S95 FACP and Signal Types 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct priority order of signals at an FACP, from highest to lowest?
- Trouble, Supervisory, Alarm
- Alarm, Supervisory, Trouble (Correct answer)
- Supervisory, Alarm, Trouble
- Alarm, Trouble, Supervisory
Correct answer: Alarm, Supervisory, Trouble
NFPA 72 establishes alarm as the highest priority signal, followed by supervisory, then trouble signals.
Question 2: A supervisory signal at an FACP typically indicates:
- A confirmed fire condition has been detected
- An off-normal condition in a fire protection or suppression system (Correct answer)
- A wiring fault in an initiating device circuit
- The system is currently in test mode
Correct answer: An off-normal condition in a fire protection or suppression system
Supervisory signals indicate that a fire protection system component, such as a sprinkler valve or fire pump, is in an off-normal condition requiring attention.
Question 3: A partially closed sprinkler system control valve would generate which type of FACP signal?
- Alarm signal
- Trouble signal
- Supervisory signal (Correct answer)
- Monitor signal
Correct answer: Supervisory signal
A partially closed control valve places the sprinkler system in an off-normal condition, which triggers a supervisory signal at the FACP.
Question 4: What color LED is typically used on an FACP to indicate an active alarm condition?
- Yellow
- Blue
- Red (Correct answer)
- Green
Correct answer: Red
Red is the universally recognized color for alarm conditions on fire alarm control panels per industry standards and NFPA guidance.
Question 5: On most FACPs, a trouble condition is indicated by which color LED?
- Red
- Yellow or amber (Correct answer)
- Green
- Blue
Correct answer: Yellow or amber
Yellow or amber LEDs indicate trouble conditions, distinguishing them from red alarm indicators and green normal-standby indicators.
Question 6: What does the 'acknowledge' function on an FACP primarily accomplish?
- Resets the panel to normal standby condition
- Silences all building notification appliances
- Silences the FACP's local audible indicator while maintaining visual signals (Correct answer)
- Notifies the central monitoring station that the signal was received by staff
Correct answer: Silences the FACP's local audible indicator while maintaining visual signals
Acknowledging a signal silences the FACP's local buzzer while keeping visual indicators active, confirming awareness without canceling the alarm.
Question 7: Under NFPA 72, which signal type has the lowest priority at an FACP when multiple signals are present simultaneously?
- Alarm signal
- Supervisory signal
- Trouble signal (Correct answer)
- All signals share equal priority
Correct answer: Trouble signal
Trouble signals have the lowest priority because alarm and supervisory signals represent more immediate threats to life safety and fire protection capability.
S95 FACP and Signal Types 2
What is the correct priority order of signals at an FACP, from highest to lowest?