ITFAS-Level-1 NICET Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems Level I Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

NFPA 72 requires that the secondary power supply be capable of powering the fire alarm system underquiescent or supervisory loadfor 24 hours, followed by full alarm load for a minimum time (typically 5 or 15 minutes depending on system type).

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.7.2.1.1:

“The secondary power supply shall have sufficient capacity to operate the system under quiescent load (supervisory condition) for a minimum of 24 hours…”

Testing should verify operation under thissupervisory (normal monitoring)condition.

Correct answer: D. Supervisory load

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NFPA 72 requiressound pressure level measurementsto verify that audibility meets code requirements. This must be done duringinitial acceptanceandreacceptance testing(e.g., when system changes occur).

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 18.4.7.2:

"Sound pressure level measurements shall be taken and documented during acceptance and reacceptance testing."

Correct answer: B. Sound pressure levels are required to be taken during initial acceptance and reacceptance testing.

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Engine-driven generators used for emergency power arenot governed directly by NFPA 72. Instead, their installation and testing requirements are found in:

NFPA 110 – Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

NFPA 110 (2022), Chapter 8details howengine-driven generatorsmust be tested, including runtime, load testing, and maintenance intervals.

NFPA 72 references NFPA 110whenever standby/emergency power is used for fire alarm systems.

Correct answer: D. NFPA 110

Candela ratings arevisually confirmedduringinitial acceptance. Further inspection is requiredonly if a device malfunction occursor areacceptance testis performed.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 18.5.5.7:

“The candela rating shall be verified at initial acceptance and when there is reason to believe the device is not operating properly.”

NFPA 72 requires smoke alarms in residential settings to be replaced every10 years, even if they have not shown any signs of failure.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 29.8.1.4:

“Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer, smoke alarms shall be replaced when they fail to respond to operability tests or have been in service for 10 years.”

Correct answer: C. 10

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NFPA 72 requires theinstallation dateof batteries to be clearly marked for maintenance and service life tracking.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.6.10.1.1:

“Each battery shall be marked with the month and year of installation.”

This helps ensure timely testing, maintenance, and replacement based on age.

Correct answer: C. Month and year of installation

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NFPA 72 defines a time requirement for how quickly a waterflow switch must respond when a sprinkler system activates. The waterflow initiating device (typically a paddle-type switch) must send an alarmwithin 90 seconds, but the system may have aretard delayof up to90 seconds, making the total allowable time120 seconds.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 17.13.2:

“Waterflow alarm-initiating devices shall be set to operate within 90 seconds after the flow begins. Retard devices shall not delay the signal more than an additional 90 seconds.”

Thus, the maximumtotal activation timeis:

90 seconds operation + 90 seconds retard =120 seconds max

Correct answer: C. 120 seconds

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Heat detectors that arenonrestorablemust either be replaced after 15 years or undergo sample testing. If testing is chosen,at least 4 detectors per 100of the same model and environment must be tested in an approved lab.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 14.4.4.4.1:

“After 15 years from the date of installation, all fixed-temperature, nonrestorable heat detectors shall be replaced or tested using a laboratory method... A minimum of 4 detectors shall be tested for each 100 detectors installed.”

This ensures detector reliability over time.

Correct answer: B. 4

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After impairment or testing, NFPA 72 requires that all previously notified parties beinformed that the system has been returned to service. This includes those who could be affected by or responsible for system monitoring and emergency response.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.21.3.8:

"When the system has been returned to normal, the persons and facilities previously notified (including the supervising station, building occupants, and AHJ, where required) shall be notified that testing is complete and the system is restored."

Although "first responders" isn't explicitly listed,they’re typically contacted through the AHJ or monitoring center, so they're not usually notified directly by technicians.

Correct answers:

Authority Having Jurisdiction

Building occupants

Monitoring organization

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Amaster boxis a type of manual fire alarm box connected directly to a public emergency reporting system (typically a municipal or fire department network). NFPA 72 requires these to be testedannuallyto ensure they still properly send signals to the public system.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.4.3.2 — Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Frequencies:

UnderPublic Emergency Alarm Reporting Systems→Master Boxes:

Test Frequency:Annually

Method:"Manual operation and verification of signal receipt at the public communication center."

