CPL Security Systems & Electronic Locking Devices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which technology allows contactless card reading at distances of up to 10 cm and operates at 13.56 MHz?
- 125 kHz proximity (Prox)
- RFID UHF long-range
- High-Frequency (HF) RFID / NFC (Correct answer)
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Correct answer: High-Frequency (HF) RFID / NFC
High-frequency RFID at 13.56 MHz (including NFC-compatible MIFARE and DESFire cards) is used for contactless access control at short read ranges.
Question 2: When installing an electric door strike in a hollow metal frame, which consideration is most critical?
- Selecting the correct paint color
- Ensuring proper voltage drop across the wire run
- Matching the strike lip depth to the lockset (Correct answer)
- Using stainless steel screws only
Correct answer: Matching the strike lip depth to the lockset
The strike lip must match the depth and projection of the latchbolt to ensure proper engagement and smooth mechanical operation.
Question 3: A hotel uses RFID key cards that expire after checkout. What access control architecture enables this?
- Standalone offline locks with time-limited credentials (Correct answer)
- Hardwired online locks with server-managed permissions
- Mechanical key override systems
- Manual keypad codes changed at checkout
Correct answer: Standalone offline locks with time-limited credentials
Hotel RFID systems typically use offline standalone locks where the encoder programs time-limited credentials directly onto the card.
Question 4: What term describes the practice of using multiple independent security technologies together to protect a facility?
- Security redundancy
- Defense in depth (Correct answer)
- Multi-factor authentication
- Security clustering
Correct answer: Defense in depth
Defense in depth uses layered, overlapping security measures so that failure of any single system does not compromise overall protection.
Question 5: Which code requirement mandates that doors in certain occupancies must unlock automatically when a fire alarm is triggered?
- ADA Title III
- IBC Section 1010 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72 Alarm Output
- UL 294 Standard
Correct answer: IBC Section 1010
IBC Section 1010 (and related Life Safety Code NFPA 101) requires that electrified locking systems release upon fire alarm activation to allow free egress.
Question 6: In an electrified mortise lock, the 'monitoring' function typically detects which condition?
- Power supply voltage level
- Card reader credential validity
- Deadbolt and latchbolt position (Correct answer)
- Door closer speed
Correct answer: Deadbolt and latchbolt position
Monitoring switches in electrified mortise locks report bolt position (extended/retracted) back to the access control panel for status tracking.
Question 7: Which standard governs the testing and certification of access control system units in the United States?
- UL 294 (Correct answer)
- ANSI A156.25
- ISO 9001
- NFPA 101
Correct answer: UL 294
UL 294 is the Underwriters Laboratories standard for access control system units, covering construction, performance, and marking requirements.
CPL Security Systems & Electronic Locking Devices 3
Which technology allows contactless card reading at distances of up to 10 cm and operates at 13.56 MHz?