S95 Fire Alarm System Components 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of smoke detector is most effective at detecting slow-smoldering fires?
- Ionization smoke detector
- Photoelectric smoke detector (Correct answer)
- Rate-of-rise heat detector
- Fixed-temperature heat detector
Correct answer: Photoelectric smoke detector
Photoelectric detectors respond faster to slow-smoldering fires because they sense visible particles produced early in that combustion stage.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a manual pull station in a fire alarm system?
- To automatically detect heat and smoke
- To allow occupants to manually initiate an alarm (Correct answer)
- To monitor sprinkler system water flow
- To test the fire alarm control panel remotely
Correct answer: To allow occupants to manually initiate an alarm
A manual pull station gives building occupants the ability to manually trigger the fire alarm system when they observe a fire or emergency.
Question 3: A waterflow switch installed on a sprinkler system is classified as which type of initiating device?
- Automatic initiating device (Correct answer)
- Manual initiating device
- Supervisory initiating device
- Notification appliance
Correct answer: Automatic initiating device
A waterflow switch activates automatically when water flows through the sprinkler piping, making it an automatic initiating device.
Question 4: What condition does a supervisory device monitor in a fire alarm system?
- Active fire and smoke conditions
- Conditions that could impair the fire protection system (Correct answer)
- Power supply voltage levels only
- Smoke detector sensitivity drift
Correct answer: Conditions that could impair the fire protection system
Supervisory devices monitor off-normal conditions — such as a closed sprinkler valve — that could render the fire protection system ineffective.
Question 5: A duct smoke detector is primarily installed to:
- Detect fires originating inside electrical panels
- Shut down HVAC systems to prevent the spread of smoke (Correct answer)
- Monitor water pressure in sprinkler mains
- Provide audible notification in high-noise mechanical rooms
Correct answer: Shut down HVAC systems to prevent the spread of smoke
Duct smoke detectors sense smoke in the air handling system and initiate fan shutdown or damper closure to prevent smoke from spreading through the building.
Question 6: What is the function of an end-of-line resistor (EOLR) on a conventional initiating device circuit?
- To boost signal strength over long wire runs
- To supervise the integrity of the circuit wiring (Correct answer)
- To limit inrush current to connected detectors
- To provide backup power to remote devices
Correct answer: To supervise the integrity of the circuit wiring
The EOLR allows the control panel to continuously monitor the circuit; an open or short fault changes the measured resistance and triggers a trouble signal.
Question 7: A tamper switch installed on a sprinkler control valve generates which type of signal at the fire alarm control panel?
- Fire alarm signal
- Supervisory signal (Correct answer)
- Trouble signal
- System reset signal
Correct answer: Supervisory signal
A tamper switch sends a supervisory signal indicating that the sprinkler valve has been moved from its normal open position, which does not constitute an alarm.
S95 Fire Alarm System Components 2
Which type of smoke detector is most effective at detecting slow-smoldering fires?