Ohio State Fire Alarm Exam (2026/2027) Fire Alarm
Systems Comprehensive Assessment
Year: 2026-2027 | Verified Question Count: 100 Questions | 100% VERIFIED
Introduction
This comprehensive exam assessment provides a rigorous, 100-question evaluation designed for
fire alarm professionals seeking licensure and certification in the State of Ohio. Mapped directly to
the Ohio State Fire Marshal domain blueprint and current industry codes, this assessment evaluates
professional judgment across seven core technical domains: Ohio Fire Code (OFC), National Fire
Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), System Design and Layout, Installation Standards, Testing
and Inspection Procedures, Troubleshooting, and Safety Regulations. Mastery of these domains
ensures that certified professionals possess the technical expertise required to safeguard life and
property through compliant, reliable fire alarm system execution and operations.
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Question 1. According to the Ohio Fire Code (OAC 1301:7-7) and Ohio Revised Code, who must be
present on site to directly supervise all fire alarm system installation, alteration, and testing work?
A. An individual holding a valid State Fire Marshal Certificate of Competency for Fire Alarm Systems.
B. Any journeyman electrician with an active state electrical license.
C. The building owner or designated facility manager.
D. A registered professional engineer specializing in structural engineering.
Correct Answer: A. An individual holding a valid State Fire Marshal Certificate of Competency
for Fire Alarm Systems.
Rationale: Ohio law specifically mandates that fire alarm installation, testing, and maintenance must be
conducted or directly supervised by an individual certified by the Ohio State Fire Marshal with a valid
Certificate of Competency in Fire Alarm Systems. General electrical licenses or facility roles do not fulfill
this legal requirement.
Question 2. Under Ohio Fire Marshal administrative rules, what is the renewal cycle and
requirement for an individual Fire Alarm Certificate of Competency?
A. Renewed every 3 years with 24 hours of continuing education.
B. Renewed annually, requiring verification of qualification and applicable fees before the expiration
date.
C. Renewed every 5 years upon passing a re-examination.
D. Lifetime validity with no renewal requirement unless revoked for cause.
Correct Answer: B. Renewed annually, requiring verification of qualification and applicable
fees before the expiration date.
, Rationale: Ohio State Fire Marshal Certificates of Competency for fire protection installers must be
renewed annually. Certificate holders must submit renewal applications and fees prior to expiration to
maintain active certification.
Question 3. Per Ohio Fire Code Section 901, when a fire alarm system is out of service for more
than how many hours in a 24-hour period, must the building owner notify the local fire department
and implement an approved fire watch?
A. 2 hours.
B. 8 hours.
C. 4 hours.
D. 12 hours.
Correct Answer: C. 4 hours.
Rationale: OFC Section 901.7 specifies that if an automatic fire alarm system is impaired or out of
service for more than 4 hours within a 24-hour window, the fire code official and dispatch center must be
notified and an approved fire watch established.
Question 4. According to Ohio Fire Code Section 508, what is the minimum required floor area for
a Fire Command Center in high-rise buildings?
A. 96 square feet with a minimum dimension of 8 feet.
B. 150 square feet with a minimum dimension of 10 feet.
C. 300 square feet with a minimum dimension of 15 feet.
D. 200 square feet with a minimum dimension of 10 feet.
Correct Answer: D. 200 square feet with a minimum dimension of 10 feet.
Rationale: OFC 508.1.1 stipulates that a Fire Command Center must have a minimum footprint of 200
square feet, with no principal dimension less than 10 feet, to accommodate necessary control equipment,
graphic displays, and emergency personnel.
Question 5. Under OFC Section 907, an Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System (EVACS)
is mandatory in Group E (Educational) occupancies having an occupant load exceeding how many
persons?
A. 300 occupants.
B. 100 occupants.
C. 50 occupants.
D. 500 occupants.
Correct Answer: A. 300 occupants.
Rationale: OFC Section 907.2.3 requires an Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System (EVACS) in
Educational Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 300 or more, ensuring clear voice instructions
during emergency evacuations.
