TFM 12 FIRE ALARM TECHNICAL EXAMINATION
TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
◉ What does NPLFA stand for. Answer: Non Power Limited Fire Alarm
◉ What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from.
Answer: Only solid or stranded copper is permitted
◉ What is a single station detector. Answer: Battery powered smoke
detectors that do not communicate off premises.
◉ What is a multiple station detector. Answer: Mains powered smoke
detectors with battery backup that are linked together, so that if one unit
initiates, alarms in all detectors will sound. They do not communicate
off premises.
◉ How frequently must household single and multiple single station
detectors be inspected and tested. Answer: In accordance with the
manufactures recommendations, at least monthly.
◉ How frequently must household single and multiple station detectors
be inspected and tested. Answer: At least 3 years, by a qualified service
technician.
,◉ How frequently must heat detectors be tested. Answer: Two or more
annually, different detectors must be tested each year, and within 5 years
all detectors must have been tested.
◉ What does "restorable" mean. Answer: The detector can be "restored"
or "reused" after it has initiated.
◉ What does "non-restorable" mean. Answer: The detector cannot be
're-used" after it has initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector, which
self destructs upon initiating.)
◉ What size conductors are permitted. Answer: Size 18 AWG and 16
AWG are permitted, provided they do not exceed certain rated
ampacities
◉ What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from
power-supply conductors. Answer: An overcurrent device not rated over
20 Amperes
◉ When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened.
Answer: Cables shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of
not more than 18 inches.
◉ Single conductors shall not be smaller that ___ AWG. Answer: 18
, ◉ Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which
circumstances. Answer: Where spliced with a connector listed as suitable
for 26 to 24 AWG.
◉ How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed. Answer: PLFA
conductors shall not be strapped, taped or attached to the exterior of any
conduit or raceway.
◉ What is Plenum cable? What are its characteristics. Answer: Cable
that can be installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces used for
environment air. It has adequate fire resistance and low smoke-
producing characteristics.
◉ What is riser cable? What are its characteristics. Answer: Cable to be
used in vertical wire runs in shafts or between floors. Not to be used
where Plenum cable is required. It is capable of preventing fire from
rising form floor-to-floor.
◉ What is Genral Purpose Cable? What are its characteristics. Answer:
Cable for general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where Plenum
or Riser cable is required. It is resistant to the spread of fire.
◉ What type shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed.
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can be
substituted.
TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
◉ What does NPLFA stand for. Answer: Non Power Limited Fire Alarm
◉ What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from.
Answer: Only solid or stranded copper is permitted
◉ What is a single station detector. Answer: Battery powered smoke
detectors that do not communicate off premises.
◉ What is a multiple station detector. Answer: Mains powered smoke
detectors with battery backup that are linked together, so that if one unit
initiates, alarms in all detectors will sound. They do not communicate
off premises.
◉ How frequently must household single and multiple single station
detectors be inspected and tested. Answer: In accordance with the
manufactures recommendations, at least monthly.
◉ How frequently must household single and multiple station detectors
be inspected and tested. Answer: At least 3 years, by a qualified service
technician.
,◉ How frequently must heat detectors be tested. Answer: Two or more
annually, different detectors must be tested each year, and within 5 years
all detectors must have been tested.
◉ What does "restorable" mean. Answer: The detector can be "restored"
or "reused" after it has initiated.
◉ What does "non-restorable" mean. Answer: The detector cannot be
're-used" after it has initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector, which
self destructs upon initiating.)
◉ What size conductors are permitted. Answer: Size 18 AWG and 16
AWG are permitted, provided they do not exceed certain rated
ampacities
◉ What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from
power-supply conductors. Answer: An overcurrent device not rated over
20 Amperes
◉ When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened.
Answer: Cables shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of
not more than 18 inches.
◉ Single conductors shall not be smaller that ___ AWG. Answer: 18
, ◉ Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which
circumstances. Answer: Where spliced with a connector listed as suitable
for 26 to 24 AWG.
◉ How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed. Answer: PLFA
conductors shall not be strapped, taped or attached to the exterior of any
conduit or raceway.
◉ What is Plenum cable? What are its characteristics. Answer: Cable
that can be installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces used for
environment air. It has adequate fire resistance and low smoke-
producing characteristics.
◉ What is riser cable? What are its characteristics. Answer: Cable to be
used in vertical wire runs in shafts or between floors. Not to be used
where Plenum cable is required. It is capable of preventing fire from
rising form floor-to-floor.
◉ What is Genral Purpose Cable? What are its characteristics. Answer:
Cable for general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where Plenum
or Riser cable is required. It is resistant to the spread of fire.
◉ What type shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed.
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can be
substituted.
