Chapter 1 of the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72, says that the code defines the features associated with fire alarm and signaling systems and provides the requirements necessary to modify or upgrade an existing system to meet the requirements of a particular system classification. As I have stated many times, the code establishes the “minimum required levels of performance, extent of redundancy, and quality of installation but does not establish the only methods by which these requirements are to be achieved.” In other words, the code tells you what to do and you must determine how to install the system in a code-compliant fashion.

I have recently audited some fire alarm systems and found that those installers did not know the code.

For example, in one facility, a residential (apartment) occupancy, the fire alarm control unit was installed in the attic over the garage. The attic could only be accessed by a pull-down ladder. This is wrong on two counts. First, the attic does not meet the requirements for an acceptable environment for the fire control unit. Chapter 10, Section 10.4.3 states, “Equipment shall be installed in locations where conditions do not exceed the voltage, temperature, and humidity limits specified in the manufacturer’s published instructions.” I am not aware of any manufacturer that lists their fire alarm control unit to meet the temperatures and humidity conditions found in an attic.

Second, Section 10.17.3.1 states that “All required annunciation means shall be readily accessible to responding personnel.” There was no remote annunciator, so that meant all information required by the first responders was only at the control unit. A first responder in turn-out gear is not going to climb up pull-down stairs to access the attic, and that’s assuming they know it is in the attic.

The code defines accessible (as applied to equipment) as “Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means.” This definition is extracted from the National Electrical Code, which any installer of fire alarm systems should be familiar with. Also installed on this system were remote power supplies that served the notification appliances. Unfortunately, the power supply extenders were installed above the suspended ceiling with limited ability to open the door to the power supply cabinet to access the battery or the unit itself in the event service was needed. Refer to the definition of accessible above.

I also found noncompliance with Section 10.4.4, which states “In areas that are not continuously occupied, an automatic smoke detector shall be provided at the location of each control unit(s), notification appliance circuit power extender(s), and supervising station transmitting equipment to provide notification of fire at that location.” Neither the fire alarm control unit nor the notification appliance circuit power extenders were protected by smoke detectors.

The installer used system-connected smoke detectors with built-in horns to serve as the smoke detector in the residential unit and the notification of the occupant using the built-in sounder appliance to ensure audibility. Unfortunately, the technician installing and programming the system did not do it correctly. When any detection device is actuated within the building, all the apartment notification appliances should sound. They did not. Additionally, all residential units requiring more than one smoke detector must operate so that when any residential unit smoke detector operates in the unit, all notification appliances within the unit must sound. They did not. In addition to the requirements of Chapter 10, Section 10.5.3.5.1 that states, “Personnel programming a system shall be certified by the system manufacturer.” I can only assume the technician was not properly trained and certified by the manufacturer, and it’s obvious they did not read or understand the code.

Finally, the installer totally dismissed providing the proper document completion in accordance with Chapter 7. At a minimum, they should have provided a record of completion, which documented the system installation and signed by the installer and AHJ witnessing the final acceptance tests. For a large system such as this one, an as-built drawing showing equipment locations and the minimum sound pressure levels that were produced by the audible notification appliances in applicable covered areas should have been provided. A completed record of inspection and testing in accordance with sections 7.6.6 and 7.8.2 should also have been produced, and an acceptance test report should have been provided.

Chapter 7 requires a documentation cabinet large enough for all documents for every new system, and, of course, all available documentation should be stored in this cabinet. The code also requires that the cabinet be labeled “system record documents.”

No documents or cabinet were installed on-site for the system. Unfortunately, I have found the above issues with too many systems I have audited.

I hope you will ensure you and any technicians who report to you will read, understand and have a copy of NFPA 72 in the truck. Avoid these common mistakes and your profit margins will increase on your fire alarm system installations.