Fire suppression system

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

material (hazmat) response, rescue response,

and some firefighting.
Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm
Systems
Automatic fire detection and alarm systems are
designed to warn building occupants of a fire
situation, they do not generally intervene in the
fire growth process except where interfaced
with a fire suppression or other fire control
system.
These systems generally use smoke, heat or
flame detectors to detect the outbreak of fire
and to alert building occupants and the fire
brigade. Manual call points which allow an
occupant who discovers fire to raise the alarm
may also be included in the system..
Single station residential smoke alarms, as
installed in most homes, are the simplest

provide audible and visual signals for fire

alarm protection systems.

The series are operatable with either 12V or

24V system panels having an output voltage of

either DC or FWR (full wave rectified)

Fire blanket
Manual
Fire bucket
Fire extinguisher

Automatic

Condensed aerosol fire suppression

Fire sprinkler system
Fire sprinkler
Gaseous fire suppression

An Ansul fire suppression system in

ahospital cafeteria
In the USA Fire Suppression systems are
governed by the codes under the NFPA. Fire
Suppression Systems are commonly used on
heavy power equipment. Suppression systems
use a combination of dry chemicals and/or wet
agents to suppress equipment fires.
Suppression systems have become a necessity
to several industries as they help control
damage and loss to equipment. Common
means of detection are through heat sensors,
wiring, or manual detection (depending on
system selection).
The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) is a United States trade
association, albeit with some international
members, that creates and maintains private,
copyrighted, standards and codes for usage and
adoption by local governments. This includes
publications from model building codes to the
many on equipment utilized
by firefighters while engaging in hazardous

system for detecting a fire and warning the

building occupants
Manual systems, e.g. hand bells, gongs, etc.
These may be purely manual or manual
electric, the latter may have call points and
sounders. They rely on the occupants of the
building discovering the fire and acting to warn
others by operating the system. Such systems
form the basic requirement for places of
employment with no sleeping risk.
Fire suppression

between 8V and 33V. If required, SDM-240

may be used in order to provide

synchronization for regulated 24 strobe

(INDOOR).
FHS series audible / visual signals can be
connected either independently or in unison.
The horn can be silenced while the strobe
remains flashing.

FHS-340 Series Wall Mount Horn/Strobe

UL listed FHS series Horn/Strobe, FS series

Strobe and FH340 Horns are designed to

1 1/2" - What is the minimum size hose line

firefighters should use to fight a vehicle fire.
1 1/2". 2 1/2". 3". 3 1/2"
1 3/4" - There are two hose lines sizes that are
used most frequently for interior fire attack.
What is one of them?
1 3/4". 1 1/4". 1". 1/2".
250 or more - How much water can large
handlines flow in gallons per minute?
250 or more. About 175. 140 to 150. Exactly
125.
45-degree angle - How should firefighters
approach a vehicle fire?
90-degree angle. 45-degree angle. From the
front. From the back.
A continous column of water - What would
describe the appearance of a solid stream?
A continuour column of water. A room-filling
fog. A stuttering jackhammer of water. Two
intertwined loops of water, not unlike a
decorative fountain.
Base of the fire - Where does a direct fire
attack deliver the water?
To the base. To the perimeter of the burning
area, right to the middle of the flames, to the
hottest part of the flame just above it.
Brake drums - Which is not a hazard on
modern vehicles.
Plastics. Airbags. Hydraulic pistons. Brake
drums.
Class A foam - What can be used to aid in
extinguishment of smouldering fires in tightly
packed combustible materials, piles, or trash
containers?
Class A foam. Class B foam. Class C foam.
Class D foam.
Collapse - What is the greatest danger to
firefighters when fighting a fire involving
stacked or piled materials?
Collapse. Heat. Volume of water used.
Products of combustions.
Combination Attack - A type of attack
employing both direct attack and indirect attack
methods
Combination attack - A type of attack
employing both direct attack and indirect attack
methods
Deck gun - An apparatus mounted master
stream device that is intended to flow large
amounts of water directly onto a fire or
exposed building
Deck gun - An apparatus mounted master
stream device that is intended to flow large
amounts of water directly onto a fire or
exposed building.
Defensive only - Are master streams used for
offensive or defensive operations?
Both. Offensive only. Defensive only. Neither.

Direct and indirect - What are the two different

methods of discharging water onto a fire?
Direct and indirect. At the base and at the
flame. Following the smoke of following the
light. In bursts or continuously.
Direct Attack - Firefighting operations
involving the application of extinguishing
agents directly onto the burning fuel.
Directed onto the base of the fire - In a direct
fire attack how is the water discharged onto the
fuel.
Continuously toward the same target. In a
sweeping motion extending out several feet
from each side of the fire. Directed onto the
base of the fire. In a circular pattern directed
toward the ceiling.
Elevated master stream device - A nozzle
mounted on the end of an aerial device that is
capable of delivering large amounts of water
onto a fire or exposed building from an
elevated position.
Exterior - From where are defensive
friefighting operations conducted?
Interior. Roof. Exterior. Staging area.
Fog - Which type of nozzle moves more air
and is therefore more likely to disrupt the
thermal balance?
Solid. Straight. Cellar. Fog.
High priority - During a defensive firefighting
operation, what priority does exposure
protection take on?
No priority; the exposures are be definition
already lost. Low priority. Medium priority;
about a fifth of the resources should be directed
to it. High priority.
Hot fire gases and steam can be forced down
onto the firefighters, which can cause burns. What is one danger with an indirect fire attack?
A building can explode if it is not properly
vented and is subjected to an overpressure of
only 5 psi, which steam can do.
Copious amounts of carbon monoxide are
produced from indirect attack.
Indirect attack does not actually accomplish
anything, it only relocates the problem.
Hot fire gases and steam can be forced down
onto the firefighters which can cause burns.
Indirect application of water - The use of a
solid object such as a wall or ceiling to break
apart a stream of water, creating more surface
area on the water droplets and thereby causeing
the water to absorb more heat.
Indirect attack - Firefighting operations
involving the application of extinguishing
agents to reduce build up of heat released from
a fire without applying the agent directly onto
the burning fuel.

It creates water droplets with very large surface

area. - What is one characteristic of a fog
stream?
Is has a long throw for reaching distant targets.
It wets a surface without actually cooling it. It
creates water droplets with a very large surface
area. It is nearly ineffective at absorbing heat.
Ladder pipe - A nozzle attached to the end of a
straight ladder truck that is designed to provide
large volumes of water from an elevated
position
Low oxygen level - Which of the following is a
common hazard of confined spaces?
Low combustible gas level. Constrained
movement. Low oxygen level. High oxygen
level.
Master stream - What water delivery device
flows a minimum of 350 gallons per minute?
Master stream. Large handline. Two and a half.
Combination attack line.
Master stream device - A Large capacity
nozzle that can be supplied by two or more
hose lines or fixed piping. Can flow in excess
of 300 gallons per minute. Included deck guns
and portable ground monitors.
Mercaptan - What is added to propane to give
it a distinct odor?
Mercaptan. Triptan. Sulfur. Methane.
Offensive - In what kind of operation is the
objective for fire fighters to get close enough to
the fire to apply extinguishing agents at close
range.
Intervention. Exposure protection. Offensive.
Reactive.
Offensive or Defensive - All fire suppression
operations can be classified as either one type
or another. What are the two types?
Offensive or Defensive. Interior or Exterior.
Rescue or recovery. Proactive or Reactive
Portable monitor - A master stream appliance
that is designed to be set up and then be left to
operate unattended. A portable monitor is used
to flow large amounts of water onto a fire or
exposed building from a ground level position.
Solid stream - A stream made by using a
smooth bore nozzle to produce a penetrating
stream of water.
Straight stream - A stream made by using an
adjustable nozzle to provide a straight stream
of water.
That pattern absorbs heat efficiently - What is
the relevence of water being divided into
droplets with a very large surface area in a fog
stream.
That pattern cools surfaces without converting
into steam. Roughly 1500 times more wetting
actually occurs than with a straight stream.

Water in the pattern penetrates fuel better. That

pattern absorbs heat efficiently.
The ceiling - In an indirect fire attack, where is
the water directed.
The base of the fire. The ceiling. The center of
the flames. A point just above the
orange/yellow demarcation in the flame.
To quickly remove as much heat as possible
from the fire atmosphere - What is the
objective of an indirect fire attack?
To extinguish the fire directly and
immediately. To quickly remove as much heat
as possible from the fire atmosphere. To mix
the fire gases with water vapor, diluting them.
To cause the fire gases to condense into liquids
and fall to the surface.
Turret pipe - What is another term for a deck
gun?
Port-a-pipe. BF monitor. Roof monitor. Turret
pipe.
two-dimensional - A spill, pool, or open
container of liquid that is burning only on the
top surface is known as a....
One-dimensional. Two-dimensional. Threedimensional. Four-dimensional.
Under no circumstances - Under what
circumstances should a master stream device
be directed into a building where firefighters
are operating inside?
Only when the whereabouts of every person
inside is known by the master stream operator.
Only when the fire is clearly getting the better
of the inside crew. Under no circumstances.
Under any circumstances.
Unmanned master stream - How should fire be
fought on fully involved alternative fuel
vehicles?
13/4". 21/2". Booster line. Unmanned master
stream.
Ventilation - This can be difficult when
fighting a basement fire.
Use of thermal imagers. Ventilation. Lighting.
Exterior access points.
Venting smoke and heat out a window - What
is one use for a fog stream besides putting
water on a fire?
Grounding a live electrical wire. Fireground
communications signals. Freezing the thermal
layering into place. Venting smoke and heat
out a window.
Water droplets are raining down - What is one
indication during an indirect attack that the
ceiling has coooled?
Billowing steam is produced. Ceiling takes on
a blackened color. Whooshing sounds are
heard. Water droplets are raining down.

