What is the purpose of a pre-incident survey (or life safety survey)?

• A. To identify hazards, occupancies, egress constraints, and protective features to inform response planning.
• B. To measure the building's water pressure.
• C. To schedule routine maintenance.
• D. To evaluate employee performance.

Answer: (A)

Pre-incident surveys, or life safety surveys, are used to build a clear picture of how a building will behave in an emergency. The goal is to identify hazards, occupancies, egress constraints, and protective features so responders can plan evacuations, access points, and firefighting or rescue tactics before something happens. This information helps ensure safer, faster, and more effective response. Measures like water pressure, routine maintenance scheduling, or evaluating employee performance aren’t the focus of this survey, as they relate to other areas of building operations or human resources.