 Personnel who are factory trained and certified for fire alarm
REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE ALARM AND SIGNALING SYSTEMS
NATIONAL FIRE ALARM SIGNALING CODE
NFPA 72, 2010 Edition
Prepared by: Dino J. Maghirang
The following are the specific requirements of the NFPA 72, 2010 Edition, pertaining to
the design, application, installation, level of performance, inspection, testing, and
maintenance of fire alarm and signaling systems.
Code Ref.
OBJECTIVES
 To provide information on the requirements of the NFPA 72 for the
design, application, installation, level of performance, inspection,
testing, and maintenance of fire alarm and signaling systems.
 To promote the adoption, use and implementation of the NFPA codes
and standards for the protection of life and property.
Chapter 10 FUNDAMENTALS
Art. 10.20 Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems - Primary Purpose
 To provide notification of alarm, supervisory and trouble conditions
 To alert building occupants
 To summon aid
 To perform emergency control functions
Art. 10.4.2.(3) System Installer
 Fire Alarm systems and Emergency communications system shall be
installed by, or under the supervision of persons who are qualified and
experienced in the installation, inspection, and testing of the systems.
 Personnel who are registered, licensed, or certified by a state or
local authority.
 Personnel who are certified by a nationally recognized
certification organization acceptable to the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Page 1 of 9
system installation specific to the type and brand of system and
who are acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
 Installer shall provide evidence of their qualification and/or
certifications.
Art. 10.5.5 Primary Power Supplies
 Provide dedicated branch circuit, lighting or power panel branch circuit
 Over current protection shall be of suitable current carrying capacity
 Clearly and permanently identified- “FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT” in red
marking
 Accessible only to authorized personnel
Art. 10.5.6 Secondary Power Supplies
 Storage batteries dedicated to the system
 Sufficient capacity to operate the system
 Under quiescent load (non-alarm) for 24 hrs.
 Plus 5 minutes alarm with all notification appliances activated
 Shall cut-in within 10 seconds from primary power failure
 Trickle- or float-charge to keep battery fully charged
 Recharge batteries to full rated capacity within 48 hours after one
discharge cycle
 Protection against overcharging shall be provided
 Monitoring integrity of battery charger
Art. 10.6 Signal Priority
 The priority of signals shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Fire alarm signals shall take precedence over all signals
2. ECS priority signals shall be permitted to take precedence over
all signals when evaluated under Sec. 24.4.2.2 Risk Analysis for
Mass Notification System and approved by the AHJ.
3. Emergency mass notification signals and messages
4. Supervisory signals
5. Trouble signals
6. Hold-up alarms or other life threatening signals
Art. 10.7 Distinctive Signals
 Signals shall be distinctively and descriptively annunciated
 The standard fire alarm evacuation signal shall consist of a three-
pulse temporal pattern (sec. 18.4.2.1)
 Standard evacuation signal shall be synchronized within a notification
zone

