Denver Fire Alarm Technician License Tips and Drill

Ted “Smitty” Smith

Some Tips

I have included in the following slides some key sections from each of the codes you will primarily encounter on the test. I recommend reading each of the key sections noted.

The Denver Building Amendments can be difficult to navigate. I recommend reading through one time the entire Chapter 5 and reading through two times the entire Chapter 9.

The majority of the second part of your test will be answered in Chapter 9 of the Denver Building Amendments.

Key Sections to Study

NEC Article 760.142 Article 760.154(B)(1) Article 760.130(A) Article 760.143 Article 760.176

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm CodeChapter 10 Fundamentals

10.4.1.2 10.5.5.2.2 10.5.5.2.3 10.5.6.3 10.5.6.4.1 10.5.9.1.1 10.5.9.3.2 10.5.9.6.1 10.5.9.6.2

10.11.5.2 10.16.3.1 10.16.3.2 10.17.1.13 10.18.2.3

NFPA 72 Chapter 14 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

14.2.2.1 14.2.7.2 14.2.8 T14.3.1 Section 8 T14.3.1 Section 9

(h) T14.3.1 Section

19(3) 14.4.5.3 14.4.5.3.1 14.4.5.3.2 T14.4.5 Section

5(a)

T14.4.5 Section 15(h)

14.4.5.3.3 14.4.6 14.4.8.1 14.6.1.3

NFPA 72 Chapter 17 Initiating Devices and Chapter 18 Notification Appliances 17.5.2 17.6.3.1.2 17.7.3.2.1 17.3.2.3.1 17.7.6.3.1 T17.7.6.3.3.1 17.12.2

18.3.3.2 18.3.4.2 18.3.5.2 18.4.1.1 18.4.4.1 18.5.2.4 18.5.2.6 18.5.4.4.1 18.5.4.4.4

NFPA 72 Chapter 23 Protected Premises Fire Alarm Systems

23.2.3.1 23.5.2 23.8.1.1 23.8.4.7 23.8.5.5.2 23.8.5.6.2

23.8.6.2.1 23.8.6.2.4 23.16.4 23.18.4.2

Denver Building Amendments 510.1.1.3 907.1.2.2

Exceptions 1 and 2 907.1.6 Exception

2 907.1.6 Exception

9 907.2.13.1 (6) 907.2.23

Also be sure to check exception

907.6.2.1 907.7.3.1 907.7.3.1.2

Instructions

This slide show contains multiple timed questions. All questions can be answered using the International Fire Code, The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code and the Denver Building Amendments.

If you put the slide show into slide show mode, the slides will transition automatically and allow you 3 minutes for each question. The answers will stay up for only 15 seconds. When you reach the end of the practice test there will be a slide that reads STOP.

You can then click on the slide and the questions will be repeated without the timer so that you can write down questions and answers and take notes.

During the timed section, do not worry about writing down the correct answer. Proceed through the timed section then review the questions and answer again without the timer.

Conductors of ______ AWG shall be permitted only where spliced with a connector listed as suitable when used in a PLFA circuit.

26 760.142

Type ________ cable may be used in place of FPLP cable in a plenum area for PLFA circuit.

CMP 760.154 (A)

Conductors for NPLFA wiring methods shall be cables that are made of solid or stranded copper or aluminum only.

True or False

False Copper Only 760.130 (A)

Complete records of all signals received by a supervising station shall be kept for a period of ________________.

1 year NFPA 72 26.4.6.1

A type public alarm system shall be required where the number of all alarms required to be retransmitted exceeds _____________ per year.

2500 NFPA 72 27.5.2.1.2

A fire alarm system installed in an occupancy that does not require a fire alarm system shall ____________________________.

A. comply with NFPA 72 B. not be required to comply with NFPA

72 C. comply with chapters 17 and 18 of

NFPA 72 only D. comply with the NEC only

A. comply with NFPA 72 (23.2.3.1)

A class A circuit in a protected premises using physical conductors shall be installed so that the outgoing and return conductors are routed separately unless for a distance not to exceed __________ feet where the conductors enter or exit the initiating device, notification appliance, or control unit enclosures. 3 6 10 15

10 (23.4.2.2 List item 1)

A class B circuit in protected premises shall be designed and installed in a manner to ensure so that a _____________________ signal shall annunciate in the condition of an open or ground condition in the wiring. Supervisory Alarm Trouble None of the above

Trouble (23.5.2)

Actuation of alarm notification appliances or emergency voice communications, fire safety functions, and annunciation at the protected premises shall occur within ____________ after the activation of an initiating device. 5 seconds 10 seconds 30 seconds 1 minute

10 seconds (23.8.1.1)

Power limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached by any means to the exterior of any conduit or other raceway as a means of support. True False

True NEC 760.143

Visible notification signals _______________________ be required in exit stair enclosures and exit passageways. Shall Shall not

Shall not (23.8.6.2.1)

Type NPLFP cable shall be listed for use if used in other spaces used for environmental air and shall also be listed as having adequate fire resistance and ________________characteristics.

