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Fire Alarm Systems > Basic Features of a Fire Alarm System > Flashcards

Basic Features of a Fire Alarm System Flashcards

1
Q

The primary function of a FA system is to protect ________

A

People

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2
Q

Name three basic elements of any FA system

A
  • Initiating devices
  • Signal devices
  • Control unit
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3
Q

Most FA automatic initiating devices respond to ________ and ________.

A

smoke, heat

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4
Q

The most common FA signal devices are __________ and _________

A

bells, speakers

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5
Q

The heart of the FA system is the __________

A

control panel

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6
Q

In the single-stage FA system, what happens when an initiating device operates?

A

All signal devices go into alarm

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7
Q

In a two-stage FA system, what usually happens when a manual pull-station is operated?

A

Signal devices initially go to an alert condition. This may be followed by an alarm condition.

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8
Q

A typical zone in a building might be a ________ or _______

A

floor, wing

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9
Q

Name one advantage of having many zones in a building

A

Makes it easier to track down the location of the trouble spot

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10
Q

What special feature must all manual pull-stations in a two stage FA system incorporate?

A

Key-operated switch

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11
Q

Name the three most common initiating devices

A
  • Manual pull-stations
  • Heat detectors
  • Smoke detectors
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12
Q

Where would it not be practical to use a rate-of-rise heat detector?

A

In a commercial kitchen

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13
Q

Are all thermal detectors restorable types?

A

No

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14
Q

Which type of automatic fire detector usually gives the earliest warning of a fire condition?

A

Ionization smoke detector

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15
Q

What is the reason for using smoke detectors in air-handling duct systems?

A

To shut down fans and dampers that might worsen the fire situation

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16
Q

What are the two most common types of smoke detectors?

A

Ionization type and photoelectric type

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17
Q

Which type of smoke detector would be most suitable in an area of high ambient humidity?

A

Photoelectric type

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18
Q

What is the function of a key-operated manual pull station?

A

To enable the operator to change an alert signal to an alarm signal

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19
Q

Is a rate-of-anticipation detector restorable? What advantage does it have over a standard fixed-temperature thermal detector?

A

Yes. It responds faster to ambient air temperature rise.

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20
Q

Identify three locations where manual pull-stations are normally required

A
  • Entrances to stairways
  • Exits
  • Large assembly rooms
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21
Q

Are single-stroke bells (and chimes) usually used for alert signals or alarm signals?

A

Alert signals

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22
Q

The common voltage used in FA wiring is ______

A

24V DC

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23
Q

In a typical control panel, what do the green, amber and red lights signify?

A
  • Green is for AC power supply
  • Amber is for trouble condition
  • Red is for alarm condition
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24
Q

What is the reason for “supervising” FA systems?

A

To monitor the wiring to ensure no open or ground conditions are present that would inhibit the operation of the devices should a fire situation arise

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25
Q

How is electrical supervision of wiring accomplished in an FA system?

A

By maintaining a continuous current in the wiring. Any interruption brings up a trouble signal.

26
Q

The standby battery used in FA systems must have enough capacity to supply the supervisory current for a minimum of how long?

A

24 hours

27
Q

Which class of FA wiring uses the end-of-line resistor?

A

Class B

28
Q

Name one advantage and one disadvantage of the Class A system

A

An open in the wiring system does not knock out any of the initiating or signal devices, but installation costs are higher because of this additional wiring

29
Q

Which two features of the addressable FA system make it advantageous over the non-addressable system for certain installations?

A

Activated devices are easily identifiable and the wiring costs are often less

30
Q

If an opening occurs in a Class B wiring system because a wire comes off the terminal of the end-of-line resistor, all devices on that zone are de-activated. True or False?

A

False

31
Q

Where must an annunciator be located in a building?

A

At the main door entrance to the building at street level

32
Q

What type of FA systems require annunciator panels?

A

FA installations that have more than one zone

33
Q

What features would you expect to find in a typical FA annunciator panel?

A

A map of the building and zone alarm indicating lights, plus a trouble light and an audible signal device

34
Q

What are the mounting heigh requirements for manual pull-stations?

