Virginia Fire Alarm Systems Contracting Qualified Individual Examination

Under 18VAC50-22-30, Fire Alarm Systems Contracting (FAS) is limited to fire alarm systems that operate at which maximum voltage?

• A24 volts or less
• B30 volts or less
• C50 volts or less
• D120 volts or less

Which Virginia contractor license classification also provides the fire alarm systems contracting (FAS) function?

• ACommercial building contractors (CBC)
• BElectrical contractors (ELE)
• CFire sprinkler contracting (SPR)
• DResidential building contractors (RBC)

Which set of services is authorized by the official FAS specialty definition in 18VAC50-22-30?

• AInstallation, repair, or improvement of fire alarm systems that operate at 50 volts or le…
• BInstallation, repair, improvement, or removal of clean-agent and dry-chemical suppression…
• CInstallation, repair, alteration, testing, or removal of water sprinkler systems
• DConstruction, installation, repair, or removal of building electrical power systems of an…

A Richmond owner wants a contractor to install a clean-agent gas fire-suppression system. Why is an FAS specialty alone the wrong license for that contract?

• AClean-agent systems may be installed by any Class C contractor
• BClean-agent systems are included in the ESC communications specialty
• CClean-agent systems are included in the FAS 50-volt fire-alarm specialty
• DClean-agent and similar non-water suppression systems are fire suppression contracting (F…

A proposed fire-alarm initiating circuit will operate at 120 volts. Which statement is correct for a Virginia contractor that holds only the FAS specialty?

• AFAS covers any fire-alarm circuit because the devices are listed for fire alarm use
• BThe 120-volt operating voltage is above the FAS 50-volt limit, so the work is outside FAS
• CFAS covers the circuit if the control unit is also listed as a household smoke alarm
• DFAS covers the circuit if the owner signs a voltage waiver

How does electronic/communication service contracting (ESC) differ from fire alarm systems contracting (FAS) under 18VAC50-22-30?

• AESC is unlimited-voltage electrical work; FAS is limited to 24 volts
• BESC covers water sprinklers; FAS covers clean-agent systems
• CESC covers telephone, data, sound, and similar systems that operate at 50 volts or less;…
• DESC and FAS are interchangeable names for the same specialty

A firm holds only the commercial building contractors (CBC) classification. May that firm contract to install a 24-volt addressable fire alarm system?

• ANo, because CBC does not provide electrical services, and fire-alarm work is an ELE/FAS f…
• BYes, because CBC includes all life-safety systems in commercial buildings
• CYes, if the building is not a dwelling or townhouse
• DYes, if the contract value is under the Class C limit

Which specialty or classification provides for water sprinkler systems, as distinct from FAS fire-alarm work?

• AFire suppression contracting (FSP)
• BFire sprinkler contracting (SPR)
• CElectronic/communication service contracting (ESC)
• DFire alarm systems contracting (FAS)

During a fire-alarm retrofit, the owner also asks the FAS contractor to add new 120/208-volt receptacle circuits in the same rooms. What is the correct scope decision?

• AThe receptacle work is incidental FAS work because it is on the same purchase order
• BThe receptacle work is allowed if the receptacles are painted red
• CThe receptacle work is allowed if each circuit is loaded below 50 volts after voltage drop
• DThe receptacle work is general electrical power wiring and requires the ELE classificatio…

A listed fire alarm control unit is supplied by a dedicated 120-volt branch circuit, while its initiating, signaling, and notification field circuits operate at 24 volts DC. For Virginia FAS scope, which statement is correct?

• AThe fire-alarm system still operates at 50 volts or less, so the FAS specialty can cover…
• BThe 120-volt primary feed automatically converts the entire installation into unlimited E…
• CFAS may install only the batteries because batteries are below 50 volts
• DFAS may install only the smoke detectors because they are initiating devices

The Virginia Fire Alarm Systems Contracting Qualified Individual Examination is the board-approved technical exam for which person?

• AEvery helper who pulls fire-alarm cable
• BThe local building official who inspects the finished system
• CThe firm's qualified individual for the FAS specialty
• DThe insurance agent who binds the contractor's liability policy

A firm is licensed only in the FAS specialty. The owner later wants the same firm to add a new 277-volt lighting homerun and lighting panel in the warehouse. What is the correct conclusion?

• AFAS covers the lighting work because warehouse lighting is a life-safety feature
• BThe lighting power work is outside FAS and requires the ELE classification
• CFAS covers the lighting work if the luminaires are emergency battery units
• DFAS covers any electrical work that a fire inspector might look at

Which smoke-detector technology generally responds better to a slow, smoldering fire that produces large visible smoke particles?

