Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm

Systems (ITFAS)

Overview

•Who is ITFAS for?

•Comparison of ITFAS and Fire Alarm Systems (FAS)

•Experience Requirements and Documentation

•Exam Information

Who is ITFAS for?

• The aim of this program is to provide a certification for technicians who mainly do periodic inspection and testing work as a part of their job.

The Purpose of ITFAS Certification

Basic Technicians who:

• Perform periodic inspections and tests of basic fire alarm systems and prepare related records and reports.Basic fire alarm systems do not include the following: suppression

interfaces, networked control units, smoke control interfaces, aspirating systems, multi-zone voice evacuation systems, high-rise applications, and job planning.

ITFAS is for —

Advanced Technicians who:

• Plan, perform, and coordinate periodic inspections and tests of complex fire alarm systems, and prepare related records and reports.Complex fire alarm systems may include, but are not limited to,

one or more of the following: suppression interfaces, networked control units, smoke control interfaces, air sampling systems, multi-zone voice evacuation systems, or high-rise applications.

ITFAS is for —

Comparison of ITFAS and FAS Programs

Inspection & Testing of Fire Alarm Systems

• The ITFAS program deals with: Performance and documentation of the periodic inspection and testing of existing fire alarm systems and their components

Periodic inspection and testing of existing fire alarm systems Planning and coordination of inspection and testing activities

• The ITFAS program deals with the duties and responsibilities of a fire alarm systems technician who mainly deals with the periodic inspection and testing of existing fire alarm systems.

Fire Alarm Systems

• FAS certification deals with: System layout Installation tasks System sales System troubleshooting Acceptance testing

• Fire Alarm Systems program covers the full spectrum of a fire alarm technician’s duties and responsibilities at each level of certification.

Experience Requirements and Documentation

A minimum of 6 months of experience in the inspection and testing of fire alarm and suppression systems. Of this 6 months:

A minimum of 2 months must be periodic/maintenance inspection and testing of fire alarm systems.

A maximum of 4 months may be acceptance testing of fire alarm systems.

A maximum of 2 months may be inspection and testing—for either acceptance or maintenance—of sprinkler or special hazards fire suppression systems.

Level I Experience Requirements

Level II Experience Requirements

The minimum required for Level I, plus a minimum of 12 additional months of experience in the inspection and testing of fire alarm and suppression systems. Of this additional 12 months:

A minimum of 4 months must be periodic/maintenance inspection and testing of complex fire alarm systems

A maximum of 8 months may be acceptance testing of complex fire alarm systems

A maximum of 3 months may be inspection and testing-for either acceptance or maintenance-of sprinkler or special hazards fire suppression systems

Complex fire alarm systems may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: suppression interfaces, networked control units, smoke control interfaces, air sampling systems, multi-zone voice evacuation systems, or high-rise applications

•Use NICET Forms and carefully follow instructions.

•Give a complete and detailed work history description for each position and include any employment gaps.

•Performance Measures must each be initialed by an appropriate verifier as described in the application.

Experience Documentation

Exam Information

Exam Questions and Time

Level I ($205) 77 questions 110 minutes Passing of exam is required for certification at Level I and Level II

Level II ($265) 69 questions 110 minutes Passing of exam is required for certification at Level II

Exam Information

• Each test session begins with a short tutorial.

• During the test, you will see one question at a time, but can move forward or backwards to view or review other questions.

• For some questions you may be presented a picture and asked to click on the part of the picture that correctly answers the question.

• Questions may have more than one correct answer, but in those cases, you will be told how many answers to choose.

You will receive your score at the conclusion of your test session.

Level I Exam Content Outline

Level I

1. Plan and Coordinate Work1) Determine the number, type and location of devices2) Coordinate with owners/building managers3) Identify and apply the inspection and testing

requirements4) Issue notifications5) Identify impairments and issues notifications6) Restore the system7) File documents and reports

Level I Exam Content Outline

Level I (continued)

2. Inspect Equipment1. Inspect control units2. Inspect power supplies/wiring and connections3. Initiating devices4. Notification appliances5. Equipment for off-premises signaling6. Signal wiring and connections

Level I Exam Content Outline

Level I (continued)

3. Test Functionality1) System control units2) Power supplies3) Initiating device and circuits4) Notification appliances and circuits5) Equipment and circuits for off premises signaling6) Basic interfaces7) Measure sensitivity of detectors

Level I Exam Content Outline

Level I (continued)

4. Maintain Devices1) Replace batteries2) Replace devices3) Clean devices

Level II Exam Content Outline

Level II

1. Plan and Coordinate Work1) Determine scope of inspection assignment2) Survey a system to identify types of

devices/interfaces/problems/existing documents3) Determine presence of other fire protection and building systems4) Coordinate inspection and testing with owner before and during service5) Coordinate testing with other parties6) Identify/read/interpret codes and standards for assignment7) Issue testing notifications8) Restore system9) Identify and file reports

Level II Exam Content Outline

Level II (continued)

2. Inspect Interfaces and Specialized Equipment1) Elevator shutdown2) Smoke control systems3) Suppression and pre action systems4) Emergency communication systems5) Specialized detection equipment6) Networked control equipment

Level II Exam Content Outline

Level II (continued)

3. Test Functionality of Specialized and Interfaced Equipment and Circuits1) Elevator shutdown activation2) Smoke control system interfaces3) Interfaces with suppression and pre action systems4) Emergency communication systems equipment5) Specialized detection equipment6) Networked control equipment

Reference Materials for Levels I and II

• Applicants are allowed to bring NFPA 72 (2013 ed) in to the exam center for both Level I and II exams.oNFPA 72 (2013 ed) will also be available on screen, in a pdf document, during the examoTest questions are based on the 2013 edition of NFPA 72; candidates are strongly urged to bring this edition to the exam. oNote: candidates may bring an older or a newer edition of NFPA 72 at their own risk.

Reference Materials for Preparation

• The following references might be useful in preparation for the exam 29 CFR 1910: Occupational Safety and Health Standards 29 CFR 1926: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

NFPA 70: National Electric Code NFPA 70E: Electrical Safety in the Workplace

Reference Materials (Cont.)

Please Note: NICET does not sell or produce any of these references NFPA Handbooks will not be allowed in the Test Center Pages can be highlighted and tabbed

Tabs must be permanently attached (no sticky notes that can moved)

References with loose paper or loose pages will not be allowed

All references must either be bound or secured in a three ring binder with title page

Contact Us and Links

•1-888-476-4238 (toll free)

•http://www.nicet.org/ (main website)

•http://bit.ly/itfas/ (link to program page)

•Questions about the program and its content can be emailed to tech@nicet.org