Practice Test Geeks(CAT) Certified Alarm Technician Practice Test
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Safety and Compliance Flashcards

7 cards from real CAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Safety and Compliance flashcards as text

  1. Under the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, burglar alarm companies that monitor systems remotely must maintain records of alarm activations for a minimum of how long?

    Answer: Records retention is determined by the state or local AHJ, not a single federal rule

    There is no single federal record-retention mandate for alarm monitoring; requirements vary by state, local ordinance, and contract, so the technician must know local rules.

  2. What is the primary purpose of an End-of-Line (EOL) resistor in a supervised alarm circuit?

    Answer: To allow the control panel to detect both open-circuit and short-circuit faults on the zone wiring

    An EOL resistor provides a reference impedance that the panel monitors; deviations caused by opens or shorts trigger a trouble or tamper condition.

  3. Which NFPA standard covers the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems that may interact with fire alarm systems?

    Answer: NFPA 25

    NFPA 25 is the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, including sprinkler flow switches that connect to fire alarm panels.

  4. A CAT exam candidate is asked about 'environmental testing' of alarm components. This refers to:

    Answer: Verifying that equipment operates within its specified temperature, humidity, and vibration tolerances

    Environmental testing confirms that alarm components meet performance specifications across the range of environmental conditions they will encounter in the field.

  5. When a fire alarm system undergoes an acceptance test, who is typically required to witness or approve the test results?

    Answer: The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), often the local fire marshal or inspector

    NFPA 72 requires that acceptance testing be performed in the presence of, or at minimum reported to, the AHJ, who verifies code compliance before the system is placed in service.

  6. Which occupancy type under NFPA 101 typically requires the highest level of fire alarm system coverage due to sleeping occupants unfamiliar with the building?

    Answer: Hotel and dormitory (residential board and care / lodging)

    Hotels, dormitories, and residential board-and-care facilities house sleeping occupants unfamiliar with egress paths, requiring comprehensive alarm coverage under NFPA 101.

  7. Per OSHA, what is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for continuous noise exposure over an 8-hour workday without hearing protection?

    Answer: 90 dBA

    OSHA's PEL for continuous noise is 90 dBA over an 8-hour TWA; exposure above this level requires engineering controls or hearing protection.