Texas Fire Alarm Exam Prep Questions
with Accurate Answers
What does PLFA stand for? - ANSWERSPower Limited Fire Alarm
What does NPLFA stand for? - ANSWERSNon-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from? - ANSWERSOnly solid or
stranded copper is permitted.
What is a single station detector? - ANSWERSBattery powered smoke detectors that do
not communicate off premises.
What is a multiple station detector? - ANSWERSMains 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 station detectors be inspected and
tested? - ANSWERSIn accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, at least
monthly
How frequently must household fire alarm systems be inspected and tested? -
ANSWERSAt least every 3 years, by a qualified service technician.
How frequently must heat detectors be tested? - ANSWERSTwo or more annually
different detectors must be tested each year though and within 5 years all detectors
must have been tested.
What does 'restorable' mean? - ANSWERSThe detector can be 'restored' or ' reused '
after it has initiated an alarm.
What does 'non-restorable' mean? - ANSWERSThe detector cannot be 'reused' after it
has initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector, which self-destructs upon initiating.)
What size conductors are permitted? - ANSWERSSize 18AWG and 16AWG are
permitted, provided they do not exceed certain rated ampacities.
What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply
conductors? - ANSWERSAn over-current device not rated over 20 Amperes.
When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened? - ANSWERSCables
shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 18 inches.
, Single conductors shall not be smaller than BLANK AWG - ANSWERS18
Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which circumstances? -
ANSWERSWhere spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 AWG
How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed? - ANSWERSPLFA conductors shall
not be strapped, taped or attached to the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
What is a Plenum cable? What are its characteristics? - ANSWERSCable that can be
installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces used for environmental air. It has adequate
fire resistance and low smoke-producing characteristics.
What is Riser cable? What are its characteristics? - ANSWERSCable to be used in
vertical wire runs in shafts or between floors. Not to be used where Plenum cable is
required. It is capable of preventing fire from rising floor-to-floor.
What is General Purpose cable? What are its characteristics? - ANSWERSCable for
general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where Plenum or Riser cable is required.
It is resistant to the spread of fire.
What 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed'? - ANSWERSPower
Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can be substituted.
What 'type' shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ANSWERSPower
Limited Fire Alarm Riser (FPLR) CMP, FPLP, CMR can be substituted.
What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? -
ANSWERSPower Limited Fire Alarm (FPL) CMP, FPLP, CMR, FPLR, CMG and CM
can be substituted. (All types)
What is the maximum voltage permitted through multi-conductor NPLFA cables? -
ANSWERS150 volts
What is the voltage rating of PLFA cables? - ANSWERSNot less than 300 volts
Shall the voltage be marked on PLFA cables? - ANSWERSNo, because they may be
misinterpreted and used for electrical applications.
What is a 'Rate Compensation Detector'? - ANSWERSA device that responds when the
temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
What is a 'Rate of Rise Detector'? - ANSWERSA device that responds when the
temperature rises at a rate exceeding a pre-determined value.
What is a 'Smoke Detector?' - ANSWERSA device that detects both visible and invisible
combustion particles
with Accurate Answers
What does PLFA stand for? - ANSWERSPower Limited Fire Alarm
What does NPLFA stand for? - ANSWERSNon-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from? - ANSWERSOnly solid or
stranded copper is permitted.
What is a single station detector? - ANSWERSBattery powered smoke detectors that do
not communicate off premises.
What is a multiple station detector? - ANSWERSMains 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 station detectors be inspected and
tested? - ANSWERSIn accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, at least
monthly
How frequently must household fire alarm systems be inspected and tested? -
ANSWERSAt least every 3 years, by a qualified service technician.
How frequently must heat detectors be tested? - ANSWERSTwo or more annually
different detectors must be tested each year though and within 5 years all detectors
must have been tested.
What does 'restorable' mean? - ANSWERSThe detector can be 'restored' or ' reused '
after it has initiated an alarm.
What does 'non-restorable' mean? - ANSWERSThe detector cannot be 'reused' after it
has initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector, which self-destructs upon initiating.)
What size conductors are permitted? - ANSWERSSize 18AWG and 16AWG are
permitted, provided they do not exceed certain rated ampacities.
What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply
conductors? - ANSWERSAn over-current device not rated over 20 Amperes.
When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened? - ANSWERSCables
shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 18 inches.
, Single conductors shall not be smaller than BLANK AWG - ANSWERS18
Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which circumstances? -
ANSWERSWhere spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 AWG
How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed? - ANSWERSPLFA conductors shall
not be strapped, taped or attached to the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
What is a Plenum cable? What are its characteristics? - ANSWERSCable that can be
installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces used for environmental air. It has adequate
fire resistance and low smoke-producing characteristics.
What is Riser cable? What are its characteristics? - ANSWERSCable to be used in
vertical wire runs in shafts or between floors. Not to be used where Plenum cable is
required. It is capable of preventing fire from rising floor-to-floor.
What is General Purpose cable? What are its characteristics? - ANSWERSCable for
general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where Plenum or Riser cable is required.
It is resistant to the spread of fire.
What 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed'? - ANSWERSPower
Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can be substituted.
What 'type' shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ANSWERSPower
Limited Fire Alarm Riser (FPLR) CMP, FPLP, CMR can be substituted.
What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? -
ANSWERSPower Limited Fire Alarm (FPL) CMP, FPLP, CMR, FPLR, CMG and CM
can be substituted. (All types)
What is the maximum voltage permitted through multi-conductor NPLFA cables? -
ANSWERS150 volts
What is the voltage rating of PLFA cables? - ANSWERSNot less than 300 volts
Shall the voltage be marked on PLFA cables? - ANSWERSNo, because they may be
misinterpreted and used for electrical applications.
What is a 'Rate Compensation Detector'? - ANSWERSA device that responds when the
temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
What is a 'Rate of Rise Detector'? - ANSWERSA device that responds when the
temperature rises at a rate exceeding a pre-determined value.
What is a 'Smoke Detector?' - ANSWERSA device that detects both visible and invisible
combustion particles
