FST Inspection Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a fire sprinkler inspection, you notice a sprinkler head is painted over. What is the correct action?
- Leave it if coverage appears adequate
- Replace the painted sprinkler head immediately (Correct answer)
- Sand off the paint carefully
- Document it and re-inspect in 6 months
Correct answer: Replace the painted sprinkler head immediately
Painted sprinkler heads must be replaced because paint alters the thermal element's activation temperature and response time.
Question 2: Which NFPA standard governs the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems?
- NFPA 10
- NFPA 25 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72
- NFPA 13
Correct answer: NFPA 25
NFPA 25 is the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.
Question 3: A fire extinguisher inspection tag shows the last annual inspection was 13 months ago. What should the technician do?
- Perform the annual inspection immediately (Correct answer)
- Replace the extinguisher
- Tag it out of service until the next scheduled inspection
- No action needed until 18 months have passed
Correct answer: Perform the annual inspection immediately
Annual inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 12 months, so an overdue extinguisher must be inspected immediately per NFPA 10.
Question 4: When inspecting a fire door, you find the door fails to latch when released from the open position. What is the correct classification of this deficiency?
- Minor deficiency, schedule repair within 90 days
- Critical deficiency requiring immediate corrective action (Correct answer)
- Acceptable if the door closes fully
- Non-deficiency if smoke seal is intact
Correct answer: Critical deficiency requiring immediate corrective action
A fire door that fails to latch is a critical deficiency because it cannot perform its fire containment function and must be corrected immediately.
Question 5: How often must a main drain test be conducted on a wet pipe sprinkler system to verify water supply adequacy?
- Monthly
- Quarterly
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every 5 years
Correct answer: Annually
NFPA 25 requires an annual main drain test to verify that the water supply pressure has not changed significantly.
Question 6: During inspection of a fire alarm control panel, the technician finds a 'trouble' signal displayed. What should be done first?
- Reset the panel immediately
- Identify and document the source of the trouble condition (Correct answer)
- Notify the fire department
- Disable the zone showing trouble
Correct answer: Identify and document the source of the trouble condition
The technician must first identify and document the source of the trouble condition before taking corrective action.
Question 7: What minimum clear space must be maintained around fire hydrants to ensure accessibility for fire department operations?
- 2 feet in all directions
- 3 feet in all directions (Correct answer)
- 5 feet in all directions
- 10 feet in front only
Correct answer: 3 feet in all directions
NFPA 291 and local codes typically require a minimum 3-foot clear zone around fire hydrants for fire department access.
FST Inspection Procedures 2
During a fire sprinkler inspection, you notice a sprinkler head is painted over.
What is the correct action?