FACP FACP Troubleshooting & Diagnostics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When isolating a fault on an Class A SLC loop, an isolator module activates. What does this mean?
- A fault has been detected between that isolator and the next, and the module has electrically isolated that segment (Correct answer)
- The entire loop has been shut down
- The panel has lost AC power
- A device on the loop has gone into alarm
Correct answer: A fault has been detected between that isolator and the next, and the module has electrically isolated that segment
Isolator modules automatically open to disconnect a faulted segment from the rest of the Class A loop, maintaining operation of the remaining devices.
Question 2: A FACP shows no troubles but fire alarm signals are not reaching the monitoring station. What should you check FIRST?
- The DACT/communicator settings and phone line or IP connectivity (Correct answer)
- The detector sensitivity levels
- The end-of-line resistor values
- The panel's internal clock
Correct answer: The DACT/communicator settings and phone line or IP connectivity
If alarms are not being transmitted, the digital alarm communicator transmitter (DACT) or IP communicator path is the most likely point of failure.
Question 3: Which diagnostic method is used to test the FACP's response to a single-point initiating device without activating the full system?
- Walk test mode (Correct answer)
- Full evacuation drill
- Panel reset procedure
- Ground fault isolation test
Correct answer: Walk test mode
Walk test mode allows individual devices to be activated and logged without triggering full notification appliances or transmitting signals to the monitoring center.
Question 4: A battery backup test shows the FACP drops below minimum voltage after 18 hours instead of the required 24 hours. What is the correct action?
- Replace the batteries with correctly sized units that meet the calculated 24-hour standby load (Correct answer)
- Add more devices to increase the load
- Reduce the number of notification appliances
- Reprogram the panel to bypass the battery check
Correct answer: Replace the batteries with correctly sized units that meet the calculated 24-hour standby load
NFPA 72 requires a minimum of 24 hours of standby power; batteries that fail to meet this must be replaced with properly sized units.
Question 5: A technician notices the FACP clock resets to default after every power cycle. What component is most likely faulty?
- The internal lithium coin cell (real-time clock battery) (Correct answer)
- The main standby battery
- The SLC card
- The CPU board firmware
Correct answer: The internal lithium coin cell (real-time clock battery)
The real-time clock is maintained by a small lithium coin cell; when it fails the clock loses its time setting whenever main power is interrupted.
Question 6: During a trouble condition, a technician uses the panel's point-by-point diagnostic menu and finds SLC address 47 is 'missing.' What does this indicate?
- The device at address 47 is not communicating with the panel, likely due to wiring or device failure (Correct answer)
- Address 47 has never been programmed
- The panel database is corrupted
- Address 47 is in test mode
Correct answer: The device at address 47 is not communicating with the panel, likely due to wiring or device failure
A 'missing device' trouble means the panel cannot communicate with the device programmed at that address, pointing to a wiring break or device failure.
FACP FACP Troubleshooting & Diagnostics 2
When isolating a fault on an Class A SLC loop, an isolator module activates.
What does this mean?