Art. 3.3.240 Signals
 Evacuation signal – a distinctive signal intended to alert the occupants
of the need to evacuate the building
 Fire alarm signal – a signal initiated by a fire alarm-initiating device in
which activation is indicative of the presence of a fire
 Supervisory signal – a signal indicating the need for action in
connection with the supervision of a fire suppression system or
equipment, of guard tours, or the maintenance feature of a related
system
 Trouble signal – a signal initiated by a system or device indicative of a
fault in a monitored circuit, system, or component.
Art. 10.17 Monitoring Integrity
The requirement for monitoring integrity requires that a trouble signal shall
be initiated at the fire alarm control unit to indicate any fault in the monitored
system, equipment, component or device.
 Emergency voice alarm systems, amplifiers, tone generators
 Two-way telephone communication
 Primary and secondary power supplies
 Analog/Addressable smoke and heat detectors and other
communicating devices
 Other alarm initiating devices
 Installation conductors and other signaling channels
 Occurrence of a single open or a single ground fault
condition is automatically indicated within 200 seconds
 Restoration to normal is automatically indicated within 200
seconds
 A single open or a single ground fault does not cause an
alarm signal
 A wire-to-wire short on any NAC result in trouble signal at
the fire alarm control unit.
Art. 10.18.1.2 Documentation
 Prior to installation the following shall be submitted for approval:
 Specifications
 Type of system, product data sheets
 Plans and shop drawings
 Input/output matrix and sequence of operation
 Battery calculations
 NAC voltage drop calculations
Art. 10.18.2 Completion Documents
 Preparation of a Record of Completion ( See Form 10.18.2.1.1)
 Parts 1-14 shall be completed after the system is installed
and the installation wiring is checked.
 Parts 15-16 shall be completed after the operational
acceptance test has been completed.
 A final copy of the record of completion shall be submitted
to the owner, and to the AHJ.
 One copy of the record of completion shall be stored at the
main fire alarm control unit, or a separate cabinet labeled
“Fire Alarm Documents”.
 Upon final acceptance of the system the following documents
shall be submitted to the owner
 Manufacturer’s O & M manuals
 Record Drawings
 For software-based system, a copy of the site-specific
software
 A written sequence of operation
 Record of tests and operations of the system
Chapter 12 Circuits and Pathways Performance and Survivability Characteristics
 The installation of all pathway wiring, cable, and equipment shall
be in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC).
 Optical fiber cables installed as part of the fire alarm system shall
meet the requirements of NFPA 70, NEC.
 Where fire alarm circuits enter or exit buildings, the circuits and
equipment shall be installed in accordance with Art. 760 of NFPA
70, NEC.
 All fire alarm systems shall test free of grounds.
 Wiring shall resist attack by fire (survivability)
 Installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
Art. 12.3 Pathway Class Designation
 Class A
 Includes a redundant path
 Operational capability continues past a single open
 Faults affecting the operation are annunciated.
 Class B
 Does not include a redundant path
 Operational capability stops at a single open
 Faults affecting the operation are annunciated.
 Class C
 Includes one or more pathways where operational capability
is verified via end-to-end communication, but the integrity of
individual paths are not monitored.
 A loss of end-to-end communication is annunciated.
 Class D
 Has fail-safe operation where intended operation is
performed in the event of pathway failure
 No fault annunciation
 Class E
 The pathway is not monitored for integrity.

Page 2 of 9
 Table 14.3.1 Visual Inspection Frequencies
 Class X
 Includes a redundant path
 Visual inspection shall be made to ensure that there are no
 Operational capability continues past a single open or a
changes that affect equipment performance.
short-circuit
 Visual inspections shall be performed in accordance with the
 Faults affecting the operation are annunciated.
schedules in Table 14.3.1.
 Devices or equipment that is inaccessible for safety
Art. 12.4 Pathway Survivability
considerations shall be permitted to be inspected during
scheduled shutdowns.
 Survivability Level 0  Extended intervals shall not exceed 18 months.
 Pathways not required to have any provision for survivability
Art. 10.4.2 Testing Methods and Testing Frequencies
 Survivability Level 1
 Pathways are fully protected by automatic sprinkler systems.  Fire Alarm System equipment and devices shall be tested by
 Interconnecting conductors, cable, or other physical qualified and experienced personnel :
pathways installed in metal raceways.  Upon completion for initial acceptance testing
 For any changes for Reacceptance testing
 Survivability Level 2 – consists of one or more of the following:  Periodically to verify correct operation of the system
 2-hour fire-rated circuit integrity (CI) cable
 2-hour fire-rated circuit protective system  Testing shall be performed in accordance with the following:
 2-hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area
 2-hour fire-rated alternatives approved by AHJ
 See Table 14.4.2.2 Test Methods
 See Table 14.4.5 Testing Frequencies
 Survivability Level 3
 See Figure 14.6.2.4 Inspection and Testing Form
 Same as Level 2 plus pathways are fully protected in
buildings with automatic sprinkler system.

