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Fire Inspector Certification > Fire Detection and Alarm Systems > Flashcards

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is the basic function of the fire alarm control unit (FACU)

A

Basic Function: Serves as the brain for the alarm system.
More specifically: It supervises and monitors the integrity of wiring and components of the fire alarm system. Receives signals from alarm-initiating devices, processes signals, produces output signals that activate audible and visual appliances, and transmits signals to an off-site monitoring station when provided.
May also: provide two-way firefighter communication; remove annunciator integration; control elevators, HVAC, fire doors, dampers, locks; pressurize stairwells; operate smoke control systems; activate special fire suppression systems.

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2
Q

List types of notification appliances

A

Audible
Visual
Textural
Tactile

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3
Q

Name types of alarm-signaling systems

A

Protected Premises Systems including:
~ Conventional Alarm Systems
~ Zoned Conventional Alarm Systems
~ Addressable Alarm Systems

Supervising Station Alarm Systems including:
~ Central Station System
~ Proprietary System
~ Remote Receiving System

Public Emergency Alarm Reporting Systems
Emergency Communications Systems
~ Voice notification systems
~ Two-way Communication Systems
~ Mass Notification Systems

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4
Q

What are the placement requirements for manual pull boxes?

A

Per NFPA 72, shall be mounted on walls or columns with operable parts between 42” - 48” above the floor. Plain sight, unobstructed. At least one station on each floor. Maximum travel distance 200 feet.

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5
Q

Name some of the general inspection considerations for a fire inspector

A

Inspector should:
o Note the function aspect of the fire detection and alarm system
o Recognize physical and environmental conditions that may negatively affect system operation or render the system inoperable
o Recognize conditions that may trigger an unwanted alarm and recommend corrective action to reduce/eliminate possible nuisance alarms

Inspection considerations:
o Check for changes to building or use of rooms
o Verify all equipment, especially initiating and signaling devices, are free from dust, dirt, paint, and other foreign material
o Verify manual pull stations, audible or visual warning devices and any other components are not blocked or obstructed in any way.
o Verify that the monitoring system is operational.

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6
Q

What should an inspector witness during an acceptance test?

A
  • Inspection of all wiring for proper support
  • Looking for wear, damage or any other defects that may render the insulation ineffective.
  • Inspect conduit for solid connections and proper support
  • Check backup batteries for clean connections and proper charge.
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7
Q

List inspection requirements for different types of occupant notification devices.

A

Audible Notification
* A method for providing occupant notification of fire.
* NFPA requires these to be 15 decibels above the average or normal sound level or 5 decibels above the maximum sound level that last for 1 minute in the occupancy.
* Do not exceed 120 decibels
* If the ambient sound in a building is above 105 dB the building must have visual notification.
* Noise levels are taken 5 ft. from the floor, except in sleeping areas where they are taken at pillow level.
Visual Notification
* ADA requires these in any portion of new or renovated construction accessible to a hearing impaired person.
* Installed in two locations: wall mount or ceiling mount
* Where required, these must be installed in corridors that are less than 20 ft. wide. Any wider and room spacing requirements are applied.
* Must be mounted 15 feet from the end of the corridor and must not be spaced more than 100 ft. on center.
* Any interruptions in a hallway, like a fire door, requires to each area to be viewed as separate.
* When two or more strobes are in the field of vision, the strobes must be synchronized to flash at the same time.

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8
Q

List fire alarm system components.

A

Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU)
Primary Power Supply
Secondary Power Supply
Initiating Devices
Notification Appliances

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9
Q

Explain Fixed-Temperature Heat Detectors including types

A

Fixed Temperature Heat Detectors are relatively inexpensive, least prone to nuisance alarms and must be properly placed where heat is expected to accumulate.

Includes Frangible Bulb, Fusible Link, Bimetallic Heat Detector, and Continuous Line Heat Detectors.

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10
Q

Explain Rate-of-Rise Heat Detectors including types

A

Rate-of-Rise Heat Detectors respond at a lower temperature, reliable but can be activated under non-fire conditions. Includes Pneumatic Rate-of-Rise Line Heat Detector (large areas), Pneumatic Rate-of-Rise Spot Heat Detector (self contained unit), Rate-Compensation Heat Detector (areas subject to regular temperature changes), and Electronic Spot-Type Heat Detector (thermistors).

