 Personnel who are factory trained and certified for fire alarm

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE ALARM AND SIGNALING SYSTEMS system installation specific to the type and brand of system and
NATIONAL FIRE ALARM SIGNALING CODE who are acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
NFPA 72, 2010 Edition  Installer shall provide evidence of their qualification and/or
certifications.
Prepared by: Dino J. Maghirang
Art. 10.5.5 Primary Power Supplies
The following are the specific requirements of the NFPA 72, 2010 Edition, pertaining to
the design, application, installation, level of performance, inspection, testing, and  Provide dedicated branch circuit, lighting or power panel branch circuit
 Over current protection shall be of suitable current carrying capacity
maintenance of fire alarm and signaling systems.  Clearly and permanently identified- “FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT” in red
marking
Code Ref.  Accessible only to authorized personnel

OBJECTIVES Art. 10.5.6 Secondary Power Supplies

 To provide information on the requirements of the NFPA 72 for the  Storage batteries dedicated to the system
design, application, installation, level of performance, inspection,  Sufficient capacity to operate the system
testing, and maintenance of fire alarm and signaling systems.  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
 To promote the adoption, use and implementation of the NFPA codes  Trickle- or float-charge to keep battery fully charged
and standards for the protection of life and property.  Recharge batteries to full rated capacity within 48 hours after one
discharge cycle
Chapter 10 FUNDAMENTALS  Protection against overcharging shall be provided
 Monitoring integrity of battery charger
Art. 10.20 Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems - Primary Purpose
Art. 10.6 Signal Priority
 To provide notification of alarm, supervisory and trouble conditions
 The priority of signals shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Fire alarm signals shall take precedence over all signals
 To alert building occupants
2. ECS priority signals shall be permitted to take precedence over
all signals when evaluated under Sec. 24.4.2.2 Risk Analysis for
 To summon aid Mass Notification System and approved by the AHJ.
3. Emergency mass notification signals and messages
 To perform emergency control functions 4. Supervisory signals
5. Trouble signals
Art. 10.4.2.(3) System Installer 6. Hold-up alarms or other life threatening signals

 Fire Alarm systems and Emergency communications system shall be Art. 10.7 Distinctive Signals
installed by, or under the supervision of persons who are qualified and
experienced in the installation, inspection, and testing of the systems.  Signals shall be distinctively and descriptively annunciated
 The standard fire alarm evacuation signal shall consist of a three-
 Personnel who are registered, licensed, or certified by a state or pulse temporal pattern (sec. 18.4.2.1)
local authority.  Standard evacuation signal shall be synchronized within a notification
 Personnel who are certified by a nationally recognized zone
certification organization acceptable to the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ).

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  Parts 15-16 shall be completed after the operational
Art. 3.3.240 Signals acceptance test has been completed.
 A final copy of the record of completion shall be submitted
 Evacuation signal – a distinctive signal intended to alert the occupants to the owner, and to the AHJ.
of the need to evacuate the building  One copy of the record of completion shall be stored at the
 Fire alarm signal – a signal initiated by a fire alarm-initiating device in main fire alarm control unit, or a separate cabinet labeled
which activation is indicative of the presence of a fire “Fire Alarm Documents”.
 Supervisory signal – a signal indicating the need for action in
connection with the supervision of a fire suppression system or  Upon final acceptance of the system the following documents
equipment, of guard tours, or the maintenance feature of a related shall be submitted to the owner
system  Manufacturer’s O & M manuals
 Trouble signal – a signal initiated by a system or device indicative of a  Record Drawings
fault in a monitored circuit, system, or component.  For software-based system, a copy of the site-specific
software
Art. 10.17 Monitoring Integrity  A written sequence of operation
 Record of tests and operations of the system
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 Chapter 12 Circuits and Pathways Performance and Survivability Characteristics
system, equipment, component or device.
 The installation of all pathway wiring, cable, and equipment shall
 Emergency voice alarm systems, amplifiers, tone generators be in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC).
 Two-way telephone communication  Optical fiber cables installed as part of the fire alarm system shall
 Primary and secondary power supplies meet the requirements of NFPA 70, NEC.
 Analog/Addressable smoke and heat detectors and other  Where fire alarm circuits enter or exit buildings, the circuits and
communicating devices equipment shall be installed in accordance with Art. 760 of NFPA
 Other alarm initiating devices 70, NEC.
 Installation conductors and other signaling channels  All fire alarm systems shall test free of grounds.
 Occurrence of a single open or a single ground fault  Wiring shall resist attack by fire (survivability)
condition is automatically indicated within 200 seconds  Installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
 Restoration to normal is automatically indicated within 200
seconds Art. 12.3 Pathway Class Designation
 A single open or a single ground fault does not cause an
alarm signal  Class A
 A wire-to-wire short on any NAC result in trouble signal at  Includes a redundant path
the fire alarm control unit.  Operational capability continues past a single open
 Faults affecting the operation are annunciated.
Art. 10.18.1.2 Documentation  Class B
 Does not include a redundant path
 Prior to installation the following shall be submitted for approval:  Operational capability stops at a single open
 Specifications  Faults affecting the operation are annunciated.
 Type of system, product data sheets  Class C
 Plans and shop drawings  Includes one or more pathways where operational capability
 Input/output matrix and sequence of operation is verified via end-to-end communication, but the integrity of
 Battery calculations individual paths are not monitored.
 NAC voltage drop calculations  A loss of end-to-end communication is annunciated.
 Class D
Art. 10.18.2 Completion Documents  Has fail-safe operation where intended operation is
performed in the event of pathway failure
 Preparation of a Record of Completion ( See Form 10.18.2.1.1)  No fault annunciation
 Parts 1-14 shall be completed after the system is installed  Class E
and the installation wiring is checked.  The pathway is not monitored for integrity.

