1|Page
TEXAS FIRE ALARM ACTUAL EXAM
PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES |ALREADY A GRADED
WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND
REVISED
1. A company performing fire alarm system installation in Texas
must be familiar with which primary state rule set that governs
planning, installation, and record drawings?
A. The International Residential Code only.
B. The Internal Revenue Code.
C. Texas Administrative Code, Title 28, Chapter 34 (Fire
Alarm Rules) as implemented by the State Fire Marshal.
D. OSHA fall protection standards exclusively.
Texas fire alarm activities are governed by state rules published
in the Texas Administrative Code and by the State Fire
Marshal’s Fire Alarm Rules.
2. Which national consensus standard is explicitly referenced by
Texas for alarm system performance, inspection, testing and
documentation?
A. ASTM E84 only.
B. NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code).
C. The Uniform Plumbing Code.
D. ISO 9001.
,2|Page
NFPA 72 is the primary standard used for system design, testing,
maintenance, and documentation for fire alarm systems.
3. Under Texas Fire Alarm Rules, who is authorized to “certify” that
an installed fire alarm system conforms to required standards?
A. Any administrative assistant.
B. A licensed or registered representative qualified under state
rules (e.g., licensed installing firm or credentialed technician)
who completes the installation/service record.
C. The building tenant only.
D. The manufacturer’s salesperson only.
Certification must be performed by appropriately
authorized/credentialed personnel per state rule and documented
on required forms.
4. When submitting fire alarm plans to an AHJ in Texas, the plans
must include which of the following?
A. Only the project color preferences.
B. As-built and construction drawings, sequence of operations,
device locations, power calculations, and manufacturer cut
sheets as required by 28 TAC §34.619.
C. Only the installer’s business card.
D. Only a handwritten sketch.
State rules require thorough plan submittals including drawings
and sequences so reviewers can verify compliance with NFPA 72
and related codes. (Legal Information Institute)
5. Which credential is commonly expected of fire alarm system
designers or plan preparers for complex installations per many
Texas jurisdictions and NFPA guidance?
A. Driver’s license.
B. NICET certification (appropriate level in Fire Alarm
Systems) or equivalent qualification as required by the AHJ.
C. Fitness trainer certificate.
D. High school cafeteria permit.
Many jurisdictions require or prefer NICET-qualified
designers/technicians for plan preparation and acceptance
testing.
,3|Page
6. A signaling line circuit (SLC) intended for Class A configuration
must:
A. Be unmonitored and open-circuited during operation.
B. Return to the panel by an alternate route if a single
conductor is broken (looped) to provide survivability per
NFPA 72.
C. Never be used for initiating devices.
D. Only be used for NAC circuits.
Class A SLCs provide fault tolerance by maintaining continuity
via an alternate path when a conductor is broken.
7. Which device sends a supervisory signal to the fire alarm control
unit when a valve on a sprinkler riser is closed?
A. Photoelectric detector.
B. Waterflow switch (if actuated) or remote supervisory
switch/tamper switch—tamper or supervisory signal monitors
valve positions.
C. Manual pull station only.
D. Horn-strobe.
Tamper or supervisory switches on control valves transmit
supervisory signals to alert that a protective condition has
changed.
8. According to Texas rules and NFPA 72, smoke detector sensitivity
must be checked:
A. Never after installation.
B. Within one year of installation and at intervals thereafter as
required by the current edition of NFPA 72 (sensitivity testing
schedules).
C. Only when detectors fail.
D. Every 25 years.
NFPA 72 requires initial and periodic sensitivity testing to ensure
detector performance; Texas references NFPA 72 testing
requirements. (Legal Information Institute)
9. During acceptance testing, the sequence of operation should be
verified. Which of these is part of that verification?
A. The installer’s parking assignment.
, 4|Page
B. Initiation of an input (smoke, pull, waterflow) and
confirmation that the fire alarm control unit produces the
expected outputs (NAC activation, supervisory reports,
elevator recall, notification).
C. Only the visual appearance of devices.
D. The color of conduit.
Acceptance tests confirm that inputs activate the correct control
and notification sequences per the design.
10. A monitoring service that receives signals from protected
premises in Texas must comply with rules that require:
A. Processing signals only by social media.
B. Registration/certification with the State Fire Marshal/TDI
and maintaining records and monitoring standards as specified
in the Fire Alarm Rules.
C. No documentation is required.
D. Only emailing the property owner.
Central stations/monitoring services are regulated and often
must be registered and adhere to reporting and recordkeeping
requirements under state rules. (kirschenbaumesq.com)
11. Which alarm-initiating device is most suitable to detect a
smoldering fire in contents (slow-smoldering, smoky conditions)?
A. Flame detector.
B. Photoelectric (smoke) detector—photoelectric detectors are
more responsive to smoldering fires.
C. Heat detector only.
D. Horn-strobe.
Photoelectric detectors respond well to large-particle smoke
typical of smoldering combustion.
12. What is the primary purpose of an emergency voice/alarm
communication (EVAC) system in a large assembly occupancy?
A. Only for music playback.
B. To provide intelligible voice instructions to occupants and to
facilitate orderly evacuation or sheltering per NFPA 72/IFC.
