Fire Alarm System Components Flashcards

Per NFPA 72, what is the minimum secondary (battery) power requirement for a fire alarm system in most occupancies?

Answer: 24 hours standby plus 5 minutes of alarm

NFPA 72 requires most fire alarm systems to operate on secondary power for 24 hours in standby mode followed by 5 minutes of full alarm operation.

What is the designated primary power source for a fire alarm control panel (FACP)?

Answer: Commercial AC utility power

Commercial AC utility power is the primary source; secondary power (batteries or generator) serves as backup when primary power fails.

In an addressable fire alarm system, what is assigned to each individual device on the signaling line circuit?

Answer: A unique address or identification code

Each device in an addressable system has a unique address, allowing the FACP to identify the exact location of an alarm or trouble condition.

What key advantage does a Class A wiring configuration provide over Class B?

Answer: Continued circuit operation despite a single open or ground fault

Class A wiring uses a return path back to the FACP, so if a single wire break occurs, signals can still travel around the fault via the return path.

Which of the following best describes the role of the fire alarm control panel (FACP)?

Answer: It monitors, controls, and coordinates all fire alarm system components

The FACP is the system's brain, continuously monitoring all circuits, processing signals, and controlling outputs such as notification appliances and auxiliary functions.

A remote annunciator panel in a fire alarm system is used to:

Answer: Display system status information at a location remote from the main FACP

A remote annunciator duplicates key status indicators at a convenient location — such as a building lobby — so responding personnel can assess system status upon arrival.

A 'trouble' signal displayed on a fire alarm control panel indicates:

Answer: A fault or abnormal condition within the fire alarm system itself

A trouble signal alerts the owner and monitoring center that a component or circuit has a fault — such as an open wire, low battery, or missing device — that requires service.