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 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
  Spacing of detectors shall not exceed their listed spacing.
 Sprinkler waterflow detectors
 activation shall occur within 90 seconds of waterflow when  Smoke detectors shall not be located directly in the airstream of
flow is equal or greater than that from a single sprinkler supply registers.
head installed in the system
 Movement of water due to waste, surges, or variable  The effect of smoke stratification below the ceiling shall be taken
pressure shall not initiate an alarm signal.
into account. (Reference Guidelines in Annex B- NFPA 72)
 Supervisory signal-initiating devices
 guard tour station  The spacing of smoke detectors in high air movement areas shall
 panic button be reduced based on the number of air changes (Table
 control valve switch 17.7.6.3.3.1).
 water level switch
Art. 17.7.2 Smoke Detector Sensitivity
Art. 17.7 Automatic fire detectors
 Smoke detectors shall be marked with their nominal production
 The selection and placement of smoke detectors shall take into sensitivity and tolerance (percent per foot obscuration), as
account both the performance characteristics of the detector and required by the listing.
the areas into which the detectors are to be installed to prevent
nuisance alarms.  SD with field adjustable sensitivity shall have an adjustment
range of not less than 0.6 percent per foot obscuration.
 The location of SD shall be based on an evaluation of potential
ambient sources of smoke, moisture, dust, or fumes, and  If the means of sensitivity adjustment is on the detector, a
electrical or mechanical influences, to minimize nuisance alarms. method shall be provided to restore the detector to its factory
calibration.
 In the absence of specific performance-based design criteria, SD
spacing on smooth ceiling shall be a nominal 30ft. (9.1m). Chapter 18 Notification Appliances

 Unless specifically designed and listed for the expected  Notification Appliances are used to initiate or direct evacuation or
conditions, SDs shall not be installed if any of the following
relocation of the occupants, or for providing information to
ambient conditions exist:
 Temperature below 32 deg. F (0 deg. C) occupants or responding emergency personnel.
 Temperature above 100 deg. F (38 deg. C)
 Relative humidity above 93 percent  Notification appliances provides audible, tactile, or visible outputs,
 Air velocity greater than 300 ft/min (1.5m/sec) or any combination thereof
 Audible Notification appliance: Bell, horns
 Automatic fire detectors shall not be installed in inaccessible  Voice messages : Speaker
areas, provide accessibility for periodic maintenance  Visible notification appliance: Strobe lights
 Annunciators – LED or LCD
 Visual - Textual display or graphics
 Where subject to mechanical damage, provide mechanical guard
protection  The use of the standard notification signal shall be restricted to
situations where it is desired that all occupants hearing the signal
 Detectors shall not be recessed into mounting surface, unless evacuate the building immediately.
tested and listed for recessed mounting
 It shall not be used where the planned action during an
 Where partitions extend within 15% of ceiling height, the spaces emergency is not evacuation, but rather is the relocation of
occupants, or their protection I place, as directed by the
segregated by the partitions shall be considered as separate
emergency response plan ar as directed by the emergency
rooms. personnel.

Page 4 of 9
 Visible Notification Appliances
Sec.18.4 Audible Characteristics
 Visible notification appliances shall be wall mounted such that the
 The total sound pressure level produced by combining the lens is not less than 80 in. (2.03m) and not greater than 96in.
ambient sound pressure level with all audible notification (2.44m) above finished floor. If the height limitation is not
appliances operating shall not exceed 110 dBA at the minimum possible, mounting shall be not more than 6 in. (150mm) from the
hearing distance. ceiling.

