way up to
let other passengers off and on. This
increases travel time, and indirectly
requires many more elevator shafts to
still allow acceptable travel times – thus
reducing effective floor space on each
floor for all levels.
Building Sky Lobbies….Building Sky Lobbies….

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The 23rd floor Sky Lobby at the
Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

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Sky Lobby- Building Unknown

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The Twin Towers- Sky Lobby Layout

82
A slurry wall is a technique used
to build reinforced concrete
walls in areas of soft earth close
to open water or with a high
ground water table. A trench is
excavated to create a form for
each wall, then filled with slurry;
it is kept full of slurry at all
Slurry Walls……Slurry Walls……

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The slurry prevents the trench from
collapsing by providing outward
pressure which balances the inward
hydraulic forces and prevents water
flow into the trench. Reinforcement
is then lowered in and the trench is
filled with an iron rebar cage &
concrete, which displaces the
slurry.
Slurry Walls……Slurry Walls……

84
Keeping lots of water…Out!

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A big hole, lots of steel, and
cement. A slurry wall

86
Slurry wall- Twin Towers, 1968

87
Slurry wall, Brigham & Woman’s
Hospital, Boston, MA- 2005

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Slurry wall- WTC Memorial, NYC

89
Slurry wall cold cracks:
A serious problem

90
Slurry wall cold cracks, or simply,
pesky leaks occur almost as soon
as the high rise tower is completed.
They can be a serious problem,
especially within the subterranean
structure that can be as many as 5-
10 floors deep. How could a brand
new, very expensive cement
foundation leak?

91
Slurry wall cold cracks can be a few
wall leaks, they can be many.
Remember, slurry walls can be very
deep and hold back large amounts
water from local high density water
tables, a nearby underground river,
even the ocean, like Manhattan.
Cold crack leaks have to be
detected soon!

92
Slurry wall cold cracks happen for
different reasons. One of the main
reason cold cracks develop is
during the cement pouring process.
Quite simply, when pouring the
concrete to fill the massive trench
that eventually will become your
“bath tub”- the so called “cellar” of
your building,

93
there will be pauses or an amount
of time in between pouring the
cement that creates cold cracks. Let
me explain. You have, say, 3-4
cement trucks on the street level
pouring the cement almost
consecutively. As the last cement
truck finishes pouring it’s load in
the trench, there is downtime.

94
This down time is simply waiting for
another round of cement trucks to
come back with more cement.
During this wait, the cement begins
harden. It doesn't take that long.
When the fresh cement is finally
poured on top of the cement that is
hardening, this is going to cause
cold cracks…nasty leaks!!

95
When cold crack leaks start to
become a serious water issue in
your new parking level floors, an
epoxy type super fast drying “grout”
is pumped into the leaking area to
hopefully completely seal the wall
from further leaks or crack
expansion. The excess grout that
oozes back out of the wall can be
unsightly and very messy!

Pumping the Epoxy Grout:Pumping the Epoxy Grout:

Boston Big Dig- Serious
slurry wall tunnel leaks- 2004

98
DIG SAFE-DIG SAFE- Guidelines & Info:Guidelines & Info:

99
Dig Safe Safety Rules:Dig Safe Safety Rules:
 Utility location (Dig Safe) is the process
of identifying and labeling public utility
mains that are underground. These
mains may include lines for
telecommunication, electricity
distribution, natural gas, cable
television, fiber optics, traffic lights,
street lights, storm drains, water mains,
and wastewater pipes. In some
locations, major oil and gas pipelines,
national defense communication lines,
mass transit, rail and road tunnels also
compete for space underground

100
Because of the many different types of
materials that go into manufacturing each
of the different types of underground lines,
different detection and location methods
must be used. For metal pipes & cables,
this is often done with electromagnetic
equipment consisting of a transmitter and
receiver. For other types of pipe, such as
plastic or concrete, radiolocation or
modern ground-penetrating radar must be
used.

101
Location by these technical means
is necessary because maps often
lack the pinpoint precision needed
to ensure proper clearance. In older
cities, like Boston & New York, it is
especially a problem since maps
may be very inaccurate and
deteriorated, or may be missing
entirely.

