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Fire alarm system MCQ: 42 questions on detection and alarm, every answer cited to IS 2189:2026

This bank holds 42 multiple-choice questions on fire detection and alarm systems, in four sets: zones and manual call points, sounders and the panel, detector siting, and positive alarm sequence with maintenance. Every answer names the clause of IS 2189:2026 that decides it.

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By Flamekite Editorial Desk · facts checked against official sources on 2026-10-26

Part 1

Study notes

Overview

This bank holds 42 multiple-choice questions on fire detection and alarm systems, in four sets: zones and manual call points, sounders and the panel, detector siting, and positive alarm sequence with maintenance. Every answer names the clause of IS 2189:2026 that decides it.

The code is the fifth revision of the Bureau of Indian Standards code of practice for automatic fire detection and alarm systems, published in March 2026. Figures such as a 2,000 m2 conventional zone, a 30 m search distance, a 120 dB(A) ceiling on sound and a 3-month cleaning interval come from it. Older sites often quote the previous edition, so check the clause in the answer rather than a remembered number.

Not every number you will hear is in the code. Replacing 20 percent of detectors a year, a 5-year cycle and monthly device checks are rules of the Maharashtra fire service and health authorities, not IS 2189:2026. The traps section marks them.

Every question and answer rests on a clause of IS 2189:2026, read on 26 October 2026, and on no other source. The questions are Flamekite's own, not past papers, and no exam notice read for this site lists them as syllabus topics. The code sets minimum protection; a local authority or a design may require more.

Fire alarm system MCQ bank at a glance: 8 facts

The bank is built from IS 2189:2026, read on 26 October 2026.
WhatThe ruleSource
StandardIS 2189:2026, fifth revision, March 2026, CED 22 Fire Fighting Sectional CommitteeBIS, IS 2189:2026
CoversPlanning, design, selection, installation and maintenance of automatic detection and alarm systems, from simple to addressable (cl. 1.1)BIS, IS 2189:2026
Level of protectionMinimum protection only (cl. 1.2)BIS, IS 2189:2026
Detection versus extinguishingDetection is no substitute for sprinklers or other automatic extinguishing (foreword)BIS, IS 2189:2026
Questions42 in 4 sets, answer positions mixedBIS, IS 2189:2026
Question typeSingle best answer from 4 options, with the clause in the explanationBIS, IS 2189:2026
Not covered by this bankExtinguishers, hydrants and sprinklers: see the other question pages and the IS code pagesBIS, IS 2189:2026
Where to read the codeA free BIS copy after registration; the explanations paraphrase and cite clause numbersBIS, IS 2189:2026

Fire alarm system MCQ numbers to memorise from IS 2189:2026

Eight figures that decide most fire alarm questions, each with its clause in the answer sets above.

Fire alarm system MCQ: how Flamekite's exam pages treat the topic

The two exam notices read for this site do not print a fire alarm syllabus, so this bank is practice for the job, not a paper prediction.

Telangana Fire Fighter, 2026
The two written tests name only general topics such as English, arithmetic and reasoning, plus 9 syllabus items in all. Fire alarms are not named. TSLPRB notice 189/2026
AAI Junior Assistant (Fire Services)
The notices print no topic-wise syllabus, number of questions or marks per subject, so alarms cannot be claimed as tested. Flamekite's topic map lists detection and alarm as a study area only. AAI NR 01/2025
How to use the bank
Treat it as job knowledge for a fire officer or a candidate preparing a fire service interview, and check a notice's own syllabus before you plan. BIS, IS 2189:2026

Fire alarm system MCQ: 6 common traps and the clause that settles each

Six mix-ups that cost marks, each answered by one clause of IS 2189:2026.

  • You may have read

    Every year 20 percent of detectors are tested, so all are done in 5 years.

    Myth

    What the sources say

    That is a Maharashtra and health-ministry rule. IS 2189:2026 Table 4 tests smoke detectors in place every year, with a sensitivity test every 6 months. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  • You may have read

    The code asks for a monthly detector test.

    Myth

    What the sources say

    The code has a daily panel check (cl. 7.4.3), a weekly review (cl. 7.4.4) and a quarterly user check (cl. 7.4.5). A monthly check appears only for lead-acid batteries in Table 3. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  • You may have read

    Heat detectors suit any high ceiling.

