All fire alarm systems are first required in the building code applicable to the jurisdiction you are working in (unless you’re dealing with a hospital—then you need to add the requirements from NFPA 101, Life Safety Code). The installation and application requirements are covered in NFPA 70, National Electrical Code and NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. You may also need to include local jurisdictional requirements as well.

Building fire alarm systems are called “Protected Premises Alarm and Signaling Systems” in NFPA 72, and the requirements are contained in Chapter 23. The stated purpose of Chapter 23 is for systems used for the “protection of life or property, or both, by indicating the existence of heat, fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, or other emergencies impacting the protected premises.”

One often misunderstood item about protected premises fire alarm systems is that not every output action requires evacuation or relocation in a building. When the goal of the system is to notify the building occupants, then Chapter 23 refers you to Chapter 18, Notification Appliances, and the requirements for public mode signaling therein must be followed.

However, fire alarm systems can be installed for reasons other than occupant notification, such as the supervision of duct smoke detectors or extinguishing systems.

The phrase “or other emergencies impacting the protected premises” in the purpose statement of Chapter 23 means that a fire alarm system can be interfaced with mass notification systems (MNSs) covered in Chapter 24, for example, and can include signaling for other emergencies such as terrorist threats, chemical or biological hazards, and natural disasters.

All fire alarm systems installed within protected premises must first comply with Chapter 23 and then comply with other chapters such as Detection Devices (Chapter 17) or Notification Appliances (Chapter 18). Depending on the type of fire alarm control unit (FACU) being installed, cybersecurity may be a concern, so Chapter 11, Cybersecurity would add to the Chapter 23 requirements.

Most systems you install will be (or should be) connected off-site to a remote monitoring company. These companies are called supervising stations in the Code. When the local fire alarm system in the building is connected in such a fashion, the entire system becomes what is labeled as a supervising station fire alarm system and the requirements for whichever supervising station system you are using in Chapter 26 now become applicable. All the building or protected premises fire alarm systems must still comply with the requirements of Chapter 23 and the connection off premises will comply with whatever type of supervising station you are using.

In buildings with multiple floors, you will be required to add remote annunciation to the system. This is strictly for the fire department so that first responders will know where to go once they get to the building in alarm.

The authority having jurisdiction typically determines the type and location of any required annunciation. Common locations for annunciation include lobbies, guards’ desks and fire command centers. On some occasions, the FACU may serve as the annunciator. Chapter 10, Fundamentals, sections 10.18.3.1 and 10.18.3.2 have requirements for the location of annunciators, which would include the FACU if it was performing the annunciation. Because annunciation of the fire alarm system must be readily accessible to the first responders, all required annunciation must be located as required by the AHJ. This requirement facilitates a more efficient fire department response to the alarm condition.

If the annunciator does not display all zones in alarm at the same time, then the zone of origin alarm must be displayed. In fact, the zone of origin must always be displayed. Additionally, if only the zone of origin is displayed, there must be an indication of other zones in alarm. Because annunciation of alarm locations is strictly for the use of first responders, a key point with alarm annunciation is to ensure the names of the zones are approved by the AHJ. It defeats the purpose if the annunciation makes no sense to the first responders.

Generally, in a multifloor building, each floor will be considered a separate zone.

The Life Safety Code requires all operator controls, alarm indicators and manual communications capability to be installed at a convenient location acceptable to the AHJ. This is very important when the fire alarm system is interfaced with or part of an emergency communications system (ECS).

Chapter 17 covers the placement and application of detection devices and, of course, their connection to the FACU. The same is true for the notification appliances, which are covered in Chapter 18. Although not part of the actual system installation, all documentation must be provided as outlined in Chapter 7.

I haven’t discussed the wiring requirements for a fire alarm system up to this point. You need to be aware of the requirements contained in NEC Article 760 and in Chapter 12 of NFPA 72.

Many fire alarm systems control other fire protection systems or devices, such as fan control circuits. Chapter 21 of NFPA 72 contains the requirements for connection and monitoring of these circuits or systems.

As a point of information, Chapter 29, Single- and Multiple-Station Alarms and Household Signaling Systems, is a standalone chapter and not part of the requirements for the building fire alarm system.

The only chapter in NFPA 72 that is retroactive is Chapter 14, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance. This chapter applies to new and existing systems and applies to all protected premises systems. The only way to help ensure operational reliability is 100% acceptance testing of the fire alarm systems as installed. Periodic testing as outlined in Chapter 14 provides ongoing assurance that the system is working as originally intended. Some jurisdictions have their own testing standards, but in all other jurisdictions, Section 23.1.2 requires that Chapter 14 be followed in addition to the other chapters listed. This provides an avenue for the AHJ to require the use of Chapter 14 testing requirements.

If you are installing fire alarm systems and you do not have a copy of the NEC and NFPA 72, you are taking some big chances for possible changes to your installation to be code-compliant. As you can see from the above overview, there are a lot of rules you have to follow to be in compliance!