Question 6. What is the maximum allowable horizontal distance between a manual fire alarm box
and an exit door frame under OFC Section 907.4.2?
, A. 3 feet.
B. 5 feet.
C. 10 feet.
D. 15 feet.
Correct Answer: B. 5 feet.
Rationale: Manual fire alarm boxes must be located within 5 feet (60 inches) of the entrance to an exit
doorway on each floor along the natural exit path, ensuring immediate accessibility during an evacuation.
Question 7. How long must records of fire alarm system inspection, testing, and maintenance be
retained on site for authority inspection per OFC and NFPA 72 standards?
A. 1 year.
B. 5 years.
C. 3 years.
D. 10 years.
Correct Answer: C. 3 years.
Rationale: Under OFC and NFPA 72 Chapter 14, inspection, testing, and maintenance records must be
maintained on site or made available to the authority having jurisdiction for a minimum period of 3
years.
Question 8. When building alterations require deactivating a portion of an existing fire alarm
system during working hours, what action does the Ohio Fire Code mandate?
A. Complete shutdown of the entire municipal monitoring feed until work ends.
B. Installation of temporary battery-powered residential smoke alarms in all corridors.
C. Automatic waiver of all code requirements for up to 30 continuous days.
D. Implementation of an approved fire watch or alternative protection in affected zones.
Correct Answer: D. Implementation of an approved fire watch or alternative protection in
affected zones.
Rationale: When fire alarm systems are rendered partially inoperative due to construction or
maintenance, OFC requires compensatory actions such as an approved fire watch or designated security
personnel patrolling affected zones.
Question 9. In Group I-2 occupancies (hospitals and nursing homes), what feature is required for
central station fire alarm monitoring signals under OFC 907?
A. Automatic signal retransmission directly to the public emergency dispatch center.
B. Manual telephone verification prior to retransmission.
C. Local audible indication only without off-site signal transmission.
D. Delayed signal transmission of up to 15 minutes to allow staff investigation.
Correct Answer: A. Automatic signal retransmission directly to the public emergency
dispatch center.
Systems Comprehensive Assessment
Year: 2026-2027 | Verified Question Count: 100 Questions | 100% VERIFIED
Introduction
This comprehensive exam assessment provides a rigorous, 100-question evaluation designed for
fire alarm professionals seeking licensure and certification in the State of Ohio. Mapped directly to
the Ohio State Fire Marshal domain blueprint and current industry codes, this assessment evaluates
professional judgment across seven core technical domains: Ohio Fire Code (OFC), National Fire
Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), System Design and Layout, Installation Standards, Testing
and Inspection Procedures, Troubleshooting, and Safety Regulations. Mastery of these domains
ensures that certified professionals possess the technical expertise required to safeguard life and
property through compliant, reliable fire alarm system execution and operations.
―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――
Question 1. According to the Ohio Fire Code (OAC 1301:7-7) and Ohio Revised Code, who must be
present on site to directly supervise all fire alarm system installation, alteration, and testing work?
A. An individual holding a valid State Fire Marshal Certificate of Competency for Fire Alarm Systems.
B. Any journeyman electrician with an active state electrical license.
C. The building owner or designated facility manager.
D. A registered professional engineer specializing in structural engineering.
Correct Answer: A. An individual holding a valid State Fire Marshal Certificate of Competency
for Fire Alarm Systems.
Rationale: Ohio law specifically mandates that fire alarm installation, testing, and maintenance must be
conducted or directly supervised by an individual certified by the Ohio State Fire Marshal with a valid
Certificate of Competency in Fire Alarm Systems. General electrical licenses or facility roles do not fulfill
this legal requirement.
Question 2. Under Ohio Fire Marshal administrative rules, what is the renewal cycle and
requirement for an individual Fire Alarm Certificate of Competency?
A. Renewed every 3 years with 24 hours of continuing education.
B. Renewed annually, requiring verification of qualification and applicable fees before the expiration
date.
