Exam 1

Question 1

Fire alarm systems are used to protect what?

Answer 1

The people, and secondary is property

Question 2

What are the basic elements of a fire alarm system

Answer 2

Control panel, input-initiating devices, output signal devices, annunciator panel , ancillary devices

Question 3

What do initiating devices do?

Answer 3

They send a signal to the control unit in the control panel to warn of an actual or impending fire situation

Question 4

Initiating devices can be what types?

Answer 4

Manual pull stations or automatic

Question 5

What are the most common types of automatic devices

Answer 5

Heat and smoke
Water sprinkler activated
Pressure switches
Optical devices

Question 6

Initiating devices are also called what

Answer 6

Inputs

Question 7

What do signal devices do

Answer 7

Signal devices produce an audible or visible alarm, or both

Question 8

What are the most common signal devices

Answer 8

Vibrating bells

And speakers

Question 9

Signal devices are also known as what

Answer 9

Outputs

Question 10

The brain of a fire alarm system is actually called what

Answer 10

The control panel

Question 11

What are the primary functions of the control panel

Answer 11

To monitor changes in conditions that occur at the input devices throughout the building and activate the output devices if required

Question 12

What are the 2 main classifications of fire alarms

Answer 12

Single stage system and

Two stage system

Question 13

What does a single stage system do and where are they used

Answer 13

Any initiating device will sound a general alarm on all signal devices
They are used in buildings with able-bodied occupants. Schools , apartment buildings, plants)

Question 14

What is a two stage system

Answer 14

Any initiating device will first cause an alert signal. The alert signal may be converted to an alarm signal via a key operated switch in select pull stations, if the alarm isn’t responded to, it will be followed automatically by an alarm signal

Question 15

What are typical places two stage systems are used

Answer 15

Hospitals, airports, shopping malls, hotels

Question 16

What is one important thing that all two stage systems require?

Answer 16

They must be linked with the local fire department to facilitate a fast response

Question 17

What is a type 1 alarm system

Answer 17

any alarm initiating device will activate all alarms in the system

Question 18

What is a type 2 alarm system

Answer 18

General fire alarm system that is equipped with with an annunciator to indicate the zone in which the alarm was initiated

Question 19

What is a type 3 alarm

Answer 19

General alarm system , in which the operation of any initiating device first causes a coded signal to sound on all audible alarm devices

Question 20

What is a type 4 alarm system

Answer 20

The operation of any alarm initiating device causes a distinctive alert alarm. This system uses the manual key operated stations.

Question 21

What is a type 5 alarm system

Answer 21

Same as type 4 but uses a coded signal to indicate what zone the alarm was initiated. Also defined as 2 stage, zone coded, indicating, local fa system

Question 22

A manual pull station is a mechanical switch that has contacts in what position

Answer 22

Normally open

Question 23

Why are pull stations bright REd

Answer 23

For easy recognition

Question 24

Fixed temperature detectors may be what 2 types

Answer 24

Restorable and non restorable

Question 25

What are 2 types of smoke detectors

Answer 25

Ionization and photoelectric types

Question 26

What is a single stroke bell commonly used for

Answer 26

In a two stage system the same bell is used to give both single stroke and vibrating sound.

Question 27

WhT are loud speakers used for

Answer 27

They are used to give emergency evacuation instructions

Question 28

On a single zone control panel what are the leds used to indicate

Answer 28

green : normal operation Red : alarm Amber : trouble

Question 29

Multi zone panels have what advantages

Answer 29

They are programmable Give LCD readout displays and messages House a multitude of electronic circuitry Readily reprogrammable and reconfigured to suit various requirements

Question 30

What is electrical supervision

Answer 30

The continuous monitoring for opens and grounds. | An open or ground will send a trouble signal, and not an alarm signal

Question 31

What is Class A wiring

Answer 31

A class A system is that each device is supplied from two directions, this means an open circuit in the wiring would not disable any of the devices.

