Fire Alarm Systems

Question 1

An audio distribution scheme using 70V rms and a “constant voltage” transformer at each speaker.

Answer 1

70V rms Audio

Question 2

A binary/hexadecimal number that uniquely identifies a specific device, module or power supply.

Answer 2

Address

Question 3

Devices that are capable of being uniquely identified by being addressed with a binary, hexadecimal or decimal number so that they can be identified by a control unit to provide trouble, alarm, output and control indications.

Answer 3

Addressable Device

Question 4

The temperature, obscuration level, etc. above which an alarm is defined for a particular sensor.

Answer 4

Alarm Threshold

Question 5

A device that is activated by the fire alarm system, but is not part of the fire alarm system, e.g. door holders, smoke control fans, damper controls, auxiliary relays, etc.

Answer 5

Ancillary Device

Question 6

A visible or audible device that indicates an alarm or other condition. It may include a graphic representation of a building layout and a handset for paging.

Answer 6

Annunciator

Question 7

For a fire alarm system, the Fire Marshall.

Answer 7

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Question 8

The rate of data transmission in bits per second.

Answer 8

Baud Rate

Question 9

An electromechanical signalling device.

Answer 9

Bell

Question 10

Also known as the Fire Department Relay. Provides a connection to a Central Monitoring Station or Fire Department. - is an ancillary device

Answer 10

City Tie Module

Question 11

Identifies a specific area and type of alarm.

Answer 11

Coded signal

Question 12

An electromagnetic device that holds a fire door open normally and closes it in a fire emergency.

Answer 12

Door holder

Question 13

The ability to detect an electrical fault condition such as a ground, open or loss of communication capability in a device or wiring.

Answer 13

Electrical supervision

Question 14

The designated floor to which the elevator will automatically go in the event of an alarm.

Answer 14

Elevator homing floor

Question 15

A resistor installed at the end of a device wiring loop.

Answer 15

End-of-line Resistor (E.O.L.R.)

Question 16

The evacuation signal that is intended to cause all occupants of the building to leave in an alarm situation.

Answer 16

General Alarm Signal

Question 17

Fire Alarm Control Panel

Answer 17

FACP

Question 18

Regulations that govern the safe and effective operation of fire alarm systems and devices.

Answer 18

Fire Code

Question 19

A device that detects a fire signature and automatically initiates an alert or an alarm signal.

Answer 19

Fire detector

Question 20

A smoke detector that initiates an alert or an alarm condition on two wires different from the two wires that supply power to the detector.

Answer 20

Four-wire smoke detector

Question 21

A device that operates when the ambient temperature exceeds a factory set setpoint.

Answer 21

Fixed heat detector

Question 22

A device in which detection is continuous along a path. Principle: ∆T → ∆R or ∆T → ∆P

Answer 22

Line heat detector

Question 23

A fast-acting fixed temperature heat detector with a comparably low thermal lag, calibrated to operate irrespective of the rate of temperature increase.

Answer 23

Rate compensation heat detector

Question 24

A supervised input circuit connected to alarm initiating devices such as smoke detectors, etc.

Answer 24

Initiating Device Circuit (IDC)

Question 25

Input/Output

Answer 25

I/O

Question 26

The action of light being reflected or refracted off particles of combustion for detection by a photoelectric smoke detector.

Answer 26

Light scattering

Question 27

A signal to alert maintenance people that a sensor is dirty.

Answer 27

Maintenance alert

Question 28

A system input that is connected to a device that confirms the operation of dampers, doors, etc.

Answer 28

Monitor Input

Question 29

A node is a common reference to a single control panel that is part of a network.

Answer 29

Node

Question 30

A signalling appliance that is continuously energized to create an alert or alarm signal.

Answer 30

Non-code signal

Question 31

The reduction in the atmospheric transparency caused by smoke or dust, expressed as a percentage.

Answer 31

Obscuration

Question 32

A signalling device that operates only if the correct electrical polarity is established across the signal circuit by the control panel.

Answer 32

Polarized Signalling Device

Question 33

Substances resulting from a fire such as smoke, ash, gasses or ionized particles.

Answer 33

Products of combustion

Question 34

A path to distribute power or signals used by multiple panels or devices.

Answer 34

Riser

Question 35

A serial differential communications format used on high level networks and optionally on data lines between control panels.

Answer 35

RS-485

Question 36

An approved device such as a bell, horn, chime, siren, gong and strobe light wired in a supervised fire alarm circuit.

Answer 36

Signal Device Circuit (SDC)

Question 37

In a projected beam smoke detector, light is transmitted and monitored between a light source and a receiver. Any smoke particles that come between them reduces the amount of light received causing the detector to activate.

Answer 37

Projected beam smoke detector

Question 38

A terminal strip on a speaker that allows for different power levels to be selected at each speaker.

Answer 38

Speaker Tap

Question 39

A high-rise alarm signalling system in which evacuation (general alarm) signals sound on the floor of alarm and the floors immediately above and below, while alert signals sound in the remainder of the the building.

Answer 39

Staged Evacuation System

Question 40

Monitoring of a device or circuit and the annunciation of conditions preventing their normal operation.

Answer 40

Supervision

Question 41

A device that detects the removal or opening of a protective cover, or the change of status of a supervised valve position.

Answer 41

Tamper switch

Question 42

A time delay for a heat detecting element to heat up.

Answer 42

Thermal lag

Question 43

A fire alarm system with non-addressable, non-analog devices connected together on zoned wiring circuits so that all devices in the circuit provide common status change information at the panel.

Answer 43

Traditional system

Question 44

A transmitter that responds to an interrogating signal. This component interfaces with devices in the field as to their operation and sends this info back to the FACU.

