The organization that establishes standardized testing for fire alarm designers and installers is the

NFPA
NFPA 72® contains requirements for
residential and commercial installation of fire alarm systems and equipment
NFPA 101® contains
requirements for life safety
Which NFPA standard deals with air conditioning and ventilating systems?
NFPA 90A
The simplest type of fire alarm system is the
conventional hardwired system
Most analog addressable systems operate on a
two-conductor circuit
Which of the following is one of the main components of a fire alarm system?
control panel
Which of the following pull stations require the user to lift a cover or open a door before operating the pull station?
Double-action
A fire alarm's secondary power can come from a battery or a(n)
generator
The standby time for operation of an alarm system on secondary power in a household system must be no less than
24 hours
The UL requires that system controls affecting fire alarm operation be protected by a(n)
a lock
According to the NFPA, under what conditions is it acceptable to reset a fire alarm remotely when it is alarming?
voice evacuation system
Alarm verification is commonly used in
hospitals
When two or more strobes are visible from a location, they must be
synchronized
A system that can be used to give instructions to building occupants in the event of an emergency is called a(n)
voice evacuation system
All residential alarm-sounding devices must have a minimum rating of
85dBA at 10'
According to code, a general evacuation signal should be
Temporal-Three
A digital device that sends fire alarm information over the public switched telephone network is called a
DACT
Cables in a fire alarm system must be supported by
the building structure
Anyoutdoor wiring for fire alarm circuits extending beyond one building is governed by
the NEC
The force required to operate a manual pull station must be no more than
5 foot-pounds (6.8 newton-meters)
Smoke detectors can malfunction if placed in temperatures above
120°F (49°C)
Which elevator recall method provides the highest probability of a safe evacuation?
Phase 1
When a fire alarm activates, stair enclosure doors must
unlock
If you cover a sensor during a troubleshooting procedure and it still malfunctions, the problem could be caused by
electromagnetic interference

Standards and Codes

>>>> The organization that establishes standardized testing for fire alarm designers and installers is the
A: NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies)
>>>> What does NICET stand for?
A: National Institute for Standardized Testing of Designers and Installers.
>>>> NFPA 72 contains requirements for
A: Residential and commercial installation of fire alarm systems and equipment.
>>>> The NFPA 72 covers what?
A: The recommended requirements for installation of fire alarm systems and equipment in residential and commercial
facilities.
>>>> NFPA 101 contains
A: Requirements for life safety.
>>>> The NFPA 101 is also
A: Life Safety Code.
>>>> Which NFPA standard deals with air conditioning and ventilating systems?
A: NFPA 90A
>>>> What does the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) establish standards for?
A: Equipment
>>>> Any outdoor wiring for fire alarm circuits extending beyond one building is governed by
A: The NEC (National Electrical Code)
System Types and Components
>>>> The simplest type of fire alarm system is the
Fire Alarm System Study Guide
A: Conventional hardwired system.
>>>> Three major types of fire alarm systems are
A: Conventional hardwired, multiplex, addressable intelligent.
>>>> MOST analog addressable systems operate on a
A: Two-conductor circuit.
>>>> In addressable or analog addressable systems, there are two basic wiring or circuit types
A: Class A and B.
>>>> Which of the following is one of the main components of a fire alarm system?
A: Control panel.
>>>> What are the basics of a Conventional Hardwired System?
A: Zone detection only, general descriptions.
>>>> How does an addressable FACP work?
A: It polls the SLC wiring and devices constantly, comparing information.
>>>> What happens if an initiating device is removed from an SLC circuit?
A: Trouble.
Power and Backup
>>>> A fire alarm's secondary power can come from a battery or a(n)
A: Generator.
>>>> The standby time for operation of an alarm system on secondary power in a household system must be no less than
A: 24 hours.
>>>> As defined by NFPA 72, standby time for operation of the system on secondary power must be no less than
Fire Alarm System Study Guide
A: 24 hours for central, local, proprietary, voice communications, and household systems.
>>>> How many minutes must a Fire Alarm system operate in alarm on battery backup?
A: 4, 5, or 15 depending on the system.
Notification Devices
>>>> Which of the following pull stations require the user to lift a cover or open a door before operating the pull station?
A: Double-action.
>>>> How is a double-acting pull station activated?
A: Lift, cover, pull.
>>>> The force required to operate a manual pull station must be no more than
A: 5 foot-pounds (6.8 newton-meters).
>>>> All residential alarm-sounding devices must have a minimum rating of
A: 85dBA at 10'.
>>>> According to code, a general evacuation signal should be
A: Temporal-Three.
>>>> A Temporal Three signal consists of
A: Three short 12-second tones with 12-second pauses, 1-second silent period, then repeats.
>>>> When two or more strobes are visible from a location, they must be
A: Synchronized.
Special Systems and Components
>>>> A system that can be used to give instructions to building occupants in the event of an emergency is called a(n)
A: Voice evacuation system.
Fire Alarm System Study Guide
>>>> What is a voice evacuation system?
A: It can inform occupants what the problem is and how to evacuate.
>>>> A digital device that sends fire alarm information over the public switched telephone network is called a
A: DACT (Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter).
>>>> What is DACT?
A: Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter.
>>>> What cable is required when running from floor to floor?
A: FPLR.
>>>> Monitoring facilities constructed and operated to standards and inspected by a listing agency are known as
A: Certified central stations.
Detection and Malfunctions
>>>> Smoke detectors can malfunction if placed in temperatures above
A: 120F (49C).
>>>> What is the typical ambient sound within a mechanical room?
A: 85 dBA.
>>>> Which detector is best in the incipient stage of a fire?
A: Ionization detector.
>>>> An ionization detector does what to detect smoke?
A: Changes in electrical conductivity of air.
>>>> A rate-of-rise detector can only detect a fire during the
A: Heat stage.
Fire Alarm System Study Guide
>>>> The function of a duct detector is
A: Shut down of HVAC equipment.
>>>> What happens if you cover a sensor during a troubleshooting procedure and it still malfunctions?
A: The problem could be caused by electromagnetic interference.
Elevator and Egress Systems
>>>> Which elevator recall method provides the highest probability of a safe evacuation?
A: Phase 1.
>>>> What is Phase 1 recall for an elevator?
A: Recalling elevator to floor that provides safe evacuation.
>>>> Upon activation of the fire alarm, stair enclosure doors must
A: Unlock to permit egress.
Other
>>>> What action needs to happen to activate a flow switch?
A: Waterflow.
>>>> When monitoring a control valve on a sprinkler system, what type of signal is sent to the FACP when the valve
changes state?
A: Supervisory.
>>>> Who is AHJ?
A: State Fire Marshal, Authority Having Jurisdiction, Local Fire Chief.
>>>> True or False: Duct detectors can be mounted inside the duct with an access panel or outside the duct with sampling
tubes protruding into the duct.
A: True.
Fire Alarm System Study Guide
>>>> True or False: Double-action pull stations require the user to break a cover or door before operating the station.
A: False.
>>>> True or False: When more than two strobes are visible from any location, the strobes must flash independently.
A: False.
>>>> True or False: The force required to operate manual pull stations must be no more than 10 foot-pounds.
A: False.
>>>> True or False: Fire alarm circuits extending beyond one building are governed by the NEC.
A: True.
>>>> True or False: Temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit can prevent proper smoke detector operation.
A: True.

