Fire Alarm Assessments
All Fire Alarm Exams have been updated and are in use. The questions have been updated to the 2022 & 2025 editions of NFPA 72. See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more info.
Make sure you are using the updated "Study Guide 2025" for the FA2 and FA4 exams. This document has been expanded to list nearly every subject to be tested on.
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See bottom of page for more study materials.
FA2 - Fire Alarm On-Site Competent Person
Review important information on the "Test Info" page common to all exams and about marking / tagging your study material.
This assessment is generally intended for installers of fire alarm systems. Questions focus heavily on notification, detection, obstructions, spacing, circuits, survivability, acoustic levels /loss, wire resistance / size, and voltage drop. The focus on voltage drop is not to design systems, but to understand the impact that voltage drop has on a system and how to avoid it. Questions will also address NFPA 70 criteria for panel clearance, circuit types, support of circuits, raceways, and more. OSHA criteria on Lock-Out-Tag-Out is also touched on. See bottom of page for extra study material.
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If you will be working in Denver, Colorado you need the Combination DENFA / FA2 exam.
Exam Fee:
Application Fee: None
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FA2 - Fire Alarm Competent On-site Person $200 / each attempt
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Important Concepts:
The following lists some but not all materials covered on exams.
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Notification including visual and audibility
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Detection types and spacing
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Circuit types, support, sizing
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Voltage drop with some calculations
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OSHA
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Panel clearance
Books Required:
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NFPA 72, 2022/2025 Edition (Handbooks are recommended)
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NFPA 70, (validated to 2020 - 2026 editions)
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For Denver, see DENFA/FA2
Documents Required from Our Site:
Download and print these pdf documents. (click link)
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Updated "Study Guide 2025" for updated tests starting January 2026.
FA4 - Fire Alarm Business Representative
Review important information on the "Test Info" page common to all exams and about marking / tagging your study material.
This assessment is generally intended for business representatives of fire alarm systems as required by some jurisdictions for business owners / partners. Questions focus heavily on notification, detection, obstructions, spacing, circuits, survivability, acoustic levels /loss, wire resistance / size, and voltage drop. The focus on voltage drop is not to design systems, but to understand the impact that voltage drop has on a system and how to avoid it. Questions will also address NFPA 70 criteria for panel clearance, circuit types, support of circuits, raceways, and more. OSHA criteria on Lock-Out-Tag-Out is also touched on.
This exam also includes material from the International Building Code (IBC). Including material on access control and fire alarm interface, where fire alarms are required, and other specific fire alarm requirements of the IBC that are often overlooked by fire alarm companies. See bottom of page for extra study material.
Exam Fee:
Application Fee: None
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FA4 - Fire Alarm Business Representative $230 / each attempt
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Important Concepts:
The following lists some but not all materials covered on exams.
​
-
Notification including visual and audibility
-
Detection types and spacing
-
Circuit types, support, sizing
-
Voltage drop with some calculations
-
OSHA
-
Panel clearance
-
IBC
Books Required:
-
NFPA 72, 2022/2025 Edition (Handbooks are recommended)
-
NFPA 70, (validated to 2020 - 2026 editions)
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International Building Code (IBC) validated to 2024 edition [not IBC handbook]
Documents Required from Our Site:
Download and print these pdf documents. (click on link)
-
Updated "Study Guide 2025" for updated tests starting January 2026.
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OSHA Resources:
These are NOT allowed in exams but there will be general questions. (click link)
Recommended Study Material:
This material is not allowed in the test but may be used to better understand and/or study. CSA is not liable for the content of this material and user is responsible to verify accuracy of material to current code requirements. Taking this material into an exam may forfeit your exam and constitutes cheating.
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Audible Visible Appliance Reference Guide Published by System Sensor to help explain notification requirements between NFPA 72 and ADA.
- Differential Pressure Testing A white paper published by System Sensor to evaluate velocity of duct detectors.
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Meeting NFPA 72 Intelligibility Requirements A white paper by System Sensor about intelligibility. Has a few comments from CSA for clarification.
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Direct Visual Signaling as a Means of Occupant Notification in Large Spaces
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CSA Strobe Handout (this is included in Study Guide for exam)
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V=IR Report Voltage drop report on a research project to evaluate voltage drop and circuits. Explains what voltage drop is and how it impacts systems.
NFPA documents can be purchased from the National Fire Protection Association at www.NFPA.org. You can purchase hard copies and have them mailed to you. We recommend using NFPA handbooks when available as they contain the full standard along with additional useful images, commentary, and explanations. Before ordering, make sure you know what edition (Year) that you need. International Building and Fire Code Handbooks do not contain code content and are not recommended for CSA exams.