Low smoke producing NEC 760.176(C)

New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or letters, or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. Addresses are not required to be posted at the rear of the property at the alleyway. True or False

False Must be at alleyway also DBA 505.1

High Rise buildings shall be supplied by a minimum of three independent public water mains.

True or False

False Two DBA 507.2.3

A fire alarm system must be supplied by a minimum of __________ independent and reliable power supplies. One Two Three Four

Two (10.5.3.2)

A coded alarm signal shall consist of not less than__________ complete rounds of the number transmitted. One Two Three Four

Three (10.9.3)

A coded supervisory signal shall be permitted to consist of ___________ rounds of the number transmitted to indicate a supervisory off-normal condition. One Two Three Four

Two (10.11.1.1)

In existing buildings undergoing a panel replacement, remote annunciators with silence and reset functions may be provided when approved by the dire code official. The units shall be equipped with enable/disable switches and shall be contained behind a transparent, lockable cover.

True or False

False Shall not be equipped with an

enable/disable DBA 907.1.2.2 Exception 1

Spot type smoke detectors shall be located on the ceiling, or if on a side wall, between the ceiling and ___________ inches down from the ceiling to the top of the detector. 6 inches 12 inches 18 inches 24 inches

12 inches ( 17.7.3.2.1)

The lamps and LED’s for the control equipment of a Mass Notification System shall be visually inspected ________________________________. Monthly Quarterly Semi-annually Annually

Semi-Annually (Table 14.3.1 Page 57)

Systems undergoing maintenance or modification shall not have any portion of the system our of service for more than 8 hours.

True or False

False 10 DBA 907.1.6

Automatic smoke detection is required not less than one foot but no more than three feet on the occupied side of each door that enters a refuge area, elevator lobby and exit stairway in building types R-4.

True or False

True DBA 907.2.13.1 (6)

An approved automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in areas containing stationary storage battery systems having a liquid capacity of more than 75 gallons. Where the alarm is installed, provide signage indicating “Battery Room Alarm-Call 911.”

True or False

False 50 gallons DBA 907.2.23

Where practical difficulties are associated with replacement of fire alarm systems in existing high rises two fire alarm control panels shall not be allowed during the phased upgrade. Existing and new fire alarm control panels shall be co located at a location approved by the fire code official.

True or False

False Two panels are allowed DBA 907.1.6 Exception 2

In a nightclub means shall be provided to reduce or eliminate background noise upon activation of the fire alarm system.

True or False

True DBA 907.6.2.1

Annunciator panels shall be point lit graphic or computer graphic or a directory LED point display.

True or False

True DBA 907.7.3.1

In a group I occupancy a manual fire alarm system is allowed.

True or False

True DBA 907.2.6

Buildings with a floor used for human occupancy located more than 50 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall be provided with a fire command center.

True or False

False DBA 907.2.13

In a group E occupancy a manual fire alarm system is not required if 20 or less occupants and 120V AC single or multiple station residential smoke alarms with battery back up, wired to a switched source are provided.

True or False

False Unswitched DBA 907.2.3 Exception 2

STOP> End of Timed Questions

STOP

STOP

STOP

STOP

STOP

Conductors of ______ AWG shall be permitted only where spliced with a connector listed as suitable when used in a PLFA circuit.

26 760.142

Type ________ cable may be used in place of FPLP cable in a plenum area for PLFA circuit.

CMP 760.154 (A)

Conductors for NPLFA wiring methods shall be cables that are made of solid or stranded copper or aluminum only.

True or False

False Copper Only 760.130 (A)

Complete records of all signals received by a supervising station shall be kept for a period of ________________.

1 year NFPA 72 26.4.6.1

A type public alarm system shall be required where the number of all alarms required to be retransmitted exceeds _____________ per year.

2500 NFPA 72 27.5.2.1.2

A fire alarm system installed in an occupancy that does not require a fire alarm system shall ____________________________.