When it is well-anchored. - Under what

circumstances can one firefighter control a
large handline?
Under no circumstances. Under any
circumstances. When the nozzle pressure is at
125 psi or more. When it is well anchored.

(1) Alarm actuated by heat, gas, smoke, flamesensing devices, or waterflow in a sprinkler
system conveyed to local alarm bells or the fire
station. (2) Alarm boxes that automatically
transmit a coded signal to the fire station to
give the location of the alarm box. - Automatic
Alarm
(1) Alarm system that alert and notifies only
occupants on the premises of the existence of a
fire so that they can safely exit the building and
call the fire department. If a response by a
public safety agency (police or fire department)
is required, an occupant hearing the alarm must
notify the agency. - Protected Premises Alarm
System
(1) Connecting link device that fuses or melts
when exposed to heat. Used in sprinklers, fire
doors, dampers, and ventilators. (2) Two-piece
link held together with a metal that melts or
fuses at a specific temperature. Also known as
Fusible Link. - Fusible Device
1. A common term for the most basic alarm
system is:
A. Alert system
B. Fire detection system
C. Water control system
D. Local warning system - D
1. A system of water pipes, discharge nozzles,
and control valves designed to activate during
fires by discharging enough water to control a
fire is formally known as a(n):
A. Water control system.
B. Automatic sprinkler system.
C. Fire Extinguishment system.
D. Downpour discharge system. - B
10. Where are control valves usually located?
A. Separate from the sprinkler system.
B. Immediately above the sprinkler alarm
valve.
C. Outside the building far away from the
system they control.

D. Between the source of water supply and the

sprinkler system. - D
10. Which of the following is the most
common type of rate-of-rise heat detectors?

13. Which of the following is a type of valve

used to control underground water mains and
provides a visual means for indicating "open"
or "shut"?

A. Rate-compensated detector
B. Hydraulic rate-of-rise spot detector
C. Pneumatic rate-of-rise line detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector - D
11. What is an indicating control valve?

A. Post indicator valve

B. Wall post indicator valve
C. Outside stem and yoke valve
D. Post indicator valve assembly - A
14. Which of the following extends
horizontally through the wall with the target
valve operating nut on the outside of the
building?

A. One that stays closed at all times.

B. One that does not indicate whether it is open
or closed.
C. One that shows at a glance whether it is
open or closed.
D. One that does not need to show whether it is
open or closed. - C
11. Which of the following types of heat
detectors monitors a large area surrounding its
location?
A. Thermoelectric detector
B. Rate-compensated detector
C. Pneumatic rate-of-rise line detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector - C
12. The detector designed for use in areas
normally subject to regular temperature
changes that are slower than those under fire
conditions is a:
A. Thermoelectric detector
B. Rate-compensated detector
C. Pneumatic rate-of-rise line detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector - B
12. Which of the following is a type of control
valve for a sprinkler system in which the
position of the center screw indicates whether
the valve is open or closed?
A. Post indicator valve
B. Wall post indicator valve
C. Outside stem and yoke valve
D. Post indicator valve assembly - C
13. The rate-of-rise detector that operates on
the principle that when two wires of dissimilar
metals are twisted together and heated at one
end, an electrical current is generated at the
other end is the:
A. Thermoelectric detector
B. Rate-compensated detector
C. Pneumatic rate-of-rise line detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector - A

A. Post indicator valve

B. Wall post indicator valve
C. Outside stem and yoke valve
D. Post indicator valve assembly - B
14. Which of the following is an alarmintiating device designed to actuate when
visible or invisible products of combustion are
present in the space?
A. Smoke alarm
B. Smoke detector
C. Visibility alarm
D. Visibility detector - B
15. A device to sound an alarm when the
products of combustion are present in the room
where the device is installed is a(n):
A. Smoke alarm
B. Smoke detector
C. Alarm indicating device
D. Combustion detection alert - A
15. Which of the following uses a circular disk
inside a flat plate on top of the valve housing to
show whether the valve is open or shut?
A. Post indicator valve
B. Wall post indicator valve
C. Outside stem and yoke valve
D. Post indicator valve assembly - D
16. Which of the following is a type of smoke
detector that uses a small light source to detect
smoke by shining light through the detector's
chamber?
A. Light-based smoke detector
B. Photoelectric smoke detector
C. Light sensitivity smoke alarm
D. Refractory application smoke alarm - B
16. Which of the following is provided to
simulate the actuation of the system by
allowing water to flow into the retard chamber
and operate the waterflow alert devices?
A. Post test valve

B. Alarm test valve

C. Visual test valve
D. Operational valve - B
17. What is the purpose of the inspector's test
valve?
A. To activate the retard chamber.
B. To simulate the activation of all sprinklers.
C. To activate the automatic sprinkler system.
D. To simulate the activation of one sprinkler. D
17. Which of the following types of smoke
detectors uses a beam of light that focuses
across the area being monitored and onto a
photoelectric cell?
A. Beam application
B. Refractory photocell
C. Light application beam
D. Visibility-based light beam - A
18. What is the primary purpose of the main
drain?
A. To activate the automatic sprinkler system.
B. To simulate the activation of one sprinkler.
C. To allow water to flow into the retard
chamber and operate the water-flow alert
devices.
D. To all sprinkler service personnel to drain
water from the system for maintenance
purposes. - D
18. Which of the following types of smoke
detectors uses a light beam that passes through
a small chamber at a point away from the light
source?
A. Beam application
B. Refractory photocell
C. Light application beam
D. Visibility-based light beam - B
19. How are sprinkler flow alarms normally
operated?
A. Manually
B. Individually
C. Mechanically
D. Hydraulically - D
19. The type of smoke detector that uses a
small amount of radioactive material to make
the air within a sensing chamber conduct
electricity is the:

A. Ionization detector
B. Ion/current detector
C. Electricity-based detector
D. Beta particle energy detector - A
2. Fire pumps and foam extinguishing systems
that sense heat, smoke, or gas and activate
automatically are known as:
A. Flame control systems.
B. Water control systems.
C. Automatic control systems
D. Automatic suppression systems. - D
2. The temperature of the surrounding
environment is known as:
A. Climate
B. Weather
C. Normal temperature
D. Ambient temperature - D
20. Which of the following detectors generally
responds faster to flaming fires than
smoldering ones and automatically resets when
the atmosphere has cleared?
A. Ionization detector
B. Thermoelectric detector
C. Rate-compensated detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector - A
20. Which of the following types of sprinkler
systems is the simplest type and generally
requires little maintenance?
A. Dry-pipe
B. Wet-pipe
C. Pre-action
D. Residential - B
21. An alarm device used in some fire
detection systems that detects light in the
ultraviolet wave spectrum is a(n):
A. Light detector
B. Flame detector
C. Ultraviolet wave alarm
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector - B
21. Newer wet-pipe systems with a back-flow
prevention check valve and an electronic flow
alarm are sometimes referred to as:
A. Mobile systems
B. Straight stick systems
C. Crooked stick systems
D. Back-flow alarm systems - B
22. Which of the following is a chamber that
catches excess water that may be sent through
the alarm valve during momentary water
pressure surges?
A. Retard chamber

B. Holding chamber
C. Water surge chamber
D. Alarm valve overflow chamber - A
22. Which of the following is NOT one of the
three basic types of flame detectors?
A. Those that detect no light
B. Those that detect only UV light
C. Those that detect only IR light
D. Those that detect UV and IR light - A
23. A device used to detect gases produced by
a fire within a confined space is a:
A. Fire-gas detector
B. Confined gas alarm
C. Combination detector
D. Fuel-containment alarm - A
23. Which of the following is a firesuppression system that consists of closed
sprinklers attached to a piping system that
contains air under pressure?
A. Dry-pipe
B. Wet-pipe
C. Deluge
D. Residential - A
24. The required air pressure for dry-pipe
systems is usually about:
A. 20 psi (140 kPa) above the trip pressure.
B. 20 psi (140 kPa) below the trip pressure.
C. 40 psi (280 kPa) above the trip pressure.
D. 40 psi (280 kPa) below the trip pressure. - A
24. Which of the following is an alarminitiating device capable of detecting an
abnormal condition by more than one means?
A. Fire-gas detector
B. Confined gas alarm
C. Combination detector
D. Fuel-containment alarm - C
25. An alarm actuated by heat, gas, smoke, or
water-flow in a sprinkler system conveyed to
local alarm bells or the fire station is a(n):
A. Preset alarm
B. Automatic alarm
C. Self-actuated alarm
D. Fire station notification alarm - B
25. Dry systems that employ a deluge-type
valve, fire detection devices, and closed
sprinklers are known as:
A. Deluge systems
B. Pre-action systems
C. Residential systems
D. Closed detection systems - B
26. What is a local energy system?

A. An alarm system that does not interconnect

with a municipal alarm circuit.
B. An alarm system in which the municipal
alarm circuit extends into the protected
property.
C. An alarm system that is connected to the fire
department communication center through an
answering service.
D. An auxiliary alarm system within an
occupancy that is attached directly to a hardwired municipal fire alarm master box. - D
26. Which of the following types of systems
are used when it is especially important to
prevent water damage, even if pipes are
broken?
A. Deluge systems
B. Wet-pipe systems
C. Pre-action systems
D. Residential systems - C
27. The system similar to dry-pipe systems in
that there is no water in the distribution piping
before system activation but different in that it
has no fusible links is a:
A. Deluge system
B. Wet-pipe system
C. Pre-action system
D. Residential system - A
27. What is a shunt system?
A. An alarm system that does not interconnect
with a municipal alarm circuit.
B. An alarm system in which the municipal
alarm circuit extends into the protected
property.
C. An alarm system that is connected to the fire
department communication center through an
answering service.
D. An auxiliary alarm system within an
occupancy that is attached directly to a hardwired municipal fire alarm master box. - B
28. In a deluge system, all sprinklers:
A. Are open all the time.

