Texas Fire Alarm Rules and NFPA Standards:
Codes, Detectors, Cabling, and Safety
Compliance
What does PLFA stand for? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm
What does NPLFA stand for? - ✔✔Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from? - ✔✔Solid or stranded copper
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 station detectors be inspected and tested? - ✔✔In
accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, at least monthly
How frequently must household fire alarm systems be inspected and tested? - ✔✔At least every 3 years,
by a qualified service technician.
What does 'restorable' mean? - ✔✔The detector can be 'restored' or 'reused' after it has initiated an
alarm.
What size conductors are permitted? - ✔✔Size 18AWG and 16AWG
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 than __________ 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
What is a Plenum cable? - ✔✔Cable that can be installed in ducts and other spaces used for
environmental air.
What is Riser cable? - ✔✔Cable to be used in vertical wire runs in shafts or between floors.
What is General Purpose cable? - ✔✔Cable for general purpose fire alarm use
What 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed? - ✔✔FPLP
What 'type' shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ✔✔FPLR
What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ✔✔FPL
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
Codes, Detectors, Cabling, and Safety
Compliance
What does PLFA stand for? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm
What does NPLFA stand for? - ✔✔Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What material must NPLFA circuit conductors be made from? - ✔✔Solid or stranded copper
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 station detectors be inspected and tested? - ✔✔In
accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, at least monthly
How frequently must household fire alarm systems be inspected and tested? - ✔✔At least every 3 years,
by a qualified service technician.
What does 'restorable' mean? - ✔✔The detector can be 'restored' or 'reused' after it has initiated an
alarm.
What size conductors are permitted? - ✔✔Size 18AWG and 16AWG
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 than __________ 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
What is a Plenum cable? - ✔✔Cable that can be installed in ducts and other spaces used for
environmental air.
What is Riser cable? - ✔✔Cable to be used in vertical wire runs in shafts or between floors.
What is General Purpose cable? - ✔✔Cable for general purpose fire alarm use
What 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed? - ✔✔FPLP
What 'type' shall riser wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ✔✔FPLR
What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ✔✔FPL
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
