Types of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Question 1

3 Specialty Signals depend on ____ and ____ of the alarm they are reporting.

Answer 1

Alarm
Supervisory
Trouble

type and nature

Question 2

Alarm Signal

Answer 2

Warning of Fire Emergency or Danger that demands immediate attention

Question 3

Supervisory Signal

Answer 3

• Indicates off-normal condition of the system.
• Used to monitor the integrity of the system
• Indicates a problem with an accessory of the system

Question 4

Trouble Signal

Answer 4

-Indicates a problem with a monitored circuit or component of the system or the systems power supply

Question 5

Early studies indicate a ___ increase in lives saved and an ___ reduction in property damage from fires when residential smoke alarms were installed

Answer 5

35%

80%

Question 6

a 2006 White Paper indicates ___ of all US homes have smoke alarms installed. ___ of homes remaining without smoke alarms are responsible for ___ of al reported home fires and nearly ___ of al home fire deaths.

Answer 6

96%
4%
39%
50%

Question 7

Smoke detectors vs Smoke alarms

Answer 7

Alarms- the devices typically installed in residential occupancies, sounds alarm locally
Detectors- no local notification (when activated a signal is sent to the control panel that, then initiates the alarm to notify occupants)

Question 8

Sigle- vs Multi-Station Smoke Alarms

Answer 8

Single- stand-alone device. only the initiating device sounds alarm
Multi- interconnected devices. if one is initiated, all sound the alarm

Question 9

CO Alarms vs CO Detectors

Answer 9

Alarms- Single-station, local notification

Detector- System devices

Question 10

Types of alarm signaling systems

Answer 10

Protected premises (local)
Supervising Station Alarm Systems
Proprietary
Emergency Communications Systems

Question 11

Protected Premises (local) System definitions and 3 types

Answer 11

• provide notification to building occupants only on the immediate premises.
  1. Conventional Alarm System
  2. Zoned Conventional Alarm System
  3. Addressable Alarm System

Question 12

Conventional Alarm System

Answer 12

• Simplest type of protected premises system
• when initiating device sends a signal to FACU, all alarms-signaling devices operate
• continues until FACU is reset
• cannot identify triggered device so entire facility must be checked

Question 13

Zoned Conventional Alarm System

Answer 13

-Visibly indicates general location (area), floor, zone, or building, of the initiating device

Question 14

Addressable Alarm System

Answer 14

• Displays the location of each initiating device on the FACU and annunciator panel if provided
• pinpoints the exact device thats been activated

Question 15

Supervising Station Alarm Systems Definition and types

Answer 15

• continuously monitored at a remote location to report alarm to appropriate authorities
• Predominant type of signal-monitoring systems used in US
  1. auxiliary
  2. proprietary
  3. central station
  4. remote receiving

Question 16

Public Emergency Alarm Reporting System (Auxiliary)

Answer 16

• Connected to municipal fire alarm system where agencies are selected and dispatched
• 2 types are Local energy and shunt-type

Question 17

Local energy System

Answer 17

• type of Auxiliary, supervising station alarm system
• has its own power and does not depend on power from municipal fire alarm system
• power interruption may cause alarm to only be sounded locally and not transmitted to fire comm center

Question 18

Shunt-type System

Answer 18

• type of Auxiliary, supervising station alarm system
• electrically connected to municipal fire alarm system and depends on that systems power
• NFPA 72 only allows manual pull stations and water flow devices to be used, no fire detection devices are permitted

Question 19

Proprietary Systems

Answer 19

• Owned and operated by the property owner
• used to protect large commercial and industrial buildings, high-rise structures and groups of commonly owned facilities like college campus or industrial complex
• Receiving station is continuously staffed

Question 20

Central Station Systems

Answer 20

• type of supervising station alarm system

- system monitored, inspected, tested, maintained and runner services provided through contracted alarm company

Question 21

How quickly must a runner be able to respond to an alarm in a central station system?

Answer 21

• within 2 hours of alarm or supervisory

- within 4 hours of trouble

Question 22

Remote Receiving Systems

Answer 22

• type of supervising station alarm system
• monitors status of system through contracted services
• does not inspect, test, maintain or provide runner services

Question 23

Emergency Communications Systems

Answer 23

• Supplementary system in conjunction with alarm systems
• provides reliable communication system for occupants and firefighters
• 3 types are voice notification, 2-way communication, and mass notification

Question 24

Voice notification systems

Answer 24

• 1-way voice notification warning and instructing occupants what actions to take
• most commonly used in high-rises, places of assembly, and educational buildings

Question 25

2-way Communication Systems

Answer 25

• 2-way emergency communication allowing emergency personnel at other locations in the building to communicate with the person at the fire command center using intercom or special phones
• Most helpful when operating in building that interferes with radio
• emergency phones connected in stairwells and other locations required by AHJ, NFPA 72, or Building Codes

Question 26

Mass Notification Systems

Answer 26

• Provides emergency communications to a large number of people on a wide-scale basis.
• first implemented by the military