C. To power elevators.
D. Replacement for the fire department radio.
TEXAS FIRE ALARM ACTUAL EXAM
PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES |ALREADY A GRADED
WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND
REVISED
1. A company performing fire alarm system installation in Texas
must be familiar with which primary state rule set that governs
planning, installation, and record drawings?
A. The International Residential Code only.
B. The Internal Revenue Code.
C. Texas Administrative Code, Title 28, Chapter 34 (Fire
Alarm Rules) as implemented by the State Fire Marshal.
D. OSHA fall protection standards exclusively.
Texas fire alarm activities are governed by state rules published
in the Texas Administrative Code and by the State Fire
Marshal’s Fire Alarm Rules.
2. Which national consensus standard is explicitly referenced by
Texas for alarm system performance, inspection, testing and
documentation?
A. ASTM E84 only.
B. NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code).
C. The Uniform Plumbing Code.
D. ISO 9001.
,2|Page
NFPA 72 is the primary standard used for system design, testing,
maintenance, and documentation for fire alarm systems.
3. Under Texas Fire Alarm Rules, who is authorized to “certify” that
an installed fire alarm system conforms to required standards?
A. Any administrative assistant.
B. A licensed or registered representative qualified under state
rules (e.g., licensed installing firm or credentialed technician)
who completes the installation/service record.
C. The building tenant only.
D. The manufacturer’s salesperson only.
Certification must be performed by appropriately
authorized/credentialed personnel per state rule and documented
on required forms.
4. When submitting fire alarm plans to an AHJ in Texas, the plans
must include which of the following?
A. Only the project color preferences.
B. As-built and construction drawings, sequence of operations,
device locations, power calculations, and manufacturer cut
sheets as required by 28 TAC §34.619.
C. Only the installer’s business card.
D. Only a handwritten sketch.
State rules require thorough plan submittals including drawings
and sequences so reviewers can verify compliance with NFPA 72
and related codes. (Legal Information Institute)
5. Which credential is commonly expected of fire alarm system
designers or plan preparers for complex installations per many
Texas jurisdictions and NFPA guidance?
A. Driver’s license.
B. NICET certification (appropriate level in Fire Alarm
Systems) or equivalent qualification as required by the AHJ.
C. Fitness trainer certificate.
D. High school cafeteria permit.
Many jurisdictions require or prefer NICET-qualified
designers/technicians for plan preparation and acceptance
testing.
,3|Page
6. A signaling line circuit (SLC) intended for Class A configuration
must:
A. Be unmonitored and open-circuited during operation.
B. Return to the panel by an alternate route if a single
conductor is broken (looped) to provide survivability per
NFPA 72.
C. Never be used for initiating devices.
D. Only be used for NAC circuits.
Class A SLCs provide fault tolerance by maintaining continuity
via an alternate path when a conductor is broken.
7. Which device sends a supervisory signal to the fire alarm control
unit when a valve on a sprinkler riser is closed?
A. Photoelectric detector.
B. Waterflow switch (if actuated) or remote supervisory
switch/tamper switch—tamper or supervisory signal monitors
valve positions.
C. Manual pull station only.
D. Horn-strobe.
Tamper or supervisory switches on control valves transmit
supervisory signals to alert that a protective condition has
changed.
8. According to Texas rules and NFPA 72, smoke detector sensitivity
must be checked:
A. Never after installation.
B. Within one year of installation and at intervals thereafter as
required by the current edition of NFPA 72 (sensitivity testing
schedules).
C. Only when detectors fail.
D. Every 25 years.
NFPA 72 requires initial and periodic sensitivity testing to ensure
detector performance; Texas references NFPA 72 testing
requirements. (Legal Information Institute)
9. During acceptance testing, the sequence of operation should be
verified. Which of these is part of that verification?
A. The installer’s parking assignment.
, 4|Page
B. Initiation of an input (smoke, pull, waterflow) and
confirmation that the fire alarm control unit produces the
expected outputs (NAC activation, supervisory reports,
elevator recall, notification).
C. Only the visual appearance of devices.
D. The color of conduit.
Acceptance tests confirm that inputs activate the correct control
and notification sequences per the design.
10. A monitoring service that receives signals from protected
premises in Texas must comply with rules that require:
A. Processing signals only by social media.
B. Registration/certification with the State Fire Marshal/TDI
and maintaining records and monitoring standards as specified
in the Fire Alarm Rules.
C. No documentation is required.
D. Only emailing the property owner.
Central stations/monitoring services are regulated and often
must be registered and adhere to reporting and recordkeeping
requirements under state rules. (kirschenbaumesq.com)
11. Which alarm-initiating device is most suitable to detect a
smoldering fire in contents (slow-smoldering, smoky conditions)?
A. Flame detector.
B. Photoelectric (smoke) detector—photoelectric detectors are
more responsive to smoldering fires.
C. Heat detector only.
D. Horn-strobe.
Photoelectric detectors respond well to large-particle smoke
typical of smoldering combustion.
12. What is the primary purpose of an emergency voice/alarm
communication (EVAC) system in a large assembly occupancy?
A. Only for music playback.
B. To provide intelligible voice instructions to occupants and to
facilitate orderly evacuation or sheltering per NFPA 72/IFC.
C. To power elevators.
D. Replacement for the fire department radio.
