Which term describes a condition where a monitored device indicates a fault or abnormal condition, but not an active fire?

• A. Trouble
• B. Alarm
• C. Supervisory
• D. Normal

Answer: (A)

Trouble indicates a fault or abnormal condition in a monitored device or circuit, but no active fire is detected. This status appears when something isn’t operating correctly—like a smoke detector with a wiring fault, a sensor that isn’t communicating properly, or a device losing power—so the panel signals a trouble to alert maintenance to investigate. It’s not an alarm, which means smoke or heat has been detected, and it’s not a supervisory condition, which flags issues with protection devices that must remain in a certain state (like a valve or alert on a sprinkler system). Normal means everything is functioning and no faults are present.