This specification covers the design, equipment, installation, wiring, testing, and commissioning of a protected-premises fire alarm and signaling system as defined in NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. The system shall detect fire or fire conditions, alert occupants, transmit signals to a supervising station, and initiate emergency control functions in accordance with the sequence of operations established by the project Engineer of Record.
The fire alarm system is a life-safety system and shall be treated as the highest-priority scope on the project. Every trade whose work intersects with the fire alarm system — including mechanical contractors installing duct smoke detectors and damper controls, sprinkler contractors whose waterflow and supervisory devices connect to the system, elevator contractors whose recall and shutdown sequences are driven by fire alarm outputs, and general contractors who affect finished ceiling heights and room geometry — shall coordinate directly with the fire alarm Contractor before rough-in begins. Late coordination is the single largest generator of RFIs and change orders on fire alarm work.
This standard addresses systems classified as protected-premises fire alarm systems per NFPA 72 Chapter 23, including single-building addressable systems, multi-building campus systems, and systems with in-building fire emergency voice/alarm communications. Where the project requires a mass notification system that addresses non-fire threats in addition to fire, the MNS scope is covered in Mass Notification Systems; however, the fire alarm function of a combined fire alarm and MNS system is governed by this standard. Where fire pumps are monitored, supervisory inputs for fire pump status connect to the fire alarm system covered here, but fire pump equipment and controls are covered in Fire Pumps.
All work shall comply with the edition of NFPA 72 adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Where the AHJ has adopted an earlier edition, the Contractor shall confirm the adopted edition in writing before design commences. All other referenced standards shall also be the latest edition adopted by the AHJ unless the AHJ directs otherwise.
Equipment, materials, and installation shall comply with the following standards. Where requirements conflict, the more stringent shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
| Standard | Title |
|---|---|
| NFPA 72 | National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code |
| NFPA 70 | National Electrical Code (Article 760 — Fire Alarm Systems) |
| NFPA 101 | Life Safety Code |
| IBC Chapter 9 | International Building Code — Fire Protection Systems |
| IFC Chapter 9 | International Fire Code — Fire Protection Systems |
| UL 864 | Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems |
| UL 268 | Standard for Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems |
| UL 521 | Standard for Heat Detectors for Fire Protective Signaling Systems |
| UL 464 | Standard for Audible Signal Appliances |
| UL 1971 | Standard for Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired |
| UL 1481 | Standard for Power Supplies for Fire Protective Signaling Systems |
| UL 2017 | Standard for General-Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems |
| UL 2572 | Standard for Mass Notification Systems |
| ANSI/NFPA 72 Chapter 14 | Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance |
| ANSI/NETA ATS | Standard for Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems |
| ICC A117.1 | Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (visible notification appliance coverage) |
| ADA Standards for Accessible Design | Federal ADA accessibility requirements for notification |
| NFPA 13 | Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (waterflow and supervisory device requirements) |
| NFPA 90A | Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems (duct smoke detector placement) |
The Contractor shall submit the following to the Engineer of Record for review prior to procurement and prior to beginning any installation. Review of submittals does not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for compliance with contract documents or applicable codes.
The fire alarm system submittal is a complete system-level document, not a collection of individual product data sheets. The Engineer reviews the system as a whole, and partial or piecemeal submittals shall be returned without review.
The Contractor shall also submit the following for information only (not for Engineer review and return unless specifically noted):
At substantial completion, prior to system acceptance, the Contractor shall submit:
The fire alarm system shall be installed by a contractor holding a current fire alarm contractor's license as required by the state or local jurisdiction. The installing contractor shall demonstrate documented experience with the specific FACU platform being installed, and shall provide evidence of manufacturer-authorized training for the FACU model on this project.
The fire alarm system designer shall hold a current NICET Fire Alarm Systems certification at Level III or higher, or shall be a licensed Professional Engineer with demonstrated fire alarm system design experience. The installer-in-charge responsible for supervising field installation, programming, and acceptance testing shall hold NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II or higher, or equivalent.
The fire alarm system shall be supplied by a single manufacturer responsible for all major components: the FACU, remote panels, power supplies, all listed initiating devices, and all listed notification appliances. Single-source responsibility ensures system compatibility, ensures that the listed system configuration matches the installed configuration, and provides a single point of accountability for performance and warranty.
The fire alarm control unit shall be listed to UL 864, Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems. Every initiating device shall be listed to the applicable UL standard for its device type (UL 268 for smoke detectors, UL 521 for heat detectors, UL 464 for audible signal appliances, UL 1971 for visible notification appliances for the hearing-impaired). All devices shall be listed for use with the FACU platform and shall appear on the FACU manufacturer's listed compatible device list. Unlisted devices and devices not on the manufacturer's compatible list shall not be installed.
A pre-installation conference shall be held prior to beginning fire alarm installation and shall include the fire alarm Contractor, the mechanical contractor (for duct detector and HVAC shutdown coordination), the sprinkler contractor (for waterflow and supervisory device coordination), the elevator contractor (for recall and power-shunt coordination), the electrical contractor (for primary power coordination), and the Owner's representative. The sequence of operations matrix shall be reviewed and approved at this meeting. Meeting minutes shall be distributed to all attendees and to the Engineer of Record within five business days.