D. Require an electrical system to control

opening/closing. - A
28. What is a parallel telephone system?
A. An alarm system that does not interconnect
with a municipal alarm circuit.
B. An alarm system in which the municipal
alarm circuit extends into the protected
property.
C. An alarm system that is connected to the fire
department communication center through an
answering service.
D. An auxiliary alarm system within an
occupancy that is attached directly to a hardwired municipal fire alarm master box. - A
29. In which of the following locations would a
deluge system MOST likely be present?
A. Grocery store
B. Aircraft hangar
C. Apartment complex
D. Single-family residence - B
29. What is a remote station system?
A. An alarm system that does not interconnect
with a municipal alarm circuit.
B. An alarm system in which the municipal
alarm circuit extends into the protected
property.
C. An alarm system that is connected to the fire
department communication center through an
answering service.
D. An auxiliary alarm system within an
occupancy that is attached directly to a hardwired municipal fire alarm master box. - C
3. Where are heat detectors normally installed?
A. In the back of a room
B. In the front of a room
C. In the lowest portions of a room
D. In the highest portions of a room - D
3. Which of the following statements about fire
detection, alarm, and suppression systems is
MOST accurate?
A. Individual systems can only perform one
specific function.

B. Are closed all the time.

C. Require someone to open them manually.

B. Automatic sprinklers are the most reliable

fixed fire suppression systems.

C. Standpipe systems are the most reliable

fixed fire suppression systems in industrial
occupancies.
D. About 40% of all fires are controlled by the
activation of five or fewer sprinklers. - B
30. When is a non-coded system allowable?

D. All departments shut the entire system down

by closing the main control valve. - C
32. Which of the following types of systems is
owned by the property owner but is monitored
at an off-site, contracted service point?

B. Only in circumstances decided by the fire

marshal.

A. Central station system

B. Proprietary alarm system
C. Automatic protection system
D. Municipally protected system - A
33. Which of the following statements about
supervising fire alarm systems is MOST
accurate?

C. Where a single occupancy is protected by

the system.

A. Fire alarm systems are designed to be

supervised by an engineer.

D. Where an apartment complex is protected

by the system. - C
30. Which of the following systems is covered
by NFPA 13D and may be either a wet- or drypipe system?

B. The control panel must be specifically listed

by a testing laboratory for its purpose.

A. Deluge system
B. Pre-action system
C. Residential system
D. Industrial occupancy system - C
31. A fire protection system owned and
operated by the property owner is commonly
known as a(n):

D. Many older systems operated with open,

unsupervised circuits in which current flowed
sporadically. - B
34. An alarm that sounds before a total
flooding fire extinguishing system is about to
discharge is known as a:

A. In all circumstances and under all

conditions.

A. Central station system

B. Proprietary alarm system
C. Automatic protection system
D. Municipally protected system - B
31. The point at which the fire department can
connect into a sprinkler or standpipe system to
boost the water flow in the system is known as
the:
A. Sprinkler water connection
B. Standpipe boost connection
C. Fire Department Connection
D. Water Flow Extension System - C
32. Which of the following statements about
operations at fires in protected properties is
MOST accurate?
A. Sprinkler system control valves must be
closed.
B. Premature closure of the control valve has
no effect on fire.
C. Firefighters may be required to stop the flow
of water from a single sprinkler.

C. Fixed fire suppressions depend solely on a

signal from a manual pull station.

A. Flooding detector
B. Pre-discharge
C. Disaster-aversion
D. Discharge notification signal - B
35. Which of the following statements
regarding auxiliary services is MOST accurate?
A. Fire alarm systems hinder evacuation.
B. Fire detection systems cannot override
elevator controls.
C. Fire detection systems detect toxic and
combustible gases.
D. The primary objective of a fire alarm system
is to alert the media. - C
36. A vertical water pipe used to carry water
for fire protection systems above ground is a:
A. Riser
B. Carry
C. Supplier
D. Water lift - A
37. What pipe connects the riser to the cross
mains?
A. Feed main

B. Branch main
C. Water rise pipe
D. Cross connection pipe - A
38. Which of the following components
directly service a number of branch lines on
which the sprinklers are installed?
A. Heads
B. Risers
C. Feed mains
D. Cross mains - D
39. The water-flow device in a sprinkler system
is known as a:
A. Link
B. Bulb
C. Pellet
D. Sprinkler - D
4. A temperature-sensitive device that senses
temperature changes and sounds an alarm at a
specific point is a(n):
A. No-temperature heat detector.
B. Fixed-temperature heat detector.
C. Temperature change heat detector.
D. Ambient-temperature heat detector. - B
4. Sprinklers in an automatic sprinkler system
are sometimes called:
A. Sprinkler sets
B. Watering pipes
C. Sprinkler heads
D. Individual setups - C
40. Which of the following components holds
the levers together until the link is melted by
the heat of a fire?
A. Sprinkler
B. Fusible link
C. Chemical pellet
D. Frangible bulb - B
41. A small nodule filled with liquid and an air
bubble to hold the orifice shut is a:
A. Sprinkler
B. Fusible link
C. Chemical pellet
D. Frangible bulb - D
42. Which of the following sprinkler
components allows a plunger to move down
and release the valve cap parts?
A. Sprinkler
B. Fusible link
C. Chemical pellet
D. Frangible bulb - C
43. The most common type of sprinkler is the:

A. Upright
B. Pendant
C. Sidewall
D. Special-purpose - B
44. The sprinkler that screws into the top of the
piping and discharges water into a solid
deflector that breaks it into a hemispherical
spray pattern directed at the floor is the:
A. Upright sprinkler
B. Pendant sprinkler
C. Sidewall sprinkler
D. Special-purpose sprinkler - A
45. The sprinkler that extends from the side of
a pipe and is used in small rooms where the
branch line runs along a wall is a(n):
A. Upright sprinkler
B. Pendant sprinkler
C. Sidewall sprinkler
D. Special-purpose sprinkler - C
46. Which of the following types of sprinklers
includes those with corrosive-resistant
coatings?
A. Upright
B. Pendant
C. Sidewall
D. Special-purpose - D
47. A minimum water supply has to deliver the
required volume of water to the highest
sprinkler in a building at a residual pressure of:
A. 10 psi (70 kPa)
B. 15 psi (105 kPa)
C. 20 psi (140 kPa)
D. 25 psi (175 kPa) - B
48. Sprinkler fire department connections
should be supplied with water from pumpers
that have a capacity of at least:
A. 1,000 gpm (4,000 L/min)
B. 1,500 gpm (6,000 L/min)
C. 2,000 gpm (8,000 L/min)
D. 2,500 gpm (10,000 L/min) - A
49. The sprinkler that is the simplest and
requires little maintenance is the:
A. Dry-pipe
B. Wet-pipe
C. Pre-action
D. Residential - B
5. A small glass vial fitted into the discharge
orifice of a fire sprinkler is the:
A. Fusible device
B. Frangible bulb
C. Two-piece link

D. Resistance indicator - B
5. Which of the following is a sprinkler system
that protects an entire building?
A. Partial sprinkler system
B. Complete sprinkler system
C. Small-facility sprinkler system
D. Large-facility sprinkler system - B
50. Which of the following is a newer wet-pipe
system with a back-flow prevention check
valve and an electronic flow alarm?

56. The system similar to dry-pipe systems in

that there is no water in the distribution piping
before system activation but different in that it
has no fusible links is a:
A. Deluge system
B. Wet-pipe system
C. Pre-action system
D. Residential system - A
57. In a deluge system, all sprinklers:
A. Are open all the time.

A. Mobile systems
B. Straight stick systems
C. Crooked stick systems
D. Back-flow alarm systems - B
51. The chamber that catches excess water that
may be sent through the alarm valve during
momentary water pressure surges is the:
A. Retard chamber
B. Holding chamber
C. Water surge chamber
D. Alarm valve overflow chamber - A
52. The fire-suppresion system that consists of
closed sprinklers attached to a piping system
that contains air under pressure is known as a:
A. Dry-pipe system
B. Wet-pipe system
C. Deluge system
D. Residential system - A
53. What is usually the required air pressure for
dry-pipe systems?
A. 20 psi (140 kPa) above the trip pressure.

