CFI Fire Alarm & Detection Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of detector would be MOST appropriate in a commercial kitchen where cooking fumes could cause nuisance alarms?
- Ionization smoke detector
- Photoelectric smoke detector
- Fixed-temperature heat detector (Correct answer)
- Carbon monoxide detector
Correct answer: Fixed-temperature heat detector
Fixed-temperature heat detectors are preferred in commercial kitchens because they are not affected by cooking vapors, steam, or aerosols that trigger smoke detectors.
Question 2: What is the required audible alarm sound level at the pillow in sleeping areas per NFPA 72?
- 55 dB(A)
- 65 dB(A)
- 75 dB(A) (Correct answer)
- 85 dB(A)
Correct answer: 75 dB(A)
NFPA 72 requires a minimum of 75 dB(A) at the pillow to ensure sleeping occupants can be awakened by the alarm signal.
Question 3: A fire alarm control unit (FACU) displays a 'ground fault' trouble condition. What does this indicate?
- A device on the circuit has been manually silenced
- An unwanted electrical connection exists between a circuit conductor and earth ground (Correct answer)
- The primary power supply has failed
- A smoke detector has been activated
Correct answer: An unwanted electrical connection exists between a circuit conductor and earth ground
A ground fault occurs when a wire insulation failure or moisture causes an unintended connection between a circuit conductor and the building ground.
Question 4: When inspecting a fire alarm system, an inspector discovers that the system has not been tested in 18 months. Per NFPA 72, what is the minimum required testing frequency for most components?
- Monthly
- Quarterly
- Semi-annually
- Annually (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Annually
NFPA 72 Chapter 14 requires that most fire alarm system components be tested at a minimum frequency of annually.
Question 5: What is the function of a 'notification appliance circuit' (NAC) in a fire alarm system?
- Carry signals from detectors to the control panel
- Provide power to the main control unit
- Connect the control panel to audible or visual alerting devices such as horns and strobes (Correct answer)
- Monitor the status of sprinkler control valves
Correct answer: Connect the control panel to audible or visual alerting devices such as horns and strobes
The NAC is the wiring circuit that carries the signal from the fire alarm control unit to the horns, bells, strobes, and other notification appliances.
Question 6: A fire inspector is evaluating a voice evacuation system. Which NFPA 72 chapter primarily addresses emergency communications systems?
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 24 (Correct answer)
- Chapter 29
Correct answer: Chapter 24
NFPA 72 Chapter 24 covers emergency communications systems, including in-building fire emergency voice/alarm communications systems.
Question 7: What minimum standby battery capacity must a fire alarm system maintain per NFPA 72 for a system that does not receive a supervisory signal within 200 seconds?
- 4 hours standby plus 5 minutes alarm
- 24 hours standby plus 5 minutes alarm (Correct answer)
- 60 hours standby plus 4 minutes alarm
- 72 hours standby plus 15 minutes alarm
Correct answer: 24 hours standby plus 5 minutes alarm
NFPA 72 requires a minimum of 24 hours of standby capacity followed by 5 minutes of alarm operation for most protected premises fire alarm systems.
CFI Fire Alarm & Detection Systems 3
Which type of detector would be MOST appropriate in a commercial kitchen where cooking fumes could cause nuisance alarms?