Fire Alarm System Standards and
Components: NFPA 72, Detectors, and Wiring
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
What is alarm verification generally applied to?
Smoke detectors, where permitted.
Which NFPA standard covers HVAC and duct detector interfaces?
NFPA 90A.
How quickly should a waterflow device cause the required alarm?
Within 90 seconds.
What is the nominal spacing for spot smoke detectors?
30 feet on a smooth ceiling.
What signal does a sprinkler waterflow switch initiate?
A fire alarm signal.
What must a two-wire smoke detector be listed as?
Compatible with the control equipment.
Which cable may replace FPLR or FPL where suitable?
FPLP.
What does a conductor contacting grounded metal cause?
A ground-fault trouble condition.
What is 24 V minus 2.4 V?
, 21.6 V.
What is the minimum audible level at the pillow in sleeping areas?
75 dBA.
What is the typical secondary power requirement?
24 hours standby, then 5 minutes alarm.
Where is return-air detection provided for large multi-story systems?
At each story before common return and recirculation.
What is an SLC primarily used for?
Communicating with addressable devices and modules.
What is 24 V divided by 120 Ω?
0.2 A.
Which cable is general-purpose power-limited fire alarm cable?
FPL.
Where is a wall-mounted smoke detector positioned below the ceiling?
At least 4 inches and no more than 12 inches below.
What is the purpose of electrical supervision?
Detect abnormal conditions such as opens, shorts, or grounds.
What signal does a valve tamper switch initiate?
A supervisory signal.
How do you calculate battery requirements for a system?
Components: NFPA 72, Detectors, and Wiring
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
What is alarm verification generally applied to?
Smoke detectors, where permitted.
Which NFPA standard covers HVAC and duct detector interfaces?
NFPA 90A.
How quickly should a waterflow device cause the required alarm?
Within 90 seconds.
What is the nominal spacing for spot smoke detectors?
30 feet on a smooth ceiling.
What signal does a sprinkler waterflow switch initiate?
A fire alarm signal.
What must a two-wire smoke detector be listed as?
Compatible with the control equipment.
Which cable may replace FPLR or FPL where suitable?
FPLP.
What does a conductor contacting grounded metal cause?
A ground-fault trouble condition.
What is 24 V minus 2.4 V?
, 21.6 V.
What is the minimum audible level at the pillow in sleeping areas?
75 dBA.
What is the typical secondary power requirement?
24 hours standby, then 5 minutes alarm.
Where is return-air detection provided for large multi-story systems?
At each story before common return and recirculation.
What is an SLC primarily used for?
Communicating with addressable devices and modules.
What is 24 V divided by 120 Ω?
0.2 A.
Which cable is general-purpose power-limited fire alarm cable?
FPL.
Where is a wall-mounted smoke detector positioned below the ceiling?
At least 4 inches and no more than 12 inches below.
What is the purpose of electrical supervision?
Detect abnormal conditions such as opens, shorts, or grounds.
What signal does a valve tamper switch initiate?
A supervisory signal.
How do you calculate battery requirements for a system?
