Texas Fire Alarm Practice Test | Latest 2025/ 2026 Update | Graded A | Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct

Texas Fire Alarm Practice Test | Latest 2025/ 2026 Update | Graded A | Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct Question: What is the purpose of the Texas fire rules? Answer: -To regulate the planning, selling, leasing, installing, servicing, monitoring and maintenance of fire devices and systems. -To prohibit the use of unrecognized devices Question: What does N.F.P.A stand for? Answer: National Fire Protection Agency Question: What is a fire alarm device? Answer: Any device that is capable of warning audibly or visually when a fire has occurred. Question: What is a fire detection device? Answer: Any device that is capable of detecting that fire or smoke is present. Question: What five things can a municipality or county demand in addition to the fire alarm rules? Answer: - They can mandate that a system be installed if they feel it's needed - They can require standards that are higher than law - They can require regular inspections - They can require that a permit be obtained for alarm - They can require, that a monitored property be contacted before dispatch is sent out (Need system, better standards, regular inspections, permit needed, contact before dispatch) Question: What insurance is a company or firm is required to have? Answer: General liability insurance with 'Products' and 'completed operations coverage. - $100K for each incident of bodily injury or property damage - $300K for all annual occurrences Question: What two things are required to become licensed? Answer: -You must pass a written exam. -You must be employed by a registered firm. Question: What 4 standards and codes may the fire commissioner adopt to create the rules? Answer: -N.F.P.A standards -Federal law or regulatory standards -Standards published by a recognized national standards organization -Information provided by manufacturers Question: Who do the Texas fire rules NOT apply to? Answer: -Anyone not involved in the planning leasing, servicing, sales or maintenance of fire systems. -Anyone who installs electrical wiring or devices so long as: the work was supervised by a licensed employee of a registered firm, OR if the registered firm assumes ALL responsibility for the system. -Anyone who installs on their own property. -Anyone who does not charge for the device or it's installation -Anyone who sells fire equipment EXCLUSIVELY over the counter or through mail order, and who will not plan, certify, install, service, or maintain the devices. -Any engineer acting in his professional capacity. -Anyone who installs at no charge battery operated, single station, residential equipment that is N.F.P.A compliant and installed by knowledgeable installers an employee of a registered firm that is being supervised by a License Holder. -Any building owner who installs and monitors on site, at no cost to the resident, a system that meets N.F.P.A standards with equipment recognized by a testing laboratory. -An employee of a registered firm who installs single station, non monitored, lab recognized equipment for residential use, so long as the installer is knowledgeable and meets N.F.P.A standards. -A licensed alarm technician who installs fire keypad panics. Question: In what situations do the Texas Fire Rules not apply to certified Electricians? Answer: -Certified electricians who install single station residential equipment -Certified electricians who install multiple station equipment that meets NFPA standards and that does not communicate off premises. Question: How long does the state fire Marshall have to inform the examiners of their results? Answer: -No more than 30 days, results are mailed Question: If a certificate or pocket card is defaced, it becomes _______ ? [ invalid ] Answer: Question: how long is a certificate of license renewal Valid for? Answer: 2 years. The renewal fee for each year is payable upon renewal Question: At what point must the fire Marshall notify a license holder that their license is about to expire? Answer: At least 30 days before the license expires Question: How does a person with an UNEXPIRED license obtain renewal? Answer: Pay the renewal fee before the expiration date. Question: How does a person obtain renewal of a license that has been expired for LESS than 90 days? Answer: Pay the renewal fee PLUS a fee not to exceed one fourth of the original fee paid to obtain the license. [So if it is $100 they will pay $125] Question: how does a person obtain a a renewal of a license that has been expired between 90 days and 2 years? Answer: Pay the renewal fee PLUS a fee that does not exceed the original fee to obtain the license. Question: How do you renew a license expired for two years or more? Answer: You cannot renew, you must take the test again Question: Can a fire fighter sell and install fire systems? Answer: No, Unless he is licensed to do so. Question: If you submit your renewal application and it is not complete, what happens? Answer: You are granted 30 days to complete the application. Beyond that, you can be charged late fees. Question: When no longer employed by a registered firm, can you renew your license? Answer: Yes, but you may not engage in License activity until you are employed by a registered firm again. Question: Must you be employed by a registered firm to have a license issued? Answer: Yes. Question: Can non-laboratory certified equipment ever be used? Answer: Yes, so long as it complied with the law at the time of the installation, and has not been modified. Example: An old alarm in an old building. Question: What three things should a firm do to train and supervised and employee who is exempt from the rules? Answer: -Ensure that each install complies with N.F.P.A standards. -Ensure that each device is laboratory certified. -Ensure that the individual is knowledgeable in fire protection and placement of detectors. Question: What three practices concerning the fire licensing are prohibited