 The alarm signal used to notify building occupants of the need to  When two or more visible appliances are installed within a field of
evacuate shall be the standard alarm evacuation signal consisting view, they shall be synchronized.
of a three-pulse temporal pattern.
 In corridors, locate visible appliances not more than 15ft. (4.57m)
 The signal shall be repeated for a period appropriate for the from the end of the corridor with a separation not more than 100ft
purpose of evacuation of the building, but for not less than 180 (30.5m) between appliances.
seconds.
Sec. 8.9 Textual Visible Appliances
 The standard evacuation signal shall be synchronized within a
 Textual visible appliances shall be permitted for fire alarm
notification zone.
systems if they are used in addition to audible and visible
Art. 18.4.3 Public Mode Audible Requirements notification appliances.

 To ensure signals are clearly heard, the sound level shall be at Chapter 21 Emergency Control Functions and Interfaces
least 15dB above the average ambient sound level or 5dB above
 The methods of interconnection between the fire alarm system
the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60
seconds, whichever is greater. and controlled electrical and mechanical systems shall comply
with the following:
 Notification appliances shall be wall mounted not less than 90
 Emergency control functions shall not interfere with the
in.(2.29m) above the finished floor and not less than 6 in.(150mm)
operations of the fire alarm system
below the finished ceiling.

 A listed relay or other listed appliances connected to the fire

 Where approved by the AHJ, the requirements of audible signals
alarm system shall be located within 3ft. (1m) of the
shall be permitted to be reduced when visible signaling is
controlled circuit or appliances.
provided.

Sec. 18.5 Visible Characteristics  Monitoring integrity and pathway survivability requirements
shall be maintained.
 An average ambient sound level greater than 105 dBA shall
Elevator Recall for firefighter’s service
require the use of visible notification appliances.

 Designated level recall

 Visible appliances shall comply with the following:
 Alternate level recall
 Elevator lobby smoke detectors installed on lobby ceiling shall be
 Flash rate shall not exceed two flashes per second (2Hz) nor within 21ft. (6.4m) of the center line of each elevator door.
be less than one flash per second (1Hz)  Only the elevator lobby smoke detector, unless otherwise
 The maximum pulse duration shall be 0.2 second with a required by AHJ, shall be used to recall the elevators for fire
maximum duty cycle of 40 percent. fighter’s use.
 The color of light shall be clear or nominal white
 The effective intensity not to exceed 1000 cd.

Page 5 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
Heating, Ventillating and Air-conditioning (HVAC) Systems
 All changes shall be tested to confirm correct
 All detection devices used to cause the operation of HVAC operation.
systems smoke dampers, fire dampers, fan control, smoke doors,
Sec. 23.3 System Features and Functions
and fire doors shall be monitored for integrity and shall operate in
accordance with applicable NFPA standards.  Building fire alarm systems shall include one or more of the
following features or functions:
 Automatic alarm initiation zones shall be coordinated with the  Manual fire alarm signal initiation
smoke-control zones they actuate.  Automatic fire alarm and supervisory signal initiation
 Monitoring of abnormal conditions in fire suppression
Sec. 21.8 Door Release Service systems
 Activation of fire suppression system
 Activation of fire safety functions
 Door hold-open release devices and door closure devices shall be  Activation of fire alarm notification appliances
monitored for integrity in accordance with the requirements of  In-building fire emergency voice/alarm communications
applicable NFPA standards.
Sec. 23.4 System Performance and Integrity
 Smoke control doors held-open by magnetic holders are released
upon activation of fire alarm signal to prevent spread of smoke  Circuit Designation of Classifications
and fire from one compartment of the building to other
compartments.  Pathway Classification

Sec. 21.9 Electrically Locked Doors Sec. 23.8 System Requirements

 Any device or system intended to electrically lock a required  Activation of alarm, emergency voice communication, fire safety
means of egress door in the direction of egress shall be functions, and annunciation shall occur within 10 seconds after
connected to the fire alarm system. activation of initiating device.

 The means of egress door shall be unlocked by the fire alarm  If automatic drift compensation of sensitivity for fire detector is
system prior to, or concurrent with the activation of notification provided, the fire control unit shall identify the affected detector
appliances in the area of the egress door. when the limit of compensation is reached.

 Doors shall remain unlocked until the fire alarm condition is  Pre-signal Feature
manually reset.
 Positive Alarm Sequence
Chapter 23 Protected Premises Fire Alarm System
 Alarm Verification Feature
 Shall be for the purpose of protection to life and property by
indicating the existence of heat, fire, smoke, or other emergencies  Fire Suppression System operation
impacting the protected premises.

