Fire Alarm System Supervision Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is supervision used for?

To get people to call for service when things don't work right in a building.

Supervision is testing?

True

Is a splice considered in supervision?

What does Class A wiring have that Class B does not?

A redundant back-feed path. Signup and view all the answers

How does a Class A work when there is a break?

It switches from a single supervised Class A loop to two unsupervised Class B loops. Signup and view all the answers

The Fire Alarm Control Panel often has 11 sets of basic circuits for its inputs and outputs.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a short circuit?

A low resistance connection between two conductors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a diode?

An electronic component that allows current to pass in one direction only. Signup and view all the answers

Input connects to the?

Initiating Device Circuit (IDC). Signup and view all the answers

Output connects to?

Notification Appliance Circuit (NAC). Signup and view all the answers

What are Alarm, Supervisory, Trouble Relay Contact Closures?

Signals that indicate specific statuses of the fire alarm panel. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Auxiliary Power Supply?

Continuous power to operate other devices or systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is Ground Fault Detection?

A connection that provides a low current return electrical path for grounded wires. Signup and view all the answers

What is Battery Power?

Backup power for the fire alarm system. Signup and view all the answers

What is Utility Power?

Normal power for the fire alarm system. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Fire Alarm Zone indicate?

Where the panel is sending responders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the loop in fire alarm systems?

A pair of wires that carries signals, power, and data. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Powering the Detectors?

Providing power to smoke detectors and other devices. Signup and view all the answers

How are smoke detectors reset?

By pressing the reset button on the fire alarm panel. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Blocking Capacitor?

A component that allows AC current to pass while blocking DC current. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the panel goes into alarm?

It switches the power from the supervision circuit to the power supply. Signup and view all the answers

What is a shorted NAC?

A situation where the circuit is shorted, dropping the voltage well below normal. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fire Alarm Control Systems

Supervision involves monitoring the fire alarm system to identify malfunctions and ensure timely repairs.
The Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) tests the continuity of the wiring loop, serving as a continuity tester.

Wiring Types and Functions

Splices and junctions do not affect the supervision process if electrical continuity is maintained through the wiring loop.
T-taps create dead ends in wiring, leading to unmonitored connections which can prevent fault detection.
Class A wiring incorporates redundant paths to ensure the system remains functional during faults, unlike Class B wiring, which is a single path without redundancy.

Circuit Operations

Class A circuits transition to two unsupervised Class B loops if a connection breaks, allowing continued fire detection.
The FACP has multiple circuit functions including connections to initiating devices, output notifications, relays, and auxiliary powers.

Safety Mechanisms

Short circuits create low resistance connections that can damage power sources; supervision circuits minimize this risk.
Diodes permit current flow in one direction, functioning like check valves to control power in fire alarm systems.

Device Management

Initiating Device Circuits (IDC) provide signals from detectors to the FACP and power smoke detectors, with changing current indicating alarms.
Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC) serve as the system's alert mechanism, powering horns and strobes to notify occupants.

Detection and Alarms

Status relays in the FACP indicate system conditions—alarming status, supervisory alerts, or trouble notifications.
Resetting devices like smoke detectors involves temporarily shutting off power to reset circuits and clear alarms.

Voltage Dynamics

Conflicting voltages during supervision ensure horns and strobes remain inactive unless an alarm is triggered, using reverse voltage polarity.
Polarized devices have diodes that permit current flow only when in an alarm state, blocking during supervision to avoid false alerts.

Fault Detection

Open circuits occur when wiring is broken, resulting in increased voltage; short circuits drop voltage significantly, potentially crippling the alarm system.
Backup battery systems ensure fire alarm functionality continues even when utility power fails.

Specialized Components

Annunciator loops manage data transfer to remote panels, powered by the FACP's auxiliary supply.
Blocking capacitors in fire alarm speakers allow audio to pass while preventing constant DC supervision current from interfering with operation.

Summary of Circuit Management

Relay operations in the panel switch between continuity checks and audio signal supply depending on the system's power source during alarms, facilitating effective communication during emergencies.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the concepts of supervision and the functionality of fire alarm systems. It covers the importance of making service calls when issues arise, such as malfunctioning fire doors. Use these flashcards to enhance your understanding of fire alarm control panels and their operations.