TFM 12 FIRE ALARM TECHNICAL STUDY
GUIDE 2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
●● What is PLFA an abbreviation for?.
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm system.
●● What does NPLFA stand for?.
Answer: Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm system.
●● Difference between PLFA and NPLFA?.
Answer: NPLFA can operate at up to 600V, while PLFA has voltage and
power limited by a listed power source.
●● Material for NPFLA Circuit Conductors?.
Answer: Only solid and/or stranded copper is permitted.
●● What does AWG stand for?.
Answer: American Wire Gauge used for measuring wire sizes.
●● Permitted size conductors for NPLFA system?.
,Answer: 18 AWG or larger, meeting specific ampacities and installation
requirements.
●● Size of conductors for PLFA system?.
Answer: 26 AWG for multi-conductor cable, 18 AWG for single
conductor.
●● Protection for transformers in PLFA and NPLFA systems?.
Answer: Over-current device not exceeding 20A for PLFA, 7A for 18
AWG in NPLFA, refer to NFPA 70 for larger sizes.
●● How to fasten cables within 7 feet of the floor?.
Answer: Cables should be fastened at intervals of not more than 18
inches in an approved manner.
●● Minimum AWG for single conductors?.
Answer: 18 AWG is the smallest permitted size.
●● When are 26 AWG conductors permitted?.
Answer: When used in a multi-conductor cable.
●● How should PFLA conductors be installed?.
, Answer: PFLA conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached to the
exterior of any conduit or raceway.
●● Define Plenum cable..
Answer: Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums, or other spaces
used for environmental air, with fire-resistant and low smoke-producing
characteristics.
●● What is a Riser cable used for?.
Answer: Vertical wire runs in shafts between floors, preventing fire
spread between floors.
●● What is the purpose of general purpose cable?.
Answer: For general fire alarm use, resistant to fire spread.
●● Type requirement for Plenum cable and allowed substitutions..
Answer: FPLP; CMP can be substituted.
●● Type requirement for Riser cable and allowed substitutions..
Answer: FPLR; CMR, FPLP, and CMP can be substituted.
●● Type requirement for general purpose wire and substitutions..
Answer: FPL; CMG, CM, CMP, FPLP, CMR, FPLR, can be substituted.
GUIDE 2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
●● What is PLFA an abbreviation for?.
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm system.
●● What does NPLFA stand for?.
Answer: Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm system.
●● Difference between PLFA and NPLFA?.
Answer: NPLFA can operate at up to 600V, while PLFA has voltage and
power limited by a listed power source.
●● Material for NPFLA Circuit Conductors?.
Answer: Only solid and/or stranded copper is permitted.
●● What does AWG stand for?.
Answer: American Wire Gauge used for measuring wire sizes.
●● Permitted size conductors for NPLFA system?.
,Answer: 18 AWG or larger, meeting specific ampacities and installation
requirements.
●● Size of conductors for PLFA system?.
Answer: 26 AWG for multi-conductor cable, 18 AWG for single
conductor.
●● Protection for transformers in PLFA and NPLFA systems?.
Answer: Over-current device not exceeding 20A for PLFA, 7A for 18
AWG in NPLFA, refer to NFPA 70 for larger sizes.
●● How to fasten cables within 7 feet of the floor?.
Answer: Cables should be fastened at intervals of not more than 18
inches in an approved manner.
●● Minimum AWG for single conductors?.
Answer: 18 AWG is the smallest permitted size.
●● When are 26 AWG conductors permitted?.
Answer: When used in a multi-conductor cable.
●● How should PFLA conductors be installed?.
, Answer: PFLA conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached to the
exterior of any conduit or raceway.
●● Define Plenum cable..
Answer: Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums, or other spaces
used for environmental air, with fire-resistant and low smoke-producing
characteristics.
●● What is a Riser cable used for?.
Answer: Vertical wire runs in shafts between floors, preventing fire
spread between floors.
●● What is the purpose of general purpose cable?.
Answer: For general fire alarm use, resistant to fire spread.
●● Type requirement for Plenum cable and allowed substitutions..
Answer: FPLP; CMP can be substituted.
●● Type requirement for Riser cable and allowed substitutions..
Answer: FPLR; CMR, FPLP, and CMP can be substituted.
●● Type requirement for general purpose wire and substitutions..
Answer: FPL; CMG, CM, CMP, FPLP, CMR, FPLR, can be substituted.