Chapter 14 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Chapter 17 Initiating Devices

 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Program  Automatic fire detectors

 to ensure operational integrity  Smoke Detector
 conform to equipment manufacturer’s instructions  Heat Detector
 to verify correct operation of the system  Projected beam detector
 Air Sampling-type smoke detector
 Impairments  Video-image smoke detector
 system defects and malfunction shall be immediately  Radiant-energy sensing fire detectors
corrected  Multi-Sensor detector
 if not corrected at the conclusion of the testing, the owner  CO sensors
shall be informed in writing within 24 hours  Linear Heat Detector
 mitigating action must be in place until the problem is
corrected and system is retested.  Manually activated fire alarm stations
 manual fire alarm stations shall be red in color
 Alterations, modifications or additions will require retesting of the  manual fire alarm boxes shall be installed on a background
system of contrasting color.
 The system shall be inspected and tested for any alterations  mounting height shall be within 1.07m to 1.22m above floor
or additions to the system. level
 All additional device added shall be functionally tested  install in location that is conspicuous, unobstructed, and
 Any deletion in the system will require re-testing accessible
 Modifications or repair of control equipment  Provide MPS within 60in. (1.52m) of fire exit doorway
 Provide additional MPS so that traverse distance to nearest
station will not exceed 200ft. (61.0m).

Page 3 of 9

 Sprinkler waterflow detectors
 activation shall occur within 90 seconds of waterflow when
flow is equal or greater than that from a single sprinkler
head installed in the system
 Movement of water due to waste, surges, or variable
pressure shall not initiate an alarm signal.
 Supervisory signal-initiating devices
 guard tour station
 panic button
 control valve switch
 water level switch
Art. 17.7 Automatic fire detectors
 The selection and placement of smoke detectors shall take into
account both the performance characteristics of the detector and
the areas into which the detectors are to be installed to prevent
nuisance alarms.
 The location of SD shall be based on an evaluation of potential
ambient sources of smoke, moisture, dust, or fumes, and
electrical or mechanical influences, to minimize nuisance alarms.
 In the absence of specific performance-based design criteria, SD
spacing on smooth ceiling shall be a nominal 30ft. (9.1m).
 Unless specifically designed and listed for the expected
conditions, SDs shall not be installed if any of the following
ambient conditions exist:
 Temperature below 32 deg. F (0 deg. C)
 Temperature above 100 deg. F (38 deg. C)
 Relative humidity above 93 percent
 Air velocity greater than 300 ft/min (1.5m/sec)
 Automatic fire detectors shall not be installed in inaccessible
areas, provide accessibility for periodic maintenance
 Where subject to mechanical damage, provide mechanical guard
protection
 Detectors shall not be recessed into mounting surface, unless
tested and listed for recessed mounting
 Where partitions extend within 15% of ceiling height, the spaces
segregated by the partitions shall be considered as separate
rooms.
Page 4 of 9
 Spacing of detectors shall not exceed their listed spacing.
 Smoke detectors shall not be located directly in the airstream of
supply registers.
 The effect of smoke stratification below the ceiling shall be taken
into account. (Reference Guidelines in Annex B- NFPA 72)
 The spacing of smoke detectors in high air movement areas shall
be reduced based on the number of air changes (Table
17.7.6.3.3.1).
Art. 17.7.2 Smoke Detector Sensitivity
 Smoke detectors shall be marked with their nominal production
sensitivity and tolerance (percent per foot obscuration), as
required by the listing.
 SD with field adjustable sensitivity shall have an adjustment
range of not less than 0.6 percent per foot obscuration.
 If the means of sensitivity adjustment is on the detector, a
method shall be provided to restore the detector to its factory
calibration.
Chapter 18 Notification Appliances
 Notification Appliances are used to initiate or direct evacuation or
relocation of the occupants, or for providing information to
occupants or responding emergency personnel.
 Notification appliances provides audible, tactile, or visible outputs,
or any combination thereof
 Audible Notification appliance: Bell, horns
 Voice messages : Speaker
 Visible notification appliance: Strobe lights
 Annunciators – LED or LCD
 Visual - Textual display or graphics
 The use of the standard notification signal shall be restricted to
situations where it is desired that all occupants hearing the signal
evacuate the building immediately.
 It shall not be used where the planned action during an
emergency is not evacuation, but rather is the relocation of
occupants, or their protection I place, as directed by the
emergency response plan ar as directed by the emergency
personnel.

