NFPA 72 2010 Prep for TFM12 Fire Alarm
Technical Chapter 3 Definitions Exam
questions with correct answers
Approved - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An organization office, or individual
responsible for enforcing the requirements of code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials,
and installation, or procedure.
Code - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions covering
broad subject matter or that is suitable for adoption into law independently of other codes and
standards
Labeled - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol,
or other identifying mark of an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and
concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled
equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturing indicates compliance with
appropriate standards or perfomance in a specified manner.
Listed - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Equipment,materials, or services included in a list published by an
organizationthat is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of
products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials
or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or
service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified
purpose.
Shall - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Indicates a mandatory requirement.
Should - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but no
required.
,Acknowledge - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅To confirm that a message or signal has been received, such as
by the pressing of a button or the selection of a software command. (SIG-SSS)
Acoustically Distinguishable Space (ADS) - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An emergency communications
system notification zone, or subdivision thereof, that might be an enclosed or otherwise physically
defined space, or that might be distinguished from other spaces because of different acoustical,
environmental, or use characteristics, such as reverberation time and ambient sound pressure level.
(SIG-NAS)
Active Multiplex System - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A multiplexing system in which signalling devices
such as transponders are employed to transmit status signals of each initiating device or initiating device
circuit within a prescribed time interval so that the lack of receipt of such a signal can be interpreted as a
trouble signal. (SIG-SSS)
Addressable Device - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A fire alarm system component with a discrete
identification that can have its status individually identified or that is used to individually control other
functions. (SIG-IDS)
Adverse Condition - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Any condition occuring in a communications or
transmission channel that interferes with the proper transmissions or interpretation, or both, of status
change signals at the supervising sation. (See also 3.3.240.7, Trouble Signal.)(SIG-SSS)
Alarm - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A warning of danger. (SIG-FUN)
Nuisance Alarm - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Any alarm caused by mechanical failure,malfunction,
improper installation, or lack of proper maitenence, or any alarm activated by a cause that cannot be
determined. (SIG-FUN)
Auxiliary Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An alarm box that can only be operated from one or more
remote initiating devices or an auxiliary alarm system used to send an alarm to the communications
center. (SIG-PRS)
Combination Fire Alarm and Guard's Tour Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A manually operated box for
seperately transmitting a fire alarm singal and a distinctive guard patrol supervisory signal. (SIG-IDS)
,Manual Fire Alarm Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A manually operated device used to initiate a fire
alarm signal. (SIG-IDS)
Master Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A publically accessible alarm box that can also be operated by
one or more remote initiating devices or an auxiliary system used to send an alarm to the
communications center. (SIG-PRS)
Publicly Accessible Alarm Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An enclosure, acessibly to the public, housing
a manually operated transmitter used to send an alarm to the communications center. (SIG-PRS)
Alarm Service - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The service required following the receipt of an alarm signal.
(SIG-SSS)
Alarm Verification Feature - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A feature of automatic fire detection and alarm
system to reduce unwanted alarms wherein smoke detectors report alarm conditions for a minimum
period of time, or confirm alarm conditions within a given time period after being reset, in order to be
accepted as a valid alarm initiation signal. (SIG-PRO)
Alert Tone - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An attention-getting signal to alert occupants of the pending
transmission of a voice message. (SIG-PRO)
Ancillary Functions - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Ancillary functions are those non-emergency activations
of the fire alarm or mass notification audible, visual, and textual output circuits allowed. Ancillary
functions can include general paging, background music, or other non-emergency signals. (SIG-ECS)
Annunciator - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A unit containing one or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric
displays, or other equivalent means in which each indication provides status information about a circuit,
condition, or location. (SIG-FUN)
Apartment Building - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A building or portion thereof containing three or more
dwelling units with independent cooking and bathroom facilities. (SIG-HOU) [5000,2009]
, Average Ambient Sound Level - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The Root mean square, A-weighted, sound
pressure level measured over the period of time that any person is present, or a 24-hour period, which
ever time period is the lesser. (SIG-NAS)
Building Fire Safety Plan - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Documentation that provides information on the
use of alarms, transmission of alarms, response to alarms, evacuation of immediate area, evacuation of
smoke compartment, preparation of floors and building for evacuation and extinguishment of fire. (SIG-
ECS)
Carrier - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅High-frequency energy that can be modulated by voice or signalling
impulses. (SIG-SSS)
Carrier System - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A means of conveying a number of channels over a single
path by modulating each channel on a different carrier frequency and demodulating at the receiving
point to restore the signals to their original form. (SIG-SSS)
Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The upper surface of a space, regardless of height. Areas with a
suspended ceiling have two ceilings, one visible from the floor and one above the suspended ceiling.
(SIG-IDS)
Level Cieilings - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Ceilings that are level or have a slope of less than or equal to
1 in 8. (SIG-IDS)
Sloping Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A ceiling that has a slope of more than 1 in 8. (SIG-IDS)
Sloping Peaked-Type Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A ceiling in which the ceiling slopes in two
directions from the highest point. Curved or domed ceilings can be considered peaked with the slope
figured as the slope of the chord from highest to lowest point. (SIG-IDS)
Sloping Shed-Type Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A ceiling in which the high point is at one side
with the slope extending toward the opposite side. (SIG-IDS)
Ceiling Height - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The height from the continuous floor of a room to the
continuous ceiling of a room or space (SIG-IDS)
Technical Chapter 3 Definitions Exam
questions with correct answers
Approved - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An organization office, or individual
responsible for enforcing the requirements of code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials,
and installation, or procedure.
