Illinois Fire Alarm Contractor Licensing
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
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(All questions cover subjects relevant to Illinois fire alarm system design,
installation, maintenance, inspection, NFPA standards, Illinois codes, and
business practice requirements.)
1. Which NFPA standard primarily governs the installation of fire alarm
systems?
A. NFPA 25
B. NFPA 72
C. NFPA 70
D. NFPA 101
Rationale: NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, sets forth
,the installation, performance, and maintenance requirements for fire
alarm systems.
2. What type of wiring method must be used for fire alarm circuits according
to the NEC?
A. Type NM cable
B. Type FPL, FPLR, or FPLP cable
C. Type SE cable
D. Type UF cable
Rationale: NEC Article 760 specifies that fire alarm systems use power-
limited fire alarm cables such as FPL, FPLR, or FPLP for safety and fire
resistance.
3. Which authority has jurisdiction over fire alarm system approval in
Illinois?
A. National Fire Protection Association
B. Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
C. Illinois Department of Transportation
D. U.S. Fire Administration
Rationale: The AHJ—often the local fire department or building official—
approves design, installation, and inspection per Illinois law.
,4. The purpose of a fire alarm control panel (FACP) is to:
A. Provide power to HVAC systems
B. Monitor inputs and control outputs for alarm functions
C. Act as a sprinkler control valve
D. Measure voltage fluctuations
Rationale: The FACP processes input from initiating devices and activates
output devices, serving as the central hub of the fire alarm system.
5. What color should manual fire alarm pull stations typically be?
A. Blue
B. Red
C. Yellow
D. White
Rationale: NFPA 72 requires manual pull stations to be red for immediate
visibility and standard recognition.
6. Which device detects smoke using the scattering of light?
A. Ionization detector
B. Photoelectric detector
C. Heat detector
D. Flame detector
Rationale: Photoelectric smoke detectors sense smoke particles by using a
light beam and photocell to detect light scattering.
, 7. In Illinois, a Fire Alarm Contractor License is issued by:
A. Illinois EPA
B. Department of Labor
C. Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
D. Department of Commerce
Rationale: The OSFM regulates licensing and compliance for fire alarm
contractors statewide.
8. A trouble signal on a fire alarm system indicates:
A. Fire detected
B. System fault or wiring issue
C. Supervisory condition
D. Power surge
Rationale: Trouble signals notify building staff of issues such as open
circuits, ground faults, or power failures.
9. Which code covers the electrical aspects of fire alarm installations?
A. NFPA 101
B. NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code)
C. NFPA 10
D. NFPA 13
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
(All questions cover subjects relevant to Illinois fire alarm system design,
installation, maintenance, inspection, NFPA standards, Illinois codes, and
business practice requirements.)
1. Which NFPA standard primarily governs the installation of fire alarm
systems?
A. NFPA 25
B. NFPA 72
C. NFPA 70
D. NFPA 101
Rationale: NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, sets forth
,the installation, performance, and maintenance requirements for fire
alarm systems.
2. What type of wiring method must be used for fire alarm circuits according
to the NEC?
A. Type NM cable
B. Type FPL, FPLR, or FPLP cable
C. Type SE cable
D. Type UF cable
Rationale: NEC Article 760 specifies that fire alarm systems use power-
limited fire alarm cables such as FPL, FPLR, or FPLP for safety and fire
resistance.
3. Which authority has jurisdiction over fire alarm system approval in
Illinois?
A. National Fire Protection Association
B. Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
C. Illinois Department of Transportation
D. U.S. Fire Administration
Rationale: The AHJ—often the local fire department or building official—
approves design, installation, and inspection per Illinois law.
,4. The purpose of a fire alarm control panel (FACP) is to:
A. Provide power to HVAC systems
B. Monitor inputs and control outputs for alarm functions
C. Act as a sprinkler control valve
D. Measure voltage fluctuations
Rationale: The FACP processes input from initiating devices and activates
output devices, serving as the central hub of the fire alarm system.
5. What color should manual fire alarm pull stations typically be?
A. Blue
B. Red
C. Yellow
D. White
Rationale: NFPA 72 requires manual pull stations to be red for immediate
visibility and standard recognition.
6. Which device detects smoke using the scattering of light?
A. Ionization detector
B. Photoelectric detector
C. Heat detector
D. Flame detector
Rationale: Photoelectric smoke detectors sense smoke particles by using a
light beam and photocell to detect light scattering.
, 7. In Illinois, a Fire Alarm Contractor License is issued by:
A. Illinois EPA
B. Department of Labor
C. Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
D. Department of Commerce
Rationale: The OSFM regulates licensing and compliance for fire alarm
contractors statewide.
8. A trouble signal on a fire alarm system indicates:
A. Fire detected
B. System fault or wiring issue
C. Supervisory condition
D. Power surge
Rationale: Trouble signals notify building staff of issues such as open
circuits, ground faults, or power failures.
9. Which code covers the electrical aspects of fire alarm installations?
A. NFPA 101
B. NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code)
C. NFPA 10
D. NFPA 13