The test confirms the box functions mechanically and that the signal is received by the appropriate monitoring point (e.g., fire department dispatch).

Correct answer: D. Annually

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When performingannual testingof notification appliances such as strobes or horns, NFPA 72 mandatesfunctional testing— which means checking that they operate correctly when activated.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.4.3.2 — Testing Frequencies and Methods:

Under "Notification Appliances," the required method for both audible and visible devices is:

"Functional test — verify proper operation."

While things likesound levelsandcandela settingsare verified duringacceptance testing or design review, the annual requirement issimply to verify that they work.

Correct answer: C. Verify proper operation

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NFPA requiresdaily visual inspectionof fire alarm control equipment if it isnot monitored(not connected to a supervising station). This is to manually check for trouble lights, alarms, or other fault indications.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.3.1 — Control Equipment (not monitored):

Visual inspection frequency: Daily

Correct answer: A. Daily

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NFPA 72 definesinspectionas avisual examinationof a system or component to verify that it appears to be in operating condition and is free of physical damage.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 3.3.138 — Inspection:

“A visual examination of a system or portion thereof to verify that it appears to be in operating condition and is free of physical damage.”

Testing, on the other hand, involves functional activation.

Correct answer: D. Visual inspection only

Animpairmentis a formal condition defined in NFPA 72 when a system or portion of it is not functional and may fail during an emergency. This is a critical safety concern.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 3.3.149 – Impairment (Fire Alarm Systems):

“A condition where a fire protection or life safety system or a portion thereof is out of service.”

Also supported by Section 10.21.1:

Which details handling of system impairments and the need for proper management, notification, and restoration.

Correct answer: A. Impairment

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Elevators must beshut downwhen there iswater dischargein the hoistway to prevent electrical hazards and damage. This shutdown is done using ashunt trip breaker.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 21.4.2:

“Where sprinklers are located in the elevator machine room, control space, or hoistway, means shall be provided to automatically disconnect the main power supply to the elevator prior to the application of water.”

This is triggeredby a waterflow switch or heat detector, but the standard design uses thesprinkler head activationas the point of shutdown via heat detector.

Important: While the heat detector usually triggers the shunt trip, thesprinkler head activationis the condition being detected.

Correct answer: D. When a sprinkler head is activated

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This is a documentation requirement, and it’s found inChapter 14of NFPA 72, which deals withInspection, Testing, and Maintenance.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 14.6.3.1:

"Records shall be retained for a period of one year after the next test and until the next test is performed. Records shall be made available to the authority having jurisdiction upon request."

Section14.6.3lays out theformat, retention, and content requirementsfor inspection, testing, and maintenance records.

Correct answer: D. 14.6.3

Tip: For questions involvingrecordkeeping, head straight toChapter 14, especially section14.6.

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NFPA 72 assigns theresponsibility for maintaining inspection and testing recordsto the owner or their designated representative. This ensures records are available when needed by the AHJ or for future inspections.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 14.6.1:

"The property or building owner or the owner's designated representative shall be responsible for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of the system and for maintaining the records."

This responsibility cannot be offloaded to the contractor or fire marshal unless formally designated by the owner.

Correct answer: D. Owner

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Amultimeteris the standard tool used by fire alarm technicians to measure bothbattery voltageandcharging current.

NFPA 72 (2022), Table 14.4.3.2 – Testing Methods for Batteries:

Testing includes checking the voltage and current — commonly done using a multimeter.

Multimeters are capable of readingDC voltage(for battery levels) andamperage(for charge current).

Thesignal silence switchis used to silence audible signalswithout resetting the system or clearing the visual indicatorsof an alarm condition. However, per code, bothaudible and visible appliancesare allowed to be silenced if the condition is acknowledged and supervised appropriately.

NFPA 72 (2022), Section 10.11.5.2.1:

“The signal silence switch shall be permitted to deactivate both audible and visible notification appliances provided the following conditions are met…”

Conditions include that:

The system must remain inalarm state

Thecondition must be supervised

Manual reset is required to restore full function

Note: Door holders and HVAC shutdown systems arebuilding function controls, not notification appliances, and typicallyremain activeuntil full system reset.

Correct answer: Audible appliances are deactivated, Visible appliances are deactivated