Testing, Inspection & Commissioning
Walk tests, sensitivity testing, trouble and supervisory signals, battery load tests, acceptance testing, and final inspection procedures.
- Describe the walk test procedure and when it is used
- Explain smoke detector sensitivity testing requirements and intervals
- Distinguish between trouble, supervisory, and alarm signals
- Describe battery load testing procedures
- List the components of acceptance testing and final inspection
Leçon 1
Trouble Signals & Supervisory Signals
Signal Types
Fire alarm systems generate three distinct signal types, each with different meaning and required response:
Alarm Signal
Meaning: Fire or emergency detected
Devices: Smoke/heat detectors, pull stations, waterflow
Response: Full notification, monitoring station dispatch
Indicator: Red LED, audible alarm
Trouble Signal
Meaning: System malfunction
Devices: Circuit faults, power loss, comm failure
Response: Investigate and repair
Indicator: Amber LED, distinct audible tone
Supervisory Signal
Meaning: Off-normal condition (not a malfunction)
Devices: Tamper switches, valve monitors
Response: Investigate and restore to normal
Indicator: Amber LED, distinct from trouble
Normal Condition
Meaning: System operating correctly
Devices: All circuits supervised normally
Response: None required
Indicator: Green power LED
Trouble Signal Restoration
Trouble signals must be acknowledged but can only be cleared by correcting the cause. A trouble signal cannot be silenced permanently - it will re-sound after a period if not corrected. The trouble relay reports all trouble conditions to the monitoring station.
Exam Tip - Signal Distinctions
The NICET exam will test your understanding of signal types. Remember: Waterflow = Alarm. Tamper = Supervisory. Open circuit = Trouble. These distinctions are critical for correct system programming.
Three signal types: alarm (red, fire detected), trouble (amber, system malfunction), and supervisory (amber, off-normal condition). Waterflow switches generate alarms; tamper switches generate supervisory signals; circuit faults generate trouble signals.