The organization that establishes standardized testing for fire alarm designers and installers is the
NICET
NICET certifies professionals in fire alarm system design and installation.

NFPA 72® contains requirements for

residential and commercial installation of fire alarm systems and equipment
It sets the standard for installation, maintenance, and testing of fire alarms.

NFPA 101® contains

requirements for life safety
It addresses building safety and occupant evacuation.

Which NFPA standard deals with air conditioning and ventilating systems?
NFPA 90A
This covers fire safety in HVAC installations.

The simplest type of fire alarm system is the

conventional hardwired system
Basic system that detects and signals fire using wired zones.

Most analog addressable systems operate on a

two-conductor circuit
These systems use two wires to communicate with all devices.

Which of the following is one of the main components of a fire alarm system?
control panel
Central unit that monitors and controls the system.
Which of the following pull stations require the user to lift a cover or open a door before operating the pull station?
Double-action
Prevents accidental activation by requiring two steps.

A fire alarm's secondary power can come from a battery or a(n)

generator
Provides backup power during outages.

The standby time for operation of an alarm system on secondary power in a household system must be no less than
24 hours
Ensures alarm function for a full day without main power.

The UL requires that system controls affecting fire alarm operation be protected by a(n)
a lock
Prevents unauthorized access to critical controls.

According to the NFPA, under what conditions is it acceptable to reset a fire alarm remotely when it is alarming?
It is never acceptable to reset a fire alarm remotely if it is alarming.
This avoids silencing an alarm during an actual fire.

Alarm verification is commonly used in

hospitals
Reduces false alarms by confirming fire presence before alerting.

When two or more strobes are visible from a location, they must be
synchronized
Prevents disorienting flashing for those with photosensitivity.

A system that can be used to give instructions to building occupants in the event of an emergency is called a(n)
voice evacuation system
Broadcasts clear voice instructions during emergencies.

All residential alarm-sounding devices must have a minimum rating of

85dBA at 10'
Ensures alarms are loud enough to be heard throughout a home.

According to code, a general evacuation signal should be

Temporal-Three
Standard 3-beep pattern to indicate evacuation is needed.

A digital device that sends fire alarm information over the public switched telephone network is called a
DACT
DACT transmits alarm signals to monitoring stations.

Cables in a fire alarm system must be supported by

the building structure
Prevents sagging or damage over time.

Any outdoor wiring for fire alarm circuits extending beyond one building is governed by
the NEC
Ensures safe wiring practices outside buildings.

The force required to operate a manual pull station must be no more than
5 foot-pounds (6.8 newton-meters)
Allows quick activation without excessive force.

Smoke detectors can malfunction if placed in temperatures above

120°F (49°C)
High heat can impair detector function.
Which elevator recall method provides the highest probability of a safe evacuation?
Phase 1
Returns elevator to a safe floor during a fire.

When a fire alarm activates, stair enclosure doors must

unlock
Allows free access for evacuation.

If you cover a sensor during a troubleshooting procedure and it still malfunctions, the problem could be caused by
electromagnetic interference
External electrical noise may affect device operation.