TFM 12 FIRE ALARM TECHNICAL FINAL
PAPER 2026 CERTIFICATION EVALUATION
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
●● What does NPLFA stand for?
Answer: Non Power Limited Fire Alarm
●● What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from
Answer: Only solid or stranded copper is permitted
●● What is a single station detector?
Answer: Battery powered smoke detectors that do not communicate off
premises.
●● What is a multiple station detector?
Answer: Mains powered smoke detectors with battery backup that are
linked together, so that if one unit initiates, alarms in all detectors will
sound. They do not communicate off premises.
●● How frequently must household single and multiple single station
detectors be inspected and tested?
Answer: In accordance with the manufactures recommendations, at least
monthly.
,●● How frequently must household single and multiple station detectors
be inspected and tested?
Answer: At least 3 years, by a qualified service technician.
●● How frequently must heat detectors be tested?
Answer: Two or more annually, different detectors must be tested each
year, and within 5 years all detectors must have been tested.
●● What does "restorable" mean?
Answer: The detector can be "restored" or "reused" after it has initiated.
●● What does "non-restorable" mean?
Answer: The detector cannot be 're-used" after it has initiated an alarm.
(Think of a heat detector, which self destructs upon initiating.)
●● What size conductors are permitted?
Answer: Size 18 AWG and 16 AWG are permitted, provided they do not
exceed certain rated ampacities
●● What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from
power-supply conductors?
Answer: An overcurrent device not rated over 20 Amperes
, ●● When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened?
Answer: Cables shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of
not more than 18 inches.
●● Single conductors shall not be smaller that ___ AWG?
Answer: 18
●● Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which
circumstances?
Answer: Where spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24
AWG.
●● How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed?
Answer: PLFA conductors shall not be strapped, taped or attached to the
exterior of any conduit or raceway.
●● What is Plenum cable? What are its characteristics?
Answer: Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces
used for environment air. It has adequate fire resistance and low smoke-
producing characteristics.
●● What is riser cable? What are its characteristics?
PAPER 2026 CERTIFICATION EVALUATION
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
●● What does NPLFA stand for?
Answer: Non Power Limited Fire Alarm
●● What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from
Answer: Only solid or stranded copper is permitted
●● What is a single station detector?
Answer: Battery powered smoke detectors that do not communicate off
premises.
●● What is a multiple station detector?
Answer: Mains powered smoke detectors with battery backup that are
linked together, so that if one unit initiates, alarms in all detectors will
sound. They do not communicate off premises.
●● How frequently must household single and multiple single station
detectors be inspected and tested?
Answer: In accordance with the manufactures recommendations, at least
monthly.
,●● How frequently must household single and multiple station detectors
be inspected and tested?
Answer: At least 3 years, by a qualified service technician.
●● How frequently must heat detectors be tested?
Answer: Two or more annually, different detectors must be tested each
year, and within 5 years all detectors must have been tested.
●● What does "restorable" mean?
Answer: The detector can be "restored" or "reused" after it has initiated.
●● What does "non-restorable" mean?
Answer: The detector cannot be 're-used" after it has initiated an alarm.
(Think of a heat detector, which self destructs upon initiating.)
●● What size conductors are permitted?
Answer: Size 18 AWG and 16 AWG are permitted, provided they do not
exceed certain rated ampacities
●● What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from
power-supply conductors?
Answer: An overcurrent device not rated over 20 Amperes
, ●● When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened?
Answer: Cables shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of
not more than 18 inches.
●● Single conductors shall not be smaller that ___ AWG?
Answer: 18
●● Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which
circumstances?
Answer: Where spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24
AWG.
●● How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed?
Answer: PLFA conductors shall not be strapped, taped or attached to the
exterior of any conduit or raceway.
●● What is Plenum cable? What are its characteristics?
Answer: Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces
used for environment air. It has adequate fire resistance and low smoke-
producing characteristics.
●● What is riser cable? What are its characteristics?
