The Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems track is for technicians whose job is inspecting and testing systems rather than designing or installing them. Level II centres on the parts of a system that connect to other building systems.
What the domains mean in practice
- Test functionality of specialized and interfaced equipment (50–60%): verifying that fire alarm interfaces do what they should. That includes elevator recall and shutdown, smoke control, pre-action and other suppression releasing, emergency responder radio coverage, and air-sampling detection.
- Inspect interfaces and specialty equipment (20–30%): visual inspection of the same equipment and its connections.
- Plan and coordinate work (15–25%): scheduling tests, notifying the people affected, and documenting results.
How to prepare
- Take the free diagnostic and see which interfaces cost you the most points.
- Smoke control questions draw on NFPA 92 as well as NFPA 72. Both are on screen at the test center, so practise moving between them.
- Elevator interface behaviour also depends on the elevator code, which is not on the reference list. Expect questions on what the fire alarm side must do, not on elevator design.
- Holders of Fire Alarm Systems Level III or IV get credit for the I&T Level I and II exams and can't sit them, so check NICET's rules before you apply.