NICET Exam Prep

Level II, Class 3

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Systems Conventional or Intelligent (Addressable / Analog) Initiating Devices Smoke, Duct, Heat & Flame Detectors Manual Fire Alarm Stations Water Flow Switches Notification Appliances Audible & Visual Appliances

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Conventional System (Hardwire)

Two Types or Classes

Traditional fire alarm wiring method which provides an independent run of conductors for each device or group of devices distinctly annunciated. Wire to wire short End of Line Resistor for Supervision No T-Tap allowed Initiating Device Circuit

6.4.2.1.1

Class A and Class B Class A: Allows all devices to operate during a single open or a non-simultaneous single ground fault on any circuit conductor. Class B: Does not allow all devices to operate during a single open or a non-simultaneous single ground fault on any circuit conductor.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Intelligent System (Multiplex)

Simultaneous or sequential transmissions and receipt of multiple signals on a single signaling line circuit Analog / Addressable Polling (LED on device blinks) No EOLR T-Tap allowed in certain applications Signaling Line Circuit Added features

Drift Compensation Auto Test

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Network System
Communication between 2 or more fire alarm control panels. May be Peer-toPeer or Master-Slave Common approach in large systems or campus type environments

System distribution

WIRING

Initiating Device Circuit (Conventional)

Class B (two wire), Style A-C Class A (four wire), Style D-E

Signaling Line Circuit (Addressable)

Two Classes, 10 Styles Class B (2 wire), most common Style 4 Class A (4 wire), most common Style 6 or 7

Indications of what the system is according to style.

A style A,B,C,D,E is a conventional system using two to four wires usually 14 AWG. A style .5, 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7 is an intelligent system using fire alarm cable. A style W,X,Y,Z is a notification appliance circuit.

Definition IDC

3.3.89 Initiating Device Circuit: A circuit to which automatic or manual initiating devices are connected where the signal received does not identify the individual device operated.

The abbreviations at the end of the definition indicate the Technical Correlating Committee the requirement is assigned to for coordination and the code making process.

Definition SLC

3.3.172 Signaling Line Circuit: A circuit or path between any combination of circuit interfaces, control units, or transmitters over which multiple system input signals or output signals, or both, are carried.

This is codish for the circuitry of an intelligent or addressable system.

Definition SLC Inteface

3.3.173 Signaling Line Circuit Interface: A system component that connects a signaling line circuit to any combination of initiating devices, initiating device circuits, notification appliances, notification appliance circuits, system control outputs, and other signaling line circuits.

This is codish for basically all components of an intelligent or addressable system.

Definition NAC

3.3.114 Notification Appliance Circuit: A circuit or path directly connected to a notification appliance.

This is codish for the wiring to and between and fire alarm horn, strobe or speaker.

Abbreviation Key

SIG-FUN: Fundamentals of Fire Alarm Systems SIG-IDA: Initiating Devices for Fire Alarm Systems SIG-PRO: Protected Premises Fire Alarm System SIG-NAS: Notification Appliances for Fire Alarm Systems SIG-SSS: Supervised Station Fire Alarm System SIG-PRS: Public Fire Alarm Reporting System SIG-TMS: Testing And Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems SIG-HOU: Single and Multi-station Alarm Systems and Household Fire Alarm Systems

Initiating Device Styles

IDCs are categorized based on three criteria:

Alarm Trouble Alarm receipt capability during abnormal conditions

Criteria Explained

Alarm (Alm): The fire alarm system will go into alarm mode if this abnormal condition exists. Trouble (Trbl): The fire alarm system will display a trouble signal if this abnormal condition exists Alarm receipt capability (ARC): The fire alarm system will transmit an alarm or trouble to a supervised location system.

Using Table 6.5

The Abnormal Condition row is for reference only and is used only when talking about the table. The conditions do not apply to specific abnormal conditions and do not cross reference with other tables.

Using Table 6.5

Class: Either A or B Style: A,B,C,D,E

The styles are not intended to be a grading system. They are merely intended to give general information The capabilities are general minimum requirements only. Systems may have greater capabilities than listed.

Using Table 6.5

- : Indicates a void or NO X : Indicates a YES and that the action will happen at the protected premises and in accordance with Chapter 8. (Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems) R: Indicates that the signal will be transmitted to a supervised Station Fire Alarm station under the abnormal condition.

Example of using Table 6.5

A style D system will cause the system to go into alarm if a Wire-to-wire short occurs. The system will go into trouble if a single open or single ground condition exists. The trouble signals will be capable of being transmitted to a supervising station system. It is a class A system so the rest of the initiating devices will remain operational under the adverse condition.

A style B system will cause the system to go into alarm if a wire-to-wire short occurs. The system will go into trouble if a signal ground or single open condition exists. The trouble signal for the single ground fault will be capable of being transmitted to a supervising station system. The trouble signal for the single open will not. It is a class B system so the rest of the devices will not remain operational under the adverse condition.

Group Discussion

Define all the characteristics of a style E IDC. Define all the characteristics of a style A IDC.

Signal Line Circuits

Signal line circuits are circuits that are multiplexing. They carry power and information for the fire alarm system. Any intelligent or addressable system uses signal line circuits for input. Signal line circuits are categorized based on the same criteria as IDCs.

Using Table 6.6.1

- : Indicates a void or NO X : Indicates a YES and that the action will happen at the protected premises and in accordance with Chapter 8. (Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems) R: Indicates that the signal will be transmitted to a supervised Station Fire Alarm station under the abnormal condition.

Signal Line Circuits

SLC are capable of analyzing more data than IDC circuits. The table reflects by having ratings for the following:
Single open Single ground Wire to wire short Wire to wire short & open Wire to wire short & ground Open and Ground Loss of carrier/ channel interface

Example using Table 6.6.1

Style 4 will put the alarm system in trouble if any of the possible conditions exists. Only the single ground condition is required to be transmitted. It is class B so the rest of the system may not be operational.