    Myth

    What the sources say

    Heat detectors are not allowed above 10 m (cl. 6.3.3.1). Smoke spacing drops from 7.5 m to 5 m above 7 m height, and above 10 m beam or aspirating detection is used. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  • You may have read

    Call points and detectors share one 30 m limit.

    Myth

    What the sources say

    30 m is the search distance inside a zone (cl. 4.4.2(d)) and the travel to a call point indoors (cl. 6.4); outdoors the call point limit is 45 m. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  • You may have read

    A can of test smoke proves a detector's sensitivity.

    Myth

    What the sources say

    A spray with an unmeasured dose can show smoke entering the chamber (cl. 7.2.6) but not sensitivity (cl. 7.2.7). BIS, IS 2189:2026

  • You may have read

    Detection can replace sprinklers.

    Myth

    What the sources say

    The foreword says detection is no substitute for sprinklers or other automatic extinguishing. BIS, IS 2189:2026

Fire alarm system MCQ: 10-point revision checklist

Ten items to tick before you attempt the 42 questions again.

  • Zone limits: 2,000 m2 conventional, 3,000 m2 addressable, 300 m2 for a multi-floor zone, 30 m search distance. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Stairwells, lift wells and shafts form their own zone. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Call points: 30 m indoors, 45 m outdoors, glass at most 2 mm, latched at the panel. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Sounders: 500 to 3,000 Hz sweep, 520 Hz square wave for sleepers, 120 dB(A) ceiling, 30 m hooter spacing. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Life safety thresholds: 0.1 dB/m, 66 C and 0.04 percent CO endanger life; escape route detectors act before 0.05 dB/m. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Height: smoke 7.5 m to 7 m height then 5 m to 10 m; heat 5.3 m to 5 m height then 3.5 m, none above 10 m. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Siting: 500 mm from walls and deep obstructions, beams over 10 percent of ceiling height split the bays. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Ducts: 3 duct widths from a bend, probe at least two thirds of the wider side. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • PAS: 180 s, second detector or call point means full alarm, never in unstaffed or high-risk premises. BIS, IS 2189:2026
  • Care: daily panel check, weekly review, quarterly user check, 750 mm clear below detectors, 24 h written notice of impairment. BIS, IS 2189:2026

Fire alarm system MCQ: where to read the rule behind each answer

Four Flamekite pages teach the topics in these 42 questions, from the same standard and its neighbours.

Fire alarm system MCQ: what is not confirmed

Three points a reader may expect are not settled in the 2026 text read, so no question tests them.

  • If Flat-ceiling 7.5 m and 5.3 m: spacing or radius?

    Clause 6.3.2.1 mixes both readings, so no question asks it. Read the standard before a design; a 0.7 factor appears in cl. 6.3.4. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  • If Whether wireless, PAS and IoT clauses are new in 2026

    The foreword lists no changes and the 2008 text was not held for comparison. Not confirmed. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  • If Any state's own alarm rules

    The bank tests only the BIS code. Maharashtra and health authorities add their own device-testing rules, which are not in IS 2189:2026. BIS, IS 2189:2026

Part 2

Free practice and mock test

16 free questions from the 42-question bank. Practise one at a time with the answer and its clause shown as you go, or sit a timed mock and see your score, accuracy and weak topics at the end. Your progress stays in this browser only.

Question 1 of 16Zones and call points

A building has a total floor area of under what figure before one detection zone may spread over more than one floor?

Pick an option to see the answer and the clause behind it.

Part 3

16 free questions with cited answers

The free sample on one page, for revision: open “Show answer” under any question.

Fire alarm MCQ: zones and call points (10 questions)

Ten questions on zone size, search distance and manual call points, from clauses 4.4, 6.1 and 6.4 of IS 2189:2026. Pick an answer, then open "Show answer".

  1. Q1 A building has a total floor area of under what figure before one detection zone may spread over more than one floor?

    1. 100 m2
    2. 200 m2
    3. 300 m2
    4. 500 m2
    Show answer

    C. 300 m2. IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.4.2(b): where the whole building is under 300 m2, a single zone can cover more than one floor. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  2. Q2 What is the greatest floor area of one zone in an addressable detection system?

