1. NICET Exam Prep
Level II, Class 3

2. 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

3. FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

4. 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
Two Types or Classes
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.

5. 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

6. FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS Network System
Communication between 2 or more fire alarm control panels. May be “Peer-to-Peer” or “Master-Slave”
Common approach in large systems or campus type environments
System distribution

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Definition IDC
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.

10. Definition SLC
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.

11. Definition SLC Inteface
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.

12. Definition NAC
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.

13. 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

14. Initiating Device Styles
IDCs are categorized based on three criteria:
Alarm
Trouble
Alarm receipt capability during abnormal conditions

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Group Discussion Define all the characteristics of a style E IDC.
Define all the characteristics of a style A IDC.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. Notification Appliance Circuits
Notification Appliance circuits are categorized on only two criteria:
Trouble indication at protected premises
Alarm capability during abnormal conditions

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. Some Practical Things to Memorize for the Test

30. SMOKE DETECTION Ionization Detector 3.3.180.2 Photoelectric Detector
Radioactive material used to ionize air between two electrodes
Smoke reduces conductance of air
Best for fast flaming fires
Photoelectric Detector
Light obscuration
or light scattering
Best slow smoldering fires
900 square foot coverage (typical)

31. SMOKE DETECTION Projected Beam Detector 5.7.3.4
Operates like a photoelectric smoke detector in an open room or area
Air Sampling Detector
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

32. DUCT MOUNTED vs. IN-DUCT 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

33. 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.

34. HEAT DETECTION 5.6 Fixed Temperature Detector
Heated to a predetermined level
Not restorable
Color coded Table
Rate Compensation Detector
Self restoring
Color Coded Table
Rate-of-Rise Detector
Responds to temperature rise above a predetermined rate

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. INITIATING DEVICES Operating Ranges 32 – 100° F 10 – 93% Humidity
Air Velocity over 300 ft/min (smoke detectors only)

40. 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

41. NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES
Audible
Speakers, Horns, Bells, Chimes
Visual
Strobes
Other Types of Appliances
Two-way voice communications
Fire Fighter’s Telephone Jacks
Stairwell phones

42. 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

43. 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

44. VISUAL APPLIANCES Spacing In Rooms 15 candela 20’ x 20’
Spacing would be decreased as ceiling height increases for ceiling mounted devices, above are wall applications or 10’ max ceiling height

45. 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

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