TEXAS FIRE ALARM COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔What is the maximum voltage permitted through multi-conductor NPLFA cables? -
✔✔150 volts
✔✔What is the voltage rating of PLFA cables? - ✔✔Not less than 300 volts
✔✔What is a 'Rate Compensation Detector'? - ✔✔A device that responds when the
temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
✔✔What is a 'Rate of Rise Detector'? - ✔✔A device that responds when the
temperature rises at a rate exceeding a pre-determined value.
✔✔What is a 'Smoke Detector?' - ✔✔A device that detects both visible and invisible
combustion particles
✔✔Which sensor is best at detecting 'invisible' smoke particles? - ✔✔Ionization
✔✔Which sensor is best at detecting thick, 'visible' smoke particles? - ✔✔Photoelectric
✔✔What is a 'Spot Type Detector'? - ✔✔A device in which the detecting element is
concentrated at a particular location.
✔✔What is a 'Digital Alarm Communicator Receiver'? (DACR) How often shall it be
tested? - ✔✔A system component that accepts and displays signals sent over the public
phone network from a DACT. (I.e. ADT monitoring center); Tested Monthly
✔✔What is a 'Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter? (DACT) - ✔✔A system
component at the protected premises is connected to the detection devices.
✔✔Does an exterior horn for a sprinkler system need to be supervised? - ✔✔Yes
✔✔What is 'Cloud Chamber Smoke Detection'? - ✔✔A detector that draws an air
sample into a high-humidity), low pressure chamber. The conditions in the chamber
cause the moisture in the air to condense on the smoke particles, forming a cloud. The
density of this cloud is measured by a photoelectric principle, if it meets a certain
criteria, an alarm is generated
✔✔What is 'Ionization Smoke Detection'? - ✔✔A detector that uses a small amount of
radioactive material to 'ionize' the air between two differently charged electrodes. When
smoke is present between these electrodes, it causes the conductance of the air to
decrease, and this causes the alarm to trip.
, ✔✔What is 'Photoelectric Light-Scattering Smoke Detection'? - ✔✔A detector that uses
a light source and a photosensitive sensor, arranged so that light will only fall on the
sensor when smoke particles arc present t. The particles reflect and retract light towards
the sensor, tripping the alarm.
✔✔What three procedures must be in place before it is permitted to install a means to
silence trouble/supervisory/alarm signals? - ✔✔1. The means shall be key operated and
contained within a locked enclosure. 2. The means shall transfer its audible warning to a
visual warning. (I.e. flashing lamp) 3. The audib1e trouble signal shall sound when the
system is set to this 'silent' mode and no trouble or supervisory exists.
✔✔What code shall all wiring, cable and equipment be in accordance with? - ✔✔NFPA
70 and the National electrical code. Specifically articles 760, 770 and 800.
✔✔All systems shall test free of _____________ except for applications in which they
are approved. - ✔✔Grounds
✔✔So long as single open, ground or short circuit conditions do not affect the operation
of equipment, what is not needed? - ✔✔Monitoring for integrity. Such conditions must
not prevent alarm, trouble or supervisory signals being sent.
✔✔If speakers are used to generate audible fire signals, what rule must apply? -
✔✔The speaker must be monitored for integrity. Any failure should result in a trouble
signal.
✔✔In a one or two family dwelling, where must smoke detectors be located? - ✔✔All
sleeping rooms, outside of each sleeping area and on all levels of the dwelling,
(including basements).
✔✔Where must spot-type heat and smoke sensors be located on walls and ceilings? -
✔✔On the ceiling - not less than 4in from the sidewall. On the wall - Between 4in and
12in from the ceiling
✔✔When more than one detector is used on a ceiling, what spacing measurement shall
be used? - ✔✔All points shall have a detector equal to 0.7 (70%) times the listed
spacing.
