Burglar Alarm Installer Licensing
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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Question 1
Which NFPA standard is most directly applicable to the installation of burglar
alarm systems in the United States?
A. NFPA 70
B. NFPA 72
C. NFPA 101
D. NFPA 731
Answer: B – NFPA 72. NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, also
covers requirements for burglar alarm systems, including installation, testing,
and maintenance. NFPA 70 is the National Electrical Code; NFPA 101 is the Life
Safety Code; NFPA 731 is for electronic security systems but is less universally
adopted than NFPA 72 for burglary.
Question 2
What is the maximum allowable resistance for a zone loop using a 4-wire
configuration with a 1k ohm EOL resistor, assuming 24 AWG copper wire over 500
feet?
A. 10 ohms
B. 25 ohms
,C. 50 ohms
D. 100 ohms
Answer: C – 50 ohms. Industry practice and many control panel specifications
limit loop resistance to 50 ohms for supervised zones to ensure reliable detection
of tamper or cut wires. The EOL resistor value itself is not the loop resistance; the
wire run must be calculated separately.
Question 3
A PIR motion detector covers a 90-degree pattern at a range of 40 feet. What is
the approximate area covered in square feet?
A. 1,200 sq ft
B. 1,600 sq ft
C. 2,500 sq ft
D. 3,600 sq ft
Answer: A – 1,200 sq ft. Area of a sector = (θ/360) × πr² = (90/360) × 3.14 × 1600
= 0.25 × 3.14 × 1600 = 1,256 sq ft, approximately 1,200. Other choices are
unrealistic for a 90° sector.
Question 4
When installing a magnetic reed switch on a metal door frame, what is the most
critical installation consideration?
A. Using a surface-mount magnet
B. Ensuring the gap between magnet and switch does not exceed 0.5 inches
C. Using non-ferrous spacers to prevent magnetic shunt
D. Aligning the magnet with the switch’s long axis
Answer: C – Using non-ferrous spacers to prevent magnetic shunt. Metal frames
can shunt magnetic flux, reducing the effective gap. Spacers made of plastic or
brass maintain the magnetic field. Gap and alignment are important, but
shunting is the critical metal-frame issue.
,Question 5
Which type of battery is most commonly used as a standby power source for
residential burglar alarm panels?
A. Lithium-ion
B. Nickel-cadmium
C. Sealed lead-acid (SLA)
D. Alkaline
Answer: C – Sealed lead-acid (SLA). SLA batteries are cost-effective, provide
reliable float charging, and have a 3-5 year life. Lithium-ion is rare due to cost
and charging complexity; NiCd has memory effects; alkaline is not rechargeable.
Question 6
A control panel has a standby current of 150 mA and an alarm current of 400 mA.
The required standby time is 24 hours, with 5 minutes of alarm. What minimum
battery capacity (Ah) is needed?
A. 3.6 Ah
B. 4.0 Ah
C. 7.2 Ah
D. 8.0 Ah
Answer: B – 4.0 Ah. Standby = 0.150A × 24h = 3.6Ah. Alarm = 0.400A × (5/60)h =
0.033Ah. Total = 3.633Ah. With 20% safety margin, 4.0Ah is the minimum
commercial size. 3.6Ah is theoretical but not available; 4.0 is the correct
practical choice.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of an end-of-line (EOL) resistor in a supervised alarm
loop?
A. To limit current to the detector
B. To match impedance of the control panel
, C. To allow the panel to detect open, short, and normal conditions
D. To reduce false alarms from RF interference
Answer: C – To allow the panel to detect open, short, and normal conditions. The
EOL resistor creates a voltage divider so the panel measures a specific
resistance; deviations indicate a trouble condition. It does not limit current to
detectors, match impedance, or reduce RF interference.
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for ULC (Underwriters Laboratories
of Canada) S304 compliance?
A. Battery backup for 24 hours
B. Audible alarm sounder at least 85 dB at 10 feet
C. Two independent detection zones per opening
D. System reset only by manual key switch or code
Answer: C – Two independent detection zones per opening. ULC S304 requires
single detection per opening but dual-technology for some areas. Battery
backup, 85 dB sounder, and manual reset are all ULC requirements.
Question 9
A dual-technology motion sensor combines PIR and microwave. What advantage
does this provide over a single-technology sensor?
A. Lower power consumption
B. Wider coverage angle
C. Reduced false alarms
D. Longer detection range
Answer: C – Reduced false alarms. Dual-technology requires both PIR
(heat/motion) and microwave (Doppler) to trigger simultaneously, greatly
reducing false alarms from environmental sources. Power consumption is higher,
coverage is similar, and range may be limited.