B. Are closed all the time.

C. Require someone to open them manually.
D. Require an electrical system to control
opening/closing. - A
58. In which of the following locations would a
deluge system MOST likely be present?
A. Grocery store
B. Aircraft hangar
C. Apartment complex
D. Single-family residence - B
59. The system covered by NFPA 13D which
may be neither a wet- or dry-pipe system is
a(n):

D. 40 psi (280 kPa) below the trip pressure. - A

54. Which of the following is a dry system that
employs a deluge-type valve, fire detection
devices, and closed sprinklers?
A. Deluge systems
B. Pre-action systems
C. Residential systems
D. Closed detection systems - B
55. Which of the following types of systems is
used when it is especially important to prevent
water damage, even if pipes are broken?
A. Deluge systems
B. Wet-pipe systems
C. Pre-action systems
D. Residential systems - C

A. Bimetallic detector
B. Continuous line detector
C. Rate-of-rise heat detector
D. Rate compensated detector - B
8. Which of the following is a reason that a
sprinkler system may not perform?
A. Open water valve
B. Painted-over sprinklers
C. Objects stacked far apart
D. Lack of debris in the pipes - B
8. Which of the following types of heat
detectors uses two metals that have different
thermal expansion characteristics?
A. Bimetallic detector
B. Continuous line detector
C. Rate-of-rise heat detector
D. Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector - A
9. A temperature-sensitive device that sounds
an alarm when the temperature changes at a
preset value is a:
A. Bimetallic detector
B. Continuous line detector

A. Deluge system
B. Pre-action system
C. Residential system
D. Industrial occupancy system - C
6. The two-piece link held together with a
metal that melts or fuses at a specific
temperature is a:

B. 20 psi (140 kPa) below the trip pressure.

C. 40 psi (280 kPa) above the trip pressure.

7. Which of the following types of heat

detectors can detect heat over a linear area
parallel to the detector?

A. Standard link
B. Fusible device
C. Frangible bulb
D. Resistance indicator - B
6. Which of the following is a sprinkler system
that only protects high-hazard areas?
A. Partial sprinkler system
B. Complete sprinkler system
C. Small-facility sprinkler system
D. Large-facility sprinkler system - A
7. Which of the following NFPA standards is
used as a guide for installing sprinkler
protection in one- and two-family dwellings?
A. 13A
B. 13B
C. 13 C
D. 13 D - D

C. Rate-of-rise heat detector

D. Hyrdraulic rate-of-rise spot detector - C
9. In which of the following situations would
sprinklers be MOST effective?
A. Extremely small fires far away from
detection system.
B. Extremely small fires with excessive smoke
generation.
C. Sleeping or intoxicated persons occupy the
fire building.
D. Protecting lives of occupants in other parts
of the building. - D
A device designed to sound an alarm when the
products of combustion are present in the room
where the device is installed. The alarm is built
into the device rather than being a separate
system. - Smoke Alarm
A federal statute (US) intended to remove
barriers physical and otherwise that limit
access by individuals with disabilities. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of
1990 - Public Law 101-336

A sprinkler designed to be positioned at the

wall of a room rather than in the center of a
room. It has a special deflector that creates a
fan-shaped pattern of water that is projected
into the room away from the wall. Also called
Wall Sprinkler. - Sidewall Sprinkler
A sprinkler storage cabinet is required to house
a sprinkler wrench and a minimum of how
many spare sprinklers?

A. Three (3)
B. Four (4)
C. Five (5)
D. Six (6) - D
A type of control valve for a sprinkler system
in which the position of the center screw
indicates whether the valve is open or closed. OS&Y Valve
A type of valve used to control underground
water mains that provides a visual means for
indicating "open" or "shut" position; found on
the supply main of installed fire protection
systems. - Post Indicator Valve (PIV)
Alarm that sounds before a total flooding fire
extinguishing system is about to discharge.
This gives occupants the opportunity to leave
the area. - Predischarge Alarm
Alarm-initiating device capable of detecting an
abnormal condition by more than one means.
The most common combination detector is the
fixed-temperature/rate-of-rise heat detector. Combination Detector
Alarm-initiating device designed to actuate
when visible or invisible products of
combustion (other than fire gases) are present
in the room or space where the unit is installed.
- Smoke Detector
Approximately what percentage of all fires are
controlled by the activation of five or fewer
sprinklers?

A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 70%
D. 80% - C
Automatic sprinkler designed for placement
and operation with the head pointing
downward from the piping. - Pendant Sprinkler
Chapter 16: IFSTA Q's - ...
Chapter 16: Key Terms - ...
Chapter 16: Study Guide - ...
Chapter 16: Study Guide FFII - ...
Contemporary emergency signaling systems
may integrate a number of process and
environmental
controls,
security,
and
personnel-access controls. These include:

A. Closing smoke or fire-rated doors and

dampers.
B. Overriding elevator controls.
C. Detecting combustible or toxic gases.
D. All of the above systems. - D
Detection and alarm devices used in some fire
detection systems (generally in high-hazard
areas) that detect light/flames in the ultraviolet
wave spectrum (UV detectors) or detect light in
the infrared wave spectrum (IR detectors). Also
called Light Detectors. - Flame Detectors
Device used to detect gases produced by a fire
within a confined space. - Fire-Gas Detector
Fire protection system owned and operated by
the property owner. - Proprietary Alarm
System
Fire-suppression system consisting of piping
and open sprinklers. A fire detection system is
used to activate the water or foam control
valve. When the system activates, the
extinguishing agent expels from all sprinkler
heads in the designated area. - Deluge
Sprinkler System
Fire-suppression system is built into a structure
or site; piping contains either water or foam
solution continuously; activation of a sprinkler
causes the extinguishing agent to flow from the
open sprinkler. - Wet-Pipe Sprinkler System
Fire-suppression system that consists of closed
sprinklers attached to a piping system that
contains air under pressure and a secondary
detection system; both must operate before the
extinguishing agent is released into the system;
similar to the dry-pipe sprinkler system. Preaction Sprinkler System
Fire-suppression system that consists of closed
sprinklers attached to a piping system that
contains air under pressure. When a sprinkler
activates, air is released that activates the water
or foam control valve and fills the piping with
extinguishing agent. Dry systems are often
installed in areas subject to freezing. - Dry-Pipe
Sprinkler System
Point at which the fire department can connect
into a sprinkler or standpipe system to boost
the water flow in the system. This connection
consists of a clappered siamese with two or
more 2-inch (65 mm) intakes or one largediameter (4-inch [100 mm] or larger) intake. Fire Department Connection (FDC)
Small glass vial fitted into the discharge orifice
of a fire sprinkler. The glass vial is partly filled
with a liquid that expands as heat builds up. At

a predetermined temperature, vapor pressure

causes the glass bulb to break, causing water to
flow. - Frangible Bulb
Sprinkler that sits on top of the piping and
sprays water against a solid deflector that
breaks up the spray into a hemispherical
pattern that is redirected toward the floor. Upright Sprinkler
Sprinkler, standpipe, carbon dioxide, and
halogenated systems, as well as fire pumps, dry
chemical agents and their systems, foam
extinguishers, and combustible metal agents
that sense heat, smoke, or gas and activate
automatically. - Automatic Suppression
Systems
Strip or disk composed of two different metals
that are bonded together; used in heat detection
equipment. - Bimetallic
System in which alarm signals from the
protected premises are transmitted over a
leased telephone line to a remote receiving
station with a 24-hour staff; usually the
municipal
fire
department's
alarm
communications center. - Remote Station
Alarm System
System of water pipes, discharge nozzles, and
control valves designed to activate during fires
by automatically discharging enough water to
control or extinguish a fire. Also called
sprinkler system. - Automatic Sprinkler System
System that connects the protected property
with the fire department alarm communications
center by a municipal master fire alarm box or
over a dedicated telephone line. - Auxiliary
Alarm System
System that functions through a constantly
attended location (central station) operated by
an alarm company. Alarm signals from the
protected property are received in the central
station and are then retransmitted by trained
personnel to the fire department alarm
communications center. - Central Station
Alarm System
Temperature of the surrounding environment. Ambient Temperature
Temperature-sensitive device that senses
temperature changes and sounds an alarm at a
specific point, usually 135F (57C) or higher.
- Fixed-Temperature Heat Detector
Temperature-sensitive device that sounds an
alarm at a preset temperature, regardless of
how fast temperatures change. - RateCompensated Heat Detector
Temperature-sensitive device that sounds an
alarm when the temperature changes at a preset
value, such as 12-15F per minute. - Rate-ofRise Heat Detector
The most common sprinkler type in use is the:

A. Upright type.
B. Sidewall type.
C. Pendant type.
D. Special purpose type. - C
The three basic types of auxiliary systems
include the local energy system, shunt system,
and:

A. Continuous loop system.

B. Parallel telephone system.
C. Proprietary telegraph system.
D. Supervisory managed system. - B
The three most common release mechanisms
for activation of sprinklers include fusible
links, frangible bulbs, and:

that creates a stream pattern suitable for fire

control. - Sprinkler
Wet-pipe sprinkler systems are generally not
used in areas where temperatures get below:

A. 40F (4C)
B. 50F (10C)
C. 60F (15.5C)
D. 70F (21C) - A
What is the primary difference between a
central station system and a proprietary
system?

A. The receiving point is located at the

protected premises.
B. The receiving point is at an off-site,
contracted service point.

A. Manual levers.
B. Fusible wedges.
C. Check valves.
D. Chemical pellets. - D
The two basic types of smoke detectors/alarms
are:

A. pneumatic rate-of-rise and thermoelectric.

B. rate-compensated and ionization.
C. thermoelectric and continuous line.
D. photoelectric and ionization. - D
Two types of flame detectors are:

A. bimetallic and photoelectric.

B. ultraviolet and infrared.
C. continuous line and white light.
D. gamma ray and bimetallic. - B
Type of smoke detector that uses a small
amount of radioactive material to make the air
within a sensing chamber conduct electricity. Ionization Detector
Type of smoke detector that uses a small light
source, either an incandescent bulb or a lightemitting diode (LED), to detect smoke by
shining light through the detector's chamber.
Smoke particles reflect the light into a lightsensitive device called a photocell. Photoelectric Smoke Detector
Vertical water pipe used to carry water for fire
protection systems above ground such as a
standpipe riser or sprinkler riser. - Riser
Waterflow device in a sprinkler system. The
sprinkler consists of a threaded nipple that
connects to the water pipe, a discharge orifice,
a heat-actuated plug that drops out when a
certain temperature is reached, and a deflector

C. The system is shunted into the protected

property.
D. There is no difference whatsoever. - B
What type of sprinkler system is used to
prevent water damage, even if the pipes
become broken?