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11
Q

Explain Smoke Detectors and types of Smoke Detectors

A

Smoke Detectors, preferred for residences and health and institutional facilities. Sense presence of fire more quickly than heat-detection. Includes Photoelectric Smoke Detectors (good for smoldering fire detection), Ionization Smoke Detectors (good for rooms with highly combustible materials), Duct Smoke Detectors, and Video-Based Detectors.

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12
Q

Explain Flame Detectors and Types

A

Sometimes called a light detector. Three types:
Ultraviolet
Infrared (good for large areas)
Combination UV and IR

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13
Q

List main types of automatic alarm-initiating devices

A

Fixed-Temperature Heat Detectors
Rate-of-Rise Heat Detectors
Smoke Detectors
Flame Detectors
Sprinkler Waterflow Alarm-Initiating Devices
Manually Actuated Alarm-Initiating Devices

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14
Q

Explain types of signals from a fire detection and alarm system

A

Alarm Signal: fire condition detected

Supervisory Signal: monitored condition in system is off-normal. Problem with an accessory to the system.

Trouble Signal: Power system failure or other system malfunction such as removal of an initiating device like a smoke detector. Problem with the fire detection and alarm system.

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15
Q

Explain types of alarm-signaling systems

A

Protected Premises Systems including:
~ Conventional Alarm Systems (cannot identify initiating device location)
~ Zoned Conventional Alarm Systems (identifies zone of alarm activation)
~ Addressable Alarm Systems (identifies specific device activated)

Supervising Station Alarm Systems including:
~ Central Station System (independent listed business, most reliable)
~ Proprietary System (same ownership as building)
~ Remote Receiving System (not listed, operates as a business)

Public Emergency Alarm Reporting Systems (connects property with fire department alarm and communications center)

Emergency Communications Systems (supplementary system)
~ Voice notification systems (one-way for occupant notification)
~ Two-way Communication Systems (firefighter communication)
~ Mass Notification Systems (large number of people on widescale basis)

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16
Q

Describe manual alarm-initiating devices

A

Pull Stations
~ single action
~ double action

May be protected by a listed cover in areas subject to damage or accidental activation

May have to break glass with small mallet, not recommended

May use dye or residue to deter malicious false alarms

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17
Q

Describe service testing and inspection methods for fire detection and alarm systems

A
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18
Q

Describe inspection and testing methods for suppression system equipment

A
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19
Q

Explain methods to evaluate fire detection and suppression system equipment for life safety, property conservation and hazards.

A
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20
Q

Which fire alarm component serves as the brain of alarm systems? (608)
A. Initiating device
B. Notification appliance
C. Fire alarm control unit (FACU)
D. Secondary power supply (SPS)

A

C

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21
Q

How many types of specialty signals are most fire detection and alarm systems equipped with? (613)
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

A

C

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22
Q

The type of fire detection and alarm system required depends upon the: (614)
A. age of the building.
B. budget of the owner/resident.
C. type of occupancy of the building.
D. location of nearest fire department.

A

C

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23
Q

What are automatic alarm-initiating devices more commonly known as? (623)
A. Alarms
B. Initiators
C. Detectors
D. Activators

A

C

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24
Q

Which type of fire detection systems are among the oldest still in service? (624)
A. Heat detection devices
B. Flame detection devices
C. Smoke detection devices
D. Combination detection devices

A

A

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25
Q

Manual pull stations are usually ____ in color with white lettering that specifies what they are and how they are to be used. (635)
A. red
B. blue
C. black
D. green

A

A

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26
Q

Periodic testing of fire detection and alarm signaling systems is referred to as: (637)
A. signal testing.
B. a service test.
C. readiness testing.
D. an acceptance test.