A

1.35m to 1.5m to centre AFF

35
Q

What are the mounting height requirements for alarm bells?

A

Not less than 1.8m to centre AFF

36
Q

What are the mounting height requirements for the control panel?

A

Not more than 2.4m to top AFF

37
Q

What are the mounting height requirements for end-of-line resistors?

A

Not more than 1.8m AFF

38
Q

Where are smoke and heat detectors normally mounted?

A

On the ceiling

39
Q

Conductors used in FA systems must be of what material?

A

Copper

40
Q

What is the minimum size of conductor permitted in FA wiring?

A

22 AWG

41
Q

What does the CEC rule say about stranded wires in FA systems?

A

Stranded conductors with more than seven strands must be bunch-tinned, or terminated in compression connectors

42
Q

Is it permitted to put non-FA equipment on the FA circuit?

A

No

43
Q

How must the circuit breaker for the FA circuit be identified?

A

Clearly and conspicuously, and it must be red

44
Q

What are the code requirements for the FA circuit breaker location?

A

It must be located as close as possible to the incoming power supply.

45
Q

Why is it not advisable to use a beggar to test FA systems?

A

Electronic components could be damaged by excessive megger voltage

46
Q

An ohmmeter used used to test FA wiring for what type of faults?

A

Opens, shorts, and grounds

47
Q

If an initiating circuit is a Class B type having four heat detectors and a manual pull-station, what reading should you expect on an ohmmeter connected to the two wires that will connect to the control panel?

A

end-of-line resistor value (approximately)

48
Q

What would be the reason for connecting an end-of-line resistor to the output wiring terminals in place of the signal or initiating wires when making an ohmmeter test?

A

To check if the problem is in the control panel

49
Q

True or False. Some, but not all, manual pull-stations are required to be tested in an FA system

A

False

50
Q

True or False. When testing the FA system, only the restorable heat detectors are tested and no testing is done on non-restorable types

A

False

51
Q

What agency publishes the standards for testing FA systems?

A

The ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada)

52
Q

What are the five regulatory groups that have input regarding FA systems?

A
  • NBC (National Building Code)
  • ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada)
  • CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
  • CEC (Canadian Electrical Code)
  • NFC (National Fire Code)
  • Provincial and municipal fire authorities
53
Q

What is a Type 1 fire alarm system?

A

General alarm system in which any alarm-initiating device activates all alarms in the system. Defined as a single-stage, non-coded, non-indicating, local, general alarm system. Not permitted in buildings that are required to have an annunciator

54
Q

What is a Type 2 fire alarm system

A

General alarm system equipped with annunciator to indicate the zone in which an alarm was initiated. Defined as a single-stage, zoned, non-coded, indicating, local, general alarm system

55
Q

What is a Type 3 fire alarm system?

A

Operation of any alarm-initiating device first causes a coded signal to sound on all audible alarm devices. Coded signal repeats at least four times after which a general fire alarm is automatically sounded. Also equipped with annunciator. Defined as a single-stage, zone-coded, indicating, local, general alarm system

56
Q

What is a Type 4 fire alarm system?

A

Operating of any alarm-initiating device causes a distinctive alert alarm. Uses a manual key-operated alarm stations that allow authorized people to activate all alarm devices in the zones to be evacuated. Equipped with annunciator and backed up with a general fire alarm. Defined as a two-stage, zone-coded, indicating, local, fire alarm system

57
Q

What is a Type 5 fire alarm system?

A

Similar to Type 4 system except that the operation of any alarm-initiating device causes a coded signal to sound the alert alarm devices, indicating the zone in which the alarm was initiated. Defined as a two-stage, zone-coded, indicating, local, fire alarm system

58
Q

How many zones are required in institutional buildings such as nursing homes?

A

Minimum two zones per floor

59
Q

A building with an area of ______ or less, and a maximum of _____ storeys may be all on one zone

A

2000m(squared), three

60
Q

A manual pull-station is a mechanical switch that is __________

A

normally open

61
Q

Some fixed temperature devices are rated to activate at ____°F (approx. ______°C) and others at ____°F (approx. ___°C)

A

135°F (57°C), 190°F (88°C)

Fire Alarm Systems (2 decks)

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