Hawaii C-15A Fire & Burglar Alarm Contractor Exam | Latest Verified Questions and Detailed Answers

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Hawaii C-15A Fire & Burglar Alarm Contractor
Exam | Latest Verified Questions and Detailed
Answers
This comprehensive set of multiple-choice questions is designed for the Hawaii C-15A Fire
& Burglar Alarm Contractor Exam. The questions comprehensively cover the scope of work
for low-voltage power-limited systems, including relevant articles of the National Electrical
Code (NEC) such as Articles 725 and 760, key requirements of NFPA 72 for fire alarm
system design, installation, testing, and maintenance, as well as burglar alarm
fundamentals, SIA CP-01 false alarm reduction standards, and Hawaii-specific regulations
from the DCCA Contractors License Board and Revised Statutes. Each question includes a
precise expert rationale to reinforce code knowledge, electrical theory, safety practices,
and proper installation techniques required for licensing.

QUESTION 1

Which entity under the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
is responsible for issuing the C-15A license?

A) Hawaii State Fire Marshal
B) Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

C) Contractors License Board (CLB)
D) Professional Engineers Division
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Contractors License Board (CLB) administers licensing for all

contractor classifications in Hawaii, including the C-15A specialty .

QUESTION 2

According to the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), what is a required display for a licensed
contractor’s place of business?

A) License number on the company website only
B) License number on a permanent sign visible from the street

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C) License number on every vehicle owned by the business

D) License number on employee uniforms
CORRECT ANSWER: B

EXPERT RATIONALE: Hawaii law mandates a permanent, legible sign displaying the
contractor's license number at the physical place of business for public visibility .


QUESTION 3
Under the scope of work for a C-15A license, which task is the contractor permitted to

perform?
A) Installing high-voltage commercial power distribution panels

B) Wiring a new residential 240VAC circuit for a dryer
C) Installing power-limited fire alarm circuits

D) Repairing utility-scale photovoltaic inverters
CORRECT ANSWER: C

EXPERT RATIONALE: C-15A permits the installation of fire and burglar alarm systems
specifically utilizing power-limited fire alarm (PLFA) circuits, but not high-voltage

electrical work .

QUESTION 4
What is the specific voltage limitation for a standard C-15A contractor working on
electronic systems?

A) 600 VAC
B) 120 VAC

C) 50 VAC
D) 30 VAC

CORRECT ANSWER: D
EXPERT RATIONALE: C-15A contractors are restricted to low-voltage systems under 50

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volts, but for fire alarms specifically, power-limited circuits are limited to 30 VAC or 60

VDC per NEC .

QUESTION 5

Which of the following systems is within the permitted work scope for a C-15A license?
A) Installation of rigid metal conduit for primary feeders

B) Maintenance of a central station burglar alarm panel
C) Servicing a 480VAC HVAC unit

D) Installing a residential main service panel
CORRECT ANSWER: B

EXPERT RATIONALE: The C-15A classification specifically covers the installation,
maintenance, and repair of central fire and burglar alarm systems .


QUESTION 6
According to NFPA 72, what is the minimum required sound pressure level for a fire

alarm audible signal in a sleeping area?
A) 75 dBA at 3 feet

B) 85 dBA at 10 feet
C) 85 dBA at pillow level
D) 95 dBA at the door
CORRECT ANSWER: C

EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 72 requires that audible notification appliances in sleeping
areas produce 85 dBA measured at the pillow level to ensure waking effectiveness .


QUESTION 7
In a fire alarm system, which component is classified as an "initiating device"?

A) Notification Appliance Circuit module
B) Manual pull station

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C) Secondary power supply

D) Signaling Line Circuit extender
CORRECT ANSWER: B

EXPERT RATIONALE: Initiating devices are components that trigger the alarm sequence;
manual pull stations, smoke detectors, and heat detectors all fall into this category .


QUESTION 8
What is the characteristic of a "Class A" fire alarm wiring loop?

A) It requires two independent power sources at the panel
B) It utilizes an end-of-line resistor to supervise the loop

C) It returns to the panel allowing operation if a single break occurs
D) It must be installed in rigid metal conduit for the entire run

CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Class A wiring (Style 6 or 7) provides a redundant return path to the

panel, allowing communication with devices even if a single wire break occurs on the
circuit .


QUESTION 9
When installing a smoke detector on a smooth ceiling, what is the maximum spacing
permitted by NFPA 72?
A) 15 feet

B) 21 feet
C) 30 feet

D) 41 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C

EXPERT RATIONALE: NFPA 72 specifies a maximum spacing of 30 feet between smoke
detectors on a smooth ceiling, assuming a ceiling height of 10 to 12 feet .