• AIonization spot-type smoke detection
• BPhotoelectric spot-type smoke detection
• CFixed-temperature heat detection
• DRate-compensation heat detection

Which initiating-device technology is generally more responsive to a fast flaming fire that produces small, less-visible combustion particles?

• AIonization spot-type smoke detection
• BPhotoelectric spot-type smoke detection
• CProjected-beam smoke detection
• DFixed-temperature heat detection

A rate-of-rise heat detector is designed to initiate an alarm when which condition occurs?

• AVisible smoke enters a sensing chamber
• BCarbon monoxide reaches a listed parts-per-million level
• CAmbient temperature increases faster than the detector's listed rate
• DA sprinkler pipe begins to flow water

What is the ordinary temperature classification commonly used for spot-type fixed-temperature heat detectors?

• A100°F to 134°F
• B135°F to 174°F
• C200°F to 249°F
• D325°F to 374°F

Which initiating device is intended to be operated by a person to start a fire-alarm signal?

• ADuct smoke detector
• BProjected-beam smoke detector
• CWaterflow switch
• DManual fire alarm box

Where are manual fire alarm boxes primarily located so occupants can use them while leaving the building?

• AIn the normal path of egress, immediately adjacent to each required exit
• BOnly at the fire alarm control unit in the electrical room
• COnly in the center of each room so every occupant can see one
• DOnly on the exterior wall facing the public street

What is the commonly applied maximum unobstructed travel distance from any point on a floor to the nearest manual fire alarm box?

• A50 feet
• B100 feet
• C200 feet
• D400 feet

The operable part of a manual fire alarm box is commonly required to be mounted in which height band above the finished floor?

• A30 inches to 36 inches
• B42 inches to 48 inches
• C60 inches to 66 inches
• D80 inches to 96 inches

Spot-type smoke detectors with a 30-foot listed spacing are laid out on a smooth, flat ceiling. As a spacing concept, how far from a side wall should the last detector in a row be placed?

• A30 feet, the full listed spacing
• BOne-quarter of the listed spacing, or 7.5 feet
• CThe listed spacing plus 4 inches
• DNot more than one-half of the listed spacing, or 15 feet

Why should a ceiling-mounted spot-type smoke detector not be placed in the 4-inch dead-air space where the ceiling meets a side wall?

• ASmoke can remain below that corner pocket and delay or prevent detection
• BThe detector cannot be painted if it is within 4 inches of the wall
• CThat location exceeds the detector's listed voltage
• DManual boxes are required in that same 4-inch band

When a spot-type smoke detector is mounted on a wall rather than the ceiling, the top of the detector is commonly placed in which band?

• AFlush with the finished floor so furniture cannot block it
• BExactly 80 inches above the finished floor
• CNot closer than 4 inches to the ceiling and not farther than 12 inches from the ceiling
• DAt least 36 inches below the ceiling to avoid the smoke layer

What is the primary life-safety purpose of a duct smoke detector in an HVAC system?

• ATo replace all area smoke detectors in the rooms served by the duct
• BTo sample air in the duct and initiate HVAC shutdown so the system does not spread smoke
• CTo increase the candela rating of corridor strobes
• DTo provide the only required manual means of evacuation

In a commercial kitchen or vehicle garage, why is a heat detector often selected instead of a spot-type smoke detector?

• AHeat detectors are required in every occupancy
• BHeat detectors provide earlier warning than smoke detectors in all fires
• CSmoke detectors cannot be used on any ceiling higher than 8 feet
• DNormal cooking smoke or vehicle exhaust can cause nuisance smoke-detector alarms

Which smoke-detection method is commonly chosen for a high, open atrium where spot-type ceiling detectors would be impractical?

• AProjected-beam smoke detection
• BA single ordinary-temperature heat detector at the floor
• CA manual fire alarm box at the atrium midpoint only
• DA waterflow switch on the domestic water heater

When a sprinkler waterflow switch operates, the fire alarm control unit should treat that initiation as which type of signal?

• AA trouble signal only
• BA supervisory signal only
• CAn alarm signal
• DA non-latching maintenance reminder

On a peaked ceiling, where should a spot-type smoke detector be kept relative to the peak?

• AExactly at the apex so it is the highest device in the room
• BNear the peak, but out of the small dead-air pocket at the very apex
• CAt the lowest eave only, because smoke falls
• DOn the floor at the centerline of the peak

In public-mode occupant notification, the audible fire-alarm signal must be at least how far above the average ambient sound level?

• A5 dBA
• B15 dBA
• C30 dBA
• D75 dBA regardless of ambient

In a sleeping area, the audible fire-alarm level is commonly required to be at least which value at the pillow?

