NJ Fire Alarm flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Article 760

The NEC article that governs fire alarm systems, dividing requirements into general provisions, non-power-limited fire alarm circuits, and power-limited fire alarm circuits.

NPLFA conductor minimum

Non-power-limited fire alarm conductors must be at least 18 AWG copper, rated 600 volts, and installed using Chapter 1-4 wiring methods.

PLFA separation rule

Power-limited fire alarm conductors must be separated from non-power-limited and power conductors by at least 2 inches or a barrier, unless an exception applies.

Class 2 ampacity limit

Table 725.144 limits 18 AWG copper Class 2 or 3 conductors to 7 amperes, 16 AWG to 10 amperes, and 14 AWG to 15 amperes.

Class A versus Class B

Class A circuits continue operating through a single open or ground fault, while Class B circuits do not and must annunciate a trouble condition instead.

Smoke detector spacing

Spot-type smoke detectors on smooth ceilings are spaced at 30 feet, with 21 feet to walls, covering a maximum of 900 square feet per detector.

Trouble annunciation time

A single open or ground fault on a supervised initiating device circuit must produce a trouble signal at the control unit within 200 seconds.

Alarm activation time

Notification appliances must activate within 10 seconds of alarm initiation, and waterflow alarms must activate within 90 seconds of water flow.

High ceiling derating

For ceilings above 10 feet, smoke detector spacing is reduced by 4 inches per foot of ceiling height, or a 0.7 multiplier may be applied.

Duct detector threshold

Duct smoke detectors are required for air handling units exceeding 2,000 cubic feet per minute and must be installed per NFPA 90A and the listing.

Public mode audibility

Public mode audible appliances must produce at least 15 dBA above ambient, or 5 dBA above ambient when ambient exceeds 105 dBA, measured at 10 feet.

Sleeping area low frequency

Sleeping areas require low-frequency 520 Hz sounders producing at least 75 dBA at the pillow to reliably awaken occupants.

NAC voltage drop formula

Voltage drop equals 2 times one-way length times current times conductor resistance per 1000 feet; total drop must stay within the listed appliance range.

Dedicated fire alarm circuit

The fire alarm panel must be supplied by a dedicated branch circuit labeled FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT CONTROL with a lockable disconnect or breaker lock.

Standby battery duration

Commercial fire alarm systems require secondary battery power sized for 24 hours of standby followed by 5 minutes of full alarm load.

Battery sizing formula

Required amp-hours equal standby current times 24 hours plus alarm current times 0.083 hours, multiplied by a 1.2 derating factor.

Battery recharge requirement

The battery charger must restore the battery to at least 85 percent capacity within 24 hours after a full discharge.

Ground fault annunciation

The control unit must detect and annunciate a distinct ground fault trouble signal on any supervised circuit of the fire alarm system.

Smoke detector test frequency

Smoke detectors require an annual functional test, and a sensitivity test at installation and at least every 2 years thereafter.

Notification appliance testing

Notification appliances must be functionally tested semiannually, while initiating device and notification appliance circuits are tested annually.

Waterflow switch test

Waterflow switches require semiannual testing, and valve supervisory switches require quarterly testing to confirm proper signal transmission.

Test record retention

Inspection, testing, and maintenance records must be retained for at least 1 year, or for the life of the system if the authority having jurisdiction requires.

NJ UCC citation

The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code is codified at N.J.A.C. 5:23 and adopts the International Building Code and International Fire Code with state amendments.

Fire subcode official

The local fire subcode official reviews fire alarm plans and issues permits under the fire protection subcode of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.

Permit application contents

A New Jersey fire alarm permit application includes sealed plans, specifications, and a completed UCC application form submitted to the local enforcing agency.

Certificate of occupancy

A certificate of occupancy is issued after final inspection and approval, and is required before a building may be legally occupied.

Riser diagram contents

A riser diagram shows all initiating devices, notification appliances, control equipment, and power supplies with their circuit connections and ratings.

NFPA 170 symbols

NFPA 170 provides standard symbols for fire safety and emergency systems used on plans, though project legends may supplement them.

Record of completion

The record of completion documents the installed system configuration, device locations, and acceptance test results, and is submitted at project closeout.

As-built drawings

As-built drawings reflect the final installed configuration and are submitted at closeout along with operation and maintenance manuals and test records.

Lockout tagout

Lockout/tagout procedures de-energize and secure circuits before work, and the panel must be placed in test mode to prevent false alarms.

Fall protection threshold

Fall protection is required when working at heights above 6 feet, and ladders must be inspected before each use.