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Texas Fire Alarm Exam Prep Questions and
Correct Answers
What does PLFA stand for? Ans: — Power Limited Fire Alarm
What does NPLFA stand for? Ans: — Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from? Ans:
— Only solid or stranded copper is permitted.
What is a single station detector? Ans: — Battery powered smoke
detectors that do not communicate off premises.
What is a multiple station detector? Ans: — 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 station
detectors be inspected and tested? Ans: — In accordance with the
manufacturers recommendations, at least monthly
How frequently must household fire alarm systems be inspected
and tested? Ans: — At least every 3 years, by a qualified service
technician.
How frequently must heat detectors be tested? Ans: — Two or
more annually different detectors must be tested each year though
and within 5 years all detectors must have been tested.
What does 'restorable' mean? Ans: — The detector can be
'restored' or ' reused ' after it has initiated an alarm.
What does 'non-restorable' mean? Ans: — The detector cannot be
'reused' after it has initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector,
which self-destructs upon initiating.)
What size conductors are permitted? Ans: — Size 18AWG and
16AWG are permitted, provided they do not exceed certain rated
ampacities.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied
from power-supply conductors? Ans: — An over-current device
not rated over 20 Amperes.
When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened?
Ans: — Cables shall be fastened in an approved manner at
intervals of not more than 18 inches.
Single conductors shall not be smaller than BLANK AWG Ans: —
18
Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which
circumstances? Ans: — Where spliced with a connector listed as
suitable for 26 to 24 AWG
How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed? Ans: — PLFA
conductors shall not be strapped, taped or attached to the exterior
of any conduit or raceway.
What is a Plenum cable? What are its characteristics? Ans: — Cable
that can be installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces used for
environmental air. It has adequate fire resistance and low smoke-
producing characteristics.
What is Riser cable? What are its characteristics? Ans: — 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 floor-to-floor.
What is General Purpose cable? What are its characteristics? Ans:
— 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'? Ans: — Power Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can
be substituted.
What 'type' shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted?
Ans: — Power Limited Fire Alarm Riser (FPLR) CMP, FPLP, CMR can
be substituted.
© 2025 All rights reserved
Texas Fire Alarm Exam Prep Questions and
Correct Answers
What does PLFA stand for? Ans: — Power Limited Fire Alarm
What does NPLFA stand for? Ans: — Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from? Ans:
— Only solid or stranded copper is permitted.
What is a single station detector? Ans: — Battery powered smoke
detectors that do not communicate off premises.
What is a multiple station detector? Ans: — 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 station
detectors be inspected and tested? Ans: — In accordance with the
manufacturers recommendations, at least monthly
How frequently must household fire alarm systems be inspected
and tested? Ans: — At least every 3 years, by a qualified service
technician.
How frequently must heat detectors be tested? Ans: — Two or
more annually different detectors must be tested each year though
and within 5 years all detectors must have been tested.
What does 'restorable' mean? Ans: — The detector can be
'restored' or ' reused ' after it has initiated an alarm.
What does 'non-restorable' mean? Ans: — The detector cannot be
'reused' after it has initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector,
which self-destructs upon initiating.)
What size conductors are permitted? Ans: — Size 18AWG and
16AWG are permitted, provided they do not exceed certain rated
ampacities.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied
from power-supply conductors? Ans: — An over-current device
not rated over 20 Amperes.
When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened?
Ans: — Cables shall be fastened in an approved manner at
intervals of not more than 18 inches.
Single conductors shall not be smaller than BLANK AWG Ans: —
18
Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which
circumstances? Ans: — Where spliced with a connector listed as
suitable for 26 to 24 AWG
How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed? Ans: — PLFA
conductors shall not be strapped, taped or attached to the exterior
of any conduit or raceway.
What is a Plenum cable? What are its characteristics? Ans: — Cable
that can be installed in ducts, plenums or other spaces used for
environmental air. It has adequate fire resistance and low smoke-
producing characteristics.
What is Riser cable? What are its characteristics? Ans: — 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 floor-to-floor.
What is General Purpose cable? What are its characteristics? Ans:
— 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'? Ans: — Power Limited Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can
be substituted.
What 'type' shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted?
Ans: — Power Limited Fire Alarm Riser (FPLR) CMP, FPLP, CMR can
be substituted.
© 2025 All rights reserved
