OK Fire Alarm Installer flashcards

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

NFPA 72

The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, which establishes minimum requirements for the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems.

NEC Article 760

The National Electrical Code article governing fire alarm wiring, separating power-limited circuits (FPL) from non-power-limited circuits (NPLFA) with different installation rules.

Authority having jurisdiction

The organization or individual responsible for approving equipment, installations, and procedures, often the local fire marshal or building official enforcing the adopted code edition.

FPLP cable

Plenum-rated power-limited fire alarm cable, required where conductors run in environmental air spaces; FPLR is for risers and FPL for general-use locations.

Class B circuit

A fire alarm pathway in which a single open or ground fault causes a trouble signal but may prevent devices beyond the fault from operating.

Class A circuit

A fire alarm pathway that leaves the control unit and returns on a separate conductor, so one open fault does not stop any device on the circuit from operating.

Pathway survivability level

An NFPA 72 classification from Level 0 to Level 4 describing how well a circuit resists fire damage, with higher levels requiring rated cable, enclosures, or redundant paths.

Spot smoke detector spacing

On smooth ceilings, smoke detectors are spaced no more than 30 ft apart and no more than 15 ft from any wall, which covers about 900 square feet per detector.

Photoelectric smoke detector

A detector that senses smoke by light scattering or obscuration inside a chamber, and responds better than ionization types to smoldering fires producing larger visible particles.

Ionization smoke detector

A detector using a radioactive source to ionize air in a chamber; it responds quickly to flaming fires with small particles but is more prone to nuisance alarms from cooking.

Rate-of-rise heat detector

A device that signals when temperature rises faster than a preset rate, commonly 15 degrees F per minute, often combined with a fixed-temperature element for reliable response.

Manual pull station height

Manual fire alarm boxes are mounted so the operable portion sits 42 in to 48 in above the finished floor, placed within 5 ft of an exit doorway.

Waterflow switch timing

A sprinkler waterflow device must signal an alarm within 90 seconds of flow equal to one sprinkler, and must not alarm at flow rates below 10 gpm.

Public mode audibility

Alarm sound must be at least 15 dBA above average ambient, or 5 dBA above the maximum ambient lasting 60 seconds or longer, whichever is greater.

Sleeping area alarm level

In sleeping areas the audible alarm must produce at least 75 dBA at the pillow, or 15 dBA above ambient sound level, whichever is greater.

520 Hz alarm tone

A low-frequency square-wave alarm tone required in commercial sleeping rooms because it is more effective at waking occupants, including those with hearing loss.

Strobe synchronization

Visible notification appliances in the same field of view must flash in sync, because unsynchronized strobes at different rates can reduce the effectiveness of the warning.

End-of-line resistor

A device at the far end of a Class B circuit that allows the panel to monitor wiring continuity; its removal or an open circuit produces a trouble signal.

Addressable signaling line circuit

A circuit on which every device has a unique address, so the control unit can report the specific device that alarmed, faulted, or went missing.

Detector compatibility listing

Two-wire smoke detectors must be listed as compatible with the particular control unit, because an unlisted pairing can prevent correct alarm, reset, or supervision.

Power-limited conductor separation

Power-limited fire alarm conductors must be kept at least 2 inches away from non-power-limited conductors, or separated by a listed barrier, to prevent fault energy transfer.

Secondary power duration

Protected premises systems typically require 24 hours of battery standby followed by 5 minutes of alarm load; voice evacuation systems require 15 minutes of alarm.

Battery calculation formula

Amp-hours equals 1.2 times the sum of standby current times standby hours plus alarm current times alarm hours, where 1.2 adds a 20 percent aging margin.

Dedicated fire alarm circuit

The panel's primary power must be a dedicated branch circuit marked fire alarm circuit control, with a lockable disconnect and no ground-fault circuit protection.

Battery recharge time

After a full discharge, the charging means must be capable of restoring the secondary batteries to full charge within 48 hours.

Smoke detector functional test

Detectors are functionally tested at least annually by a listed method or aerosol, and results are recorded and made available to the authority having jurisdiction.

Battery load test

An annual capacity test confirms the battery can carry the calculated load; a battery that fails is replaced, and monthly visual checks cover terminals and case condition.

Impairment fire watch

When a fire alarm system is out of service, the AHJ, owner, and monitoring company are notified and a documented fire watch is kept until restoration.

ITM record retention

Inspection, testing, and maintenance results must be documented with dates, devices, and signatures, and retained for the period required by the authority having jurisdiction.

Record of completion

An NFPA 72 form documenting that the installed system matches the approved design, signed by the installing contractor and verified during the acceptance test.

Acceptance test

A test performed after installation and before the system is placed in service, witnessed by the authority having jurisdiction, confirming each device and function operates as designed.

Lockout tagout

An OSHA-required practice for de-energizing circuits during service work; only the person who applied the lock and tag may remove them.