FST Inspection Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During inspection of a clean agent suppression system, the technician finds the agent cylinder weight is 5% below the listed weight. What action is required?
- Document and recheck at next annual inspection
- Recharge or replace the cylinder immediately (Correct answer)
- Notify the AHJ within 30 days
- Tag the cylinder and continue inspection
Correct answer: Recharge or replace the cylinder immediately
NFPA 2001 requires cylinders with agent loss exceeding 5% of net weight or a pressure loss of more than 10% to be recharged or replaced.
Question 2: What is a 'four-year internal inspection' requirement under NFPA 25, and to which system does it primarily apply?
- Internal inspection of fire pump casings
- Internal pipe inspection of dry and preaction systems for microbiologically influenced corrosion (Correct answer)
- Inspection of underground fire mains every four years
- Inspection of fire department connections every four years
Correct answer: Internal pipe inspection of dry and preaction systems for microbiologically influenced corrosion
NFPA 25 requires internal inspection of dry and preaction system piping every 4 years to check for corrosion, scale, and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).
Question 3: A technician performing a semi-annual fire pump test records a churn (no-flow) pressure reading. What is the acceptable variance from the original acceptance test data?
- Up to 5% variation is acceptable
- Up to 10% variation is acceptable (Correct answer)
- Any variation requires immediate pump replacement
- No variation is acceptable; must match exactly
Correct answer: Up to 10% variation is acceptable
NFPA 25 allows up to a 10% decrease in pump pressure from the original acceptance test before requiring corrective action.
Question 4: When is a 'witnessed test' by the AHJ typically required for a fire protection system?
- Every monthly inspection
- During installation acceptance testing and after major modifications (Correct answer)
- Only when a complaint has been filed
- Every three years per NFPA 25
Correct answer: During installation acceptance testing and after major modifications
The AHJ typically witnesses acceptance tests after new installation or major modifications to verify the system meets code requirements before occupancy.
Question 5: A technician inspects a fire department connection (FDC) and finds the swivel coupling is seized and will not rotate. What is the correct action?
- Spray lubricant and document for annual follow-up
- Tag the FDC out of service and arrange for repair (Correct answer)
- Notify the fire department by phone only
- No action needed if the threads are undamaged
Correct answer: Tag the FDC out of service and arrange for repair
A seized FDC swivel prevents firefighters from quickly connecting their hose, making it a critical deficiency requiring immediate repair.
Question 6: Under NFPA 72, which test is used to verify that a manual pull station sends a correct alarm signal to the fire alarm control unit?
- Lamp test
- Functional test (Correct answer)
- Sensitivity test
- Ground fault test
Correct answer: Functional test
A functional test of a manual pull station requires actually operating the device to confirm it transmits a valid alarm signal to the control unit.
Question 7: When a fire sprinkler system is taken out of service for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period, what must the technician ensure is in place?
- A posted notice on the control valve only
- An approved fire watch and notification to the AHJ and insurance carrier (Correct answer)
- Temporary smoke detectors in the affected area
- A written variance request submitted to the AHJ
Correct answer: An approved fire watch and notification to the AHJ and insurance carrier
NFPA 25 and most codes require a fire watch and notification to the AHJ and insurance carrier when a system is impaired for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
FST Inspection Procedures 5
During inspection of a clean agent suppression system, the technician finds the agent cylinder weight is 5% below the listed weight.
What action is required?