    1. 2,000 m2
    2. 3,000 m2
    3. 4,000 m2
    4. 5,000 m2
    Show answer

    B. 3,000 m2. IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.4.2(a) allows 3,000 m2 for an addressable zone and 2,000 m2 for a conventional one. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  3. Q3 A person entering a zone to find a fire by sight must not have to walk more than what, in a straight line?

    1. 15 m
    2. 20 m
    3. 30 m
    4. 45 m
    Show answer

    C. 30 m. IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.4.2(d) caps this search distance at 30 m and wants a direct line, with no L-shaped detour. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  4. Q4 How does IS 2189:2026 treat detectors inside an enclosed stairwell or lift well?

    1. As a separate zone
    2. As part of the floor zone below
    3. As part of the floor zone above
    4. They are left out of zoning
    Show answer

    A. As a separate zone. IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.4.2(e) treats enclosed stairwells, lift wells and similar shafts as a separate zone. BIS, IS 2189:2026

Fire alarm MCQ: sounders, panel and wireless (10 questions)

Ten questions on sounder tones and levels, panel location, visual alarms and wireless systems, from clauses 4.5 to 4.9.

  1. Q1 Within what range may a continuously sweeping sounder tone run?

    1. 200 to 1,000 Hz
    2. 500 to 3,000 Hz
    3. 1,000 to 5,000 Hz
    4. 3,000 to 6,000 Hz
    Show answer

    B. 500 to 3,000 Hz. IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.5.1 gives 500 to 3,000 Hz for a continuous sweep, with the sounder to IS/ISO 7240 (Part 3). BIS, IS 2189:2026

  2. Q2 A two-tone sounder must have one major frequency within which range?

    1. 100 to 500 Hz
    2. 500 to 1,000 Hz
    3. 1,000 to 2,000 Hz
    4. 2,000 to 3,000 Hz
    Show answer

    B. 500 to 1,000 Hz. IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.5.1 places the major frequency of a two-tone sounder within 500 to 1,000 Hz. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  3. Q3 What signal does the code give for waking people in sleeping areas?

    1. A 1,000 Hz sine tone
    2. A 2,000 Hz pulse
    3. A 520 Hz square wave
    4. A 3,000 Hz continuous tone
    Show answer

    C. A 520 Hz square wave. IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.5.1 names a 520 Hz square wave for awakening sleepers. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  4. Q4 What is the highest sound level any sounder may produce?

    1. 90 dB(A)
    2. 100 dB(A)
    3. 110 dB(A)
    4. 120 dB(A)
    Show answer

    D. 120 dB(A). IS 2189:2026 cl. 4.5.3: sound levels shall not exceed 120 dB(A). BIS, IS 2189:2026

Smoke detector MCQ: siting, spacing and limits (11 questions)

Eleven questions on life safety thresholds, ceiling height, corridors, stairs, ducts and obstructions, from clauses 5.3, 6.3 and 6.6.

  1. Q1 Above what air velocity is an ordinary smoke detector not to be sited?

    1. 0.5 m/s
    2. 1.5 m/s
    3. 3 m/s
    4. 5 m/s
    Show answer

    B. 1.5 m/s. IS 2189:2026 cl. 6.3.1(d) lists air velocity above 1.5 m/s, with 38 C and 93 percent humidity, among conditions where a suitable type is needed. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  2. Q2 On escape routes, detectors must operate before optical density reaches what figure?

    1. 0.01 dB/m
    2. 0.05 dB/m
    3. 0.1 dB/m
    4. 0.5 dB/m
    Show answer

    B. 0.05 dB/m. IS 2189:2026 cl. 5.3.2: before 0.05 dB/m, the point where visibility falls below 20 m. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  3. Q3 What carbon monoxide concentration does the code give as endangering human survival?

    1. 0.004 percent
    2. 0.04 percent
    3. 0.4 percent
    4. 4 percent
    Show answer

    B. 0.04 percent. IS 2189:2026 cl. 5.3.1 gives 0.04 percent, with 0.1 dB/m smoke density and 66 C, as the limits an alarm must beat. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  4. Q4 Which spacing figure does the code list for smoke detectors under a ceiling 7 to 10 m high?

