TN Fire Alarm Systems Qualifying Agent
Exam Questions With Correct Solutions,
Already Passed!!
1. A fire alarm system’s primary power supply must be derived from which source per
NFPA 72?
A) A dedicated branch circuit supplied by a storage battery
B) A shared lighting circuit with overload protection
C) A dedicated branch circuit supplied by the commercial utility
D) Any general-purpose outlet protected by a GFCI
Answer: C
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 10.5.2 requires the primary power source for a fire alarm
system to be a dedicated branch circuit from the commercial utility, labeled “FIRE
ALARM,” with no other outlets sharing the circuit.
2. In Tennessee, who is authorized to install, maintain, and test fire alarm systems
without direct supervision?
A) Any licensed electrician
B) A Tennessee-licensed Fire Alarm Contractor with a Qualifying Agent
C) A low-voltage technician certified by the manufacturer
D) A state-certified building inspector
Answer: B
Explanation: Tennessee law requires a licensed fire alarm contractor employing a
Qualifying Agent who has passed the state exam to perform unsupervised fire alarm
work; other trades may assist only under direct supervision.
3. What is the maximum allowable voltage drop for a fire alarm notification appliance
circuit (NAC) from the panel to the last device?
A) 5% of nominal voltage
,B) 10% of nominal voltage
C) 15% of nominal voltage
D) 20% of nominal voltage
Answer: B
Explanation: NFPA 72 generally requires that voltage drop on NACs not exceed 10% of
nominal voltage at the last appliance to ensure proper operation; design calculations
must verify this.
4. A fire alarm system’s secondary power supply (standby battery) must be capable of
operating the system in a non-alarm condition for how long?
A) 4 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours
Answer: C
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 10.6.7.2.1 requires 24 hours of standby followed by 5
minutes of alarm (or 15 minutes for voice systems). The 24-hour standby is the standard
non-alarm requirement.
5. When installing fire alarm cables in a plenum space above a drop ceiling, which type
of cable is required?
A) FPLR (Riser rated)
B) FPLP (Plenum rated)
C) CM (Communications)
D) NPLF (Non-power-limited fire alarm)
Answer: B
Explanation: NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 760.139 requires FPLP (fire alarm plenum) cable for
air-handling plenums due to reduced smoke and flame propagation characteristics.
6. The maximum spacing for a spot-type smoke detector on a smooth ceiling per NFPA
72 is:
A) 15 feet
,B) 21 feet
C) 30 feet
D) 40 feet
Answer: C
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 17.7.3.2.3.1 states a spacing of 30 feet between detectors,
with each detector covering 900 square feet, though engineering analysis can adjust.
7. What is the required sound pressure level for a public mode fire alarm notification
appliance measured at the pillow level in a sleeping area?
A) 75 dBA
B) 85 dBA
C) 15 dBA above average ambient
D) 70 dBA
Answer: A
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 18.4.3 requires at least 75 dBA at the pillow for sleeping
areas in public mode (hotels, dorms), or 15 dBA above ambient with minimum 70 dBA.
8. According to Tennessee rules, the Qualifying Agent for a fire alarm contractor must:
A) Pass a trade exam only
B) Pass both a trade exam and a business/law exam
C) Hold a current master electrician license
D) Have ten years of documented field experience
Answer: B
Explanation: Tennessee’s Board of Licensing Contractors requires the Qualifying Agent
to pass the NASCLA Fire Alarm examination (trade) and the Tennessee Business and Law
exam.
9. A waterflow switch on a wet-pipe sprinkler system must initiate an alarm signal within
what time after sustained flow?
A) 15 seconds
B) 45 seconds
C) 60 seconds
, D) 90 seconds
Answer: D
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 17.12.2.2 requires waterflow switches to initiate alarm
within 90 seconds of flow equal to or greater than that from one sprinkler.
10. Which of the following initiating devices is not allowed to cause a fire alarm system’s
supervisory signal?
A) Tamper switch on a sprinkler control valve
B) Low air pressure in a dry-pipe sprinkler system
C) Manual pull station (manual fire alarm box)
D) Valve position monitor on a fire pump suction
Answer: C
Explanation: Manual pull stations are initiating devices intended for fire alarm, not
supervisory. Supervisory signals monitor control valves, low pressure, pump status, etc.
11. When installing a duct smoke detector, the sampling tubes must extend into the
duct a minimum of:
A) 1 inch
B) 2/3 of duct width
C) 1 foot
D) Through the entire duct cross-section
Answer: B
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 17.7.5.6 requires sampling tubes to extend at least 2/3
across the duct width for even sampling.
12. The maximum resistance allowed for a fire alarm signaling line circuit (SLC) Class B
loop in total wire length is:
A) 10 ohms
B) 25 ohms
C) 50 ohms
D) 100 ohms per manufacturer spec
Answer: D
Exam Questions With Correct Solutions,
Already Passed!!
