C7 Security System Design & Integration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When designing a layered security system, what is the correct order of protection zones from outermost to innermost?
- Perimeter, exterior, interior, core assets (Correct answer)
- Interior, exterior, perimeter, core assets
- Core assets, interior, exterior, perimeter
- Exterior, perimeter, core assets, interior
Correct answer: Perimeter, exterior, interior, core assets
Defense-in-depth security design moves from perimeter (property boundary) through exterior (building shell) to interior zones and finally to the most critical core assets.
Question 2: A UL Listed central station must maintain records of alarm signals for a minimum of how long under UL 827?
- 6 months
- 1 year (Correct answer)
- 3 years
- 5 years
Correct answer: 1 year
UL 827 requires UL Listed central stations to retain alarm signal records for a minimum of one year.
Question 3: Which wire gauge is typically specified for a 4-wire smoke detector circuit running 500 feet in a commercial security installation?
- 22 AWG
- 18 AWG (Correct answer)
- 14 AWG
- 12 AWG
Correct answer: 18 AWG
18 AWG is commonly specified for longer 4-wire detector runs to limit voltage drop while staying within NFPA 72 and manufacturer requirements.
Question 4: In a video surveillance design, what is the primary purpose of using a varifocal lens over a fixed lens?
- Varifocal lenses have better low-light performance
- Varifocal lenses allow field-of-view adjustment without changing the camera (Correct answer)
- Varifocal lenses are less expensive to install
- Varifocal lenses support higher resolution sensors
Correct answer: Varifocal lenses allow field-of-view adjustment without changing the camera
Varifocal lenses allow the installer to adjust focal length and field of view after mounting, accommodating varied coverage needs without swapping cameras.
Question 5: When integrating an access control system with a fire alarm panel, what is the required behavior of electrified door locks during a fire alarm activation?
- Locks must remain engaged to prevent unauthorized exit
- Locks must release to allow free egress per NFPA 101 (Correct answer)
- Locks must switch to card-only mode
- Locks must generate an alarm signal to the monitoring station
Correct answer: Locks must release to allow free egress per NFPA 101
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code requires that electrified locks release upon fire alarm activation to provide unimpeded egress.
Question 6: Which communication path redundancy method uses both a broadband internet connection and a cellular radio as backup for alarm signal transmission?
- Dual-path transmission (Correct answer)
- Split signaling
- Multiplex polling
- Supervised wireless
Correct answer: Dual-path transmission
Dual-path transmission uses two independent communication paths (e.g., IP and cellular) so that failure of one path does not interrupt alarm reporting.
Question 7: Under California Title 24, which document must a C7 contractor provide to the building owner upon completion of a security system installation?
- A copy of the contractor's insurance certificate
- An as-built drawing and operation/maintenance manual (Correct answer)
- A signed permit waiver
- A UL listing certificate for the panel
Correct answer: An as-built drawing and operation/maintenance manual
California Title 24 and standard industry practice require the contractor to deliver as-built drawings and an operation/maintenance manual to the owner at project completion.
C7 Security System Design & Integration 2
When designing a layered security system, what is the correct order of protection zones from outermost to innermost?