ITFAS-Level-1 Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems Level I Exam Questions and Answers

NFPA 72 sets a maximumhorizontal travel distancebetween manual pull stations (manual fire alarm boxes) to ensure accessibility in large spaces.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 17.14.6.4:

“The maximum travel distance to a manual fire alarm box shall not exceed 200 ft (61 m).”

This is for accessibility so occupants can reach a pull station quickly in an emergency.

Correct answer: D. 200 feet (61 meters)

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In aClass Afire alarm circuit, asingle opencondition does not affect communication but must still be annunciated as atroublesignal.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 12.3.1.1.1.4:

“A single open condition on a Class A pathway shall result in a trouble signal.”

This maintains system operation while alerting of a wiring fault.

Correct answer: D. Trouble

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McCulloh transmitters are part of older fire alarm systems but are still maintained in some jurisdictions. Inspection focuses ongeneral condition,correct system status, andlocation verification.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.3.1 — Inspection Frequencies:

UnderMcCulloh Transmitter:

“Inspect physical condition”

“Verify location”

“Confirm system normal condition”

“Distinct waterflow condition” refers to alarm testing and isnotpart of theinspectionphase.

Correct answers:

Physical condition

System normal condition

Verify location

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Projected beam smoke detectors are testednot with actual smoke, but by simulating obscuration usinglisted toolssuch as atest switchoroptical filter.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 14.4.2.2.6.2:

“Projected beam-type smoke detectors shall be tested by introducing an obscuration in the beam path using an optical density filter or a method approved by the manufacturer.”

Some systems includelisted test switchesfor functional checks without disrupting alignment.

Correct answer: Using a listed test switch, Using an optical filter

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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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Engine-driven generators used for emergency power arenot governed directly by NFPA 72. Instead, their installation and testing requirements are found in:

NFPA 110 – Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

NFPA 110 (2022), Chapter 8details howengine-driven generatorsmust be tested, including runtime, load testing, and maintenance intervals.

NFPA 72 references NFPA 110whenever standby/emergency power is used for fire alarm systems.

Correct answer: D. NFPA 110

Asupervisory signalindicates a condition thatrequires attention but is not an alarm. In sprinkler systems, one of the most common supervisory signals comes from avalve tamper switch, indicating a partially closed valve, or sometimes awaterflow switch resetissue.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 3.3.269:

"Supervisory Signal — A signal indicating the need for action in connection with the supervision of guard tours, the fire suppression systems, or equipment or maintenance features of related systems."

Also:Table A.10.14.2.1

Shows thatwaterflow valves and tamper switchesare typical sources of supervisory signals.

So the correct answer — awaterflow alarmimplies something abnormal with the fire protection system, possibly indicating a tamper switch or system supervisory issue.

Correct answer: D. A waterflow alarm has been activated

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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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Emergency voice/alarm communication systems must continue functioning after a loss of primary power for aminimum of 24 hours in standby, followed by15 minutes of alarmoperation.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.7.2.1.1 (Exception):

“…followed by 15 minutes of alarm for emergency voice/alarm communication systems.”

This ensures that occupants can still hear evacuation messages even during a power outage.

Correct answer: D. Minimum of 15 minutes

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NFPA 72 sets a maximum time limit for verifying that signals frominitiating devicesreach thesupervising stationduring testing. The purpose is to ensure that communication paths and processing do not introduce unsafe delays.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 14.4.3.4.2:

"Where connected to a supervising station, the signal shall be confirmed as received at the supervising station within 90 seconds of initiating device activation."

Correct answer: C. 90 seconds

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Normally, smoke detector sensitivity testing is requiredevery two years, butNFPA 72 allows extension up to five yearsif thedetectors have not experienced frequent nuisance alarmsand accuraterecords of performanceare maintained.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 14.4.4.3.2:

“Where detectors are cleaned and maintained and where records of nuisance alarms and changes in detector locations are kept, the sensitivity testing interval shall be permitted to be extended to 5 years.”

Keeping a log of nuisance alarms helps assess the reliability of the detectors over time.

Correct answer: C. Records of nuisance alarms shall be maintained

NFPA 72 requires smoke alarms in residential settings to be replaced every10 years, even if they have not shown any signs of failure.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 29.8.1.4:

“Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer, smoke alarms shall be replaced when they fail to respond to operability tests or have been in service for 10 years.”