A. Wet-pipe
B. Dry-pipe
C. Preaction
D. Deluge - C
When do fixed-temperature heat detectors
activate?

A. If the room temperature peaks within 15

minutes.
B. Once they are heated to the temperature for
which they are rated.
C. When the temperature within the room
increases a given amount within a specified
time frame.
D. If two or more pull boxes are activated
simultaneously. - B
When should fire pumpers be disconnected
from a sprinkler system's fire department
connection?

A. Once the fire is knocked down.

B. At any time during fire extinguishment.

C. Prior to firefighters entering the building.

D. After fire extinguishment has been
confirmed by a thorough overhaul. - D
Which heat detector operates on the idea that
the temperature in a room will rise faster due to
a fire than from atmospheric heating?

discharges outside the building, and is used to

simulate the activation of a single sprinkler?

A. External discharge valve.

B. Post indicator valve.
C. Inspector's test valve.
D. Exterior simulation valve. C
Ambient Temperature - Temperature of the
surrounding environment.

A. fixed-temperature
B. sectional perceptive
C. central proprietary
D. Rate-of-Rise - D
Which series of NFPA standards specifically
address automatic sprinkler systems?

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of

1990 - Public Law 101-336 - A federal statute
(US) intended to remove barriers physical
and otherwise that limit access by
individuals with disabilities.

A. NFPA 13 series
B. NFPA 400 series
C. NFPA 1000 series
D. NFPA 1500 series - A
Which two fire-gases are the two most
practical to monitor using a fire-gas detector?

Automatic Alarm - (1) Alarm actuated by heat,

gas, smoke, flame-sensing devices, or
waterflow in a sprinkler system conveyed to
local alarm bells or the fire station. (2) Alarm
boxes that automatically transmit a coded
signal to the fire station to give the location of
the alarm box.

A. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide

B. Water vapor and hydrogen sulfide
C. Carbon cyanide and carbon monoxide
D. Hydrogen fluoride and water vapor - A
Which type of alarm system only alerts
building occupants but does NOT alert the fire
department?

A. Distant warning system.

B. Expanded alarm system.
C. Local warning system.
D. Multi-premise alarm system. - C
Which type of control valve uses a circular disk
inside a flat plate on top of the valve housing to
indicate whether the valve is open or close?

A. Outside stem and yoke (OS&Y)

B. Post indicator valve (PIV)
C. Wall post indicator valve (WPIV)
D. Post indicator valve assembly (PIVA) - D
Which type of detector can detect heat over a
linear area parallel to the detector?

A. Continuous line detector.

B. Segmented circle detector.
C. Frangible link device.
D. Proprietary activation system. - A
Which valve in a sprinkler system is located in
a remote part of the system, normally

Automatic Sprinkler System - System of water

pipes, discharge nozzles, and control valves
designed to activate during fires by
automatically discharging enough water to
control or extinguish a fire. Also called
sprinkler system.
Automatic Suppression Systems - Sprinkler,
standpipe, carbon dioxide, and halogenated
systems, as well as fire pumps, dry chemical
agents and their systems, foam extinguishers,
and combustible metal agents that sense heat,
smoke, or gas and activate automatically.
Auxiliary Alarm System - System that connects
the protected property with the fire department
alarm communications center by a municipal
master fire alarm box or over a dedicated
telephone line.
Bimetallic - Strip or disk composed of two
different metals that are bonded together; used
in heat detection equipment.
Central Station Alarm System - System that
functions through a constantly attended
location (central station) operated by an alarm
company. Alarm signals from the protected
property are received in the central station and
are then retransmitted by trained personnel to
the fire department alarm communications
center.

Combination Detector - Alarm-initiating device

capable of detecting an abnormal condition by
more than one means. The most common
combination
detector
is
the
fixedtemperature/rate-of-rise heat detector.
Deluge Sprinkler System - Fire-suppression
system consisting of piping and open
sprinklers. A fire detection system is used to
activate the water or foam control valve. When
the system activates, the extinguishing agent
expels from all sprinkler heads in the
designated area.
Dry-Pipe Sprinkler System - Fire-suppression
system that consists of closed sprinklers
attached to a piping system that contains air
under pressure. When a sprinkler activates, air
is released that activates the water or foam
control valve and fills the piping with
extinguishing agent. Dry systems are often
installed in areas subject to freezing.
Fire Department Connection (FDC) - Point at
which the fire department can connect into a
sprinkler or standpipe system to boost the
water flow in the system. This connection
consists of a clappered siamese with two or
more 2-inch (65 mm) intakes or one largediameter (4-inch [100 mm] or larger) intake.
Fire-Gas Detector - Device used to detect gases
produced by a fire within a confined space.
Fixed-Temperature
Heat
Detector
Temperature-sensitive device that senses
temperature changes and sounds an alarm at a
specific point, usually 135F (57C) or higher.
Flame Detectors - Detection and alarm devices
used in some fire detection systems (generally
in high-hazard areas) that detect light/flames in
the ultraviolet wave spectrum (UV detectors)
or detect light in the infrared wave spectrum
(IR detectors). Also called Light Detectors.
Frangible Bulb - Small glass vial fitted into the
discharge orifice of a fire sprinkler. The glass
vial is partly filled with a liquid that expands as
heat builds up. At a predetermined temperature,
vapor pressure causes the glass bulb to break,
causing water to flow.
Fusible Device - (1) Connecting link device
that fuses or melts when exposed to heat. Used
in sprinklers, fire doors, dampers, and
ventilators. (2) Two-piece link held together

with a metal that melts or fuses at a specific

temperature. Also known as Fusible Link.
Ionization Detector - Type of smoke detector
that uses a small amount of radioactive
material to make the air within a sensing
chamber conduct electricity.
OS&Y Valve - Outside stem and yoke valve; a
type of control valve for a sprinkler system in
which the position of the center screw indicates
whether the valve is open or closed. Also
known as outside screw and yoke valve.
Pendant Sprinkler - Automatic sprinkler
designed for placement and operation with the
head pointing downward from the piping.
Photoelectric Smoke Detector - Type of smoke
detector that uses a small light source, either an
incandescent bulb or a light-emitting diode
(LED), to detect smoke by shining light
through the detector's chamber. Smoke
particles reflect the light into a light-sensitive
device called a photocell.
Post Indicator Valve (PIV) - A type of valve
used to control underground water mains that
provides a visual means for indicating "open"
or "shut" position; found on the supply main of
installed fire protection systems.
Preaction Sprinkler System - Fire-suppression
system that consists of closed sprinklers
attached to a piping system that contains air
under pressure and a secondary detection
system; both must operate before the
extinguishing agent is released into the system;
similar to the dry-pipe sprinkler system.
Predischarge Alarm - Alarm that sounds before
a total flooding fire extinguishing system is
about to discharge. This gives occupants the
opportunity to leave the area.
Proprietary Alarm System - Fire protection
system owned and operated by the property
owner.
Protected Premises Alarm System - (1) Alarm
system that alert and notifies only occupants on
the premises of the existence of a fire so that
they can safely exit the building and call the
fire department. If a response by a public safety
agency (police or fire department) is required,
an occupant hearing the alarm must notify the
agency.

Rate-Compensated
Heat
Detector
Temperature-sensitive device that sounds an
alarm at a preset temperature, regardless of
how fast temperatures change.
Rate-of-Rise Heat Detector - Temperaturesensitive device that sounds an alarm when the
temperature changes at a preset value, such as
12-15F per minute.
Remote Station Alarm System - System in
which alarm signals from the protected
premises are transmitted over a leased
telephone line to a remote receiving station
with a 24-hour staff; usually the municipal fire
department's alarm communications center.
Riser - Vertical water pipe used to carry water
for fire protection systems above ground such
as a standpipe riser or sprinkler riser.
Sidewall Sprinkler - A sprinkler designed to be
positioned at the wall of a room rather than in
the center of a room. It has a special deflector
that creates a fan-shaped pattern of water that is
projected into the room away from the wall.
Also called Wall Sprinkler.
Smoke Alarm - a device designed to sound an
alarm when the products of combustion are
present in the room where the device is
installed. The alarm is built into the device
rather than being a separate system.
Smoke Detector - Alarm-initiating device
designed to actuate when visible or invisible
products of combustion (other than fire gases)
are present in the room or space where the unit
is installed.
Sprinkler - Waterflow device in a sprinkler
system. The sprinkler consists of a threaded
nipple that connects to the water pipe, a
discharge orifice, a heat-actuated plug that
drops out when a certain temperature is
reached, and a deflector that creates a stream
pattern suitable for fire control.
Upright Sprinkler - Sprinkler that sits on top of
the piping and sprays water against a solid
deflector that breaks up the spray into a
hemispherical pattern that is redirected toward
the floor.
Wet-Pipe Sprinkler System - Fire-suppression
system is built into a structure or site; piping
contains either water or foam solution
continuously; activation of a sprinkler causes

the extinguishing agent to flow from the open

sprinkler.
3 different types of sprinkler systems - dry pipe
wet pipe
preaction
deluge
residential
Changing Sprinklers - In may jurisdictions the
job of changing sprinklers must be performed
by the reps of the buildings occupants who are
qualified to perform work on sprinkler systems.
In others firefighters are allowed to replace
fused or damaged sprinklers. Follow SOPs.
Chemical Pellet - a pellet of solder under
compression within a small cylinder melts at a
predetermined temperature allowing a plunger
to move down and release the valve cap parts
Common identification for sprinklers commonly identified by the temperature at
which they are designed to operate
Complete Sprinkler system - protects the entire
structure
Control Valves - are used to turn off the water
supply to the system in order to replace
sprinklers, perform maintenance or interrupt
operations. They are located between the
source of the water supply and the sprinkler
system, usually under the sprinkler alarm
valve.
Deluge Systems - are similar to dry pipe
systems in that there is no waterr in the
distribution piping before system activation.
they differ from in that the sprinklers have no
fusible link and do not function as fire
detection devices. All the sprinklers are open
all the time. Normally installed in high hazard
area.
Drain pipe valve - device that keeps water out
of the sprinkler piping until a fire actuates a
sprinkler.
Dry pipe systems - used in locations where
temps are expected to dip below 40F. All the
pipes in this sustem are sloped to help drain the
water in the system back to the main drain.
Designed so that a small amount of air pressure
above the dry pipe valve will hold back a much
greater water pressure on the water supply side
of the dry pipe valve. 20psi.