102
Why do I need to know this:Why do I need to know this:
State law requires you to notify Dig Safe
before you dig in any area that most likely has
underground lines of any sort. This area
includes Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine. Why do
you need to know this? Because if the
property your assigned to has construction
activity and they are digging up any part of the
premises, then it is vital that you are fully
aware of the guidelines and color codes
involved with the various underground lines.

103
Why do I need to know this:Why do I need to know this:
This is to insure that those contractors are in
compliance with notifying Dig Safe and more
importantly, that the proper utility service has
marked the area in question as SAFE in terms
of orange spray paint markings and or color
coded flags. If during your patrol or inspection
of the facility your assigned to has any kind of
digging or ground upheaval, or there is
planned digging, then insure that Dig Safe and
the Utility in question has been notified. Dial
811, it is the law!

104
DIG SAFE:DIG SAFE: Guidelines & Info:Guidelines & Info:

105

106

107

108

109
Failure to callFailure to call Dig SafeDig Safe (811)(811)
can result in this:can result in this:

110
DIG SAFE-DIG SAFE- Guidelines &Guidelines &
Info:Info:

111
HVAC Glossary Guide:HVAC Glossary Guide:

112
Selected Low Rise and HighSelected Low Rise and High
Rise Building DefinitionsRise Building Definitions
What are access stairs?
A stairway, usually OPEN,
serving a number of floors of
a common tenant. (These
stairwells should always be
kept free of storage/ debris)

113
What are air diffusers?
The air supply Outlets of the
heating, ventilation and air
conditioning system into the
conditioned space, (HVAC)
as commonly referred to

114
What are attack stairways?
A FIRE stair used by the Fire
Department to gain access to
the Fire area, where the door
between the stairway and the
Fire are Open

115
What is an audible
alarm?
A Fire safety and or
alert mechanism meant
to be heard &
acknowledged.

116
What is a curtain wall?
A non-load bearing wall,
built between piers or
columns for the enclosure
of the structure, but not
supported at each story.

117
What is a damper?
A device to seal off or
control air flow in a
heating-ventilation/ air
conditioning system
(HVAC)

118
What is a duct
detector?
A fire life safety device
to detect smoke in the
ventilation system

119
What is a elevator
control panel?
A display unit to indicate the
status and location of all
elevator cars and controls for
operation of the cars.

120
What are fire control
doors?
A Fire Door is rated to contain a
fire for a certain amount of time.
Fire doors are either closed at
all times or feature controls
which close those doors in the

121
What is a fire partition?
A rated vertical unit or
assembly of material that
separates one space from
another within any story of
a low rise or high rise
building.

122
What are fire wardens?
Notifies floor members of
a Fire and will assist in any
organized floor/ building
evacuation as required.

123
What is a Fire Tower?
An enclosed stairway
connected at each story by
an outside balcony or
Fireproof vestibule vented to
the outside. (Example- a metal
or wooden exterior fire escape).

124
What is a Fusible Link?
A device designed to be
actuated by an abnormal rise
in temperature, as in a heat
detector or sprinkler. (Example
of a fusible link- standard
thermostats and or smoke
detectors).

125
What is a Hardwire
communication?
A system of
communications in which
wiring physically connects
the control center and other
related areas.

126
What is a Heat Detector?
A Detector which senses a
rise in temperature indicative
of a Fire, and activates the
Fire system. Heat detectors
must not be blocked by
material which impair their

127
What is a Hot Work?
Work which could cause a
spark, such as cutting and
welding. Hot Work inside an
existing facility requires a Hot
Work Permit which outlines Fire
Safety measures for the
duration of the Hot work. (OSHA

128
What is an Isolation Valve?
This mechanism controls
water to a specific section of
the fire standpipe.

129
What is a fire standpipe?
This is like a tree. It is the main
delivery source for sprinkler water
on all above floors. The water
coming in from the street is around
65-70 pounds per square inch of
pressure. The fire standpipe is 150-
175+ psi of pressure needed to be
distributed “UP”

130
What is a jockey pump?
The jockey pump regulates
water pressure for the fire
standpipes

131
What are MSDS sheets?
Sheets which notes the details
of all hazardous type chemicals
stored in the facility including
how to handle, store, and clean
the materials, as well as detailed
safety precautions.
(Material Safety Data Sheets)

132
What are Scissor Stairs?
Two stairs constructed side by
side in the core of a building in
which their doors alternate the
point of exit to opposite sides of
the core.

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