Sec.18.4 Audible Characteristics
 The total sound pressure level produced by combining the
ambient sound pressure level with all audible notification
appliances operating shall not exceed 110 dBA at the minimum
hearing distance.
 The alarm signal used to notify building occupants of the need to
evacuate shall be the standard alarm evacuation signal consisting
of a three-pulse temporal pattern.
 The signal shall be repeated for a period appropriate for the
purpose of evacuation of the building, but for not less than 180
seconds.
 The standard evacuation signal shall be synchronized within a
notification zone.
Art. 18.4.3 Public Mode Audible Requirements
 To ensure signals are clearly heard, the sound level shall be at
least 15dB above the average ambient sound level or 5dB above
the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60
seconds, whichever is greater.
 Notification appliances shall be wall mounted not less than 90
in.(2.29m) above the finished floor and not less than 6 in.(150mm)
below the finished ceiling.
 Where approved by the AHJ, the requirements of audible signals
shall be permitted to be reduced when visible signaling is
provided.
Sec. 18.5 Visible Characteristics
 An average ambient sound level greater than 105 dBA shall
require the use of visible notification appliances.
 Visible appliances shall comply with the following:
 Flash rate shall not exceed two flashes per second (2Hz) nor
be less than one flash per second (1Hz)
 The maximum pulse duration shall be 0.2 second with a
maximum duty cycle of 40 percent.
 The color of light shall be clear or nominal white
 The effective intensity not to exceed 1000 cd.
Page 5 of 9
Visible Notification Appliances
 Visible notification appliances shall be wall mounted such that the
lens is not less than 80 in. (2.03m) and not greater than 96in.
(2.44m) above finished floor. If the height limitation is not
possible, mounting shall be not more than 6 in. (150mm) from the
ceiling.
 When two or more visible appliances are installed within a field of
view, they shall be synchronized.
 In corridors, locate visible appliances not more than 15ft. (4.57m)
from the end of the corridor with a separation not more than 100ft
(30.5m) between appliances.
Sec. 8.9 Textual Visible Appliances
 Textual visible appliances shall be permitted for fire alarm
systems if they are used in addition to audible and visible
notification appliances.
Chapter 21 Emergency Control Functions and Interfaces
 The methods of interconnection between the fire alarm system
and controlled electrical and mechanical systems shall comply
with the following:
 Emergency control functions shall not interfere with the
operations of the fire alarm system
 A listed relay or other listed appliances connected to the fire
alarm system shall be located within 3ft. (1m) of the
controlled circuit or appliances.
 Monitoring integrity and pathway survivability requirements
shall be maintained.
Elevator Recall for firefighter’s service
 Designated level recall
 Alternate level recall
 Elevator lobby smoke detectors installed on lobby ceiling shall be
within 21ft. (6.4m) of the center line of each elevator door.
 Only the elevator lobby smoke detector, unless otherwise
required by AHJ, shall be used to recall the elevators for fire
fighter’s use.

Heating, Ventillating and Air-conditioning (HVAC) Systems
 All detection devices used to cause the operation of HVAC
systems smoke dampers, fire dampers, fan control, smoke doors,
and fire doors shall be monitored for integrity and shall operate in
accordance with applicable NFPA standards.
 Automatic alarm initiation zones shall be coordinated with the
smoke-control zones they actuate.
Sec. 21.8 Door Release Service
 Door hold-open release devices and door closure devices shall be
monitored for integrity in accordance with the requirements of
applicable NFPA standards.
 Smoke control doors held-open by magnetic holders are released
upon activation of fire alarm signal to prevent spread of smoke
and fire from one compartment of the building to other
compartments.
Sec. 21.9 Electrically Locked Doors
 Any device or system intended to electrically lock a required
means of egress door in the direction of egress shall be
connected to the fire alarm system.
 The means of egress door shall be unlocked by the fire alarm
system prior to, or concurrent with the activation of notification
appliances in the area of the egress door.
 Doors shall remain unlocked until the fire alarm condition is
manually reset.
Chapter 23 Protected Premises Fire Alarm System
 Shall be for the purpose of protection to life and property by
indicating the existence of heat, fire, smoke, or other emergencies
impacting the protected premises.
 Software and firmware control


