NICET FAS-III flashcards

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 design, installation, testing, and maintenance requirements for fire detection and notification systems.

NEC Article 760

Covers fire alarm system wiring, including power-limited and non-power-limited circuits, conductor types, separation, and installation requirements.

FPLR cable

Fire alarm cable rated for riser installation; suitable for vertical shafts where plenum rating is not required.

FPLP cable

Plenum-rated fire alarm cable; required in environmental air spaces and return air plenums unless enclosed in a raceway.

AHJ

Authority Having Jurisdiction; official who reviews, permits, inspects, and approves fire alarm installations and enforces the adopted code edition.

NFPA 101

Life Safety Code; addresses means of egress, occupancy protection, and when detection, alarm, and notification systems are required.

Listed fire alarm equipment

Equipment evaluated by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for fire alarm use and marked accordingly; required by NFPA 72.

Smoke detector spacing

On smooth ceilings, nominal spacing is 30 ft (9.1 m), with detectors within 15 ft of walls, partitions, or ceiling ends.

Heat detector spacing

Nominal spacing for standard heat detectors is 50 ft (15.2 m) on smooth ceilings, with detectors within 25 ft of walls or partitions.

Manual pull station height

Operating handle must be between 42 in and 48 in above finished floor and located within 5 ft of an exit doorway.

Public mode audibility

Alarm sound must be at least 15 dBA above average ambient or 5 dBA above maximum ambient, whichever is greater, with minimum 65 dBA.

Sleeping area audibility

Fire alarm sound must reach at least 75 dBA at the pillow or 15 dBA above ambient, whichever is greater.

NAC voltage drop

Use Vd = 2 x R x I x L for a two-wire loop; verify end-of-line voltage remains above the appliance minimum operating voltage.

Battery standby capacity

Secondary supply sized for 24 hours standby plus 5 minutes alarm; voice systems require 15 minutes alarm, with derating per manufacturer.

Class B circuit

Supervised circuit with an end-of-line resistor; a single open or ground fault may disable part of the circuit but the fault is annunciated.

Class A circuit

Supervised circuit with a redundant return path; remains operational after a single open fault and annunciates the trouble condition.

Power-limited separation

PLFA conductors must be separated from power conductors by at least 2 in or a listed barrier unless code permits otherwise.

Dedicated AC circuit

Fire alarm control unit requires a dedicated branch circuit, marked FIRE ALARM, with disconnect controlled by authorized personnel.

Ground fault detection

Fire alarm circuits must be monitored for unintentional ground connections; a ground fault should annunciate a trouble condition.

Surge protection

Listed transient protection installed on circuits leaving the building or exposed to lightning, per manufacturer and NFPA 72.

Annual fire alarm test

NFPA 72 requires at least annual functional testing of the complete fire alarm system, including initiating devices, notification appliances, and control functions.

Smoke detector sensitivity

Sensitivity checked within one year of installation and at least every alternate year thereafter, or per manufacturer's published instructions.

Duct detector test

Duct smoke detectors are tested annually using manufacturer method; airflow and sampling tube operation are verified and alarm signal confirmed.

Impairment procedure

Before testing or repair, notify owner, supervising station, and fire department as required; tag system and restore promptly after work.

Record of inspection

Written record documenting tests, results, deficiencies, and corrective actions; retained and made available to the authority having jurisdiction.

Battery inspection

Batteries inspected quarterly for corrosion, terminal tightness, and charging; load tested annually or per manufacturer instructions.

Record of Completion

NFPA 72 document signed by contractor and owner confirming system installation, tested functions, and compliance with approved plans.

As-built drawings

Updated drawings showing actual installed device locations, wiring routes, and panel details; provided to owner at project closeout.

Submittal process

Contractor submits shop drawings, product data, and calculations for approval before installation; approved submittals guide construction.

RFI

Request for Information; formal document asking designer to clarify plans or specifications before work proceeds.

Change order

Written authorization modifying contract scope, cost, or schedule after original agreement; required before extra work.

Acceptance test

Functional test of installed system witnessed by AHJ or owner's representative to verify code and design compliance before acceptance.