S95 PERSONAL (SUPERVISIÓN OF FIRE ALARM
SYSTEM) 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Initiating device - ANS-A system component that originates transmission of a change-of-
state condition, such as in a smoke detector, manual fire alarm box, or supervisory
switch.
Smoke Detector maintenance - ANS-Work, including but not limited to, repair,
replacement, and service, performed to ensure that equipment operates properly.
SHALL - ANS-Indicates a mandatory requirement.
Nuisance Alarm - ANS-Any alarm caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper
installation, or lack of proper maintenance, or any alarm activated by a cause that
cannot be determined.
Out of service system - ANS-A fire protection system that is not fully functional; or
whose operation is impaired or is otherwise not in good working order.
Plenum - ANS-The open space that carries air between the ceilings and floor above.
Protected Premises - ANS-A building, occupancy or structure located in the city that is
equipped with a fire alarm system that transmits an alarm signal to the department or a
central station that monitors such system for the purposes of reporting fire alarms to the
department, whether or not the installation of such system on the premises is required
by law
Single station smoke alarm - ANS-An assembly incorporating the detector, the control
equipment, and the alarm-sounding device in one unit, operated from a power supply
either in the unit or obtained at the point of installation.
, Smoke Alarm - ANS-A Single or multiple station alarm responsive to smoke and not
connected to a fire alarm system
Smoke detector - ANS-A listed device that senses visible or invisible particles of
combustion that IS connected to a fire alarm system
Smoke detector maintenance company certificate - ANS-A certificate issued by the
commissioner to a person engaged in the business of performing smoke detector
cleaning and testing, which authorizes such person to engage in such business and
supervise the performance of such cleaning and testing by certificate of fitness holders
Trouble signal - ANS-A signal initiated by the fire alarm system or device indicative of a
fault in a monitored circuit or component.
Unnecessary Alarm - ANS-An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which
functioned as designed, but for which a department response proved unnecessary. An
example of an unnecessary alarm is an alarm triggered by smoke from a lit cigarette in
a non smoking area, when the presence of such smoke does not implicate fire safety
concern.
Unwarranted Alarm - ANS-An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which
failed to function as designed as a result of improper installation, improper maintenance,
malfunction or other factor. Examples of unwarranted alarms are alarms resulting from
improper smoke detector placement, improper detector setting for installed location,
lack of system maintenance, and control panel malfunction. It is important to know that
the alarm verification feature reduces the number of unwarranted alarms.
Supervisory Signal - ANS-A Supervisory signal indicates that a system or device being
monitored has been compromised or is in an abnormal state. Supervisory signals are
generated from initiating devices such as valve supervisory switch on a sprinkler
system, High/Low water level switch on a gravity tank feeding a sprinkler system, Low
air pressure switch from a dry pipe sprinkler system, Fire pump running / pump failure/
pump phase reversal
Trouble signals - ANS-Trouble signals indicate that the alarm system, transmitter or
communications path is wholly or partially out of service. Common trouble conditions
are: battery condition, ac failure, open or short circuit on a wire, phone line failure, or
internal component failure.
Upon receipt of trouble signals or other signals pertaining solely to equipment
maintenance of an alarm system, the central station shall communicate immediately
with persons designated by the subscriber. Routine handling should take a maximum of
four minutes from receipt of a trouble signal by the central station until initiation of the
investigation by telephone.
SYSTEM) 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Initiating device - ANS-A system component that originates transmission of a change-of-
state condition, such as in a smoke detector, manual fire alarm box, or supervisory
switch.
Smoke Detector maintenance - ANS-Work, including but not limited to, repair,
replacement, and service, performed to ensure that equipment operates properly.
SHALL - ANS-Indicates a mandatory requirement.
Nuisance Alarm - ANS-Any alarm caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper
installation, or lack of proper maintenance, or any alarm activated by a cause that
cannot be determined.
Out of service system - ANS-A fire protection system that is not fully functional; or
whose operation is impaired or is otherwise not in good working order.
Plenum - ANS-The open space that carries air between the ceilings and floor above.
Protected Premises - ANS-A building, occupancy or structure located in the city that is
equipped with a fire alarm system that transmits an alarm signal to the department or a
central station that monitors such system for the purposes of reporting fire alarms to the
department, whether or not the installation of such system on the premises is required
by law
Single station smoke alarm - ANS-An assembly incorporating the detector, the control
equipment, and the alarm-sounding device in one unit, operated from a power supply
either in the unit or obtained at the point of installation.
, Smoke Alarm - ANS-A Single or multiple station alarm responsive to smoke and not
connected to a fire alarm system
Smoke detector - ANS-A listed device that senses visible or invisible particles of
combustion that IS connected to a fire alarm system
Smoke detector maintenance company certificate - ANS-A certificate issued by the
commissioner to a person engaged in the business of performing smoke detector
cleaning and testing, which authorizes such person to engage in such business and
supervise the performance of such cleaning and testing by certificate of fitness holders
Trouble signal - ANS-A signal initiated by the fire alarm system or device indicative of a
fault in a monitored circuit or component.
Unnecessary Alarm - ANS-An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which
functioned as designed, but for which a department response proved unnecessary. An
example of an unnecessary alarm is an alarm triggered by smoke from a lit cigarette in
a non smoking area, when the presence of such smoke does not implicate fire safety
concern.
Unwarranted Alarm - ANS-An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which
failed to function as designed as a result of improper installation, improper maintenance,
malfunction or other factor. Examples of unwarranted alarms are alarms resulting from
improper smoke detector placement, improper detector setting for installed location,
lack of system maintenance, and control panel malfunction. It is important to know that
the alarm verification feature reduces the number of unwarranted alarms.
Supervisory Signal - ANS-A Supervisory signal indicates that a system or device being
monitored has been compromised or is in an abnormal state. Supervisory signals are
generated from initiating devices such as valve supervisory switch on a sprinkler
system, High/Low water level switch on a gravity tank feeding a sprinkler system, Low
air pressure switch from a dry pipe sprinkler system, Fire pump running / pump failure/
pump phase reversal
Trouble signals - ANS-Trouble signals indicate that the alarm system, transmitter or
communications path is wholly or partially out of service. Common trouble conditions
are: battery condition, ac failure, open or short circuit on a wire, phone line failure, or
internal component failure.
Upon receipt of trouble signals or other signals pertaining solely to equipment
maintenance of an alarm system, the central station shall communicate immediately
with persons designated by the subscriber. Routine handling should take a maximum of
four minutes from receipt of a trouble signal by the central station until initiation of the
investigation by telephone.
