Fire Safety Equipment and Alarm Systems Flashcards
6 cards from real Fire Safety practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Fire Safety Equipment and Alarm Systems flashcards as text
What is the primary function of a fire alarm control panel (FACP)?
Answer: To monitor all alarm initiating and notification devices and coordinate system response
The FACP is the brain of the fire alarm system, receiving signals from detectors and pull stations and activating notification devices and suppression systems.
What does a supervisory signal on a fire alarm system indicate?
Answer: An off-normal condition in a fire protection system that needs attention
A supervisory signal indicates that a monitored system (such as a sprinkler valve) is in an off-normal position requiring prompt investigation but not immediate evacuation.
Which type of heat detector responds to a rapid rise in temperature rather than an absolute temperature limit?
Answer: Rate-of-rise heat detector
Rate-of-rise detectors activate when temperature increases faster than a set rate (typically 12–15°F per minute), catching fast-developing fires early.
What is the purpose of a fire department connection (FDC) on a building's exterior?
Answer: To allow firefighters to pump water into the building's sprinkler system
The FDC is a Siamese connection that allows firefighters to boost the water supply to the building's sprinkler or standpipe system from their pumper truck.
What is the difference between a 'wet pipe' and 'dry pipe' sprinkler system?
Answer: Wet pipe has water in the pipes at all times; dry pipe uses pressurized air and fills with water only upon activation
Wet pipe systems keep pipes full of water for immediate discharge, while dry pipe systems use air pressure and are used in areas where water could freeze.
How does an ionization smoke detector work?
Answer: It uses a small radioactive source to ionize air; smoke disrupts the ion flow and triggers the alarm
Ionization detectors use a tiny amount of Americium-241 to maintain a steady electrical current; smoke particles disrupt that current, triggering the alarm.