Following Fire - the sprinkler equipment

should be restored to service before leaving the
premises and it should be done by reps of the
occupants who are qualified to perform work.
For liability purposes it is not recommended
that firefighters do any of the work.

partial sprinkler system - protects only certain

areas or places designated by code

Frangible bulb - Incorporates a small bulb

filled with liquid and an air bubble to hold the
orifice shut. Bubble prevents false activations
through changes in atmospheric conditions. In
a fire heat expands the liquid until the bubble is
absorbed into the liquid. this increases the
internal pressure until the bulb shatters at the
proper temperature. Regulated by the amount
of liquid and the size of the bubble in the bulb.

PIV - hollow metal post that houses the valve

stem. Attached to the valve stem is a movable
plate with the words OPEN or SHUT visible
through a small glass window on the side of the
housing. When not in use the operating handle
is locked to the valve housing.

Fusible Link - involves a frame that is screwed

into the sprinkler piping. Two levers press
against the frame and a cap over the orifice
from which the water flows. Fusible link holds
the levers together until the link is melted by
the heat of the fire. Deflector converts the
standard 1/2" stream into water spray.
Inspectors Test Valve - is located in a remote
part of the sprinkler system. Equipped with the
same size orifice as one sprinkler and is used to
to stimulate the activation of one sprinkler. The
water from the test valve normally discharges
outside the building.
Main drain Valve - part of every sprinkler
system riser. the primary purpose of the main
drain is to allow sprinkler service personnel to
drain water from the system for maintenance
purposes. Can also be used to check the system
water supply.
Nationally recognized labs - all parts and
components of the sprinkler system should be
listed by a nationally recognized testing lab
such as Underwriters Labs Inc or FM Global.
NFPA 13 - Standard for the installation of
sprinkler systems
NFPA 13D - Standard for the installation of
sprinkler systems in one and two family
dwellings and manufactured homes
NFPA 13R - Standard for the installation of
sprinkler systems in residential occupancies up
to and including four stories in height.
OS & Y - outside stem and yoke valve, stem is
visible beyond yoke when it is open.

Pendant - This is the most common type in

existence today, extends down from the
underside of the piping.

PIVA - does not use a plate with words, instead

using a circular disk inside a flat plate on top of
the valve housing. When the valve is open the
disk is perpendicular to the surrounding plate.
Operated with a built in crank.
Preaction Systems - are dry systems that
employ a deluge type valve, fire detection
devices and closed sprinklers. This type of
system is used when it is especially important
to prevent water damage even if the pipes are
broken.
Quick Opening Device - since several minutes
could be lost while the air is being expelled
from thhe system. standards require that a
quick opening device bee installed in systems
that have a water capacity over 500 gallons. An
accelerator is one type of quick opening device.
Quick Response Mechanism - developed to
enhance life safety. Offers increased surface
area to collect the heat generated by a fire
faster than the standard fusible link.
Residential Sprinkler Systems - must have a
pressure guage, (to check air pressure on dry
pipe systems and water pressure on wet pipe), a
flow detector and a means for draining and
testing the system. some are equipped with a
fire FDC, usually 1.5"
Retardant chamber - part of the alarm check
valve. This chamber catches excess water that
may be sent through the alarm valve during
momentary water pressure surges. Reduces
chances of false activation
Riser - vertical piping to which the sprinkler
valve, one way check valve, FDC, alarm valve,
main drain, and other components are attached

Situations that sprinklers are effective in preventing fire spread upwards in multistory
buildings
protecting the lives of occupants
Sprinkler FDC - should be supplied with water
from pumpers that havee a capacity of at least
1,000gpm with a minimum of two 2.5" or
larger hoses.
Sprinkler system may not function for the
following reasons - partially or completely
completely closed main water control valve
Interruption to the water supply
damaged or painted over sprinklers
damaged pipes
debris/sediment in the pipes
failure of the secondary water supply
tampering/vandalism
sprinklers obstructed by objects stacked too
close
Sprinkler Temp ratings - black/uncoloured ordinary - 135-170F
White - intermediate - 175-225F
Blue - High - 250-300F
Red - Extra high - 325-375F
Green - Very Extra High - 400-475F
Orange - Ultra High - 500-575F
Bad White Girls Rape Girls Often
Times when they are not effective - fires are
too small to activate the system
smoke generation reaches occupants before the
system starts
sleeping, drunk, handicapped persons occupy
the building
Types of Control Valves - four main types
1. OS & Y
2. Post Indicator
3. Wall Post Indicator
4. Post Indicator Valve Assembly
Upright - Screwed into the top of the piping
and discharges water into a solid deflector, that
breaks it into a hemispherical spray pattern that
is redirected to the floor. Cannot be changed
into the pendant position.
WAter supply - every effort should be made to
supply adequate to operating sprinkler system
Water supply - Minimum water supply has to
delive the required volume of water to the
highest sprinkler at a residual pressure of 15psi.
Depends on the hazard, occupancy, and the

building contents. In most cases the water

supply for the sprinkler system is designed to
supply only a fraction of the sprinklers actually
installed on the system. Additional water and
pressure must be supplied
Waterflow Alarms - Normally operated either
hydraulically or electrically. hydraulic is a
local alarm that is used to alert the personnel in
the building or a passerby. Electric may also be
employed to alert building occupants and can
be configured to notify the FD
Wet Pipe System - Used in locations where the
temps are not expected to go below 40F.
Simplest type of fire sprinkler system and
generally requires little maintenance. Water is
under pressure at all times. This type of system
is equipped usually with an alarm check valve.
Newer ones may not, instead having a
backflow prevention check valve and an
electronic flow alarm
When should pumpers be disconnected? (From the FDC) Not until after the
extinguishment has been confirmed by a
thorough overhaul.
when should sprinkler valves should be closed
- not until fire officers are convinced that
further operations will simply waste water,
produce heavy water damage or hamper
progress. premature closing of the valve could
cause the fire to intensify
WPIV - similar to the PIV except that it
extends horizontally through the wall with the
target valve operating nut on the outside of the
building. Accelerator - A device that
accelerates the removal of air from a dry-pipe
or preaction sprinkler system.
Air sampling detector - A system that captures
a sample of air from a room or enclosed space
and passes it through a smoke detection or gas
analysis.
Automatic sprinkler system - What is the most
common type of fire suppression system?
Batteries may not be replaced regularly enough
- What is the worry with a battery-powered
smoke detector?
Either batteries or hard-wire to house current What powers residential smoke detectors?
Equipping them with tamper switches - What is
one alternative to locking sprinkler system
control valves open?
If one alarm is activated, they all sound - If all
the smoke alarms are interconnected in a
dwelling, what does that mean?

Local Alarm - What is the term for that type of

fire alarm system in which the alarm sounds in
the building itself only, and no signal is sent
out to notify anyone else?
Pendant - Sprinkler heads are designed to be
mounted in one of three positions, two of
which are upright and horizontal. What is the
third?
The alarm notification device - What is the part
of a fire alarm system that alerts the building
occupants when the system is activated?
The brain of the system - What can the fire
alarm control panel be compared to?
They detect the electromagnetic light waves
produced by flame - How do flame detectors
work?
combination attack - A type of attack
employing both direct attack and indirect attack
methods.
deck gun - An apparatus-mounted master
stream device that is intended to flow large
amounts of water directly onto a fire or
exposed building.
direct attack (structural fire) - Firefighting
operations involving the application of
extinguishing agents directly onto the burning
fuel.
elevated master stream device - A nozzle
mounted on the end of an aerial device that is
capable of delivering large amounts of water
onto a fire or exposed building from an
elevated position.
indirect application of water - The use of a
solid object such as a wall or ceiling to break
apart a stream of water, creating more surface
area on the water droplets and thereby causing
the water to absorb more heat.
indirect attack (structural fire) - Firefighting
operations involving the application of
extinguishing agents to reduce the build-up of
heat released from a fire without applying the
agent directly onto the burning fuel.
ladder pipe - A nozzle attached to the end of a
straight ladder truck that is designed to provide
large volumes of water from an elevated
position.
master stream device - A large-capacity nozzle
that can be supplied by two or more hose lines
of fixed piping. It can flow 300 gallons per
minute. These devices include deck guns and
portable ground monitors.
portable monitor - A master stream appliance
that is designed to be set up and then left to
operate unattended. This is used to flow large
amounts of water onto a fire or exposed
building from a ground-level position.

