Fire Alarm Flashcards
What is required for all fire alarm systems (new and existing)?
Documentation
What should be delivered upon completion of a fire alarm system?
Owners manual, record drawings, record of completion, site software
Where should all system records be stored?
Documentation cabinet at control unit
What must equipment powered by IDC or SLC be listed with?
Control unit
What are the requirements for a circuit breaker in a fire alarm system?
Requires lock, cabinet lock or locked room door, and be marked FIRE ALARM in red
How many hours of standby power are required for fire alarm systems and supervising stations?
24 hours
What is the minimum alarm power for commercial fire alarms?
5 minutes
What is the minimum alarm power for voice evacuation and MNS?
15 minutes
What is the minimum alarm power for household fire alarms?
4 minutes
How much additional safety margin is required for battery calculations?
0.25
How quickly should secondary power switch?
Within 10 seconds
When should alarm notification, emergency functions, and annunciation occur after activation?
Within 10 seconds
When should supervisory signals indicate?
Within 90 seconds
When should trouble signals indicate?
Within 200 seconds
What are the operational requirements for fire alarm equipment?
85% - 110% voltage, 32 - 120 F, and 85% humidity
Where must smoke detectors be provided?
At control units, NAC extenders, and transmitting equipment
How should each floor be treated in a fire alarm system?
As a separate zone
How should a system serving multiple buildings be zoned?
Each building shall be zoned separately
What is Class A circuitry?
Redundant with a return path, operates with single ground or open
What is Class B circuitry?
Single path, operates up to single open, EOLR on IDC and NAC
What is Class C circuitry?
Multiple paths, no supervision of paths, operation verified by receipt of signal
What is Class D circuitry?
Fail-safe operation
What is Class E circuitry?
No supervision
What is Class X circuitry?
Class A SLC with short, fault isolator per device
What is Class N circuitry?
Network (Ethernet), dual cable/fiber to each Ethernet device or segment
How long should records of tests and operations be kept?
Until next test and one year thereafter
Who is responsible for IT&M of fire alarm systems?
The owner, who may delegate in writing
What type of testing is required for all new fire alarm systems?
100% acceptance testing
What annual tests are required for smoke detectors?
Smoke entry testing and sensitivity testing
How often should smoke detector sensitivity be tested?
Within 1 year, then every other year
If sensitivity remains within range, how long can testing be extended?
Up to 5 years
How often should smoke alarms in dwellings be tested and replaced?
Tested monthly, replaced every 10 years
How should initiating devices be protected?
From damage, with a guard listed with the device
What is required for detectors in concealed locations more than 10 AFF?
Remote indicators (except addressable)
How should partitions extending within 15% of ceiling height be treated?
As separate rooms
Where should detectors be located along the ceiling?
Within 0.7 of listed spacing
How can joist, beam, and slope affect detector placement?
They can affect location and spacing
Where should heat detectors not be located?
Within 4 of sidewall, or between 4-12 from ceiling if wall mount
How should heat detectors be positioned relative to ceiling temperature?
At least 20 F above maximum expected ceiling temperature
How is heat detector spacing determined?
It has a listed spacing that varies
How does ceiling height affect heat detector spacing?
Heights above 10 reduce spacing
Where can smoke detectors be mounted?
Ceiling or sidewall within 12 of ceiling
What is the spacing requirement for smoke detectors?
30
How can beam depths affect smoke detector spacing?
Greater than 10% of ceiling height can affect spacing
What is the 0.7 Rule for corridor applications?
Reduces the number of detectors required
Are duct smoke detectors a replacement for open area detection?
No, they are not a replacement
What does NFPA 90A require for duct smoke detectors?
On supply when >2000 CFM, supply & return when >15,000 CFM, and serving 2+ floors
How should detectors used for door release be listed?
Listed for door release
How many detectors are required for door release on a header ? 24?
1 detector
How many detectors are required for door release on a header > 24 one side?
1 detector on the higher side
How many detectors are required for door release on a header > 24 both sides?