Page 6 of 9
 A record of installed software and firmware version
numbers shall be maintained at the location of the fire
alarm control unit.
 It shall be protected from unauthorized changes
 All changes shall be tested to confirm correct
operation.
Sec. 23.3 System Features and Functions
 Building fire alarm systems shall include one or more of the
following features or functions:
 Manual fire alarm signal initiation
 Automatic fire alarm and supervisory signal initiation
 Monitoring of abnormal conditions in fire suppression
systems
 Activation of fire suppression system
 Activation of fire safety functions
 Activation of fire alarm notification appliances
 In-building fire emergency voice/alarm communications
Sec. 23.4 System Performance and Integrity
 Circuit Designation of Classifications
 Pathway Classification
Sec. 23.8 System Requirements
 Activation of alarm, emergency voice communication, fire safety
functions, and annunciation shall occur within 10 seconds after
activation of initiating device.
 If automatic drift compensation of sensitivity for fire detector is
provided, the fire control unit shall identify the affected detector
when the limit of compensation is reached.
 Pre-signal Feature
 Positive Alarm Sequence
 Alarm Verification Feature
 Fire Suppression System operation
Art. 23.8.1.2 Pre-Signal Feature
 Pre-signal feature shall be permitted if approved by AHJ, and
shall meet the following conditions:
1. The initial fire alarm signals sound only in the department
offices, control rooms, fire brigade stations, or other
constantly attended central locations.
Art. 23.8.5.4.1
2. Where provided, transmission of alarm signal to supervising
station activates upon initial alarm.
3. Subsequent operation by either of the following:
a. Human action to activate general fire alarm
b. A feature that allows delay of general alarm by more than
1 minute after the start of the alarm process.
Art. 23.8.1.3 Positive Alarm Sequence
 Positive alarm sequence shall be permitted if approved by AHJ,
and shall comply with the following:
1. To initiate positive alarm sequence operation, the signal from
an automatic fire detection device shall be acknowledged at
the fire alarm control panel by trained personnel within 15
seconds of annunciation.
2. If the signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds,
notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation
plan shall be automatically and immediately activated.
Art. 23.8.5.7
3. If positive alarm sequence is initiated, trained personnel shall
have an alarm investigation phase of up to 180 seconds to
evaluate the fire condition and reset the system.
4. If the system is not reset during the alarm investigation phase,
notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation
plan shall be automatically and immediately activated.
5. If a second automatic fire detector is actuated during the
alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance
with the building evacuation plan shall be automatically and
immediately activated.
Page 7 of 9
6. If any other fire alarm initiating device is actuated, such as
manual pull stations, sprinkler flowswitch, smoke detectors,
heat detectors which are not selected for positive alarm
sequence operation, notification signals in accordance with
the building evacuation plan shall be automatically and
immediately activated.
Alarm Verification Feature
 Systems with alarm verification features shall be permitted under
the following conditions:
1. The alarm verification feature is not initialy enabled,
unless conditions or occupant activities that are
expected to cause nuisance alarms are anticipated in
the area that is protected by the smoke detectors.
Enabling the alarm verification feature shall be
protected by a password or limited access.
2. A smoke detector that is continuously subjected to a
smoke concentration above alarm threshold does not
delay the system alarm functions by more than one
minute.
3. Actuation of an alarm initiating device other than a
smoke detector causes the system alarm functions to
activate without additional delay.
4. The current status of the alarm verification feature is
shown on the record of completion.
Fire Suppression Systems
 The activation of a fire suppression system shall annunciate an
alarm or supervisory condition at the building fire alarm control
unit.
 An off-normal condition of a fire suppression system shall
annunciate a supervisory condition at the building fire alarm
control unit.
 The fire suppression system shall not be dependent on or
affected by the operation or failure of the building fire alarm
system.
Art. 23.8.5.9 Fire Pump Signal Initiation
 Fire pump monitoring at the building fire alarm control unit shall
