The NCIDQ IDPX exam tests the designer’s knowledge of fire safety and life safety measures that enhance occupant safety during a fire. Increasing the available time for occupants to exit a space (often referred to as increasing the "egress time" or "available safe egress time") involves measures that slow the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants more time to evacuate.
Option A (Change the ceiling type):Changing the ceiling type (e.g., from acoustic tiles to gypsum board) may have a minor impact on fire spread depending on the material, but it is not a significant or reliable method to increase egress time. Ceiling types are more about acoustics or aesthetics than fire suppression.
Option B (Install a sprinkler system):This is the correct choice. Installing a sprinkler system significantly increases the available time for occupants to exit by actively suppressing the fire. Sprinklers control or extinguish fires, reducing heat, smoke, and flame spread, which allows more time for safe evacuation. According to the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), sprinklers are a key life safety measure that can extend egress time.
Option C (Increase the number of exits):Increasing the number of exits can reduce congestion during evacuation, potentially speeding up the egress process, but it does not increase the available time for occupants to exit. It addresses how quickly occupants can leave, not how long they have before conditions become untenable.
Option D (Specify finishes with higher flame-spread rating):A higher flame-spread rating means the finishes are more flammable, which would accelerate fire spread and decrease the available time for egress. This option would have the opposite effect and is incorrect.
Verified Answer from Official Source:
The correct answer is verified from NCIDQ’s official study materials on fire safety and life safety systems, referencing standards like the IBC and NFPA 101.
“Installing a sprinkler system increases the available time for occupants to exit a space during a fire by suppressing fire growth and reducing smoke and heat, enhancing life safety.” (NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide, Building Systems Section)
The NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide highlights that sprinkler systems are a primary method to increase egress time by controlling fires, thereby extending the window for safe evacuation. This aligns with Option B, making it the correct answer.
Objectives:
Understand fire safety measures that enhance occupant egress (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Building Systems).
Apply life safety principles to improve evacuation safety (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Codes and Standards).
[References:, NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide, Building Systems Section., International Building Code (IBC), 2018 Edition, Section 903 (Automatic Sprinkler Systems)., NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2018 Edition, Section 9.7 (Automatic Sprinklers)., National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), IDPX Exam Blueprint, Section on Building Systems., ]
