Pass the NICET Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems ITFAS-Level-1 Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

Household fire alarm systems have different performance requirements from commercial systems, but still must support essential alarm functions under loss of primary power.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 29.10.5.1.1:

“The secondary power supply shall be capable of powering the system under quiescent load for 24 hours and then capable of operating the system during alarm for a period of 4 minutes (for general fire alarm) or 10 minutes (for household fire alarm systems).”

Correct answer: C. 24 hours in the normal condition followed by 10 minutes of alarm

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NFPA 72 places amaximum allowable sound pressure levelto prevent hearing damage or discomfort in occupied areas.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 18.4.1.5:

“The total sound pressure level produced by the fire alarm system, including ambient noise, shall not exceed 105 dBA at the minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance.”

This ensures alarm audibilitywithout causing harm.

Correct answer: B. 105 dBA

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NFPA 72 requiresaudible and visible indicationsoftrouble conditionsto be presentat the fire alarm control unitand ata constantly attended location, such as anemergency command center.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.14.2:

“Trouble signals shall be indicated visually and audibly at the protected premises at the fire alarm control unit and at a location where personnel are present 24 hours a day.”

In many buildings, that location is anemergency command center.

Correct answer: Emergency command center, Fire alarm control unit

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Inspection intervals are detailed inNFPA 72, Table 14.3.1, which outlines the maximum intervals for various components. Most fire alarm system components require inspectionat least annually, which equals12 months.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.3.1 – Frequency of Inspection Tasks:

You’ll see that the default maximum inspection interval for initiating devices, control equipment, and notification appliances is12 months.

Unless specifically stated otherwise (e.g., by manufacturer instructions or performance-based design), you cannot exceed that.

Correct answer: C. 12 months

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This is a documentation requirement, and it’s found inChapter 14of NFPA 72, which deals withInspection, Testing, and Maintenance.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 14.6.3.1:

"Records shall be retained for a period of one year after the next test and until the next test is performed. Records shall be made available to the authority having jurisdiction upon request."

Section14.6.3lays out theformat, retention, and content requirementsfor inspection, testing, and maintenance records.

Correct answer: D. 14.6.3

Tip: For questions involvingrecordkeeping, head straight toChapter 14, especially section14.6.

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Animpairmentoccurs when part of the life safety system isdisabled or rendered ineffective. Aclosed sprinkler valvedirectly disables part of the fire suppression system, which meets the definition of an impairment.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 3.3.149 — Impairment:

“A condition where a fire protection or life safety system or portion thereof is out of service.”

Smoke detector placement issues may be acode violationbut not a systemimpairment.Intelligible audibilityis a positive attribute, not a problem.

Correct answer: A. Closed sprinkler valve

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NFPA 72 requires strict identification and protection of theprimary power supplycircuit to the fire alarm control unit (FACU) to prevent unauthorized disconnection.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.5.2.1:

"The circuit disconnecting means shall be identified as 'FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT' at the point of disconnect and at the fire alarm control unit."

Section 10.6.5.2.2:

"A circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means shall be protected from unauthorized operation by a locking device."

There isno requirementfor the locking device to be labeled — it only must be installed.

Correct answers:

The system circuit disconnect shall be permanently identified as "Fire Alarm."

The system circuit disconnect shall be permanently identified at the control unit.

Where a circuit breaker is the disconnecting means, a breaker locking device shall be installed.

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Signal priorities determine the order in which events are processed and displayed by the fire alarm system.

NFPA 72 (2022), Annex A.10.14.3 and system programming guidelines:

While not directly listed in a table, systems are programmed such that:

Alarm (including pre-alarm)has the highest priority

Followed bysupervisory, thentrouble, and finallyrestoral

Pre-alarm is part ofalarm initiation logicand is treated as high-priority due to its potential escalation.

Correct answer: A. Pre-alarm

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Elevators must beshut downwhen there iswater dischargein the hoistway to prevent electrical hazards and damage. This shutdown is done using ashunt trip breaker.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 21.4.2:

“Where sprinklers are located in the elevator machine room, control space, or hoistway, means shall be provided to automatically disconnect the main power supply to the elevator prior to the application of water.”

This is triggeredby a waterflow switch or heat detector, but the standard design uses thesprinkler head activationas the point of shutdown via heat detector.

Important: While the heat detector usually triggers the shunt trip, thesprinkler head activationis the condition being detected.

Correct answer: D. When a sprinkler head is activated

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Remote annunciators provide fire alarm system status at secondary locations. NFPA 72 mandatesannual functional testingof these devices to ensure they correctly display and sound appropriate signals.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.4.3.2 — Testing Methods and Frequencies:

Category:Annunciators (remote)

Frequency:Annually

Test Method:“Verify correct visual/audible indication of alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals.”

Technicians must activate actual alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals and confirm they display correctly at the remote annunciator.

Correct answer: D. Annually

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