Fire Alarm Systems and Codes: NFPA
Standards, Detection Devices, Wiring Practices,
and Safety Compliance
Does a fire hood system and a kitchen need to be monitored by the fire alarm system? - ✔✔Yes
What does P.L.F.A stand for? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm
What does N.P.L.F.A stand for? - ✔✔Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What is the difference between P.F.L.A and N.P.F.L.A? - ✔✔an N.P.L.F.A can operate at up to 600v, and
the power output isn't limited
a P.L.F.A has the voltage and power limited by a listed power source.
What material must N.P.F.L.A circuit conductors be made from? - ✔✔ONLY solid stranded copper is
permitted.
What does A.W.G stand for? - ✔✔American Wire Gauge
What size conductors are permitted? - ✔✔Size 18 A.W.G and 16 A.W.G are permitted, provided they do
not exceed certain capacities.
What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply conductors? - ✔✔An
over-current device not rated over 20 amperes.
When located within 7 feet 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 ___ A.W.G? - ✔✔18
Conductors of 28 A.W.G shall only be permitted in which circumstance? - ✔✔Spliced with a connector
listed as suitable for 26 to 24 A.W.G
How shall P.F.L.A conductors NOT be installed? - ✔✔P.F.L.A conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or
attached to the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
What is Plenum cable? - ✔✔Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums, or other spaces used for
environmental air.
What is a Riser cable? - ✔✔Cable to be used in vertical wire runs in shafts between floors. Not to be
used where Plenum cable is required.
It is capable of preventing fire from rising from floor to floor.
What is general purpose cable? - ✔✔Cable for general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where
plenum cable or riser cable is required.
It is resistant to the spread of fire.
Why 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm
Plenum (F.P.L.P) C.M.P can be substituted.
Why 'type' shall riser cable be? What substitutions are allowed? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm Riser
(F.P.L.R) C.M.P, F.P.L.P.
C.M.R can be substituted.
What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire
Alarm (F.P.L) C.M.P, F.P.L.P, C.M.R, F.P.L.R, C.M.G
Standards, Detection Devices, Wiring Practices,
and Safety Compliance
Does a fire hood system and a kitchen need to be monitored by the fire alarm system? - ✔✔Yes
What does P.L.F.A stand for? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm
What does N.P.L.F.A stand for? - ✔✔Non-Power Limited Fire Alarm
What is the difference between P.F.L.A and N.P.F.L.A? - ✔✔an N.P.L.F.A can operate at up to 600v, and
the power output isn't limited
a P.L.F.A has the voltage and power limited by a listed power source.
What material must N.P.F.L.A circuit conductors be made from? - ✔✔ONLY solid stranded copper is
permitted.
What does A.W.G stand for? - ✔✔American Wire Gauge
What size conductors are permitted? - ✔✔Size 18 A.W.G and 16 A.W.G are permitted, provided they do
not exceed certain capacities.
What is used to protect transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply conductors? - ✔✔An
over-current device not rated over 20 amperes.
When located within 7 feet 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 ___ A.W.G? - ✔✔18
Conductors of 28 A.W.G shall only be permitted in which circumstance? - ✔✔Spliced with a connector
listed as suitable for 26 to 24 A.W.G
How shall P.F.L.A conductors NOT be installed? - ✔✔P.F.L.A conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or
attached to the exterior of any conduit or raceway.
What is Plenum cable? - ✔✔Cable that can be installed in ducts, plenums, or other spaces used for
environmental air.
What is a Riser cable? - ✔✔Cable to be used in vertical wire runs in shafts between floors. Not to be
used where Plenum cable is required.
It is capable of preventing fire from rising from floor to floor.
What is general purpose cable? - ✔✔Cable for general purpose fire alarm use. Not to be used where
plenum cable or riser cable is required.
It is resistant to the spread of fire.
Why 'type' shall plenum cable be? What substitutions are allowed? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm
Plenum (F.P.L.P) C.M.P can be substituted.
Why 'type' shall riser cable be? What substitutions are allowed? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire Alarm Riser
(F.P.L.R) C.M.P, F.P.L.P.
C.M.R can be substituted.
What 'type' shall general purpose wire be? What substitutions are permitted? - ✔✔Power Limited Fire
Alarm (F.P.L) C.M.P, F.P.L.P, C.M.R, F.P.L.R, C.M.G