 Software and firmware control



Page 6 of 9
Art. 23.8.1.2 Pre-Signal Feature
6. If any other fire alarm initiating device is actuated, such as
 Pre-signal feature shall be permitted if approved by AHJ, and manual pull stations, sprinkler flowswitch, smoke detectors,
shall meet the following conditions: heat detectors which are not selected for positive alarm
sequence operation, notification signals in accordance with
1. The initial fire alarm signals sound only in the department the building evacuation plan shall be automatically and
offices, control rooms, fire brigade stations, or other immediately activated.
constantly attended central locations.
Art. 23.8.5.4.1 Alarm Verification Feature
2. Where provided, transmission of alarm signal to supervising
station activates upon initial alarm.  Systems with alarm verification features shall be permitted under
the following conditions:
3. Subsequent operation by either of the following:
1. The alarm verification feature is not initialy enabled,
a. Human action to activate general fire alarm unless conditions or occupant activities that are
b. A feature that allows delay of general alarm by more than expected to cause nuisance alarms are anticipated in
1 minute after the start of the alarm process. the area that is protected by the smoke detectors.
Enabling the alarm verification feature shall be
protected by a password or limited access.
Art. 23.8.1.3 Positive Alarm Sequence
2. A smoke detector that is continuously subjected to a
 Positive alarm sequence shall be permitted if approved by AHJ, smoke concentration above alarm threshold does not
and shall comply with the following: delay the system alarm functions by more than one
minute.
1. To initiate positive alarm sequence operation, the signal from
an automatic fire detection device shall be acknowledged at 3. Actuation of an alarm initiating device other than a
the fire alarm control panel by trained personnel within 15 smoke detector causes the system alarm functions to
seconds of annunciation. activate without additional delay.

2. If the signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds, 4. The current status of the alarm verification feature is
notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation shown on the record of completion.
plan shall be automatically and immediately activated.
Art. 23.8.5.7 Fire Suppression Systems
3. If positive alarm sequence is initiated, trained personnel shall
have an alarm investigation phase of up to 180 seconds to  The activation of a fire suppression system shall annunciate an
evaluate the fire condition and reset the system. alarm or supervisory condition at the building fire alarm control
unit.
4. If the system is not reset during the alarm investigation phase,
notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation  An off-normal condition of a fire suppression system shall
plan shall be automatically and immediately activated. annunciate a supervisory condition at the building fire alarm
control unit.
5. If a second automatic fire detector is actuated during the
alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance  The fire suppression system shall not be dependent on or
with the building evacuation plan shall be automatically and affected by the operation or failure of the building fire alarm
immediately activated. system.

Page 7 of 9
Art. 23.8.5.9 Fire Pump Signal Initiation
Ancillary Functions
 Fire pump monitoring at the building fire alarm control unit shall
 The use of voice notification system for general alarm paging,
initiate the following signals:
BGM, or other non-emergency functions may be permitted but it
shall not interfere with the performance of the fire alarm system or
 pump running signal shall be permitted to be supervisory or emergency notification system.
alarm signal  Subject to the approval of the AHJ.
 All signals other than pump running shall be supervisory  The monitoring integrity requirements continue to be met while
signals the system is used for non-emergency purposes.
 The fire alarm speakers providing ancillary functions shall meet
 Jockey pump running shall be supervisory signal the following conditions:
 The fire command center shall be constantly attended
 Fire pump trouble conditions shall be supervisory signals by trained personnel.
 Selective paging is permitted by the AHJ.
Chapter 24 Emergency Communication Systems (ECS)  The speakers and associated equipment are installed
or located with safeguards to resist tampering or
 The purpose of emergency communication systems shall be: misadjustment of components essential for the intended
emergency notification.
 protection of life by indicating the existence of an
emergency situation and communicating information
Art. 24.3.5 Pathway Survivability (Art. 24.3.5)
necessary to facilitate an appropriate response and
action.  For systems employing relocation or partial evacuation, a Level 2
or Level 3 pathway survivability shall be required.
 It is intended to communicate information about
emergencies including, but not limited to, fire, human-  For systems not employing relocation or partial evacuation, a
caused events (accidental or intentional), other Level 0, Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 shall be required.
dangerous situations, accidents, and natural disasters.
 In-building mass notification systems shall be permitted to have
Intelligible Voice Messages Level 0 pathway survivability or greater if determined by a risk
analysis.
 Emergency communication systems shall be capable of the
reproduction of prerecorded, synthesized, or live messages with  Area of refuge (area of rescue assistance) emergency
voice intelligibility. communication systems shall have a pathway survivability of
Level 2 or Level 3.
 Can be clearly heard and understood by the occupants.
 Two-way in-building wired emergency communication systems
 Speaker layout shall be designed to ensure intelligibility and
(fireman’s telephone system) shall have a pathway survivability of
audibility.
Level 2 or Level 3.

Page 8 of 9
 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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