by law? Answer: -Planning, certifying, selling, installing, monitoring and maintaining fire systems without a license -Attempting to obtain a license fraudulently -Violating ANY of the Texas fire rules Question: What happens if the rules are violated? Answer: After notice and a hearing, the state fire Marshall may suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue a license. Question: If a license is revoked how long must a person wait to re-apply? Answer: You must wait at least one year after the date the license was revoked. You must also request a public hearing to show why your new license should not be denied. Question: Which three actions constitute a criminal offense? -Planning, installing or monitoring systems without a license. -Running a separate branch without its own certificate. -Running a firm without at least one employee who is a Technician, Superintendent or Planning Superintendent. Question: What type of criminal offense is committed? Class B misdemeanor. Question: What is monitoring equipment? Equipment used to transmit and receive Fire Trouble, Supervisory and Alarm Signals to and from a firm registered to monitor such signals. Question: What does N.I.C.E.T stand for? National Institute for Certification and Engineering Technologies Question: What is an approved testing laboratory? An organization that lists all the equipment that complies with the state fire rules. Question: What is an approved testing organization? An organization that tests applicants, such as N.I.C.E.T Question: What are the rules governing a firm's Certificate of Registration? -A specific location must be maintained by the firm and listed on the certificate. -The certificate must be posted CONSPICUOUSLY at the business location. Question: What would invalidate a firm's certificate? A total change of a firm's ownership. Question: What causes a firms certificate to be revised? A change in business name, location or mailing address. Question: What business change must the Marshall be notified of, but does not require a revised certificate? A change in corporate officers. Question: What does a FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN license allow? The installation, inspection, certifying, servicing, testing, maintaining, and monitoring of fire devices and systems. Question: 39. What does a RESIDENTIAL FIRE ALARM SUPERINTENDENT SINGLE STATION license allow? The planning, installation, inspection, certifying, servicing, testing, maintaining, and monitoring of RESIDENTIAL SINGLE STATION devices and systems Question: What does a FIRE ALARM MONITORING TECHNICIAN license allow? Allows the monitoring of fire devices and systems ONLY. Question: What does a RESIDENTIAL FIRE ALARM SUPERINTENDENT license alarm allow? Allows the planning, installing, certifying, inspecting, testing, servicing, monitoring and maintenance of RESIDENTIAL devices and systems. This license means that the SUPERINTENDENT may act as a fire alarm technician Question: What does a FIRE ALARM PLANNING SUPERINTENDENT license allow? -Allows the planning,installing,certifying, testing,servicing, monitoring, and maintenance of fire devices and systems. -This license means the SUPERINTENDENT may act as a fire alarm technician or as a residential fire alarm superintendent Question: Where must all licenses be kept or displayed? A pocket license must be kept on the licensee when they are working, and a paper wall license must be displayed conspicuously at the business location. Any altered licenses will be rendered invalid. Question: When can a licensee NOT engage in fire activities? When they are NOT employed by a registered firm. Question: How long does a firm have to notify the fire Marshall of an employees termination? Within 14 days of termination. Question: Which license applicant ONLY need take the fire Marshall's technical test? Residential fire alarm single station and a fire alarm monitoring technician applicant. Question: 47. What must a Fire alarm Technician and Residential Fire alarm Superintendant applicants furnish the fire Marshall with? A notification from NICET confirming they have passed a test in work elements pertaining to fire systems. They must also pass the fire Marshall's qualifying test. Question: 48. What must an applicant for a FIRE ALARM SUPERINTENDENT furnish the fire Marshall with? A notification from NICET confirming they have passed a test in work elements pertaining to fire systems and proof of registration in Texas as a professional engineer. Question: How many times can an applicant schedule a test within 12 months? 3 Times Question: What is considered repair? - RESTORATION TO OPERATING CONDITION -Replacement of old equipment in the same location with new and similar equipment is also considered repair. -New equipment must meet the latest standards but the entire system does not need to be brought up to code Question: When is an installation certificate completed? AFTER installation, modification or addition to a fire system. Question: Where must 3 copies of the installation certificate be distributed? -Original stays on site -One copy retained for life of a system or ten years by the fire Marshall's office -One copy sent within ten days to the local authority having jurisdiction Question: When must the three installation inspections be performed? -1- At the completion of the device back box but prior to #2 - 2- At the completion of the device cable installation but prior to #3 - 3- At the completion of the device installation but prior to activation Question: What is the purpose of fire alarm plans and record drawings tag? To certify that the plan or finished drawing of a fire system meets all codes and standards Question: What five things should it say on the installation label? -DO NOT REMOVE BY ORDER OF THE TEXAS FIRE MARSHALL -INSTALLATION RECORD -The firms name address telephone and registration number -Installation date and licensee signature and license number -The name of whoever planned the system Question: What five things should it say