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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Facilities Special Systems and Codes
Course: FAC240

First Term: 2012 Fall
 Lecture   3 Credit(s)   3 Period(s)   3 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S


Description: Fundamentals of fire alarm system operation, inspection and maintenance. Fundamentals of fire sprinkler system operation, inspection and maintenance. Principles of life safety smoke control systems, including fire damper and combination fire/smoke damper applications. Security system applications including perimeter security, interior security, CCTV and card access systems. Theory and application of communication systems, including paging systems, information system backbone architecture and telephone systems.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the characteristics of local and central fire alarm systems. (I)
2. List the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 requirements for testing, inspection, certification and record keeping relating to local and multiplex fire alarm systems. (I)
3. Describe the fundamentals of wet and dry sprinkler systems. (II)
4. List the NFPA 25 requirements for testing, inspection, certification and record keeping relating to fire sprinkler systems, including backflow prevention. (II)
5. Describe the fundamentals of specific chemical-based fire suppression systems. (III)
6. Explain the theory of compartmental pressurization for smoke control and evacuation. (IV)
7. Compare and contrast requirements for smoke control as defined by NFPA 90A, NFPA 101, the Uniform Building Code, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Guideline 5-1994. (IV)
8. List the NFPA 90A requirements for testing, inspection, certification and record keeping relating to fire and combination fire/smoke dampers. (IV)
9. Explain the fundamental applications of specific types of facility and site perimeter security systems. (V)
10. Explain the strengths and limitations of various types of interior security devices. (V)
11. Distinguish between different types of interior and exterior Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and controls. (V)
12. Describe the theory and operation of specific card readers. (V)
13. List the function of the primary components of proprietary direct and broadcast paging systems. (VI)
14. Explain the fundamentals of proprietary phone systems. (VI)
15. Explain the architecture of dedicated and multiplexed communication networks. (VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Fire Alarm Systems
   A. NFPA 72
   B. Devices
      1. Initiation devices
      2. Signaling devices
      3. Tamper switches
      4. Annunciators
      5. Interface devices
      6. Control panels
   C. System Design
      1. Local
      2. Proprietary
      3. Central station
   D. System Supervision and Configuration
      1. Type 1
      2. Type 2
   E. Operation and Maintenance
      1. Alarm reset
      2. Testing requirements
      3. Record-keeping
II. Fire Sprinkler Systems
   A. NFPA 25
   B. Devices
      1. Sprinkler heads
      2. Flow switches
      3. Audible alarms
      4. Interface devices
      5. Backflow preventers
      6. Control panels
   C. System Design
      1. Wet
      2. Dry
      3. Standpipe
      4. Deluge
   D. Operation and Maintenance
      1. Alarm reset
      2. Testing requirements
      3. Record-keeping
III. Other Fire Suppression Systems
   A. Halon
   B. Carbon Dioxide
IV. Smoke Control Systems
   A. NFPA 90A
   B. NFPA 101
   C. Uniform Building Code
   D. ASHRAE Guideline 5-1994
   E. Passive Smoke Control Systems
      1. Fire dampers
      2. Smoke dampers
      3. Combination fire/smoke dampers
   F. Engineered Smoke Control System Theory
      1. Fan shutdown
      2. Compartmental pressurization
      3. Smoke exhaust
   G. Operation and Maintenance
      1. Fireman`s control panel
      2. Testing requirements
      3. Record-keeping
V. Security Systems
   A. Standards and Practices
   B. System Design
      1. Perimeter security
      2. Interior security
      3. Closed circuit TV systems
      4. Card access systems
   C. Operation and Maintenance
      1. Alarming
      2. Testing
      3. Record-keeping
VI. Communication Systems
   A. Paging Systems
      1. Speakers
      2. Microphones
      3. Amplifiers
      4. Control units
   B. Commu phone systems
      1. Phone sets
      2. Control units
      3. Switches
   C. Communication Networks
      1. Proprietary systems
      2. Backbone (shared) systems
      3. Coaxial cable
      4. Twisted-shielded pair cabling
      5. Fiber-optic
   D. Operation and Maintenance
      1. Maintenance
      2. Testing
      3. Record-keeping
      3. record-keeping
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date:  4/24/2012

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.