A

B

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27
Q

Most of the time, who has to test fire alarm systems on their own and document results? (638)
A. Occupants
B. Fire inspectors
C. Third-party experts
D. Building contractors

A

A

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28
Q

When should automatic alarm-initiating devices be checked? (639)
A. Annually
B. After installation and every 5 years
C. After installation, after a fire, and every 3 years
D. After installation, after a fire, and at scheduled times based on guidelines

A

D

29
Q

If an alarm signaling system uses backup electrical generators, how long should a generator run under load for a monthly test? (641)
A. 15 minutes
B. 20 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 60 minutes

A

C

30
Q

Which fire alarm system component’s power supply usually comes from the building’s main power connection to the local utility provider? (609)
A. Initiating device
B. Extra alarm functions
C. Primary power supply
D. Secondary power supply

A

C

31
Q

Which fire alarm system component can consist of batteries with chargers, engine-driven generators with a storage battery, or multiple engine-driven generators? (611)
A. Initiating device
B. Notification appliance
C. Primary power supply
D. Secondary power supply

A

D

32
Q

Which component sends a signal to the FACU using either hard-wire systems or a signal conveyed by radio wave over a special frequency? (610)
A. Initiating device
B. Notification appliance
C. Primary power supply
D. Secondary power supply

A

A

33
Q

The most common types of alarm-signaling systems used for signaling a fire alarm in a structure are: (610)
A. tactile notification appliances.
B. visual notification appliances.
C. textual notification appliances.
D. audible notification appliances

A

D

34
Q

Which type of fire detection and alarm system specialty signal indicates an off-normal condition of the complete fire protection system? (613)
A. Alert signal
B. Alarm signal
C. Trouble signal
D. Supervisory signal

A

D

35
Q

A(An) ____ is a warning of a fire emergency or dangerous condition that demands immediate attention. (613)
A. alert signal
B. alarm signal
C. trouble signal
D. supervisory signal

A

B

36
Q

Which type of specialty signal indicates loss of primary power or failure or removal of an initiating device? (613)
A. Alert signal
B. Alarm signal
C. Trouble signal
D. Supervisory signal

A

C

37
Q

Which alarm system is designed to provide notification to building occupants only on the immediate premises? (614)
A. Protected premises (local)
B. Supervising station alarms
C. Emergency communications
D. Public emergency alarm reporting

A

A

38
Q

The simplest type of protected premises alarm system is a(an): (615)
A. addressable alarm system.
B. supervising station system.
C. conventional alarm system.
D. zoned conventional alarm system.

A

C

39
Q

Which of the following BEST describes a zoned conventional alarm system? (616)
A. Usually activated by manual means, such as a pull station
B. They are only practical for small occupancies with a limited number of rooms
C. This system is found in occupancies that use the alarm signals for other purposes
D. An annunciator panel, FACU, or printout visibly indicates the location of an operating alarm-initiating device

A

D

40
Q

Which supervising station is recognized as the most reliable? (618)
A. Local
B. Central
C. Remote
D. Proprietary

A

B

41
Q

Which supervising station is used to protect large commercial and industrial buildings, high-rise structures, and groups of commonly-owned facilities? (619)
A. Local
B. Central
C. Remote
D. Proprietary

A

D

42
Q

Which supervising station does not provide inspection, testing, or maintenance services? (619)
A. Local
B. Central
C. Remote
D. Proprietary

A

C

43
Q

Which of the following statements about public emergency alarm reporting systems is MOST accurate? (621)
A. These systems cannot be connected via telephone lines.
B. Power interruption may result in the alarm only sounding locally.
C. They are connected directly to the fire department via the Internet.
D. Initiating devices cannot be activated when the power supply to the municipal system is interrupted.

A

B

44
Q

Which type of emergency communications system is MOST helpful to fire suppression personnel operating in a building? (622)
A. Cellular phone systems
B. Mass notification systems
C. Voice notification systems
D. Two-way communication systems

A

D

45
Q

The type of emergency communications system used to provide emergency communication to a large number of people on a wide-scale basis is a: (622)
A. cellular phone system.
B. public address system.
C. mass notification system.
D. two-way communication system.

A

C

46
Q

Automatic alarm-initiating devices are more commonly known as: (623)
A. alarms.
B. initiators.
C. detectors.
D. activators.