on the RESIDENTIAL installation label? -DO NOT REMOVE BY ORDER OF THE TEXAS FIRE MARSHALL INSTALLATION RECORD -The firm's name address telephone and registration number -Installation date and licensee signature and license number -An inscription certifying the install meets code Question: When and where must the installation labels be placed? Inside the control panel cover or in a permanent location Question: When must a service label be used? After any service that has corrected and issue that was noted on a yellow or red label Question: How long must a service label stay in place? Two years. An agent of the Fire Marshall may remove it at any time. Question: What six things must be listed on a Service Label? -DO NOT REMOVE BY ORDER OF THE TEXAS FIRE MARSHALL SERVICE RECORD -The firm's name address telephone and registration number -Service date and licensee signature and license number -A list of services performed -Type of service - either general service or a correction of conditions Question: What does an inspection label show? What color is it? It shows that an inspection or test has taken place. It must be blue. Question: What seven things must an inspection label say? -DO NOT REMOVE BY ORDER OF THE TEXAS FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTION/TEST RECORD -The firm's name address telephone and registration number -INSPECTION date and licensee signature and license number -Type of inspection - new install, Semi annual, quarterly or annual -Date of last sensitivity test -Status of the system after inspection, and whether a red or yellow label was attached Question: When should a yellow label be used? If a system does not meet applicable codes and standards Question: What must happen if a yellow label is attached? The property owner and local jurisdiction must be informed in writing within five days of the label being attached Question: What five things must be listed on a yellow label? -DO NOT REMOVE BY ORDER OF THE FIRE MARSHALL SYSTEM DOES NOT COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS -The firms ss, telephone and registration number -Date label was attached and licensee signature and number a list of conditions resulting in the yellow label Question: Where should a yellow or red label be attached? On the outside of the control panel or in a permanent location Question: When should a red label be attached? If a system does not function or is inoperable Question: What must happen after a red label is attached? The property owner or occupant must be orally notified immediately. The property owner and local jurisdiction must be informed in writing within 5 days of the label being attached. Question: What five things must be on a red label? -DO NOT REMOVE BY ORDER OF THE FIRE MARSHALL -Status of the system - inoperable, impaired, or fault -The firms name, address, telephone and registration number -Date label was attached and licensee signature and license number -A list of conditions resulting in the red label Question: What does P.L.F.A stand for? Power Limited Fire Alarm Question: What does N.P.L.F.A stand for? Non-Power limited fire alarm Question: What is the difference between P.F.L.A and N.P.F.L.A? -An N.P.L.F.A can operate at up to 600V, and the power output isn't limited -A P.L.F.A has the voltage and power limited by a listed power source Question: What material must N.P.F.L.A circuit conductors be made from? ONlY solid stranded copper is permitted Question: What does A.W.G stand for? American Wire Gauge Question: What size conductors are permitted? Size 18 A.W.G and 16 A.W.G are permitted, provided they do not exceed certain capacities Question: What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply conductors? An over-current device not rated over 20 Amperes Question: When located within 7 feet of the floor, how shall cables be fastened? Cables shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 18 inches. Question: 78. Single conductors shall not be smaller than ____A.W.G? 18 Question: Conductors of 28 A.W.G shall only be permitted in which circumstances? Spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 A.W.G Question: How shall P.F.L.A conductors NOT be installed? P.F.L.A conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached to the exterior of any conduit or raceway Question: What is Plenum cable? Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces used for environmental air. It has adequate fire resistance and low smoke producing characteristics. Question: What is a Riser cable? -Cable to be used in vertical wire runs in shafts between floors. Not to be used where Plenum cable is required. -It is capable of preventing fire from rising from floor to floor Question: What is general purpose cable? -Cable for general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where plenum cable or riser cable is required. -It is resistant to the spread of fire. Question: Why 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed? Power Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (F.P.L.P) C.M.P can be substituted. Question: What 'type' shall riser cable be? What substitutions are allowed? -Power Limited fire alarm riser (F.P.L.R) C.M.P, F.P.L.P. -C.M.R can be substituted. Question: What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? -Power Limited fire alarm (F.P.L) C.M.P, F.P.L.P, C.M.R, F.P.L.R, C.M.G -CM can be substituted (all types) Question: What is the maximum voltage permitted through multi-conductor N.P.F.L.A cables? 