Code - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions covering
broad subject matter or that is suitable for adoption into law independently of other codes and
standards
Labeled - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol,
or other identifying mark of an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and
concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled
equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturing indicates compliance with
appropriate standards or perfomance in a specified manner.
Listed - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Equipment,materials, or services included in a list published by an
organizationthat is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of
products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials
or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or
service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified
purpose.
Shall - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Indicates a mandatory requirement.
Should - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but no
required.
,Acknowledge - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅To confirm that a message or signal has been received, such as
by the pressing of a button or the selection of a software command. (SIG-SSS)
Acoustically Distinguishable Space (ADS) - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An emergency communications
system notification zone, or subdivision thereof, that might be an enclosed or otherwise physically
defined space, or that might be distinguished from other spaces because of different acoustical,
environmental, or use characteristics, such as reverberation time and ambient sound pressure level.
(SIG-NAS)
Active Multiplex System - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A multiplexing system in which signalling devices
such as transponders are employed to transmit status signals of each initiating device or initiating device
circuit within a prescribed time interval so that the lack of receipt of such a signal can be interpreted as a
trouble signal. (SIG-SSS)
Addressable Device - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A fire alarm system component with a discrete
identification that can have its status individually identified or that is used to individually control other
functions. (SIG-IDS)
Adverse Condition - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Any condition occuring in a communications or
transmission channel that interferes with the proper transmissions or interpretation, or both, of status
change signals at the supervising sation. (See also 3.3.240.7, Trouble Signal.)(SIG-SSS)
Alarm - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A warning of danger. (SIG-FUN)
Nuisance Alarm - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Any alarm caused by mechanical failure,malfunction,
improper installation, or lack of proper maitenence, or any alarm activated by a cause that cannot be
determined. (SIG-FUN)
Auxiliary Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An alarm box that can only be operated from one or more
remote initiating devices or an auxiliary alarm system used to send an alarm to the communications
center. (SIG-PRS)
Combination Fire Alarm and Guard's Tour Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A manually operated box for
seperately transmitting a fire alarm singal and a distinctive guard patrol supervisory signal. (SIG-IDS)
,Manual Fire Alarm Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A manually operated device used to initiate a fire
alarm signal. (SIG-IDS)
Master Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A publically accessible alarm box that can also be operated by
one or more remote initiating devices or an auxiliary system used to send an alarm to the
communications center. (SIG-PRS)
Publicly Accessible Alarm Box - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An enclosure, acessibly to the public, housing
a manually operated transmitter used to send an alarm to the communications center. (SIG-PRS)
Alarm Service - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The service required following the receipt of an alarm signal.
(SIG-SSS)
Alarm Verification Feature - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A feature of automatic fire detection and alarm
system to reduce unwanted alarms wherein smoke detectors report alarm conditions for a minimum
period of time, or confirm alarm conditions within a given time period after being reset, in order to be
accepted as a valid alarm initiation signal. (SIG-PRO)
Alert Tone - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅An attention-getting signal to alert occupants of the pending
transmission of a voice message. (SIG-PRO)
Ancillary Functions - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Ancillary functions are those non-emergency activations
of the fire alarm or mass notification audible, visual, and textual output circuits allowed. Ancillary
functions can include general paging, background music, or other non-emergency signals. (SIG-ECS)
Annunciator - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A unit containing one or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric
displays, or other equivalent means in which each indication provides status information about a circuit,
condition, or location. (SIG-FUN)
Apartment Building - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A building or portion thereof containing three or more
dwelling units with independent cooking and bathroom facilities. (SIG-HOU) [5000,2009]
, Average Ambient Sound Level - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The Root mean square, A-weighted, sound
pressure level measured over the period of time that any person is present, or a 24-hour period, which
ever time period is the lesser. (SIG-NAS)
Building Fire Safety Plan - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Documentation that provides information on the
use of alarms, transmission of alarms, response to alarms, evacuation of immediate area, evacuation of
smoke compartment, preparation of floors and building for evacuation and extinguishment of fire. (SIG-
ECS)
Carrier - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅High-frequency energy that can be modulated by voice or signalling
impulses. (SIG-SSS)
Carrier System - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A means of conveying a number of channels over a single
path by modulating each channel on a different carrier frequency and demodulating at the receiving
point to restore the signals to their original form. (SIG-SSS)
Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The upper surface of a space, regardless of height. Areas with a
suspended ceiling have two ceilings, one visible from the floor and one above the suspended ceiling.
(SIG-IDS)
Level Cieilings - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅Ceilings that are level or have a slope of less than or equal to
1 in 8. (SIG-IDS)
Sloping Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A ceiling that has a slope of more than 1 in 8. (SIG-IDS)
Sloping Peaked-Type Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A ceiling in which the ceiling slopes in two
directions from the highest point. Curved or domed ceilings can be considered peaked with the slope
figured as the slope of the chord from highest to lowest point. (SIG-IDS)
Sloping Shed-Type Ceiling - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅A ceiling in which the high point is at one side
with the slope extending toward the opposite side. (SIG-IDS)
Ceiling Height - CORRECT ANSWER-✔✔✅The height from the continuous floor of a room to the
continuous ceiling of a room or space (SIG-IDS)
