2026 North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Contractor Exam Prep:
Mock Practice Test & NFPA Code Rationales 2 versions
This specialized technical preparation resource provides a comprehensive mock
practice test, verified answers, and detailed regulatory rationales tailored specifically to
the North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Contractor licensing examination. It delivers deep-dive
coverage of the North Carolina State Building Code, NFPA 13 installation criteria, NFPA
25 inspection and testing procedures, and the state business and law requirements.
Contractors and code enforcement officials will master critical hydraulic safety
parameters, pipe sizing metrics, and municipal water connection codes to ensure a
passing score on their proctored licensing tracking pathway.
1. In NC, what is the maximum number of days a licensee has to notify the Board
of a change in business address?
A) 10 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Rationale: 21 NCAC 50 requires licensees to notify the Board of a change in business
address within 30 days.
2. Which NFPA standard provides the minimum requirements for the installation
of standpipe and hose systems?
A) NFPA 13
B) NFPA 13R
C) NFPA 14
D) NFPA 25
Rationale: NFPA 14 is the standard for the installation of standpipe and hose systems.
,3. What is the minimum required residual pressure at the topmost outlet of a Class
I standpipe system?
A) 50 psi
B) 65 psi
C) 75 psi
D) 100 psi
Rationale: NFPA 14 requires a minimum residual pressure of 65 psi at the topmost outlet
of a Class I standpipe system.
4. What is the maximum allowable height for a fire department connection above
grade?
A) 2 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 6 feet
D) 8 feet
Rationale: NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 require fire department connections to be located not
more than 4 feet above grade.
5. What is the minimum size for a fire department connection serving a sprinkler
system?
A) 1½ inches
B) 2½ inches
C) 3 inches
D) 4 inches
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum 2½-inch fire department connection for sprinkler
systems.
,6. What is the purpose of a fire sprinkler system's hose allowance in hydraulic
calculations?
A) To account for water used by sprinklers
B) To account for water used by fire hoses
C) To account for water used by the fire pump
D) To account for water used by the standpipe
Rationale: Hose allowance is the amount of water that must be added to the sprinkler
demand to account for fire hose streams.
7. What is the minimum required hose allowance for a light hazard occupancy?
A) 50 gpm
B) 100 gpm
C) 150 gpm
D) 250 gpm
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum hose allowance of 100 gpm for light hazard
occupancies.
8. What is the minimum required hose allowance for an ordinary hazard
occupancy?
A) 50 gpm
B) 250 gpm
C) 150 gpm
D) 500 gpm
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum hose allowance of 250 gpm for ordinary hazard
occupancies.
9. What is the minimum required hose allowance for an extra hazard occupancy?
A) 100 gpm
B) 250 gpm
, C) 500 gpm
D) 750 gpm
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum hose allowance of 500 gpm for extra hazard
occupancies.
10. What is the purpose of a fire sprinkler system's safety factor in hydraulic
calculations?
A) To increase pipe size
B) To account for uncertainties and ensure system reliability
C) To reduce flow rate
D) To select sprinkler heads
Rationale: A safety factor accounts for uncertainties in calculations and ensures the system
will perform reliably.
11. What is the typical safety factor used in hydraulic calculations for sprinkler
systems?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 20%
Rationale: A 10% safety factor is typically added to hydraulic calculations to account for
uncertainties.
12. Which type of sprinkler is designed to be installed flush with the ceiling?
A) Pendent
B) Upright
C) Concealed
D) Sidewall
Mock Practice Test & NFPA Code Rationales 2 versions
This specialized technical preparation resource provides a comprehensive mock
practice test, verified answers, and detailed regulatory rationales tailored specifically to
the North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Contractor licensing examination. It delivers deep-dive
coverage of the North Carolina State Building Code, NFPA 13 installation criteria, NFPA
25 inspection and testing procedures, and the state business and law requirements.
Contractors and code enforcement officials will master critical hydraulic safety
parameters, pipe sizing metrics, and municipal water connection codes to ensure a
passing score on their proctored licensing tracking pathway.
1. In NC, what is the maximum number of days a licensee has to notify the Board
of a change in business address?
A) 10 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Rationale: 21 NCAC 50 requires licensees to notify the Board of a change in business
address within 30 days.
2. Which NFPA standard provides the minimum requirements for the installation
of standpipe and hose systems?
A) NFPA 13
B) NFPA 13R
C) NFPA 14
D) NFPA 25
Rationale: NFPA 14 is the standard for the installation of standpipe and hose systems.
,3. What is the minimum required residual pressure at the topmost outlet of a Class
I standpipe system?
A) 50 psi
B) 65 psi
C) 75 psi
D) 100 psi
Rationale: NFPA 14 requires a minimum residual pressure of 65 psi at the topmost outlet
of a Class I standpipe system.
4. What is the maximum allowable height for a fire department connection above
grade?
A) 2 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 6 feet
D) 8 feet
Rationale: NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 require fire department connections to be located not
more than 4 feet above grade.
5. What is the minimum size for a fire department connection serving a sprinkler
system?
A) 1½ inches
B) 2½ inches
C) 3 inches
D) 4 inches
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum 2½-inch fire department connection for sprinkler
systems.
,6. What is the purpose of a fire sprinkler system's hose allowance in hydraulic
calculations?
A) To account for water used by sprinklers
B) To account for water used by fire hoses
C) To account for water used by the fire pump
D) To account for water used by the standpipe
Rationale: Hose allowance is the amount of water that must be added to the sprinkler
demand to account for fire hose streams.
7. What is the minimum required hose allowance for a light hazard occupancy?
A) 50 gpm
B) 100 gpm
C) 150 gpm
D) 250 gpm
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum hose allowance of 100 gpm for light hazard
occupancies.
8. What is the minimum required hose allowance for an ordinary hazard
occupancy?
A) 50 gpm
B) 250 gpm
C) 150 gpm
D) 500 gpm
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum hose allowance of 250 gpm for ordinary hazard
occupancies.
9. What is the minimum required hose allowance for an extra hazard occupancy?
A) 100 gpm
B) 250 gpm
, C) 500 gpm
D) 750 gpm
Rationale: NFPA 13 requires a minimum hose allowance of 500 gpm for extra hazard
occupancies.
10. What is the purpose of a fire sprinkler system's safety factor in hydraulic
calculations?
A) To increase pipe size
B) To account for uncertainties and ensure system reliability
C) To reduce flow rate
D) To select sprinkler heads
Rationale: A safety factor accounts for uncertainties in calculations and ensures the system
will perform reliably.
11. What is the typical safety factor used in hydraulic calculations for sprinkler
systems?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 20%
Rationale: A 10% safety factor is typically added to hydraulic calculations to account for
uncertainties.
12. Which type of sprinkler is designed to be installed flush with the ceiling?
A) Pendent
B) Upright
C) Concealed
D) Sidewall
