TFM 12 FIRE ALARM TECHNICAL ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026 | Practice Test | A+
• What is a single station detector? -✓✓Battery powered smoke detectors that do not
communicate off premises.
• What is a multiple station detector? -✓✓Mains powered smoke detectors with battery
backup that are linked together, so that if one unit initiates, alarms in all detectors will
sound. They do not communicate off premises.
• How frequently must household single and multiple single station detectors be
inspected and tested? -✓✓In accordance with the manufactures recommendations, at
least monthly.
• How frequently must household single and multiple station detectors be inspected and
tested? -✓✓At least 3 years, by a qualified service technician.
• How frequently must heat detectors be tested? -✓✓Two or more annually, different
detectors must be tested each year, and within 5 years all detectors must have been
tested.
• What does "restorable" mean? -✓✓The detector can be "restored" or "reused" after it
has initiated.
• What does "non-restorable" mean? -✓✓The detector cannot be 're-used" after it has
initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector, which self destructs upon initiating.)
• What size conductors are permitted? -✓✓Size 18 AWG and 16 AWG are permitted,
provided they do not exceed certain rated ampacities
• What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply
conductors? -✓✓An overcurrent device not rated over 20 Amperes
• When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened? -✓✓Cables shall
be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 18 inches.
• Single conductors shall not be smaller that ___ AWG? -✓✓18
• Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which circumstances? -✓✓Where
spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 AWG.
, • How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed? -✓✓PLFA conductors shall not be
strapped, taped or attached to the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
• What is Plenum cable? What are its characteristics? -✓✓Cable that can be installed in
ducts, plenums or other spaces used for environment air. It has adequate fire resistance
and low smoke-producing characteristics.
• What is riser cable? What are its characteristics? -✓✓Cable to be used in vertical wire
runs in shafts or between floors. Not to be used where Plenum cable is required. It is
capable of preventing fire from rising form floor-to-floor.
• What is Genral Purpose Cable? What are its characteristics? -✓✓Cable for general
purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where Plenum or Riser cable is required. It is
resistant to the spread of fire.
• What type shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed? -✓✓Power Limited
Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can be substituted.
• What type shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted? -✓✓Power Limited
Fire Alarm Riser (FPLR) CMP,FPLP,CMR can be substituted.
• What type shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? -
✓✓Power Limited Fire Alarm (FPL) CMP,FPLP,CMR,FPLR,CMG, and CM can be
substituted. (All types)
• What is the maximum voltage permitted through multi-conductor NPLFA cables? -
✓✓150 volts
• What is the voltage rating of PLFA cables? -✓✓Not less than 300 volts
• Shall the voltage be marked on PLFA cables? -✓✓No, because they may be
misinterpreted and used for electrical applications.
• What is a "Rate Compensation Detector"? -✓✓A device that responds when the
temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
• What is a "Rate of Rise Detector" -✓✓A device that responds when the temperature
rises at a rate exceeding a pre-determined value.
• What is a Smoke Detector? -✓✓A device that detects both visible and invisible
combustion particles.
• Which sensor is best at detecting invisible smoke particles? -✓✓Ionization
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026 | Practice Test | A+
• What is a single station detector? -✓✓Battery powered smoke detectors that do not
communicate off premises.
• What is a multiple station detector? -✓✓Mains powered smoke detectors with battery
backup that are linked together, so that if one unit initiates, alarms in all detectors will
sound. They do not communicate off premises.
• How frequently must household single and multiple single station detectors be
inspected and tested? -✓✓In accordance with the manufactures recommendations, at
least monthly.
• How frequently must household single and multiple station detectors be inspected and
tested? -✓✓At least 3 years, by a qualified service technician.
• How frequently must heat detectors be tested? -✓✓Two or more annually, different
detectors must be tested each year, and within 5 years all detectors must have been
tested.
• What does "restorable" mean? -✓✓The detector can be "restored" or "reused" after it
has initiated.
• What does "non-restorable" mean? -✓✓The detector cannot be 're-used" after it has
initiated an alarm. (Think of a heat detector, which self destructs upon initiating.)
• What size conductors are permitted? -✓✓Size 18 AWG and 16 AWG are permitted,
provided they do not exceed certain rated ampacities
• What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply
conductors? -✓✓An overcurrent device not rated over 20 Amperes
• When located within 7ft of the floor, how shall cables be fastened? -✓✓Cables shall
be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 18 inches.
• Single conductors shall not be smaller that ___ AWG? -✓✓18
• Conductors of 26AWG shall only be permitted in which circumstances? -✓✓Where
spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 to 24 AWG.
, • How should PLFA conductors NOT be installed? -✓✓PLFA conductors shall not be
strapped, taped or attached to the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
• What is Plenum cable? What are its characteristics? -✓✓Cable that can be installed in
ducts, plenums or other spaces used for environment air. It has adequate fire resistance
and low smoke-producing characteristics.
• What is riser cable? What are its characteristics? -✓✓Cable to be used in vertical wire
runs in shafts or between floors. Not to be used where Plenum cable is required. It is
capable of preventing fire from rising form floor-to-floor.
• What is Genral Purpose Cable? What are its characteristics? -✓✓Cable for general
purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where Plenum or Riser cable is required. It is
resistant to the spread of fire.
• What type shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed? -✓✓Power Limited
Fire Alarm Plenum (FPLP) CMP can be substituted.
• What type shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted? -✓✓Power Limited
Fire Alarm Riser (FPLR) CMP,FPLP,CMR can be substituted.
• What type shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? -
✓✓Power Limited Fire Alarm (FPL) CMP,FPLP,CMR,FPLR,CMG, and CM can be
substituted. (All types)
• What is the maximum voltage permitted through multi-conductor NPLFA cables? -
✓✓150 volts
• What is the voltage rating of PLFA cables? -✓✓Not less than 300 volts
• Shall the voltage be marked on PLFA cables? -✓✓No, because they may be
misinterpreted and used for electrical applications.
• What is a "Rate Compensation Detector"? -✓✓A device that responds when the
temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
• What is a "Rate of Rise Detector" -✓✓A device that responds when the temperature
rises at a rate exceeding a pre-determined value.
• What is a Smoke Detector? -✓✓A device that detects both visible and invisible
combustion particles.
• Which sensor is best at detecting invisible smoke particles? -✓✓Ionization