initiate the following signals:
 pump running signal shall be permitted to be supervisory or
alarm signal
 All signals other than pump running shall be supervisory
signals
 Jockey pump running shall be supervisory signal
 Fire pump trouble conditions shall be supervisory signals
Chapter 24 Emergency Communication Systems (ECS)
 The purpose of emergency communication systems shall be:
 protection of life by indicating the existence of an
emergency situation and communicating information
Art. 24.3.5
necessary to facilitate an appropriate response and
action.
 It is intended to communicate information about
emergencies including, but not limited to, fire, human-
caused events (accidental or intentional), other
dangerous situations, accidents, and natural disasters.
Intelligible Voice Messages
 Emergency communication systems shall be capable of the
reproduction of prerecorded, synthesized, or live messages with
voice intelligibility.
 Can be clearly heard and understood by the occupants.
 Speaker layout shall be designed to ensure intelligibility and
audibility.
Page 8 of 9
Ancillary Functions
 The use of voice notification system for general alarm paging,
BGM, or other non-emergency functions may be permitted but it
shall not interfere with the performance of the fire alarm system or
emergency notification system.
 Subject to the approval of the AHJ.
 The monitoring integrity requirements continue to be met while
the system is used for non-emergency purposes.
 The fire alarm speakers providing ancillary functions shall meet
the following conditions:
 The fire command center shall be constantly attended
by trained personnel.
 Selective paging is permitted by the AHJ.
 The speakers and associated equipment are installed
or located with safeguards to resist tampering or
misadjustment of components essential for the intended
emergency notification.
Pathway Survivability (Art. 24.3.5)
 For systems employing relocation or partial evacuation, a Level 2
or Level 3 pathway survivability shall be required.
 For systems not employing relocation or partial evacuation, a
Level 0, Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 shall be required.
 In-building mass notification systems shall be permitted to have
Level 0 pathway survivability or greater if determined by a risk
analysis.
 Area of refuge (area of rescue assistance) emergency
communication systems shall have a pathway survivability of
Level 2 or Level 3.
 Two-way in-building wired emergency communication systems
(fireman’s telephone system) shall have a pathway survivability of
Level 2 or Level 3.
 One-Way Emergency Communication Systems  Areas of refuge
 Other locations required by the AHJ
 Systems shall be provided with manual voice transmission
capabilities selectively to one or more zones or an all-call basis.
Sec. 23.14 Off-Premises Signals
 Speakers in enclosed stairway, where provided, shall be
connected to a separate notification zone for manual paging only.  Transmission of signals to continuously attended locations
providing supervising station service shall comply with the
Art. 24.4.2.21 Textual Visible Notification applicable requirements of Chapter 26.

 The use of textual visible appliances that provide alert and  central station
messages shall be permitted as supplemental to the alarm
notification system.  proprietary supervising station

 The intensity and readability of the text, graphic, and video  remote supervising station
displays shall comply with the requirements of Art. 24.4.2.21.

 Textual visible messages shall be permitted to be any color, and

to be static, flashing, or scrolling, depending on the message
being displayed.
For additional information, please contact:
Art. 24.5.1 Two-Way Emergency Communication System
DINO J. MAGHIRANG
MULTI-LINE BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC.
 Two-way telephone communication service shall be for the use by
Telephone Number : 929-9911, 410-1155, Local 2110
the fire service and shall be located in the same location with the Email : djmaghirang@multi-linegroup.com
emergency voice communication equipment.

 Two-way telephone communication service shall be capable of

permitting the simultaneous operation of any five telephone
stations in a common talk mode,

 If telephone jacks are provided, two or more portable handsets,

as determined by the AHJ, shall be stored at the control center for
use by emergency responders.

 Two-way telephone communication system in buildings shall

provide at least one telephone station or jack at the following
locations:

 Each floor level

 each notification zone
 Each elevator cab
 Elevator lobbies
 Elevator machine rooms
 Genset room
 Fire pump room

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