solid stream - A stream made by using a

smooth-bore nozzle to produce a penetrating
stream of water.
straight stream - A stream made by using an
adjustable nozzle to provide a straight stream
of water.
How does a bimetallic detector work? - Two
different types of metal are fused together that
expand at different rates. This will cause a
motion in the alarm when it is heated that will
activate the alarm. (One type is the Snap
Action Disk Thermostat)
How does a continuous line detector work? This system is a line with three 3 or 4 layers. It
works by recognizing an increase in signal
when heat allows the signal to have less
resistance, or there are two wires running
parallel separated by a material that melts when
it is heated thereby activating the alarm.
How does a frangible bulb work? - Liquid in a
bulb breaks when it reaches a certain
temperature and completes a circuit activating
an alarm. (These are no longer manufactured)
How does a fusible device work? - The
increase in temperature melts a solder which
allows a spring to move a contact point which
completes a circuit activating an alarm.
How does a rate of rise heat detector work? This type of detector responds to rapid rises in
temperature which activates an alarm.
How is a continuous line detector different
from other heat detectors? - A continuous line
detector detects heat over a long linear area
parallel to a detector and other detectors only
detect heat in one spot.
How is the most basic alarm system initiated? Manually
How long can a pneumatic rate of rise line
detector be? - 1,000 feet
Name four types of rate of rise heat detectors. 1. Pneumatic rate of rise spot detector 2.
Pneumatic rate of rise line detector 3. Rate
compensated detector 4. Thermoelectric
detector
What are the automatic alarms designed to
detect? - Heat, Smoke, Fire, Gases, Flame.

What are the four ways a fire suppression

system may operate? - 1. Mechanically 2.
Hydraulically 3. Pneumatically 4. Electrically

20 sprinklers - number of sprinklers in

preaction system that must be exceeded for
supervision of piping to be required

What are the three most commonly used

release mechanisms to activate sprinklers? - 1.
Fusible Links 2. Frangible Bulbs 3. Chemical
Pellets

250 GPM for each additional riser to max of

1,250 GPM for an unsprinklered building, and
1,000 GPM for a sprinklered building - water
supply requirements for multiple risers in class
I and III systems

What are the three placements of sprinklers? 1. Pendant 2. Upright 3. Sidewall

What are the three ways a fixed-temperature
heat detector can detect heat? - 1. Expansion of
heated material 2. Melting of heated material 3.
Changes in resistance of heated material
What are the two basic types of smoke
detector? - 1. Photoelectric 2. Ionization
What is the more contemporary name for a
manually initiated fire alarm? - Protected
Premises fire alarm systems
What is the NFPA number for National Fire
Alarm Code? - NFPA 72
What is the NFPA number for Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One and
Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured
Homes. - NFPA 13D
What is the NFPA number for Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems? - NFPA 13
What is the NFPA number for Standard on
Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems? NFPA 12
What is the traditional name of a manually
initiated fire alarm? - Local System
Where should you place Fixed-temperature
heat? - In the high portions of a room.
Which fire alarm system is the oldest type and
the slowest to activate? - Fixed-temperature
heat detector
135*F to 170*F - most frequently used
temperature rating of sprinklers for ordinary
room temperatures
175 PSI - pressure that pressure reducing
valves in High rises are required to keep
operating pressures under

3 1/2 to 4 feet - Height of operable part of pull

station off floor
3:1 to 7:1 - typical air-water differential in a
dry pipe system
500 GPM for at least 30 minutes with residual
pressure of 100 PSI for most hydraulically
remote 2 1/2 inch outlet and 65 PSI for most
remote 1 1/2 inch outlet - Water supply
requirement for Class I and III standpipes
Acrylic,
Polycarbonate,
Polystyrene - Group A plastics

Polyethylene,

addressable alarm systems - display the

location of each initiating device on FACP
air sampling smoke detector - specialty type of
detector designed to continuously monitor a
small amount of air from protected area. most
common type is cloud chamber
air-water differential - allows a small amount
of air pressure to hold back water in a dry pipe
valve
alarm check valve - type of valve installed in
riser of sprinkler system that transmits a waterflow alarm when the flow in the system lifts
the clapper valve
any part of floor within 130 feet of standpipe
hose station - current system design practice
for locating standpipe hose connections
at least two (2) 2 1/2 inch intake connections,
and at least 2 1/2 inch connection for each 250
gal/min of system demand - FDC intake
requirements
automatic drain valves - aka ball drip valves
drain piping when pressure is relieved in the
pipe
most common application is to drain drain
water from siamese connections or FDC after
use

automatic dry standpipe - system contains air

under pressure to supervise integrity of piping.
water admitted to system through dry pipe
valve upon opening of a hose valve. has a
permanently attached water supply
Automatic wet standpipe - contains water at all
times. water supply is capable of meeting
system demand automatically.
pressure is maintained in system at all times
Auxiliary alarm system - connected
municipal fire alarm system
two types: Local energy, and shunt

to

blue - color code of sprinklers rated for 250*F

to 300*F
building has a combustible roof
the has a combustible structure or equipment
on roof
building has exposures that represent a fire
hazard - situations where Class I or III systems
may be required to have a 2 1/2 inch outlet on
the roof
categories of pressure regulating devices pressure restricting devices
pressure control valves
pressure reducing valves
cellular - uses cellular technology to transmit
signal from protected premises to monitoring
station
central station system - alarm system that
functions through a constantly attended
location off site, operated by an alarm
company. required to have runners within two
hours for alarm or supervisory signal, and four
hours for a trouble signal
check valve - automatic valve that permits
liquid flow in only one direction
City tie/polarity reversal - uses hardwired
system that communicates signal from
protected premises to emergency services
telecommunication center or other approved
location
Class I - standpipe system primarily for use by
fire suppression personnel trained in handling
large hoselines, provides 2 1/2 inch hose
connections
Class I commodities - generally noncombustible and stored on wood pallets in

ordinary packaging. can be packaged in

corrugated cardboard or stretch wrapped as a
unit load
Class II - primarily designed for use by
building occupants, equipped with 1 1/2 inch
hose and nozzle stored on hose rack. aka house
lines
Class II commodities - non-combustible
commodities but packaged in wooden crates or
mulit-layered cardboard cartons
Class III - combines features of class I and II.
provide 1 1/2 inch hose stations for building
occupants and 2 1/2 inch hose connections for
fire department design of system must allow
for simultaineous use of both class I and II
services
Class III commodities - combustible materials
such as wood, paper or certian plastics,
regardless of packaging
Class IV commodities - Class I,II,or III
products that contain limited amounts of group
A plastics
clean agent extinguishing systems - used in
areas where wet or dry systems may be
undesirable or unsuitable. agent is stored as a
liquid and turns into gas when exposed to
atmosphere. some displace oxygen, some
interrupt chemical chain reaction
code - a collection of rules and regulations
enacted by a legislative body to become law in
a particular jurisdiction
common types of special extinguishing systems
- wet chemical
dry chemical
clean agent
carbon dioxide
water mist
Consensus standards - rules, principles, or
measures that are established through
agreement of members of a organization
deflector - part of sprinkler assembly that
creates the discharge pattern of the water
Digital alarm communicator transmitter
(DACT) - provides transmission through two
separate phone lines (one at a time) to provide
a redundant method of signal transmission to a
monitoring station

digital alarm radio system (DARS) - sends a

radio signal from a digital radio transmitter
located at the protected premises to a
monitoring station
dilution - aka smoke purging, smoke removal,
smoke exhaust, or smoke extraction. uses
supply and exhaust ventilation to reduce
concentration of smoke within a space
double interlock system - type of preaction
system that admits water upon operation of
BOTH detection devices AND sprinklers OR
two separate detection devices or circuits
dry chemical extinguishing systems - used
wherever rapid fire extinguishment is required,
and reignition of material is unlikely
dry pipe sprinkler system - fire suppression
system that consists of closed sprinklers
attached to a piping system that contains air
under pressure.
duct smoke detector - installed in return or
supply ducts of HVAC system
early suppression fast response sprinklers special sprinklers that react 5 to 10 times faster
than conventional sprinklers with same
temperature rating. speed compared using
response time index (RTI)
elevation head - height of water supply above
discharge orifice
emergency
communications
system
supplementary system that may be placed in a
facility in addition to addition to alarm system.
purpose is to provide reliable communication
system for residents and firefighters
exceeds 100 PSI for 1 1/2 inch connection,
exceeds 175 PSI for 2 1/2 inch connection NFPA standards for pressure regulating
devices at hose outlets
exhaust method - active smoke control concept.
uses mechanical ventilation with properties of
smoke to maintain smoke at highest point in a
large space. should allow smoke to be
maintained at 6 to 10 feet above highest
occupied floor. sprinkler operation may
adversely impact due to cool smoke losing
bouyancy not intended for use in low ceiling
spaces

Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) - system

component that receives input from automatic
and manual fire alarm devices and may provide
power to detection devices or communication
devices
Fire detection system - system of detection
devices, wiring , and supervisory equipment
used for detecting fire or products of
combustion and then signaling that these
elements are present
fire gas detectors - measures changes in the
chemical gas make up of the atmosphere in the
protected area. only practical to monitor levels
of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide for fire
detection purposes
fire prevention - the elimination of all hostile
fires through education, engineering, and
enforcement. also involves mitigation of loss.
Fire suppression system - designed to act
directly upon the hazard to mitigate or
eliminate it, not simply to detect its presence
and/or initiate an alarm
firefighters smoke control station (FSCS) provides fill monitoring and manual control
capability over all smoke control systems and
equipment. should be located at fire command
center
fixed foam system - complete installation that
is piped from a central foam station.
Automatically discharge foam thru fixed
discharge outlets
flame detectors - also called light detectors
Three types
1. those that detect light in ultraviolet light
spectrum (UV detectors)
2. those that detect light in the infrared
spectrum (IR detectors)
3. those that detect both IR and UV light
these are among the fastest to respond to fires,
they can be tripped by such non-fire conditions
as : welding, sunlight, and other bright light
sources
flow pressure (velocity pressure) - forward
velocity pressure while water is flowing
foam/water systems - similar to deluge
sprinkler, but has foam capability

four principles of friction loss - 1.friction loss

varies proportionally with length of hose or
pipe
2. when hoses or pipes are the same size,
friction loss varies approximately with the
square of the increase of the velocity of the
flow
3. for the same discharge, friction loss varies
inversely to the 5th power of the diameter of
the hose
4. for a given flow velocity, friction loss is
approximately the same, regardless of the
pressure on the water
globe valves - small handwheel type valves
that are primarily used on drains and test valves
head - alternate term for pressure especially
pressure due to elevation for every 1 ft of
elevation, 0.434 PSI is gained
High expansion foam system - designed for
local application or total flooding in
commercial or industrial applications.
internet protocol - transmits signal from
protected premises to monitoring station via
approved internet connection
ionization smoke detector - uses a small
amount of radioactive material to make the air
within a sensing chamber conduct electricity
responds quicker to flaming fires
local energy system - has its own power
source, and does not depend on municipal
alarm system for power
manual dry - does not have a permanent water
supply. only has water when FDC is utilized
manual wet - no permanent water supply, water
must be provided by FD. maintained full of
water from small source to detect leaks
mass notification system - provide for
emergency communications to large number of
people on a large scale basis
min 4 inches for less than 100 feet, min 6
inches for over 100 feet. If over 100 feet, top
100 feet may be 4 inches. If standpipe is
combined with sprinklers, min size is 6 inches Standpipe riser size for Class I and III systems
in High rise

min size 2 inches for less than 50 feet over 50

feet min is 2 1/2 inches - standpipe riser size
for Class II systems in high rise
Mitigation - to cause to become less harsh or
hostile; to make less severe, intense, or painful,
to alliviate
non interlock system - type of preaction system
that admits water upon operation of detectors
OR sprinkler
Non-coded alarm - simplest type of local alarm
when an alarm initiating device sends a signal
to the FACP, all alarm signaling devices
operate simultaneously. FACP not capable of
identifying which initiating device triggered
the alarm
not less than 3 feet and not more than 5 feet
above floor level - height requirements for
standpipe hose connections
not to exceed 200 feet - maximum travel
distance to pull station
one must be placed within 5 feet of every exit requirements for pull stations at exits
opposed air flow method - for large openings
where pressurization is not possible. typically
used for openings in a vertical surface, and
where opening is small in comparison to
surface. generally does not lend itself well to
use in buildings
passive smoke control - strategies that
incorporate fixed components that provide
protection against the spread of smoke and fire
components include: fire doors, fire walls, fire
stopping, stair and elevator vestibules
photoelectric smoke detector - uses small light
source to detect smoke by shining light through
chamber, smoke particles reflect light onto
photocell, responds more quickly to smoldering
fires
preaction system - used when it is especially
important that the inadvertent release of water
be minimized. employs deluge type valve, fire
detection devices, and closed sprinklers. will
not discharge water into system until indication
received from fire detection device
pressure control valve - preferred for managing
excess pressure and considered most reliable.
Use pitot tube and gauge

pressure reducing valves - uses spring

mechanism that compensates for variations in
pressure
pressure restricting devices - consist of simple
restricting orifice inserted into waterway.Not
preferred because they do not control or reduce
water pressure in system
pressurization systems - uses mechanical fans
and ventilation to create a pressure difference
across a barrier such as a wall two
Two types:
positive pressure- supply air to the zone
adjacent to fires origin (also includes stairwell
pressurization)
negative pressure- exhaust or evacuate smoke
from area of fires origin
integrity of smoke barriers is essential to
operation of system
primary power supply - usually provided by
buildings connection to utility provider
can be provided by engine driven generator. If
so, either a trained operator must be on duty
24/7, or the system must contain multiple
engine driven generators, one of which must
always be set for automatic starting
proprietary systems - fire protection system
owned and operated by the property owner.
used to protect large commercial and industrial
buildings, high rise structures, and groups of
commonly owned facilities such as a college
campus or industrial complex
protected premises system - AKA Local alarm
system
designed to provide notification to building
occupants only on the immediate premises
quick opening device - help speed up the
process of getting water to source of fire in a
dry pipe system. required on dry pipe valves
serving system with more than 500 gal. if
capacity is over 750 gal, water must be
provided to most remote sprinkler within 15 to
60 seconds depending on occupancy
two types:
accelerator- unbalances the differential in dry
pipe valve, causing it to trip more quickly
exhauster- functions by quickly expelling air
from the system, generally located at the most
remote end of system from dry pipe valve, not
as fast as accelerator

reference - method by which an AHJ refers to a

code in a regulation and states that the code is
legally enforceable
remote receiving station - common in
jurisdictions that do not require central station
systems. systems are not connected to
emergency
services
emergency
communications system telecommunications
center through municipal box system, instead
they are connected by other means, usually a
telephone line.
requirements for type of fire alarm signaling
system - level of life safety hazard
structural features of building
level of hazard presented by contents
availability of fire suppression resources
state and local code requirements
residential systems - auto sprinkler system
specifically designed to enhance the
survivability of individuals that are in the room
of fire origin. systems are expected to prevent
flashover in room of origin
residual pressure - pressure at test hydrant
while water is flowing
represents pressure left in supply system and is
that part of total pressure not used to overcome
friction or gravity while forcing water thru
pipes etc
retard chamber - devices that catches and slows
the excess water that may be sent through the
alarm valve during momentary water pressure
surges. installed between alarm check valve
and alarm signaling equipment
secondary power supply - must be capable of
making system fully operational within time
period specified in NFPA 72. Can consist
batteries with chargers, engine driven generator
with battery storage, or multiple engine driven
generators, one of which is set to automatic
starting
Semi-fixed type A System - foam discharge
piping in place but not attached to a permanent
source of foam
Semi-fixed type B system - provides foam
solution source that is piped throughout a
facility. foam solution is delivered to foam
hydrants
semiautomatic dry - system attached to a water
supply that is capable of supplying the system

demands at all times. requires activation of

control device to provide water at hose
connections. arranged to admit water when dry
pipe valve is activated at hose station
shunt system - electrically connected to
municipal fire alarm system and depends on
municipal system for power. Only manual pull
stations and water flow alarms are permitted on
shunt systems, fire detection devices are not
permitted.
single interlock - type of preaction system that
admits water on operation of detector
smoke control system - engineered system
designed to control smoke by the use of
mechanical fans to produce air flows and
pressure differences across smoke barriers to
limit and direct smoke movement
Smoke detector - alarm initiating device
designed to actuate when visible or invisible
products of combustion ( other than fire gases)
are present in the room or space where unit is
installed.
smoke management system - system that limits
the exposure of building occupants to smoke
may
include
a
combination
of
compartmentation, control of smoke migration
from affected area, and a means of removing
smoke to the exterior of the building
smokeproof enclosures - stairways designed to
limit the penetration of smoke, heat, and toxic
gases from a fire on a floor of a building into
the stairway and that serve as part of a means
of egress
sprinkler systems designed to control fire,
special agent systems designed to extinguish
fire - difference between sprinklers and special
agent systems
stack effect - naturally occurring vertical
movement of air within a building aka chimney
effect. occurs due to a difference in
temperature between interior and exterior of
building. When inside is warmer than outside,
air moves up. When cooler inside than outside,
air moves down (negative or reverse____)
standard - criterion documents that are
developed to serve as models or examples of
desired performance or behaviors that contain
requirements and specifications outlining

minimum levels of performance, protection , or

construction.
set of principles. protocols, or procedures that
is developed by a committee through a
consensus process. Describes how to do
something or provide a minimum set of
principles that should be followed.
static pressure - potential energy available to
force water through pipe and fittings
pressure at any point in supply system when no
water is flowing
stratification - formation of smoke into layers
as a result of differences in density with respect
to height, low density layers on top and high
density layers on the bottom
Supervising station alarm system - system that
is continuously monitored at a remote location
supervisory device - used to supervise
automatic sprinkler systems and monitor the
condition of the system
supervisory signal - signal given by a fixed fire
protection system where there is a condition in
the system that is off normal. indicates a
problem with an accessory of the fire alarm
system
three common products of combustion Carbon
monoxide
(CO),
hydrogen
cyanide(HCN),carbon dioxide(CO2)
transcription - method by which an AHJ adopts
a code in whole to become new regulation
trouble signal - indicates a problem with a
monitored circuit or component of the fire
alarm system or the power supply for the
system. must be a clearly audible signal.
indicates a problem with the fire alarm itself
two way communication system - allows
people at remote locations in building to talk to
fire command center using intercom or special
telephone
voice notification system - one way system,
warns building occupants that action is needed
and what action to take
water flow device - automatic initiating device
required on sprinkler systems activates when
water begins to flow in system

wet chemical extinguishing agents - typically

composed of water and potassium carbonate,
potassium citrate, or potassium acetate.
delivered in form of spray. effective for fires
involving flammable combustible liquids, and
ordinary
combustibles/
more
recently
introduced alkaline mixtures used for attacking
class K fires
zoned smoke control - designed to limit the
movement of smoke from one compartment of
a building to another
zoned/ annunciated alarm - enables first
responders to identify the general location
(zone) of alarm device activation