A

C

47
Q

Which type of automatic initiating devices are relatively inexpensive and least prone to nuisance alarms? (624)
A. Heat detection devices
B. Flame detection devices
C. Smoke detection devices
D. Combination detection devices

A

A

48
Q

What do heat detectors require in order to be effective? (624)
A. Proper placement
B. Continuous testing
C. 24-hour monitoring
D. Professional installation

A

A

49
Q

Which type of fixed-temperature heat detector uses two types of metal with different heat-expansion ratios? (625)
A. Bimetallic
B. Fusible link
C. Frangible bulb
D. Continuous-line

A

A

50
Q

The one style of heat detection device that can be used to detect conditions over a wide area is a: (626)
A. bimetallic detector.
B. fusible link detector.
C. frangible bulb detector.
D. continuous-line detector.

A

D

51
Q

On which principle of physics does a rate-of-rise heat detector operate? (627)
A. Heat causes melting of certain materials
B. Heat causes the expansion of various materials
C. Heated materials have thermoelectric properties
D. Fires rapidly increase the temperature of a given area

A

D

52
Q

Which type of rate-of-rise heat detector can monitor large areas of a building? (627)
A. Rate-compensation heat detector
B. Electronic spot-type heat detector
C. Pneumatic rate-of-rise line heat detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot heat detector

A

C

53
Q

Which rate-of-rise heat detector is designed for use in areas subject to regular, but slow, temperature changes? (628)
A. Rate-compensation heat detector
B. Electronic spot-type heat detector
C. Pneumatic rate-of-rise line heat detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot heat detector

A

A

54
Q

The preferred type of automatic alarm device in residences and health and institutional care facilities is a: (630)
A. smoke detector.
B. rate-compensation heat detector.
C. pneumatic rate-of-rise line heat detector
D. pneumatic rate-of-rise spot heat detector

A

A

55
Q

Which type of smoke detector works on all types of fires and usually responds more quickly to smoldering fires than ionization smoke detection? (630)
A. Duct smoke detectors
B. Video-based detectors
C. Photoelectric smoke detectors
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot heat detectors

A

C

56
Q

Which type of smoke detector contains a sensing chamber consisting of two electrically charged plates and a radioactive source? (631)
A. Duct smoke detectors
B. Ionization smoke detectors
C. Photoelectric smoke detectors
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot heat detectors

A

B

57
Q

Which type of flame detector is effective in monitoring large areas such as aircraft hangars and computer rooms? (633)
A. Infrared detectors
B. Ultraviolet detectors
C. Combination detectors
D. Photoelectric detectors

A

A

58
Q

Which type of manual pull station may be confusing to certain occupant/operators? (636)
A. Single-action
B. Double-action
C. Those with protective covers
D. Those with glass windows and mallets

A

B

59
Q

Multistory facilities should have at least ____ pull station(s) on each floor. (636)
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

A

A

60
Q

What is the periodic testing of fire detection and alarm signaling systems called? (637)
A. Signal testing
B. A service test
C. Readiness testing
D. An acceptance test

A

B

61
Q

What should an inspector do when conditions that may trigger an unwanted alarm or environmental conditions that may negatively affect a system are recognized? (637)
A. Collect fines
B. Issue citations
C. Contact law enforcement
D. Recommend corrective action

A

D

62
Q

What should an inspector look for when inspecting manual pull stations and audible or visual warning devices? (637)
A. Component age
B. Changes in occupancy
C. Devices are free of dust, dirt, and paint
D. Components are not blocked or obstructed in any way

A

D

63
Q

Inspectors should check the FACU to verify: (638)
A. component age.
B. changes in occupancy.
C. all parts are operating properly.
D. components are not blocked or obstructed in any way.

A

C

64
Q

What can be used to test restorable heat detectors during a test? (639)
A. Matches
B. Setting a test fire
C. Hair dryers and electric heat guns
D. Restorable heat detectors cannot be tested

A

C

65
Q

A permanent record of all detector tests must be maintained for at least: (640)
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. 25 years

A

B

66
Q

During a monthly test for alarm signaling systems using backup electrical generators, how long should a generator run under load? (641)
A. 15 minutes
B. 20 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 60 minutes

A

C

67
Q

Remote station and proprietary systems should be tested according to requirements established by: (641)
A. fire codes.
B. industry standards.
C. manufacturer instructions.
D. agency having jurisdiction (AHJ).

A

D

68
Q

All components of emergency voice/alarm systems should be tested at least: (642)
A. weekly.
B. monthly.
C. semiannually.
D. annually.

A

D

Fire Inspector Certification (10 decks)

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