Correct answer: C. 10

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NFPA 72 requires that the secondary power supply be capable of powering the fire alarm system underquiescent or supervisory loadfor 24 hours, followed by full alarm load for a minimum time (typically 5 or 15 minutes depending on system type).

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.7.2.1.1:

“The secondary power supply shall have sufficient capacity to operate the system under quiescent load (supervisory condition) for a minimum of 24 hours…”

Testing should verify operation under thissupervisory (normal monitoring)condition.

Correct answer: D. Supervisory load

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NFPA 72 identifies severaltypes of fire alarm control units (FACUs)based on their function and scope.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 3.3.103 — Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU):

Dedicated Function FACU: Performs a specific fire alarm role (e.g., elevator recall or sprinkler monitoring).

Protected Premises FACU: Installed on-site to monitor and signal within that building.

Releasing Service FACU: Activates fire suppression systems like gas or foam.

"Central station" is asupervising station, not a control unit.

Correct answers:

Dedicated function

Protected premises

Releasing service

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When performingannual testingof notification appliances such as strobes or horns, NFPA 72 mandatesfunctional testing— which means checking that they operate correctly when activated.

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

Under "Notification Appliances," the required method for both audible and visible devices is:

"Functional test — verify proper operation."

While things likesound levelsandcandela settingsare verified duringacceptance testing or design review, the annual requirement issimply to verify that they work.

Correct answer: C. Verify proper operation

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Radio transmitters used in fire alarm systems for off-premises signal transmission must be inspected to verify physical condition, connections, and proper operation. The requiredinspection interval is quarterly.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.3.1 — Inspection Frequencies:

"Radio transmitters" → Frequency: Quarterly

Correct answer: B. Quarterly

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Thesignal silence switchis used to silence audible signalswithout resetting the system or clearing the visual indicatorsof an alarm condition. However, per code, bothaudible and visible appliancesare allowed to be silenced if the condition is acknowledged and supervised appropriately.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.11.5.2.1:

“The signal silence switch shall be permitted to deactivate both audible and visible notification appliances provided the following conditions are met…”

Conditions include that:

The system must remain inalarm state

Thecondition must be supervised

Manual reset is required to restore full function

Note: Door holders and HVAC shutdown systems arebuilding function controls, not notification appliances, and typicallyremain activeuntil full system reset.

Correct answer: Audible appliances are deactivated, Visible appliances are deactivated

Manual fire alarm boxes (pull stations) are required to be easily accessible near exits so that occupants can quickly initiate an alarm when leaving the area. The specific distance requirement is found in:

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 17.14.6.3:

"Manual fire alarm boxes shall be located within 5 ft (1.5 m) of each exit doorway on each floor."

So thecorrect distance is 5 feet, not 33 feet. That makes the correct answer:

Correct answer: A. 5 feet (1.5 meters)

Secondary power supplies must meet minimum performance durations to ensure alarm operation when primary power fails. According to NFPA 72, the system must be able to:

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.7.2.1.1:

“The secondary power supply shall have sufficient capacity to operate the system under quiescent load for a minimum of 24 hours, followed by 5 minutes of alarm (for emergency voice/alarm communication systems, 15 minutes of alarm), unless otherwise permitted by 10.6.7.2.1.2.”

However, thedefault minimumfor most systems (non-voice) is:

24 hours in normal (quiescent) mode

Followed by 5 minutes of full alarm operation

Correct answer: A. 5 minutes

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Visible notification appliances (strobes) must flash at aminimum rate of one flash per secondto meet visibility and perceptibility requirements.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 18.5.3.4.1:

“The flash rate shall be not less than 1 flash per second and not more than 2 flashes per second.”

Correct answer: A. 1

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After an initiating device (like a smoke detector or pull station) is triggered, NFPA 72 limits how long thecontrol unit can delay its responseto initiating notification appliances and/or signal transmission.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.11.1.1:

“Fire alarm and emergency alarm initiating devices shall be arranged to initiate the intended alarm or response within 10 seconds unless otherwise permitted. The total delay shall not exceed 30 seconds.”

Correct answer: C. 30 seconds

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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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