Texas Fire Alarm License Practice Test

What must riser cable be capable of preventing during a fire?

1. Fire from spreading horizontally

2. Fire from rising between floors

3. Fire from being detected

4. Fire from reaching plenum area

The correct answer is: Fire from rising between floors

Riser cable is specifically designed to be installed in vertical spaces, known as riser shafts, between floors in a building. One of its critical functions is to prevent the spread of fire from one floor to another. During a fire, if the riser cable does not have the appropriate fire-resistant qualities, flames and heat can travel rapidly upward through these shafts, allowing the fire to spread more easily between different levels of a building. Riser cables are often constructed with materials that help contain flames and limit the temperature rise, which is essential for maintaining safety during a fire event. This capability is crucial because it helps provide occupants with additional time to evacuate and assists in controlling the fire's spread, ultimately aiding in fire department response and damage limitation. This is why the ability of riser cable to prevent fire from rising between floors is of utmost importance.