• A45 dBA
• B55 dBA
• C60 dBA
• D75 dBA

What temporal pattern is used for the standard fire-alarm evacuation tone?

• AThree rounds of a tone separated by a pause (temporal-3)
• BA continuous high-frequency tone with no interruption
• CTwo short tones used only for supervisory signals
• DA single chime used only at the control unit

The entire lens of a wall-mounted visible notification appliance (strobe) is commonly required to fall in which height band above the finished floor?

• A42 inches to 48 inches
• B60 inches to 72 inches
• C80 inches to 96 inches
• D120 inches to 144 inches

A 20-foot by 20-foot room will be covered by one wall-mounted strobe centered on a wall. What is the commonly required minimum candela rating from the room-spacing table?

• A7.5 cd
• B15 cd
• C75 cd
• D185 cd

A 20-foot by 20-foot room has one wall-mounted strobe placed 5 feet from one adjacent side wall instead of at the wall center. Using the off-center rule (the greater of the distance to the farthest opposite wall or twice the distance to the farthest adjacent wall), what room size must be used in the candela table?

• A30-foot square
• B15-foot square
• C20-foot square
• D10-foot square

A straight corridor is 80 feet long and 8 feet wide. Corridor strobes are 15 cd, must be within 15 feet of each end, and may be no more than 100 feet apart. What is the minimum number of strobes for this corridor?

• AOne strobe at the midpoint only
• BFour strobes at 20-foot intervals
• CThree strobes because 80 exceeds 60
• DTwo strobes, one near each end

A public-mode space has an average ambient sound level of 60 dBA. A mechanical system also produces a 78 dBA maximum that lasts more than 60 seconds. What minimum audible alarm level is required?

• A60 dBA
• B75 dBA
• C83 dBA
• D110 dBA

Why must visible notification appliances that can be seen at the same time flash in synchronization?

• ASynchronization reduces battery standby current to zero
• BUnsynchronized flashes can cause a flicker that is a seizure risk and can confuse occupan…
• CSynchronization is required only for horns, not strobes
• DSynchronization allows candela ratings to be ignored

What is the commonly required minimum candela for a wall-mounted strobe in a sleeping room when the appliance is mounted the required distance below the ceiling?

• A110 cd
• B15 cd
• C30 cd
• D75 cd

Standard ceiling-mounted strobe spacing tables are commonly limited to ceilings no higher than which height?

• A10 feet
• B15 feet
• C30 feet
• D60 feet

How does private-mode notification differ from public-mode notification?

• APrivate mode is used only outdoors; public mode is used only in dwelling bedrooms
• BPrivate mode uses 185 cd strobes in every corridor; public mode uses no strobes
• CPrivate mode eliminates the need for a control unit
• DPrivate mode alerts trained staff, while public mode is intended to alert general occupan…

What is the commonly applied maximum sound-pressure level for a fire-alarm audible signal at the minimum hearing distance?

• A75 dBA
• B110 dBA
• C140 dBA
• D15 dBA

A horn is rated 90 dBA at 10 feet. Using the 6 dB doubling rule (sound level drops about 6 dBA each time distance doubles), what level should be expected at 20 feet in the open?

• A84 dBA
• B90 dBA
• C96 dBA
• D180 dBA

On a Class B initiating-device or notification-appliance circuit, what is placed at the end of the circuit to allow the control unit to supervise the wiring?

• AA second control unit
• BA ground rod
• CAn end-of-line device, typically a listed resistor or module
• DAn extra manual box that is not connected

What is the defining wiring feature of a Class A circuit compared with a Class B circuit?

• AClass A returns to the control unit on a redundant path so a single open does not disable…
• BClass A has no supervision
• CClass A may only be used on 120-volt power circuits
• DClass A forbids the use of addressable devices

Which statement correctly distinguishes the three primary fire-alarm signal types?

• AAlarm, supervisory, and trouble signals must be clearly distinguishable from one another
• BAlarm, supervisory, and trouble signals may all use the identical tone and lamp
• CTrouble and supervisory are identical terms for a fire condition
• DOnly alarm signals are permitted to be displayed at the control unit

Why is a T-tap (a branch taken off mid-run) a supervision problem on a Class B notification-appliance circuit?

• AT-taps reduce candela ratings by half automatically
• BT-taps convert every circuit to Class A
• CT-taps are required at every strobe
• DAn open on the tapped branch can be hidden because the end-of-line device is still seen o…

On an addressable fire alarm system, initiating devices typically communicate with the control unit over which kind of circuit?

• AAn unsized 277-volt lighting homerun
• BA Class 1 wet-sprinkler pipe
• CA signaling-line circuit (SLC)
• DA public-mode speaker riser only