C. Renewed every 5 years upon passing a re-examination.
D. Lifetime validity with no renewal requirement unless revoked for cause.
Correct Answer: B. Renewed annually, requiring verification of qualification and applicable
fees before the expiration date.
, Rationale: Ohio State Fire Marshal Certificates of Competency for fire protection installers must be
renewed annually. Certificate holders must submit renewal applications and fees prior to expiration to
maintain active certification.
Question 3. Per Ohio Fire Code Section 901, when a fire alarm system is out of service for more
than how many hours in a 24-hour period, must the building owner notify the local fire department
and implement an approved fire watch?
A. 2 hours.
B. 8 hours.
C. 4 hours.
D. 12 hours.
Correct Answer: C. 4 hours.
Rationale: OFC Section 901.7 specifies that if an automatic fire alarm system is impaired or out of
service for more than 4 hours within a 24-hour window, the fire code official and dispatch center must be
notified and an approved fire watch established.
Question 4. According to Ohio Fire Code Section 508, what is the minimum required floor area for
a Fire Command Center in high-rise buildings?
A. 96 square feet with a minimum dimension of 8 feet.
B. 150 square feet with a minimum dimension of 10 feet.
C. 300 square feet with a minimum dimension of 15 feet.
D. 200 square feet with a minimum dimension of 10 feet.
Correct Answer: D. 200 square feet with a minimum dimension of 10 feet.
Rationale: OFC 508.1.1 stipulates that a Fire Command Center must have a minimum footprint of 200
square feet, with no principal dimension less than 10 feet, to accommodate necessary control equipment,
graphic displays, and emergency personnel.
Question 5. Under OFC Section 907, an Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System (EVACS)
is mandatory in Group E (Educational) occupancies having an occupant load exceeding how many
persons?
A. 300 occupants.
B. 100 occupants.
C. 50 occupants.
D. 500 occupants.
Correct Answer: A. 300 occupants.
Rationale: OFC Section 907.2.3 requires an Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System (EVACS) in
Educational Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 300 or more, ensuring clear voice instructions
during emergency evacuations.
Question 6. What is the maximum allowable horizontal distance between a manual fire alarm box
and an exit door frame under OFC Section 907.4.2?
, A. 3 feet.
B. 5 feet.
C. 10 feet.
D. 15 feet.
Correct Answer: B. 5 feet.
Rationale: Manual fire alarm boxes must be located within 5 feet (60 inches) of the entrance to an exit
doorway on each floor along the natural exit path, ensuring immediate accessibility during an evacuation.
Question 7. How long must records of fire alarm system inspection, testing, and maintenance be
retained on site for authority inspection per OFC and NFPA 72 standards?
A. 1 year.
B. 5 years.
C. 3 years.
D. 10 years.
Correct Answer: C. 3 years.
Rationale: Under OFC and NFPA 72 Chapter 14, inspection, testing, and maintenance records must be
maintained on site or made available to the authority having jurisdiction for a minimum period of 3
years.
Question 8. When building alterations require deactivating a portion of an existing fire alarm
system during working hours, what action does the Ohio Fire Code mandate?
A. Complete shutdown of the entire municipal monitoring feed until work ends.
B. Installation of temporary battery-powered residential smoke alarms in all corridors.
C. Automatic waiver of all code requirements for up to 30 continuous days.
D. Implementation of an approved fire watch or alternative protection in affected zones.
Correct Answer: D. Implementation of an approved fire watch or alternative protection in
affected zones.
Rationale: When fire alarm systems are rendered partially inoperative due to construction or
maintenance, OFC requires compensatory actions such as an approved fire watch or designated security
personnel patrolling affected zones.
Question 9. In Group I-2 occupancies (hospitals and nursing homes), what feature is required for
central station fire alarm monitoring signals under OFC 907?
A. Automatic signal retransmission directly to the public emergency dispatch center.
B. Manual telephone verification prior to retransmission.
C. Local audible indication only without off-site signal transmission.
D. Delayed signal transmission of up to 15 minutes to allow staff investigation.
Correct Answer: A. Automatic signal retransmission directly to the public emergency
dispatch center.
