Federal Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

What is the purpose of smoke compartments in healthcare settings?

1. To enhance privacy

2. To reduce noise

3. To contain smoke

4. To provide decoration

The correct answer is: To contain smoke

Smoke compartments are designed specifically to contain smoke during a fire incident within healthcare facilities. The rationale behind this design is to protect the safety of residents, patients, and staff by preventing smoke from spreading rapidly throughout the building. This containment allows individuals to evacuate safely and gives emergency responders more time to address the situation without being overwhelmed by smoke. Effective smoke compartments use fire-rated walls, doors, and other architectural features to limit smoke movement, thus enhancing the overall evacuation strategy and improving the chances of survival during a fire. This design is crucial in healthcare settings where vulnerable populations may have limited ability to evacuate quickly. While enhancing privacy, reducing noise, and providing decoration might be necessary considerations in various facility designs, these factors do not relate to the critical function of smoke compartments, which is centered on safety during fire emergencies.