S95 Inspection and Testing Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which test method is used to verify the correct operation of a carbon monoxide detector in a fire alarm system?
- Functional test with listed CO test gas (Correct answer)
- Magnet activation test
- Photometric light beam test
- Heat lamp exposure test
Correct answer: Functional test with listed CO test gas
CO detectors in fire alarm systems are tested using listed CO test gas to simulate actual CO exposure per the manufacturer's instructions.
Question 2: When inspecting a fire alarm control panel (FACP), which of the following conditions requires immediate corrective action?
- A trouble signal for a low battery with 24 hours remaining
- A supervisory signal from a sprinkler valve
- A ground fault indication on the alarm circuit (Correct answer)
- A lamp test button that illuminates all LEDs
Correct answer: A ground fault indication on the alarm circuit
A ground fault on an alarm circuit can prevent alarm signals from propagating and must be corrected immediately to restore system integrity.
Question 3: How should a technician test a beam-type smoke detector with a fixed threshold?
- Apply aerosol smoke directly to the transmitter lens
- Reduce the beam signal by the required amount using a calibrated filter or by blocking the beam partially (Correct answer)
- Replace the transmitter unit with a test transmitter
- Use a magnet to simulate an alarm condition
Correct answer: Reduce the beam signal by the required amount using a calibrated filter or by blocking the beam partially
Beam detectors are tested by introducing a calibrated test filter that reduces beam intensity to the alarm threshold level.
Question 4: According to NFPA 72, primary power to a fire alarm system must be tested to verify it operates for at least:
- 4 hours on standby then 5 minutes of alarm
- 24 hours on standby then 5 minutes of alarm (Correct answer)
- 24 hours on standby then 15 minutes of alarm
- 72 hours on standby then 15 minutes of alarm
Correct answer: 24 hours on standby then 5 minutes of alarm
NFPA 72 requires the system battery capacity to support 24 hours of standby followed by 5 minutes of alarm operation.
Question 5: A technician conducting a pathway survivability test on a fire alarm circuit disconnects one end of a Class B circuit. What is the expected result?
- No change in system status
- A trouble indication on the FACP (Correct answer)
- An alarm signal on the FACP
- The circuit self-heals to an alternate path
Correct answer: A trouble indication on the FACP
Class B circuits do not have redundant return paths; an open fault produces a trouble signal at the FACP.
Question 6: During inspection, a sprinkler system control valve supervisory switch is found to be in the closed-valve position. The correct action is to:
- Test the switch and restore the valve to open before leaving (Correct answer)
- Log the finding and inform the building owner at the next scheduled visit
- Disable the supervisory zone at the FACP
- Only notify the AHJ — the valve is not part of the fire alarm scope
Correct answer: Test the switch and restore the valve to open before leaving
A closed sprinkler control valve is a life-safety hazard; the technician must verify the switch operation and restore the valve to its normal open position immediately.
Question 7: Which tool is required to perform an operational test of a waterflow alarm switch on a wet-pipe sprinkler system without discharging water?
- Pitot gauge
- Inspector's test valve at the end of the branch line (Correct answer)
- Main drain valve at the riser
- Flow control meter on the supply main
Correct answer: Inspector's test valve at the end of the branch line
The inspector's test valve simulates a single sprinkler head flow, activating the waterflow switch without full system discharge.
S95 Inspection and Testing Procedures 3
Which test method is used to verify the correct operation of a carbon monoxide detector in a fire alarm system?