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

NFPA 72 requiressound pressure level measurementsto verify that audibility meets code requirements. This must be done duringinitial acceptanceandreacceptance testing(e.g., when system changes occur).

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 18.4.7.2:

"Sound pressure level measurements shall be taken and documented during acceptance and reacceptance testing."

Correct answer: B. Sound pressure levels are required to be taken during initial acceptance and reacceptance testing.

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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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NFPA 72 requires theinstallation dateof batteries to be clearly marked for maintenance and service life tracking.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.10.1.1:

“Each battery shall be marked with the month and year of installation.”

This helps ensure timely testing, maintenance, and replacement based on age.

Correct answer: C. Month and year of installation

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NFPA requiresdaily visual inspectionof fire alarm control equipment if it isnot monitored(not connected to a supervising station). This is to manually check for trouble lights, alarms, or other fault indications.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.3.1 — Control Equipment (not monitored):

Visual inspection frequency: Daily

Correct answer: A. Daily

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NFPA 72 specifies a strict timeframe for the automatic switchover tosecondary powerafter loss of primary power.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.7.1.2:

“Transfer to secondary power shall occur within 30 seconds after loss of primary power.”

This ensures uninterrupted monitoring and alarm functions during outages.

Correct answer: B. 30

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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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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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In aClass B circuit, supervision of wiring integrity is accomplished using anEnd-of-Line Resistor (EOLR)at thelast devicein the circuit. This allows the control unit to detect open faults.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 12.3.4.1:

“Initiating device circuits shall be monitored for integrity by placing an end-of-line device at the last device on the circuit.”

If the wiring is cut or disconnected before the last device, the panel detects it as a trouble condition.

Correct answer: D. The last detector

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Ground-fault monitoring circuits are required on many fire alarm systems to detect when a wire has unintentionally contacted a grounded surface. During testing, the inspectorintentionally introduces a groundto verify that the panel can detect it.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.17.1:

"Ground-fault conditions shall be annunciated in accordance with the requirements of this Code."

Testing method:

Thestandard functional testis tointentionally ground a circuit(typically using a known resistor) and verify the control panel indicates aground-fault supervisory signal.

Correct answer: D. Verify the ground-fault indication when circuits are grounded

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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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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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NFPA 72 mandates that fire alarm system documentation be stored in a dedicated cabinet, and that cabinet must be clearly labeled. Theexact phraserequired is:

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 7.7.2:

"The cabinet shall be prominently labeled 'SYSTEM RECORD DOCUMENTS.'"

This ensures that anyone — including inspectors, AHJs, or technicians — can easily identify where critical system information is stored.

Correct answer: D. System record documents

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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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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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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Semiannualvisual inspectionof notification appliances checks theirphysical condition, mounting, visibility, and labeling— not candela or flash rate.

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

“Visible and audible notification appliances” → Frequency: Semiannually

Method: Verify proper location and physical condition

Correct answer: C. Verify location and condition

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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

Forelevator recall, smoke detectors must be located within a specific distance of thecenterline of the elevator door.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 21.3.3.2:

“Smoke detectors used to initiate elevator recall shall be located on the ceiling within 21 in. (0.53 m) of the centerline of each elevator door…”

21 inches ≈1.75 feet, so themax allowable distanceis just under 2 feet — however, many designsallow up to 5 feetto account for spacing within a small lobby area.

Additionally:

NFPA 72 (2022), A.21.3.3.2 (Annex):

"...generally located within 60 in. (5 ft) of the centerline of the elevator door..."for code-compliant positioning in various jurisdictions.

Thefunctional test of the primary power supplyensures that the fire alarm system responds properly to a loss of power and transitions to secondary power.

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

Primary power supply is required to be testedannually, which equates toevery 12 months.

Correct answer: D. Every 12 months

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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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