Answer 44

Transponder

Question 45

An alarm signalling method in which an alarm initiating device may cause an alert signal to notify key workers to investigate prior to starting an evacuation process.

Answer 45

Two-stage system

Question 46

A smoke detector that initiates an alarm condition on the same two wires that supply power to the detector.

Answer 46

Two-wire smoke detector

Question 47

A smoke detector which communicates with associated control/receiving equipment using wireless (radio) transmissions

Answer 47

Wireless smoke detector

Question 48

A distinct physical area in which closely associated alarm, supervisory, monitor, security, signal, paging, telephone, or relay devices are located.

Answer 48

Zone

Question 49

A device that detects the infra-red, ultra-violet or visible radiation produced by a fire.

Answer 49

Flame detector

Question 50

An addressable device that acts as a transponder for one or more conventional alarm devices so that an area may be identified by the activation of any one device connected to the addressable zone module.

Answer 50

Addressable Zone Module

Question 51

A telephone system which provides two-way voice communications between the control panels and remotely located emergency telephones. This system is self-sustaining from the fire alarm system.

Answer 51

Emergency Telephone System

Question 52

The capability of a control panel to accommodate additional devices or remote panels.

Answer 52

Expandability

Question 53

A one person test mode which facilitates testing of initiating devices and circuits…useful for installation and maintenance checks.

Answer 53

FasTest

Question 54

A panel function that attempts to return the alarm system or device to its normal operating condition. All input devices and circuits must be in their normal state before the system can do so.

Answer 54

Reset

Question 55

A panel characteristic describing the flexibility of making changes to it at the installation site.

Answer 55

Field Programmable

Question 56

A control panel feature switch that allows for activation of all signal circuits as a test for evacuation procedures. It will not operate any programmed auxiliary functions or contact the fire dept.

Answer 56

Fire Drill

Question 57

A specially designated elevator, installed in its own | separate shaft that is used during a fire emergency.

Answer 57

Fire Fighters Elevator

Question 58

A water pump that provides capacity for fire extinguishing system needs (standpipe, sprinkler, hoses)

Answer 58

Fire Pump

Question 59

An electronic sensor that causes an alarm condition whenever water flow is detected in a sprinkler piping system.

Answer 59

Flow Switch

Question 60

A relay contact found in the control panel. Form A contact: N.O. contact Form B contact: N.C. contact Form C contact: a relay with both N.C. and N.O. contacts

Answer 60

Contact

Question 61

Evacuation alarm signal

Answer 61

General Alarm

Question 62

The process of sequentially interrogating modules or devices to determine if their status is normal, active or trouble.

Answer 62

Polling

Question 63

A traditional non-multiplexed, non-addressable system.

Answer 63

Hardwired System

Question 64

A device that detects abnormally high temperature and/or rate of rise of temperature. Used for the protection of property, not life safety.

Answer 64

Heat detector

Question 65

Cabinets containing a length of hose connected to a water valve, located throughout a building to provide quick local fire extinguishing access.

Answer 65

Hose Cabinet

Question 66

An unwanted alarm caused by everyday events such as | cooking, cigarette smoke, dust, insects, etc.

Answer 66

Nuisance alarm

Question 67

When an addressable panel loses it's communication link, it will revert to a conventional system utilizing end-of-line resistors and 40mA of supervisory current to ensure a basic signalling operation of the system.

Answer 67

Degraded Mode

Question 68

Utilizing this, the FACU can isolate and exhaust smoke and control pressurization of the areas around a fire.

Answer 68

Damper Control

Question 69

A data communications line that is dedicated to a specific function, such as paging or evacuation signaling.

Answer 69

Channel

Question 70

This is a deliberate action of the panel operator to confirm that a message has been seen.

Answer 70

Acknowledge

Question 71

A logical AND operation that is programmed between two initiating device zones, done in such a way that when one zone will cause an alert signal but operation of the second zone will cause a general alarm.

Answer 71

Cross Zone

Question 72

This software feature in addressable FA panels monitors the integrity of the electronics in the panel and will indicate a trouble in the event of a failure on the circuit board.

Answer 72

Watchdog

Question 73

This ancillary function will allow firefighters to move through the building when they arrive.

Answer 73

Elevator recall

Question 74

An installer would follow this when spacing his smoke detectors around a room.

Answer 74

Detector coverage

Question 75

This device provides Stage 3 fire protection.

Answer 75

UV/IR detector

Question 76

A drawing that shows the FACU and annunciator components, their location and the connecting wiring between them.

Answer 76

Block diagram

Question 77

An integrated computer system for controlling various aspects of a buildings operation including heating, air conditioning and lighting.

Answer 77

Building Management System (BMS)

Question 78

An audible signal used to communicate a 'safe to return' condition to people already evacuated from a building.

Answer 78

All Clear

Question 79

A normally-open contact found on an auxiliary relay can also go by this term.

Answer 79

Form A

Question 80

This feature on analog IDC's causes the alarm threshold points to automatically change for separate day and night operation.

Answer 80

Alternate sensitivity

Question 81

This class of fire extinguisher involves ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper and cloth. The pictogram is a garbage bin and wood pile burning

Answer 81

Class A fire extinguisher

Question 82

This class of fire extinguisher involves flammable liquids such as gasoline and diesel. The pictogram is a gasoline can with a burning puddle.

Answer 82

Class B fire extinguisher

Question 83

This class of fire extinguisher involves energized electrical equipment. The pictogram is an electric plug with a burning outlet.

Answer 83

Class C fire extinguisher

Question 84

This class of fire extinguisher involves combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium and potassium. The pictogram is a burning I-beam.

Answer 84

Class D fire extinguisher

Question 85

This class of fire extinguisher involves commercial cooking appliances with vegetable oils, animal fats or grease. The pictogram is a frying pan burning.

Answer 85

Class K fire extinguisher