Final answer:
True, permanently installed fire alarm systems are not typically GFCI or AFCI protected because they do not present the same risk for electrical shock as devices near water or regularly accessed by individuals. The purpose of a GFCI is to protect against shock by detecting leakage currents, and plastic insulation on wires prevent shock hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Permanently installed fire alarm systems are not GFCI or AFCI protected?" is generally true. Permanently installed fire alarm systems are not usually required to be protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) or an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). The GFCI is designed to protect against shock by quickly cutting off electrical power when it detects a leakage current, which could indicate that electricity is flowing along an unintended path, such as through water or a person. A GFCI is triggered when the amount of current flowing from the hot wire differs from the returning current in the neutral wire. Permanently installed fire alarm systems do not typically have this requirement because they are not likely to pose the same level of electrical shock hazard as devices and outlets that are near water or could be accessed by a person during normal use.
Furthermore, the plastic insulation on live/hot wires is designed to prevent shock hazards by providing a non-conductive barrier between the electricity and the environment, which prevents unintended contact with the live wire. Circuit breakers and fuses are used to protect against thermal hazards, interrupting the current in the case of an overload or short circuit, which could generate dangerous levels of heat.