✔✔Why must a smoke detector not be placed above 25ft? - ✔✔Because of the effects
of stratification, smoke will often not rise above this point
✔✔When water flow occurs that is equal to or greater than the flow of a single sprinkler,
how quickly shall the alarm signal initiate? - ✔✔Within 90 seconds
AND ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔What is the maximum voltage permitted through multi-conductor NPLFA cables? -
✔✔150 volts
✔✔What is the voltage rating of PLFA cables? - ✔✔Not less than 300 volts
✔✔What is a 'Rate Compensation Detector'? - ✔✔A device that responds when the
temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
✔✔What is a 'Rate of Rise Detector'? - ✔✔A device that responds when the
temperature rises at a rate exceeding a pre-determined value.
✔✔What is a 'Smoke Detector?' - ✔✔A device that detects both visible and invisible
combustion particles
✔✔Which sensor is best at detecting 'invisible' smoke particles? - ✔✔Ionization
✔✔Which sensor is best at detecting thick, 'visible' smoke particles? - ✔✔Photoelectric
✔✔What is a 'Spot Type Detector'? - ✔✔A device in which the detecting element is
concentrated at a particular location.
✔✔What is a 'Digital Alarm Communicator Receiver'? (DACR) How often shall it be
tested? - ✔✔A system component that accepts and displays signals sent over the public
phone network from a DACT. (I.e. ADT monitoring center); Tested Monthly
✔✔What is a 'Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter? (DACT) - ✔✔A system
component at the protected premises is connected to the detection devices.
✔✔Does an exterior horn for a sprinkler system need to be supervised? - ✔✔Yes
✔✔What is 'Cloud Chamber Smoke Detection'? - ✔✔A detector that draws an air
sample into a high-humidity), low pressure chamber. The conditions in the chamber
cause the moisture in the air to condense on the smoke particles, forming a cloud. The
density of this cloud is measured by a photoelectric principle, if it meets a certain
criteria, an alarm is generated
✔✔What is 'Ionization Smoke Detection'? - ✔✔A detector that uses a small amount of
radioactive material to 'ionize' the air between two differently charged electrodes. When
smoke is present between these electrodes, it causes the conductance of the air to
decrease, and this causes the alarm to trip.
, ✔✔What is 'Photoelectric Light-Scattering Smoke Detection'? - ✔✔A detector that uses
a light source and a photosensitive sensor, arranged so that light will only fall on the
sensor when smoke particles arc present t. The particles reflect and retract light towards
the sensor, tripping the alarm.
✔✔What three procedures must be in place before it is permitted to install a means to
silence trouble/supervisory/alarm signals? - ✔✔1. The means shall be key operated and
contained within a locked enclosure. 2. The means shall transfer its audible warning to a
visual warning. (I.e. flashing lamp) 3. The audib1e trouble signal shall sound when the
system is set to this 'silent' mode and no trouble or supervisory exists.
✔✔What code shall all wiring, cable and equipment be in accordance with? - ✔✔NFPA
70 and the National electrical code. Specifically articles 760, 770 and 800.
✔✔All systems shall test free of _____________ except for applications in which they
are approved. - ✔✔Grounds
✔✔So long as single open, ground or short circuit conditions do not affect the operation
of equipment, what is not needed? - ✔✔Monitoring for integrity. Such conditions must
not prevent alarm, trouble or supervisory signals being sent.
✔✔If speakers are used to generate audible fire signals, what rule must apply? -
✔✔The speaker must be monitored for integrity. Any failure should result in a trouble
signal.
✔✔In a one or two family dwelling, where must smoke detectors be located? - ✔✔All
sleeping rooms, outside of each sleeping area and on all levels of the dwelling,
(including basements).
✔✔Where must spot-type heat and smoke sensors be located on walls and ceilings? -
✔✔On the ceiling - not less than 4in from the sidewall. On the wall - Between 4in and
12in from the ceiling
✔✔When more than one detector is used on a ceiling, what spacing measurement shall
be used? - ✔✔All points shall have a detector equal to 0.7 (70%) times the listed
spacing.
✔✔Why must a smoke detector not be placed above 25ft? - ✔✔Because of the effects
of stratification, smoke will often not rise above this point
✔✔When water flow occurs that is equal to or greater than the flow of a single sprinkler,
how quickly shall the alarm signal initiate? - ✔✔Within 90 seconds