1. A fire alarm system’s primary power supply must be derived from which source per
NFPA 72?
A) A dedicated branch circuit supplied by a storage battery
B) A shared lighting circuit with overload protection
C) A dedicated branch circuit supplied by the commercial utility
D) Any general-purpose outlet protected by a GFCI
Answer: C
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 10.5.2 requires the primary power source for a fire alarm
system to be a dedicated branch circuit from the commercial utility, labeled “FIRE
ALARM,” with no other outlets sharing the circuit.
2. In Tennessee, who is authorized to install, maintain, and test fire alarm systems
without direct supervision?
A) Any licensed electrician
B) A Tennessee-licensed Fire Alarm Contractor with a Qualifying Agent
C) A low-voltage technician certified by the manufacturer
D) A state-certified building inspector
Answer: B
Explanation: Tennessee law requires a licensed fire alarm contractor employing a
Qualifying Agent who has passed the state exam to perform unsupervised fire alarm
work; other trades may assist only under direct supervision.
3. What is the maximum allowable voltage drop for a fire alarm notification appliance
circuit (NAC) from the panel to the last device?
A) 5% of nominal voltage
,B) 10% of nominal voltage
C) 15% of nominal voltage
D) 20% of nominal voltage
Answer: B
Explanation: NFPA 72 generally requires that voltage drop on NACs not exceed 10% of
nominal voltage at the last appliance to ensure proper operation; design calculations
must verify this.
4. A fire alarm system’s secondary power supply (standby battery) must be capable of
operating the system in a non-alarm condition for how long?
A) 4 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours
Answer: C
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 10.6.7.2.1 requires 24 hours of standby followed by 5
minutes of alarm (or 15 minutes for voice systems). The 24-hour standby is the standard
non-alarm requirement.
5. When installing fire alarm cables in a plenum space above a drop ceiling, which type
of cable is required?
A) FPLR (Riser rated)
B) FPLP (Plenum rated)
C) CM (Communications)
D) NPLF (Non-power-limited fire alarm)
Answer: B
Explanation: NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 760.139 requires FPLP (fire alarm plenum) cable for
air-handling plenums due to reduced smoke and flame propagation characteristics.
6. The maximum spacing for a spot-type smoke detector on a smooth ceiling per NFPA
72 is:
A) 15 feet
,B) 21 feet
C) 30 feet
D) 40 feet
Answer: C
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 17.7.3.2.3.1 states a spacing of 30 feet between detectors,
with each detector covering 900 square feet, though engineering analysis can adjust.
7. What is the required sound pressure level for a public mode fire alarm notification
appliance measured at the pillow level in a sleeping area?
A) 75 dBA
B) 85 dBA
C) 15 dBA above average ambient
D) 70 dBA
Answer: A
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 18.4.3 requires at least 75 dBA at the pillow for sleeping
areas in public mode (hotels, dorms), or 15 dBA above ambient with minimum 70 dBA.
8. According to Tennessee rules, the Qualifying Agent for a fire alarm contractor must:
A) Pass a trade exam only
B) Pass both a trade exam and a business/law exam
C) Hold a current master electrician license
D) Have ten years of documented field experience
Answer: B
Explanation: Tennessee’s Board of Licensing Contractors requires the Qualifying Agent
to pass the NASCLA Fire Alarm examination (trade) and the Tennessee Business and Law
exam.
9. A waterflow switch on a wet-pipe sprinkler system must initiate an alarm signal within
what time after sustained flow?
A) 15 seconds
B) 45 seconds
C) 60 seconds
, D) 90 seconds
Answer: D
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 17.12.2.2 requires waterflow switches to initiate alarm
within 90 seconds of flow equal to or greater than that from one sprinkler.
10. Which of the following initiating devices is not allowed to cause a fire alarm system’s
supervisory signal?
A) Tamper switch on a sprinkler control valve
B) Low air pressure in a dry-pipe sprinkler system
C) Manual pull station (manual fire alarm box)
D) Valve position monitor on a fire pump suction
Answer: C
Explanation: Manual pull stations are initiating devices intended for fire alarm, not
supervisory. Supervisory signals monitor control valves, low pressure, pump status, etc.
11. When installing a duct smoke detector, the sampling tubes must extend into the
duct a minimum of:
A) 1 inch
B) 2/3 of duct width
C) 1 foot
D) Through the entire duct cross-section
Answer: B
Explanation: NFPA 72 Section 17.7.5.6 requires sampling tubes to extend at least 2/3
across the duct width for even sampling.
12. The maximum resistance allowed for a fire alarm signaling line circuit (SLC) Class B
loop in total wire length is:
A) 10 ohms
B) 25 ohms
C) 50 ohms
D) 100 ohms per manufacturer spec
Answer: D
