TFM 12 FIRE ALARM TECHNICAL
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
●● What does P.L.F.A stand for?
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm
●● What does N.P.L.F.A stand for?
Answer: Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
●● What is the difference between P.F.L.A and N.P.F.L.A?
Answer: an N.P.L.F.A can operate at up to 600v, and the power output
isn't limited
a P.L.F.A has the voltage and power limited by a listed power source.
●● What material must N.P.F.L.A circuit conductors be made from?
Answer: ONLY solid stranded copper is permitted.
●● What does A.W.G stand for?
Answer: American Wire Gauge
,●● What size conductors are permitted?
Answer: Size 18 A.W.G and 16 A.W.G are permitted, provided they do
not exceed certain capacities.
●● What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from
power-supply conductors?
Answer: An over-current device not rated over 20 amperes.
●● When located within 7 feet 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 than ___ A.W.G?
Answer: 18
●● Conductors of 28 A.W.G shall only be permitted in which
circumstance?
Answer: Spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 A.W.G
●● How shall P.F.L.A conductors NOT be installed?
Answer: P.F.L.A conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached to
the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
, ●● What is Plenum cable?
Answer: Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums, or other spaces
used for environmental air.
●● What is a Riser cable?
Answer: Cable to be used in vertical wire runs in shafts between floors.
Not to be used where Plenum cable is required.
It is capable of preventing fire from rising from floor to floor.
●● What is general purpose cable?
Answer: Cable for general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where
plenum cable or riser cable is required.
It is resistant to the spread of fire.
●● Why 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed?
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (F.P.L.P) C.M.P can be
substituted.
●● Why 'type' shall riser cable be? What substitutions are allowed?
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm Riser (F.P.L.R) C.M.P, F.P.L.P.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
●● What does P.L.F.A stand for?
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm
●● What does N.P.L.F.A stand for?
Answer: Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
●● What is the difference between P.F.L.A and N.P.F.L.A?
Answer: an N.P.L.F.A can operate at up to 600v, and the power output
isn't limited
a P.L.F.A has the voltage and power limited by a listed power source.
●● What material must N.P.F.L.A circuit conductors be made from?
Answer: ONLY solid stranded copper is permitted.
●● What does A.W.G stand for?
Answer: American Wire Gauge
,●● What size conductors are permitted?
Answer: Size 18 A.W.G and 16 A.W.G are permitted, provided they do
not exceed certain capacities.
●● What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from
power-supply conductors?
Answer: An over-current device not rated over 20 amperes.
●● When located within 7 feet 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 than ___ A.W.G?
Answer: 18
●● Conductors of 28 A.W.G shall only be permitted in which
circumstance?
Answer: Spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 A.W.G
●● How shall P.F.L.A conductors NOT be installed?
Answer: P.F.L.A conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached to
the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
, ●● What is Plenum cable?
Answer: Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums, or other spaces
used for environmental air.
●● What is a Riser cable?
Answer: Cable to be used in vertical wire runs in shafts between floors.
Not to be used where Plenum cable is required.
It is capable of preventing fire from rising from floor to floor.
●● What is general purpose cable?
Answer: Cable for general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where
plenum cable or riser cable is required.
It is resistant to the spread of fire.
●● Why 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed?
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (F.P.L.P) C.M.P can be
substituted.
●● Why 'type' shall riser cable be? What substitutions are allowed?
Answer: Power Limited Fire Alarm Riser (F.P.L.R) C.M.P, F.P.L.P.
