Inspection and Testing Procedures Flashcards

What is the maximum allowable response time from the initial alarm to notification appliance activation for a fire alarm system without voice evacuation?

Answer: 30 seconds

NFPA 72 requires notification appliances to activate within 10 seconds of alarm initiation for systems without voice evacuation, but the commonly tested maximum for signal processing is 10 seconds; however, the standard most often referenced for audible output response is 10 seconds from signal to sound.

During an acceptance test, a technician discovers that a fire alarm control panel annunciator is not displaying the correct zone location for a triggered device. This is classified as a:

Answer: Deficiency that must be corrected before the system is accepted

Incorrect annunciation can delay emergency responders, so it is a deficiency that must be corrected before the system can be accepted and placed in service.

A fire alarm system's secondary power source (batteries) must be tested under load to verify capacity. The test is performed by:

Answer: Disconnecting primary power and monitoring system operation for 24 hours plus 5 minutes of alarm load

Battery capacity is verified by disconnecting AC power and confirming the system remains operational for 24 hours standby plus 5 minutes in full alarm.

Which of the following initiating device types requires a 'special listing' test method because aerosol smoke cannot reliably activate it?

Answer: Air-sampling (aspirating) smoke detectors

Air-sampling (aspirating) detectors require special testing methods because the dilution in the sampling pipe makes aerosol smoke tests unreliable.

What is the required minimum frequency of testing for a fire alarm system in a high-rise building with a central supervising station connection?

Answer: Annually for all devices

NFPA 72 Table 14.4.5 requires annual inspection and testing of fire alarm system components in most occupancies including high-rise buildings.

When a technician performs an end-to-end test of a digital alarm communicator transmitter (DACT), the test must confirm that a signal is received at:

Answer: The supervising station within 90 seconds

The DACT end-to-end test must confirm successful signal delivery to the supervising station, and NFPA 72 requires this within 90 seconds.

Under NFPA 72, who is ultimately responsible for ensuring that fire alarm system inspections, testing, and maintenance are performed on schedule?

Answer: The property owner or their designated representative

NFPA 72 places the responsibility for scheduling and ensuring inspections, testing, and maintenance on the property owner or their designated representative.