1. Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems (ITFAS)

2. Overview Who is ITFAS for?
Comparison of ITFAS and Fire Alarm Systems (FAS)
Experience Requirements and Documentation
Exam Information

3. Who is ITFAS for?

4. The Purpose of ITFAS Certification
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.

5. ITFAS is for — 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.

6. 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.

7. Comparison of ITFAS and FAS Programs

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Experience Requirements and Documentation

11. Level I Experience Requirements
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.

12. 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

13. Experience Documentation
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.

14. Exam Information

15. 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
Passing of exam is required for certification at Level II

16. 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.

17. Level I Exam Content Outline
Plan and Coordinate Work
Determine the number, type and location of devices
Coordinate with owners/building managers
Identify and apply the inspection and testing requirements
Issue notifications
Identify impairments and issues notifications
Restore the system
File documents and reports

18. Level I Exam Content Outline
Level I (continued)
Inspect Equipment
Inspect control units
Inspect power supplies/wiring and connections
Initiating devices
Notification appliances
Equipment for off-premises signaling
Signal wiring and connections

19. Level I Exam Content Outline
Level I (continued)
Test Functionality
System control units
Power supplies
Initiating device and circuits
Notification appliances and circuits
Equipment and circuits for off premises signaling
Basic interfaces
Measure sensitivity of detectors

20. Level I Exam Content Outline
Level I (continued)
Maintain Devices
Replace batteries
Replace devices
Clean devices

21. Level II Exam Content Outline
Plan and Coordinate Work
Determine scope of inspection assignment
Survey a system to identify types of devices/interfaces/problems/existing documents
Determine presence of other fire protection and building systems
Coordinate inspection and testing with owner before and during service
Coordinate testing with other parties
Identify/read/interpret codes and standards for assignment
Issue testing notifications
Restore system
Identify and file reports

22. Level II Exam Content Outline
Level II (continued)
Inspect Interfaces and Specialized Equipment
Elevator shutdown
Smoke control systems
Suppression and pre action systems
Emergency communication systems
Specialized detection equipment
Networked control equipment

23. Level II Exam Content Outline
Level II (continued)
Test Functionality of Specialized and Interfaced Equipment and Circuits
Elevator shutdown activation
Smoke control system interfaces
Interfaces with suppression and pre action systems
Emergency communication systems equipment
Specialized detection equipment
Networked control equipment

24. 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.
NFPA 72 (2013 ed) will also be available on screen, in a pdf document, during the exam
Test questions are based on the 2013 edition of NFPA 72; candidates are strongly urged to bring this edition to the exam.
Note: candidates may bring an older or a newer edition of NFPA 72 at their own risk.

25. 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

26. 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

27. Contact Us and Links 1-888-476-4238 (toll free)
(main website)
(link to program page)
Questions about the program and its content can be ed to