    1. 3.5 m
    2. 5 m
    3. 7.5 m
    4. 12 m
    Show answer

    B. 5 m. IS 2189:2026 cl. 6.3.3.1: 7.5 m is valid up to 7 m height only, 5 m for 7 to 10 m, and above 10 m beam or aspirating detection is used. BIS, IS 2189:2026

Fire alarm MCQ: PAS, testing and maintenance (11 questions)

Eleven questions on the positive alarm sequence, who checks what and when, and tests of detector sensitivity, from clauses 6.3.2.9 and 7.

  1. Q1 What is the longest investigation period in a positive alarm sequence, unless the authority permits more?

    1. 60 s
    2. 120 s
    3. 180 s
    4. 300 s
    Show answer

    C. 180 s. IS 2189:2026 cl. 6.3.2.9.3(b): the maximum investigation period shall not exceed 180 s unless the authority having jurisdiction allows more. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  2. Q2 During a positive alarm investigation, what makes the system go straight to full alarm?

    1. A second automatic detector or a manual call point operating
    2. The panel buzzer being silenced
    3. Ten seconds without an answer
    4. A fault on any zone
    Show answer

    A. A second automatic detector or a manual call point operating. IS 2189:2026 cl. 6.3.2.9.3(c): a second detector or a call point starts full alarm at once, and so does expiry of the timer without acknowledgement. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  3. Q3 In which kind of premises must the positive alarm sequence not be applied?

    1. Hospitals
    2. Hotels
    3. Buildings without trained supervisory staff
    4. Educational campuses
    Show answer

    C. Buildings without trained supervisory staff. IS 2189:2026 cl. 6.3.2.9.2(b) bars it where immediate evacuation is critical, such as high-risk industry, hazardous storage and unstaffed buildings. BIS, IS 2189:2026

  4. Q4 Whose approval does the positive alarm sequence need before it is used?

    1. The detector maker
    2. The installer
    3. The authority having jurisdiction
    4. The insurer
    Show answer

    C. The authority having jurisdiction. IS 2189:2026 cl. 6.3.2.9.2(c) makes its use subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction. BIS, IS 2189:2026

Part 4

Get the full 42-question bank

The free sample is 16 of 42 questions. The full bank holds every question with its cited answer, set out as papers you can print and sit against the clock.

Questions about Fire alarm system MCQ

How many questions are in this fire alarm system MCQ bank?

42, in four sets: zones and call points (10), sounders and panel (10), detector siting (11), and PAS with maintenance (11).

Where do the answers come from?

Each answer cites a clause of IS 2189:2026, the BIS code of practice for fire detection and alarm systems, fifth revision, March 2026.

Are these smoke detector MCQs from past papers?

No. They are Flamekite's own questions written from the standard. Neither exam notice read for this site lists them as syllabus topics.

At what height is a manual call point mounted?

At 1.4 m above the floor (cl. 6.4), with at most 30 m of travel to one indoors and 45 m outdoors.

Is a monthly detector test in IS 2189:2026?

No. The code has daily, weekly and quarterly user checks and annual and semi-annual tests in Table 4. Monthly checks of detectors come from other authorities' rules.

Do heat detectors work on ceilings above 10 m?

No. Clause 6.3.3.1 does not allow heat detectors above 10 m; beam or aspirating detection is used there.

What is a positive alarm sequence?

A supervised investigation of up to 180 s before full alarm, ended at once by a second detector or a call point. It needs the authority's approval and is barred in high-risk or unstaffed premises.

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Sources

Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Flamekite checks its sources

  1. Bureau of Indian Standards: IS 2189:2026, Selection, Installation and Maintenance of Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System, Code of Practice (fifth revision), March 2026; free download after registration; clause numbers cited on the page (opens in a new tab)checked 26 October 2026
  2. Telangana State Level Police Recruitment Board (TSLPRB): Notification Rc No. 189/Rect./Rect-2/2026 dated 29 July 2026: SCT PC (Civil, AR, SAR CPL), SCT Constable SPF, Fire Fighter (post code 26) and Warder; vacancies, eligibility, selection scheme, Annexures I to III; page numbers cited are the notice's own (57 pages) (opens in a new tab)checked 26 October 2026
  3. Airports Authority of India: Advertisement 01/2025/NR: Junior Assistant (Fire Services), NE-4 (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
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