Style 6 is the same as style 4 except the single open, single ground and open and ground are required to be transmitted. It is a class A so the rest of the system will remain operational.

Notification Appliance Circuits

Notification Appliance circuits are categorized on only two criteria:

Trouble indication at protected premises Alarm capability during abnormal conditions

Criteria Explained

Trouble indication at protected premises

This is required for all types of NACs. A trouble signal will be indicated at the protected premises if a single open, single ground or wire to wire short exists.

Alarm Capability during abnormal conditions

The trouble signal will be required to be transmitted to a supervising station fire alarm system.

Using Table 6.7

- : Indicates a void or NO X : Indicates a YES and that the action will happen at the protected premises and in accordance with Chapter 8. (Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems) R: Indicates that the signal will be transmitted to a supervised Station Fire Alarm station under the abnormal condition.

Example of Using Table 6.7

A type Z will transmit a trouble if a single open or single ground occurs. It is a class A system so the rest of the system will remain operational.

A type X will transmit a trouble if a single open conditions exists only. It is a class B so the rest of the system may not remain operational.

Some Practical Things to Memorize for the Test

SMOKE DETECTION

Ionization Detector 3.3.180.2

Radioactive material used to ionize air between two electrodes Smoke reduces conductance of air Best for fast flaming fires

Photoelectric Detector

Light obscuration 3.3.180.3 or light scattering 3.3.180.4 Best slow smoldering fires

900 square foot coverage (typical)

SMOKE DETECTION

Projected Beam Detector 5.7.3.4 Operates like a photoelectric smoke detector in an open room or area Air Sampling Detector 5.7.3.3 Draws air through a series of perforated tubes to a smoke detector Duct Smoke Detector Standard smoke detector mounted in a housing with a perforated sampling tube supplying air to the detector

DUCT MOUNTED vs. INDUCT 5.14.5

Duct Mounted uses a standard smoke detector in a housing Perforated sampling tube supplying air to the detector Typically use photoelectric smoke detectors because they are not as susceptible to air velocity and false alarms In-duct uses an area detector mounted within the duct Typically used in zero velocity conditions

BEAM DETECTORS

Photoelectric principle Can be considered equivalent to a row of spot-type detectors Transmitter and receiver shall be placed according to manufacturers instructions. Path can be reflected with mirrors Light path can not be broken by small angular movements of the light source.

HEAT DETECTION 5.6

Fixed Temperature Detector Heated to a predetermined level Not restorable Color coded 5.6.2.1.1 Table Rate Compensation Detector Heated to a predetermined level Self restoring Color Coded 5.6.2.1.1 Table

Rate-of-Rise Detector Responds to temperature rise above a predetermined rate Color Coded 5.6.2.1.1 Table

Group Practice

Find the appropriate code reference for each of the statements in the following slides. Determine if the statement is correct and make any necessary corrections. We will discuss our findings as a class

LOCATION & SPACING

Detectors shall be located more than 4 inches from a sidewall or between 4 inches and 12 inches from the ceiling when mounted on a wall Under raised floors
Smoke detectors mounted as listed to avoid dust contamination

LOCATION & SPACING

In general, spot-type smoke detectors in smooth ceiling applications may use a 30 foot spacing as a guide.
30 x 30 = 900 square feet

All points on the ceiling to have a detector (smoke or heat) within 0.7 times the selected spacing
For smoke detector: 0.7 x 30 = 21 30 foot spacing can be adjusted within a circle with a radius of 21 feet

For example, 40 foot spacing in 10 foot wide corridors

LOCATION & SPACING

Other considerations include: Beam pockets Sloped ceilings Raised floors Air movement Ceiling height HVAC Not within 3 feet of supply or return opening Not within direct airflow

INITIATING DEVICES

Operating Ranges
32 100 F 10 93% Humidity Air Velocity over 300 ft/min (smoke detectors only)

DOOR RELEASE SERVICE

Depth of wall Section above door:

24 inches or less, one detector Greater than 24 inches - one side, detector on high side Greater than 24 inches - both sides, detectors on each side Separation between doors exceeds 24 inches, treat each door separately

NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

Audible
Speakers, Horns, Bells, Chimes

Visual
Strobes

Other Types of Appliances

Two-way voice communications
Fire Fighters Telephone Jacks Stairwell phones

AUDIBLE APPLIANCES

Speakers
Locally, provide actual sound level of not less than 80 dBA throughout and no more than 120 dBA Elsewhere, installed to provide a sound output level of at least 15 dBA above ambient sound level

Average ambient sound levels are provided in NFPA 72

VISUAL APPLIANCES

Flash rate of 1 to 2 per second Wall mounting heights NFPA 72 / ANSI 80 to 96 AFF ADA the lower of 80 AFF or 6 BFC Ceiling mounted strobes are acceptable Ceiling height will affect the spacing More than three visible appliances in view synchronized

VISUAL APPLIANCES

Spacing In Rooms 15 candela 20 x 20 30 candela 30 x 30 75 candela 40 x 40 110 candela 50 x 50 Spacing would be decreased as ceiling height increases for ceiling mounted devices, above are wall applications or 10 max ceiling height

VISUAL APPLIANCES

Visual Spacing In Corridors Corridor spacing applies only for 20 and narrower corridor as follows: Within 15 of end of each corridor Maximum distance between is 100 Obstructions, elevations changes, changes in direction, etc. shall be treated as separate corridors Corridors wider than 20 are treated using the room spacing requirements

MONITORING

Fan Status Automatic Transfer Switch Smoke Control Panels Fire Pump Security Systems