2 detectors
How many wall mount door release detectors are required?
2 (one on each side)
When should waterflow be initiated?
Within 90 seconds of water flowing (retard time)
How should control valve supervisory signals be tested?
Within 2 revolutions or 1/5 travel distance
How should pressure supervisory signals be tested?
With change of +/- 10 psi
What color should a manual fire alarm box (pull station) be?
Red
Where should pull stations be mounted?
3.5 - 4 (42 - 48), within 5 feet of door at each egress path exit on each floor
What is the maximum travel distance to a pull station along a path of egress?
200
What is required for group openings over 40?
Pull stations on each side
How should notification appliances be protected?
From physical damage, with guards or covers listed with appliance
What is required for ambient sound levels above 105dB?
Strobe
What is the maximum allowable sound level at minimum hearing distance?
110dB
Are systems that reduce ambient sound levels permitted?
Yes
What is the audible level requirement for public mode and private mode?
Public mode 15dB above ambient, private mode 10dB above ambient
How should audibles be synchronized and what pattern is used?
Temporal 3 (ANSI S3.41) and synchronized in notification zone
What is the minimum number of notifications required per floor?
1
Where should audible appliances be mounted?
Tops at least 90 AFF, and at least 6 below ceiling
What tone is required for sleeping areas?
520HZ
How should strobes be mounted?
Entire lens at least 80 AFF, and not more than 96 AFF
What is the maximum height for strobes mounted on ceilings above 30?
Not higher than 30
How should strobes be selected for non-square rooms?
Use a square that encompasses the entire room
What is the strobe spacing requirement for corridors 20 or less?
Use room spacing, corridors less than 20 shall be at least 15cd
What is the Inverse Square Law?
Double distance lose 6dB, double power gain 3dB
Where should emergency control function interfaces be located?
Within 3 of control circuit or appliance
What detectors are allowed to initiate elevator recall?
Only automatic detectors in elevator lobbies, hoist ways, machine rooms
Where should lobby recall detectors be located?
Within 21 of centerline of elevator doors
Where should smoke detectors not be installed?
In hoist ways unless listed for the environment
How should heat detectors for elevator shutdown be positioned?
Within 2 of sprinkler and lower temperature
Are waterflows permitted to have retard for elevator shutdown?
No
What type of signal may duct detectors initiate?
Alarm or supervisory signal (IBC supervisory only)
How should electrically locked exit doors respond to fire alarm activation?
Unlock and remain unlocked until reset
How many fire alarm systems are required for high-rise buildings?
At least 2
Where should fire alarm systems be located in high-rise buildings?
On every floor and at the main control panel
How should fire alarm systems be tested and maintained?
According to manufacturers instructions and NFPA standards
What is the maximum number of waterflows per zone?
5
What is the maximum number of supervisory devices per zone?
20
Can microphones and speakers be used for non-emergency communications?
Yes
What is required for mass notification systems?
Emergency response plan
What must emergency messages be preceded by?
2 cycles of emergency evac signal (Temporal 3)
How should strobes be marked for mass notification and fire alarm?
No marking or marked ALERT for mass notification, clear strobes for fire alarm
What type of fire alarm system is monitored but has no special requirements?
Remote
What does a central fire alarm system require?
Listed installation, installation company, and monitoring station
What is a proprietary fire alarm system?
Monitored by the same organization that owns the building
What is the maximum time for end-to-end communications in a fire alarm system?
90 seconds
How often should a single communications path be supervised?
Every 60 minutes
How often should multiple communication paths be supervised?
Every 6 hours
What must a DACT be connected to?
One phone line and one alternate method (radio or performance-based)
How soon should a DACT indicate trouble with a phone line?
Within 4 minutes
What equipment for transmission must have standby power?
Premises equipment (e.g., router)
Where must smoke alarms be installed in household systems?
In sleeping areas, outside sleeping areas, and at least 1 per floor
How should smoke alarms in household systems be configured?
Interconnected (multiple-station)
