CAT CAT Fire Alarm Systems & Components 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of smoke detector uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize air and detect smoke particles?
- Ionization detector (Correct answer)
- Photoelectric detector
- Dual-sensor detector
- Heat detector
Correct answer: Ionization detector
Ionization smoke detectors use a small radioactive source to ionize air between two electrodes, detecting smoke when particles disrupt the current flow.
Question 2: What is the standard color code for fire alarm notification appliance circuit (NAC) wiring per NFPA 72?
- Blue
- Red (Correct answer)
- Green
- Yellow
Correct answer: Red
Red is the standard color code for fire alarm notification appliance circuit (NAC) wiring as specified in NFPA 72.
Question 3: A Class A fire alarm circuit differs from Class B primarily in that it:
- Uses lower voltage
- Loops back to the panel for supervision (Correct answer)
- Requires wireless devices only
- Operates on battery power only
Correct answer: Loops back to the panel for supervision
Class A circuits loop back to the control panel, providing fault supervision and continued operation even if a single wire break occurs.
Question 4: What device combines an audible alarm with a visible strobe light in a fire alarm notification appliance?
- Horn only
- Speaker
- Horn-strobe combination (Correct answer)
- Chime
Correct answer: Horn-strobe combination
A horn-strobe combination device provides both audible and visible notification, meeting ADA and NFPA 72 requirements for occupant notification.
Question 5: What is the primary function of a fire alarm control panel (FACP)?
- Generate power for the building
- Monitor all connected devices and initiate appropriate alarm responses (Correct answer)
- Control HVAC systems only
- Provide backup internet connectivity
Correct answer: Monitor all connected devices and initiate appropriate alarm responses
The FACP monitors all connected initiating and notification devices, processes incoming signals, and initiates the appropriate alarm response.
Question 6: What is the purpose of an end-of-line (EOL) resistor in a fire alarm circuit?
- Increase circuit voltage
- Supervise the circuit for open and short conditions (Correct answer)
- Filter electrical noise from devices
- Limit current to notification appliances
Correct answer: Supervise the circuit for open and short conditions
An EOL resistor is placed at the end of a supervised circuit to allow the control panel to detect open or short conditions anywhere in the wiring.
CAT CAT Fire Alarm Systems & Components 1
What type of smoke detector uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize air and detect smoke particles?