Fire protection system effectiveness depends on reliability, which in turn depends on proper installation and maintenance.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not always
• D. Not specified

Answer: (A)

Reliability means the system will operate as intended when it’s needed. For fire protection, that depends on both correct installation and ongoing maintenance. If the system isn’t installed properly— valves misrouted, improper wiring, wrong components, or poor integration with other equipment— it can fail to activate or deliver water and alarms when a fire occurs. Ongoing maintenance keeps the system in that reliable state: regular inspections, testing, cleaning, replacing worn parts, and addressing any wear or corrosion. Without proper installation and maintenance, even a well-designed system can lose its ability to function, reducing its effectiveness in a real fire. So the statement is true.