AL Fire Alarm flashcards
AL Fire Alarm · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- NFPA 72
- National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code; sets minimum requirements for design, installation, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems.
- Initiating device
- A component that detects a fire condition and sends a signal to the control panel, such as a smoke detector or manual pull station.
- Notification appliance
- A device that alerts occupants of a fire emergency, including horns, strobes, speakers, and combination units.
- Addressable system
- A fire alarm system where each device has a unique address, allowing the panel to identify and communicate with individual devices.
- Conventional zone
- A circuit where multiple devices share a pair of wires and the panel identifies only the zone, not individual devices.
- End-of-line resistor
- A resistor placed at the end of a supervised circuit to allow the panel to detect opens and shorts by monitoring circuit resistance.
- Photoelectric detector
- A smoke detector that uses a light source and sensor to detect smoke by light scattering or obscuration; better for smoldering fires.
- Ionization detector
- A smoke detector that uses a radioactive source to ionize air and detect smoke by changes in current; better for flaming fires.
- Class A circuit
- A supervised circuit that continues to operate after a single open or ground fault because it has a redundant path.
- Class B circuit
- A supervised circuit that does not have redundancy; a single open will impair the circuit and trigger a trouble signal.
- Alabama Fire College
- State agency that sets training and certification standards for fire service personnel, including fire alarm technicians.
- AESBL
- Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure; regulates alarm system contractors and technicians, including fire alarm, in Alabama.
- AHJ
- Authority Having Jurisdiction; the organization or individual responsible for approving equipment, installations, and procedures.
- Alabama Building Code
- State adoption of the International Building Code with amendments; specifies when fire alarm systems are required based on occupancy.
- NFPA 101
- Life Safety Code; addresses means of egress and fire protection features, often triggering fire alarm requirements.
- Plan review
- Submission of fire alarm design documents to the AHJ for approval before installation; required in Alabama.
- Annual inspection
- NFPA 72 requires most fire alarm devices and systems to be inspected and tested at least annually.
- State Fire Marshal
- Alabama official responsible for enforcing fire safety codes in state-owned and certain other buildings.
- Ohm's Law
- V = I × R; voltage equals current times resistance, fundamental for calculating circuit values.
- Power formula
- P = V × I; power in watts equals voltage times current for DC circuits.
- Voltage drop
- Loss of voltage along a conductor due to resistance; calculated as VD = (2 × K × I × L) / CM for copper.
- NEC Article 760
- National Electrical Code article covering fire alarm systems, including wiring methods and cable ratings.
- FPL cable
- Fire power limited cable; rated for fire alarm circuits and required in certain installations per NEC.
- Ground fault
- Unintentional connection between a conductor and ground; detected by supervising for current imbalance.
- Battery backup calculation
- Sum of standby current times hours plus alarm current times hours, multiplied by derating and aging factors.
- Impedance
- Total opposition to alternating current, combining resistance and reactance: Z = √(R² + X²).
- Supervision
- Monitoring of circuit integrity to detect opens, shorts, or grounds; required for fire alarm circuits.
- State license
- Alabama requires a license to install, service, or maintain alarm systems; unlicensed work is illegal.
- Continuing education
- Required hours of training for license renewal; set by the licensing board to maintain competency.
- Liability insurance
- Contractors must carry insurance to cover claims of damage or injury; often required for licensing.
- Mechanic's lien
- Legal claim against property for unpaid work; must follow statutory notice and filing deadlines in Alabama.
- Contract scope
- Written agreement detailing work to be performed, code compliance, warranties, and limitations of liability.