Fire Safety Systems Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a fire damper installed in an HVAC duct?

Answer: Prevent fire and smoke from spreading through ductwork

Fire dampers close automatically when a fusible link melts, blocking the passage of fire and smoke through HVAC ductwork.

Under NFPA 25, how often must wet pipe sprinkler systems undergo a full flow test of the main drain?

Answer: Annually

NFPA 25 requires an annual main drain test to verify that water supply pressure and flow are adequate.

Which type of heat detector operates by responding to the rate at which temperature rises rather than a fixed temperature threshold?

Answer: Rate-of-rise detector

Rate-of-rise heat detectors trigger an alarm when temperature increases more than a set number of degrees (typically 12–15°F) per minute.

A Class K fire extinguisher is specifically designed for use on which type of fire?

Answer: Cooking oils and fats in commercial kitchens

Class K extinguishers use wet chemical agents that saponify cooking oils and fats, making them the required choice for commercial kitchen hood systems.

What does a 'listed' fire protection product mean in terms of code compliance?

Answer: It has been evaluated and found acceptable by a nationally recognized testing laboratory

A listed product has been tested by an organization such as UL or FM Global and found to meet specific performance standards for its intended use.

In a dry pipe sprinkler system, what fills the piping between the dry pipe valve and the sprinkler heads?

Answer: Pressurized air or nitrogen

Dry pipe systems keep the distribution piping filled with pressurized air or nitrogen so that water is not present in areas subject to freezing.

Which NFPA standard governs the installation of fire alarm systems in the United States?

Answer: NFPA 72

NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, sets requirements for the installation, maintenance, and testing of fire alarm systems.