Question 32

What is class B wiring

Answer 32

``` Class b systems are supplied from only one direction, if an open occurs all devices down stream will be out of commission. A feature of class b wiring is the end of line resistor ```

Question 33

What is an EOL resistor

Answer 33

A Color codes .5w resistor located in a separate box beyond the last initiating device in the circuit.

Question 34

What do annunciators do

Answer 34

Annunciators provide visual indication of the signals received in a multi zone FA Sysem

Question 35

Why don’t we use meggers on fire alarm systems

Answer 35

Meggers produce upwards of 500v and can damage components in a system

Question 36

When testing the signal systems for opens and grounds what do we need to pay attention to

Answer 36

Polarity The Ohmeter should read the end of line resistor and if they are reversed the reading will be 500 or less depending on the bells on the circuit. Because the diodes will conduct in reverse polarity.

Question 37

Checking that all devices function properly is known as what

Answer 37

Testing

Question 38

What very important documents must be kept for the fire alarm system

Answer 38

Fire safety plan , | Log book

Question 39

What is the onion skin principle

Answer 39

A concept in security planning that employs successive layers of protection

Question 40

What are the layers of the onion skin approach

Answer 40

Perimeter protection ( Space protection Spot protection

Question 41

Perimeter protection is also known as what

Answer 41

Point of entry protection

Question 42

Space protection is also known as what

Answer 42

Volumetric protection

Question 43

Spot protection is also known as what

Answer 43

Object or trap protection

Question 44

What are the 3 main circuits of an alarm system

Answer 44

Detection circuit Control circuit Output circuit

Question 45

What does he term Secure mean

Answer 45

When the detection devices are not detecting an intrusion

Question 46

What does the term insecure mean

Answer 46

When an intrusion is detected

Question 47

Detection circuits and connected devices come in what Two basic types

Answer 47

Closed loops and open loop

Question 48

Which type of detection circuit is most common

Answer 48

Closed loop

Question 49

What is a closed loop circuit

Answer 49

When a closed loop is secure it is a continuous, closed loop

Question 50

What are 4 basic types of closed loop circuits

Answer 50

Two wire Two wire with EOL resistor 4 wire 4 wire elc

Question 51

Which of the closed loop circuits is the hardest to defeat

Answer 51

4 wire ULC is the hardest to bypass

Question 52

What precautions must we consider when installing reed switches

Answer 52

Very fragile. Low current handling capabilities Switch and magnet must be aligned correctly Do not install in the vicinity of steel.

Question 53

What does PIR stand for

Answer 53

Passive infrared detector

Question 54

Why is a PIR considered passive

Answer 54

Instead of always radiating a signal it passively detects a change in infrared radiation

Question 55

Why are PIRs so popular

Answer 55

Self adjusting Relatively fool proof to install Passive devices Versatile

Question 56

Microwaves emit radiation in what range

Answer 56

Between 10ghz and 12 ghz range

Question 57

What are the 2 types of glass break detectors

Answer 57

Audio and shock sensors

Question 58

What indicates when all zones are secure and ready to be armed

Answer 58

A indicating LED light labeled ready

Question 59

What does the typical led keypads display

Answer 59

``` Loops status Ready status Armed status Zone bypass System trouble Alarm memory ```

Question 60

The most common types of dry cells are what

Answer 60

``` Carbon zinc Zinc chloride Alkaline Mercury Silver oxide Lithium ```

Question 61

Why is carbon zinc the most commonly used cell

Answer 61

It’s low cost, ready availability and reliable performance

Question 62

What is a pro and con of a zinc chloride cell over a carbon zinc cell?

Answer 62

Con: costs slightly more Pro: delivers up to 50% more energy

Question 63

The uniquely different electrolyte chemistry of an alkaline cell offers how much more energy than a standard carbon zinc?

Answer 63

10 times

Question 64

What cell is commonly seen in the button configuration and has amperage capacities of 35-200 mAH

Answer 64

Silver oxide cells

Question 65

This cell provides an almost constant output voltage thought it’s entire working life

Answer 65

Mercury cells | Or mercuric-oxide

Question 66

What is a secondary battery

Answer 66

It is an assembly of electrochemical cells that can be recharged electrically by passing current through them in the opposite direction of the discharge path

Question 67

What are 3 common types of long life storage batteries

Answer 67

Lead acid Nickel iron Nickel cadmium

Question 68

What is the most widely used secondary battery

Answer 68

Lead acid

Question 69

What range of relative density does a lead battery have

Answer 69

Between 1210 to 1300

Question 70

What is memory effect in sintered plate nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries?

Answer 70

Causes them to recharge to less than full rated charge. The batteries gradually lose their max capacity if they are repeatedly recharged after being discharged to a partial level rather than completely discharged

Question 71

How do we calculate relative density?

Answer 71

Using 25 degrees for every degree added above or below, .7 is added or subtracted

Question 72

What is a float charge

Answer 72

A charging system in which the battery and its load are connected in parallel to the rectified power source

Question 73

What are the 2 fundamental methods used to charge batteries

Answer 73

Constant voltage and constant current

Question 74

What are 4 examples of ancillary devices ?

Answer 74

Shut down, Damper closures Fan start ups Door holders

Question 75

Compare ultrasonic and microwave detectors to PIR’s

Answer 75

Microwaves pass through walls (nusence trips) Sensitive to room acoustics (carpet etc) Detectors can interfere with each other