Texas Fire Alarm Exam Prep Questions With Verified Answers

What does PLFA stand for? - ANSWERPower Limited Fire Alarm What does NPLFA stand for? - ANSWERNon-Power Limited Fire Alarm What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from? - ANSWEROnly solid or stranded copper is permitted. What is a single station detector? - ANSWERBattery powered smoke detectors that do not communicate off premises. What is a multiple station detector? - ANSWERMains 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? - ANSWERIn accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, at least monthly How frequently must household fire alarm systems be inspected and tested? - ANSWERAt least every 3 years, by a qualified service technician. How frequently must heat detectors be tested? - ANSWERTwo 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? - ANSWERThe detector can be 'restored' or ' reused ' after it has initiated an alarm. What does 'non-restorable' mean? - ANSWERThe 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? - ANSWERSize 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? - ANSWERAn over-current device not rated over 20 Amperes. When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened? - ANSWERCables shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 18 inches. Single conductors shall not be smaller than BLANK AWG - ANSWER18 Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which circumstances? - ANSWERWhere spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 AWG How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed? - ANSWERPLFA 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? - ANSWERCable 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? - ANSWERCable 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? - ANSWERCable 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'? - ANSWERPower Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can be substituted. What 'type' shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ANSWERPower Limited Fire Alarm Riser (FPLR) CMP, FPLP, CMR can be substituted. What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ANSWERPower 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? - ANSWER150 volts What is the voltage rating of PLFA cables? - ANSWERNot less than 300 volts Shall the voltage be marked on PLFA cables? - ANSWERNo, because they may be misinterpreted and used for electrical applications. What is a 'Rate Compensation Detector'? - ANSWERA device that responds when the temperature reaches a pre-determined level. What is a 'Rate of Rise Detector'? - ANSWERA device that responds when the temperature rises at a rate exceeding a pre-determined value. What is a 'Smoke Detector?' - ANSWERA device that detects both visible and invisible combustion particles Which sensor is best at detecting 'invisible' smoke particles? - ANSWERIonization Which sensor is best at detecting thick, 'visible' smoke particles? - ANSWERPhotoelectric What is a 'Spot Type Detector'? - ANSWERA device in which the detecting element is concentrated at a particular location. What is a 'Digital Alarm Communicator Receiver'? (DACR) - ANSWERA system component that accepts and displays signals sent over the public phone network from a DACT. (I.e. ADT monitoring center)