150 volts Question: What is the voltage rating marked on P.F.L.A cables? Not less than 300 volts Question: Shall the voltage be marked on P.F.L.A cables? No, because they may be mistakenly used for electrical applications Question: What is a 'Rate Compensation Detector'? A device that responds when a temperature rises at an exceeding rate that is predetermined. Question: What is a 'Smoke Detector'? A device that detects both visible and invisible combustion particles. Question: Which detector is best at detecting invisible particles? Ionization Question: Which sensor is better at detecting thick, visible smoke particles? Photoelectric Question: What is a SPOT TYPE sensor? A device in which detecting an element is concentrated at a particular location. Question: What is a DIGITAL ALARM COMMUNICATOR RECEIVER (D.A.C.R)? A system component that accepts and displays signals sent over the public phone network from a D.A.C.T (i.e A.D.T monitoring center) Question: What is a DIGITAL ALARM COMMUNICATOR TRANSMITTER (D.A.C.T)? A system component at the protected premises is connected to the detection devices. It has line seizure and can connect to a D.A.C.R. Question: What is an alarm signal? A signal indicating an emergency that requires immediate action Question: What is a Supervisory signal? A signal that indicates the need for action in connection with the SUPERVISION of fire equipment. Question: What is a Trouble signal? A signal that indicates a fault with the fire equipment. It must have an audible signal, distinctive from alarm signals Question: Does an exterior harm for a sprinkler system need to be supervised? Yes Question: Does a fire hood system and a kitchen need to be monitored by the fire alarm system? Yes Question: 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. Question: What is an Ionization Smoke detector? A detector that used a small amount of radio active 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. Question: What is Photo Electric 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 are present. the particles reflect and retract light towards the sensor, tripping the alarm. Question: What is important about the way trouble signals sound? They must be distinctive from alarm signals Question: What three procedures must be in place before it is permitted to install a means to silence trouble/supervisory/alarm signals? -The means shall be key operated and contained within a locked enclosure -The means shall transfer it's audible warning to a visual warning. -The audible trouble signal shall sound when the system is set to silent mode and no trouble or supervisory exists Question: Fire/supervisory signals shall be __________ in sound from other signals and shall not be used for any other purpose. Distinctive Question: What code shall all wiring, cable and equipment be in accordance with? N.F.P.A 70, Nation Electrical code. Specifically articles 760, 770, and 800 Question: All systems shall test free of _______, except for applications in which __________ are approved. grounds, grounds Question: So long as a single open, ground or short circuit conditioned 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. Question: If speakers are used to generate audible fire signals, What rule must apply? The speaker must be monitored for integrity, and failure should result in a trouble signal. Question: Where must a spot type heat and smoke sensors be located on walls and ceilings? On the ceiling - not less than four inches from the sidewall On the wall- between 4 inches and 12 inches from the ceiling Question: 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 times the listed spacing. Question: When water flow occurs that is equal or greater than the flow of a single sprinkler, how quickly shall the alarm signal initiate? Within 90 seconds Question: Can detectors be installed within an air duct system? Can they be used as a substitute for open area protection? yes. AND no. Question: Detectors shall be _________ for the purpose for which they are being used. Listed (i.e. zone listed) Question: Which signals must take priority over all other signals? Fire. Even if a non fire signal is generated first Question: How many fire alarm boxes (pull stations) are required in systems employing automatic fire or water flow detectors? At least one, located where required by the authority having jurisdiction Question: Systems that require two automatic detectors to initiate the alarm may only be used after which 3 conditions are filled? The systems are not prohibited by the authority having jurisdiction -At least two automatic detectors are in each protected space -The alarm verification feature is not used Question: The number of water slow switches permitted to be connected to a single initiating device shall not exceed__________. Five Question: What must be monitored for integrity? The installation wiring between the fire alarm control unit and the relay or other appliance (Horn, Strobe, etc) Question: Each elevator lobby, elevator hoist way and elevator machine room detector must be capable of what? Initiating elevator recall when all other devices are in alarm condition Question: Must the alarm devices within the elevator hoist way be integrated with the fire alarm? Yes Question: Wall mounted appliances must be located between which two distances above a finished floor? Not less than 80 inches and not greater than 96 inches above the finished floor. Question: When may the manual testing frequency be extended to annually? If automatic testing is performed at least weekly Question: The installation of fire devices shall comply with which 9 rules? -Equipment shall not be located where ambient conditions are outside of manufacturers recommendations. -Equipment shall not be located within spaces where temperatures fall below 40f and above 100f -Equipment shall not be located on any mounting surface that will become considerably warmer or cooler than the room. -Equipment within 20ft path of a cooking appliance must be of the photoelectric type or have a means of alarm silencing. -Equipment shall not be installed within a 36 horizontal path of a bathroom containing a shower or a tub. -Equipment shall not be installed within a 36 horizontal path of the supply registers for heating/cooling systems. -Equipment shall not be installed within a 36 horizontal path from the tip of a ceiling fan blade -Smoke rising up a stairway must not be blocked by a door or obstruction -For stairways up from the basement, equipment shall be placed on the basement ceiling near to the entry to the stairs