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The FAS exam has 110 questions and runs 2 hours 35 minutes.
These 10 free FAS questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certification in Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
Commissioning a zone of four-wire smoke detectors produces three results: smoke at each detector causes the correct alarm; opening the initiating device circuit (IDC) at the last base causes trouble; opening the separate detector-power feed extinguishes every detector's power indicator but leaves the control unit normal. Which defect best explains the third result?
Correct answer: D - The detector power circuit lacks effective end-of-line power supervision.
A dry interior riser is specified for FPLR cable. The contract permits code-allowed cable substitutions when all other equipment and project requirements are met. The available reel is marked FPLP and matches the required conductor size, electrical characteristics, and environmental limitations. Under NEC (2020) Article 760, the installation instruction should be:
Correct answer: A - Use the FPLP cable; its rating permits substitution for FPLR.
Under an authorized impairment plan, a qualified technician is preparing to withdraw a damaged module from a fire alarm control unit. The 120 V branch circuit is locked out and the AC indicator is dark. Battery leads remain connected, and the wiring diagram shows a separate DC supply entering the enclosure. The manufacturer requires de-energized servicing. What remains necessary before withdrawing the module?
Correct answer: B - Isolate the remaining energy sources and verify de-energization at the work points.
For an acceptance check on a Class A signaling line circuit, a technician opens one conductor at the designated field test point. The control unit reports SLC trouble, but functional checks confirm that every connected device still operates and reports correctly. No conductor-to-conductor short has been introduced. What has this test demonstrated?
Correct answer: D - The Class A single-open response is correct; short-circuit tolerance is not established.
A horn-strobe operates intermittently during an alarm test. The notification appliance circuit (NAC) supply holds 24.0 V DC, and both the NAC current and total supply current are within their listed ratings. A voltmeter placed directly across one field splice reads 4.6 V while the circuit is in alarm. With the circuit de-energized and isolated, a continuity tester beeps across that same splice. The most likely fault is:
Correct answer: A - Excessive resistance at the field splice under load.
Smoke detector SD-27 alarms during its annual smoke-entry test. A listed, calibrated sensitivity method then reports 3.7%/ft obscuration; the detector's marked range is 1.0-3.0%/ft. Which interpretation belongs in the service finding?
Correct answer: D - The detector is less sensitive than permitted despite responding to the functional test.
During a coordinated sprinkler-valve test, a control valve is moved away from its normal fully open position. Its position switch operates correctly, no waterflow occurs, and the fire alarm control unit displays a fire alarm for that valve point. The input is intended to monitor valve position. Which programming correction is appropriate?
Correct answer: A - Use a supervisory input that identifies the affected sprinkler control valve.
An ordinary 24 V protected-premises fire alarm system has standby batteries, no emergency voice function, and no generator. Its battery load schedule totals 0.45 A in standby and 2.40 A in alarm. Two identical 12 V valve-regulated lead-acid batteries will be connected in series. The listed charger and enclosure accommodate every capacity offered below, and no additional temperature or project factors apply. Including the minimum aging correction in NFPA 72 (2022), what is the smallest acceptable ampere-hour rating for EACH battery?
Correct answer: C - 18 Ah
A layout proposes one ceiling-mounted spot smoke detector at the center of a 60 ft by 10 ft corridor. The ceiling is smooth, level, and unobstructed. The specified layout method requires every protected point to be within 21 ft of a detector; the drawing identifies the farthest corner as 30.4 ft from the proposed detector. The installer argues that the 600-square-foot floor area is less than 900 square feet. What should the layout review conclude?
Correct answer: C - Revise it; the remote end is beyond the allowed point-to-detector coverage distance.
New full-height partitions in the east wing conflict with approved smoke-detector locations. The designer has not yet resolved the layout. West-wing drawings are unchanged, access is available, and that work has no dependency on the east-wing work or its impairment arrangements. How should the foreman deploy the available crew today?
Correct answer: A - Continue approved west-wing work and obtain the designer's resolution before installing affected east-wing devices.
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