A. comply with NFPA 72 B. not be required to comply with NFPA

72 C. comply with chapters 17 and 18 of

NFPA 72 only D. comply with the NEC only

A. comply with NFPA 72 (23.2.3.1)

A class A circuit in a protected premises using physical conductors shall be installed so that the outgoing and return conductors are routed separately unless for a distance not to exceed __________ feet where the conductors enter or exit the initiating device, notification appliance, or control unit enclosures. 3 6 10 15

10 (23.4.2.2 List item 1)

A class B circuit in protected premises shall be designed and installed in a manner to ensure so that a _____________________ signal shall annunciate in the condition of an open or ground condition in the wiring. Supervisory Alarm Trouble None of the above

Trouble (23.5.2)

Actuation of alarm notification appliances or emergency voice communications, fire safety functions, and annunciation at the protected premises shall occur within ____________ after the activation of an initiating device. 5 seconds 10 seconds 30 seconds 1 minute

10 seconds (23.8.1.1)

Power limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached by any means to the exterior of any conduit or other raceway as a means of support. True False

True NEC 760.143

Visible notification signals _______________________ be required in exit stair enclosures and exit passageways. Shall Shall not

Shall not (23.8.6.2.1)

Type NPLFP cable shall be listed for use if used in other spaces used for environmental air and shall also be listed as having adequate fire resistance and ________________characteristics.

Low smoke producing NEC 760.176(C)

New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or letters, or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. Addresses are not required to be posted at the rear of the property at the alleyway. True or False

False Must be at alleyway also DBA 505.1

High Rise buildings shall be supplied by a minimum of three independent public water mains.

True or False

False Two DBA 507.2.3

A fire alarm system must be supplied by a minimum of __________ independent and reliable power supplies. One Two Three Four

Two (10.5.3.2)

A coded alarm signal shall consist of not less than__________ complete rounds of the number transmitted. One Two Three Four

Three (10.9.3)

A coded supervisory signal shall be permitted to consist of ___________ rounds of the number transmitted to indicate a supervisory off-normal condition. One Two Three Four

Two (10.11.1.1)

In existing buildings undergoing a panel replacement, remote annunciators with silence and reset functions may be provided when approved by the dire code official. The units shall be equipped with enable/disable switches and shall be contained behind a transparent, lockable cover.

True or False

False Shall not be equipped with an

enable/disable DBA 907.1.2.2 Exception 1

Spot type smoke detectors shall be located on the ceiling, or if on a side wall, between the ceiling and ___________ inches down from the ceiling to the top of the detector. 6 inches 12 inches 18 inches 24 inches

12 inches ( 17.7.3.2.1)

The lamps and LED’s for the control equipment of a Mass Notification System shall be visually inspected ________________________________. Monthly Quarterly Semi-annually Annually

Semi-Annually (Table 14.3.1 Page 57)

Systems undergoing maintenance or modification shall not have any portion of the system our of service for more than 8 hours.

True or False

False 10 DBA 907.1.6

Automatic smoke detection is required not less than one foot but no more than three feet on the occupied side of each door that enters a refuge area, elevator lobby and exit stairway in building types R-4.

True or False

True DBA 907.2.13.1 (6)

An approved automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in areas containing stationary storage battery systems having a liquid capacity of more than 75 gallons. Where the alarm is installed, provide signage indicating “Battery Room Alarm-Call 911.”

True or False

False 50 gallons DBA 907.2.23

Where practical difficulties are associated with replacement of fire alarm systems in existing high rises two fire alarm control panels shall not be allowed during the phased upgrade. Existing and new fire alarm control panels shall be co located at a location approved by the fire code official.

True or False

False Two panels are allowed DBA 907.1.6 Exception 2

In a nightclub means shall be provided to reduce or eliminate background noise upon activation of the fire alarm system.

True or False

True DBA 907.6.2.1

Annunciator panels shall be point lit graphic or computer graphic or a directory LED point display.

True or False

True DBA 907.7.3.1

In a group I occupancy a manual fire alarm system is allowed.

True or False

True DBA 907.2.6

Buildings with a floor used for human occupancy located more than 50 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall be provided with a fire command center.

True or False

False DBA 907.2.13

In a group E occupancy a manual fire alarm system is not required if 20 or less occupants and 120V AC single or multiple station residential smoke alarms with battery back up, wired to a switched source are provided.

True or False

False Unswitched DBA 907.2.3 Exception 2