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
Question 1
Which NFPA standard is most directly applicable to the installation of burglar
alarm systems in the United States?
A. NFPA 70
B. NFPA 72
C. NFPA 101
D. NFPA 731
Answer: B – NFPA 72. NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, also
covers requirements for burglar alarm systems, including installation, testing,
and maintenance. NFPA 70 is the National Electrical Code; NFPA 101 is the Life
Safety Code; NFPA 731 is for electronic security systems but is less universally
adopted than NFPA 72 for burglary.
Question 2
What is the maximum allowable resistance for a zone loop using a 4-wire
configuration with a 1k ohm EOL resistor, assuming 24 AWG copper wire over 500
feet?
A. 10 ohms
B. 25 ohms
,C. 50 ohms
D. 100 ohms
Answer: C – 50 ohms. Industry practice and many control panel specifications
limit loop resistance to 50 ohms for supervised zones to ensure reliable detection
of tamper or cut wires. The EOL resistor value itself is not the loop resistance; the
wire run must be calculated separately.
Question 3
A PIR motion detector covers a 90-degree pattern at a range of 40 feet. What is
the approximate area covered in square feet?
A. 1,200 sq ft
B. 1,600 sq ft
C. 2,500 sq ft
D. 3,600 sq ft
Answer: A – 1,200 sq ft. Area of a sector = (θ/360) × πr² = (90/360) × 3.14 × 1600
= 0.25 × 3.14 × 1600 = 1,256 sq ft, approximately 1,200. Other choices are
unrealistic for a 90° sector.
Question 4
When installing a magnetic reed switch on a metal door frame, what is the most
critical installation consideration?
A. Using a surface-mount magnet
B. Ensuring the gap between magnet and switch does not exceed 0.5 inches
C. Using non-ferrous spacers to prevent magnetic shunt
D. Aligning the magnet with the switch’s long axis
Answer: C – Using non-ferrous spacers to prevent magnetic shunt. Metal frames
can shunt magnetic flux, reducing the effective gap. Spacers made of plastic or
brass maintain the magnetic field. Gap and alignment are important, but
shunting is the critical metal-frame issue.
,Question 5
Which type of battery is most commonly used as a standby power source for
residential burglar alarm panels?
A. Lithium-ion
B. Nickel-cadmium
C. Sealed lead-acid (SLA)
D. Alkaline
Answer: C – Sealed lead-acid (SLA). SLA batteries are cost-effective, provide
reliable float charging, and have a 3-5 year life. Lithium-ion is rare due to cost
and charging complexity; NiCd has memory effects; alkaline is not rechargeable.
Question 6
A control panel has a standby current of 150 mA and an alarm current of 400 mA.
The required standby time is 24 hours, with 5 minutes of alarm. What minimum
battery capacity (Ah) is needed?
A. 3.6 Ah
B. 4.0 Ah
C. 7.2 Ah
D. 8.0 Ah
Answer: B – 4.0 Ah. Standby = 0.150A × 24h = 3.6Ah. Alarm = 0.400A × (5/60)h =
0.033Ah. Total = 3.633Ah. With 20% safety margin, 4.0Ah is the minimum
commercial size. 3.6Ah is theoretical but not available; 4.0 is the correct
practical choice.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of an end-of-line (EOL) resistor in a supervised alarm
loop?
A. To limit current to the detector
B. To match impedance of the control panel
, C. To allow the panel to detect open, short, and normal conditions
D. To reduce false alarms from RF interference
Answer: C – To allow the panel to detect open, short, and normal conditions. The
EOL resistor creates a voltage divider so the panel measures a specific
resistance; deviations indicate a trouble condition. It does not limit current to
detectors, match impedance, or reduce RF interference.
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for ULC (Underwriters Laboratories
of Canada) S304 compliance?
A. Battery backup for 24 hours
B. Audible alarm sounder at least 85 dB at 10 feet
C. Two independent detection zones per opening
D. System reset only by manual key switch or code
Answer: C – Two independent detection zones per opening. ULC S304 requires
single detection per opening but dual-technology for some areas. Battery
backup, 85 dB sounder, and manual reset are all ULC requirements.
Question 9
A dual-technology motion sensor combines PIR and microwave. What advantage
does this provide over a single-technology sensor?
A. Lower power consumption
B. Wider coverage angle
C. Reduced false alarms
D. Longer detection range
Answer: C – Reduced false alarms. Dual-technology requires both PIR
(heat/motion) and microwave (Doppler) to trigger simultaneously, greatly
reducing false alarms from environmental sources. Power consumption is higher,
coverage is similar, and range may be limited.
