Re: NFPA 72 test

[Frank Olson <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

captainvideo462002@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I operate a small family run alarm service company. We install and
> service burglar alarms and related equipment, but up till now have only
> "serviced" existing fire alarm equipment. We have worked on many
> different types and are familiar with most electrical configuratuions.
> We also service and are known by many area police and fire departments
> and our company is well respected. Recently a good commercial customer
> asked us to install door holders on existing fire alarm systems in 10
> of his apartment buildings in a town we have never worked in. We showed
> up for work with equipment in hand, called the fire department to place
> the first system on test and were promptly informed that we would need
> be "certified" to work in that town. This has never been required
> before. To become certified you need to pass a 50 question multiple
> choice test with a minimum 70% grade based on anything and apparently
> everything contained in NFPA 72. If you fail the test they require that
> you wait ten days before you're allowed to retake it.
> It was very embarrassing to have to call my customer and tell him that
> I would be reqiuired to take this test before being able to do this
> job, however it will be much more embarrassing not to mention,
> financially lethal if I were to fail it a number of times and have to
> keep stalling him along and then subsequently lose this job and
> possibly the account as well.
> I have ordered a copy of NFPA72 and it should be here tomorrow, however
> it is 235 pages and this seems like a monumental task to learn
> everything in this book in just perhaps a week. Now I'm certain that I
> can deal with circuits etc. but in service you don't get involved with
> heights, placement, applications etc. You do repairs and replacement.
> Basically you restore what is already there. I have been doing this for
> years and I feel that when it comes to troubleshooting and repairing
> things, I'm a good technician, but as far as knowing all the other
> rules and remembering them all, I don't know.
> Years ago I passed an FCC First Class Radio Telephone license test. I
> did take a class but there were study guides available  along with
> practice exams. The guides and especially the sample test questions
> were extremely helpful. I have inquired and there are no upcoming
> classes planned for our area and I have not been able to locate any
> kind of study guides of the type mentioned above either. Now I want to
> stress that I'm not looking for a free ride here. If I pass this test
> it will be on my own merits but this is a big account and it and quite
> possibly our financial future could be placed in jeopardy if I cannot
> get through this test and in a timely manner.
> In leiu of reading through the entire book and trying to remember
> everything I've read, would anyone have or know of any type of study
> guides that would help me and perhaps know where I might obtain a copy
> of a sample test so that I would at least know primarily what they
> would most likely be looking for? My success on this test will mean a
> lot to our family so I appreciate any advice and assistance offered.
> Lenny.
>


I'm in agreement with Mike Sokoly.  Servicing a fire alarm system goes
beyond simple replacement of detectors and components.  Does the fire
alarm system you're servicing have sufficient stand by capacity in the
event of a power failure?  What are the requirements for this in the
different jurisdictions you work in?  When you're replacing a pull
station, is it at the correct height.  What about smoke detectors?  Are
they correctly spaced?  Installed to the manufacturer's specifications?
  *Cross-listed* to the control?  Fire alarm is *life safety*.  You
can't take it lightly!  In Canada, ULC provides the Installation
Standard (CAN524), the Verification Standard (CAN537), and the Testing
Standard (CAN536).  You have to be familiar with all of these to
properly service a fire alarm system.  Study NFPA 72, NFPA 101, and talk
to Michael Baker.  Do yourself (and your customers) a bigger service by
becoming fully conversant with local codes and ordinances relating to
fire alarm as well as NFPA 72 and 101.

In my experience, servicing fire alarms also requires additional
insurance riders (another poster mentioned this).  In many instances
you're also required to pull a permit if you're doing any work on one.

Good Luck!!

Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com