CAT Inspection & Quality Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of conducting a walk test on a motion detector after installation?
- To verify the detector's field of view covers the intended protected area (Correct answer)
- To check the panel battery voltage under load
- To calibrate the siren decibel output
- To confirm the central station phone number
Correct answer: To verify the detector's field of view covers the intended protected area
A walk test confirms that movement within the designated coverage zone actually triggers an alarm response.
Question 2: During inspection of a two-wire smoke detector circuit, the technician reads 0 V across the loop. What is the most likely cause?
- An open circuit or broken wire on the loop (Correct answer)
- The detectors are in alarm
- Excessive resistance caused by moisture
- The panel battery is fully charged
Correct answer: An open circuit or broken wire on the loop
Zero volts on a supervised loop indicates an open circuit, which breaks the supervisory current path.
Question 3: A newly installed glass-break detector fails its functional test when a test instrument is used but responds when glass is actually broken nearby. What is the likely issue?
- The test instrument frequency or SPL does not match the detector's sensitivity range (Correct answer)
- The detector is wired in reverse polarity
- The zone is programmed as a 24-hour zone instead of perimeter
- The panel firmware needs an update
Correct answer: The test instrument frequency or SPL does not match the detector's sensitivity range
Glass-break simulators must match the detector's listed frequency response and sound pressure level to produce a valid result.
Question 4: Which NFPA 72 table governs the inspection, testing, and maintenance frequency for manual pull stations?
- Table 14.3.1 (Correct answer)
- Table 10.4.3
- Table 7.8.2
- Table 6.2.1
Correct answer: Table 14.3.1
NFPA 72 Table 14.3.1 lists required ITM frequencies for all fire alarm system components including manual pull stations.
Question 5: A fire alarm system inspection reveals that a sprinkler waterflow switch has a 90-second retard setting. Why might this require review?
- NFPA 72 limits retard to 90 seconds maximum, so any setting at or beyond this needs AHJ approval (Correct answer)
- Retard settings are irrelevant to the alarm system inspection
- Waterflow switches must always have a 30-second retard
- A 90-second retard means the switch is defective
Correct answer: NFPA 72 limits retard to 90 seconds maximum, so any setting at or beyond this needs AHJ approval
NFPA 72 allows up to 90 seconds of retard for waterflow switches; settings at the limit should be confirmed with the AHJ.
Question 6: What color is the standard wiring insulation used for the positive leg of a four-wire smoke detector power circuit in most US installations?
- Red (Correct answer)
- Black
- Green
- White
Correct answer: Red
Industry convention assigns red to the positive power conductor and black to negative in fire alarm wiring.
Question 7: When testing notification appliances, the measured sound level at a sleeping area pillow must meet which minimum dBA requirement per NFPA 72?
- 75 dBA at the pillow (Correct answer)
- 60 dBA at the door
- 85 dBA at the horn location
- 55 dBA anywhere in the room
Correct answer: 75 dBA at the pillow
NFPA 72 requires a minimum of 75 dBA measured at the pillow level in sleeping areas to ensure audibility during sleep.
CAT Inspection & Quality Control 3
What is the primary purpose of conducting a walk test on a motion detector after installation?