The FACU and all system components shall be rated and listed for the environmental conditions in the spaces where they are installed. Standard interior commercial environments require components suitable for 32°F to 120°F (0°C to 49°C) ambient temperature and up to 93 percent relative humidity, non-condensing, as required by UL 864. Where equipment is installed in mechanical rooms, parking structures, loading docks, exterior locations, or other harsh environments, the Contractor shall confirm that the specific products used are listed for those conditions.
Smoke detectors shall not be installed in environments that consistently exceed the manufacturer's listed operating conditions for temperature, humidity, airborne particulates, corrosives, or other contaminants. Where such environments exist (commercial kitchens, laundry rooms, paint spray booths, dusty industrial processes), a rate-of-rise or fixed-temperature heat detector shall be used in place of or in addition to the smoke detector, and the choice shall be documented in the sequence of operations.
The fire alarm system shall be a protected-premises fire alarm system as defined in NFPA 72 Chapter 23. The system architecture, addressable or conventional, shall be as indicated on the contract drawings.
Addressable systems shall provide point-specific identification of every initiating device at the FACU, at the remote annunciator, and in any transmitted alarm signal. Conventional systems shall provide zone identification at a minimum. Addressable systems are strongly preferred for all new construction because point-specific identification reduces response time, reduces false-alarm investigation time, and simplifies troubleshooting.
The notification zone strategy determines which areas receive alarm notification and when. The project Engineer of Record shall establish the notification zone strategy based on the building occupancy, the required evacuation strategy under IBC/IFC and NFPA 101, and the requirements of the AHJ.
The sequence of operations shall govern every input/output relationship in the system. A complete sequence of operations matrix shall be submitted as a project submittal and shall be the contractual basis for FACU programming. The following minimum response actions shall be addressed:
Alarm activation — any initiating device in alarm shall: sound all audible notification appliances in affected notification zones at the required sound pressure level, flash all visible notification appliances in affected notification zones, transmit a fire alarm signal to the supervising station, display the device address and location description at the FACU, display the alarm at remote annunciators, energize emergency control function outputs as programmed (see Emergency Control Functions below), and release fire doors and smoke barrier doors held open by electromagnetic door holders.
Pre-alarm (if addressable multi-criteria detection is used) — a single qualifying detector condition may generate a pre-alarm alert at the FACU without initiating audible/visible notification; a second confirming signal, a cross-zoned device in alarm, or a defined time delay shall escalate to full alarm. The pre-alarm response shall be defined in the sequence of operations matrix.
Supervisory — a supervisory condition from a sprinkler control valve, fire pump, pressure switch, or other supervisory device shall: sound a supervisory signal at the FACU (distinctly different from alarm), display the supervisory point and location at the FACU, transmit a supervisory signal to the supervising station, and generate a visual indication at the remote annunciator. Supervisory signals shall not initiate notification appliances.
Trouble — a trouble condition from any wiring fault, loss of primary power, low battery, or device communication failure shall: sound a trouble tone at the FACU (distinctly different from alarm and supervisory), display the trouble location at the FACU, transmit a trouble signal to the supervising station, and generate a trouble indication at the remote annunciator. Trouble signals shall not initiate notification appliances.
Emergency control functions — the FACU shall provide output relay contacts or supervised output modules to control: HVAC system shutdown (fan shutdown or fan/damper control per NFPA 90A), elevator recall to the primary or secondary recall floor, unlocking of magnetically locked egress doors, release of fire and smoke dampers (where the system serves as the initiating control for damper release), and any other emergency control function identified on the contract drawings. Emergency control functions shall be individually identified in the sequence of operations matrix and shall not be combined with alarm notification circuits.
The fire alarm control unit (FACU) is the central intelligence of the system. It continuously supervises all circuits and devices, receives and processes initiating signals, generates notification outputs, executes programmed control logic, and communicates system status to the supervising station. The FACU shall be UL 864 listed, shall be capable of supporting the number of initiating devices, notification appliances, and programmable control functions required by the project, and shall have sufficient future capacity for expansion.
The FACU shall be sized for the number of addressable points, NAC circuits, SLC circuits, and control output modules required by the project, plus a minimum 20 percent spare capacity in each category. Spare capacity shall be in the form of installed panels with unused card slots or unused device addresses on installed SLC circuits, not merely by a statement that expansion cards are available. The Contractor shall document the as-installed spare capacity at project close.
The FACU operator interface shall include: a backlit alphanumeric display of not less than 80 characters capable of displaying device addresses, plain-language location descriptions, and system status messages; LED indicators for system normal, alarm, supervisory, trouble, and AC power; dedicated alarm acknowledge, silence, and reset controls; and a control access keyswitch or passcode to prevent unauthorized operation. The display shall simultaneously show the current time and date and the most recent unacknowledged event.
Where the primary FACU is not at the fire department access point or at the main entrance of the building, a remote annunciator shall be provided at the location directed by the AHJ and indicated on the drawings. The remote annunciator shall replicate the FACU alarm, supervisory, and trouble displays and shall provide acknowledge and reset capabilities.
The FACU enclosure shall be surface-mounted or semi-flush as indicated on the drawings, finished in red or as required by the AHJ, and labeled as "FIRE ALARM CONTROL" in permanent lettering. The enclosure shall be located where it is accessible to authorized personnel and to responding emergency responders, in a location not subject to damage from normal building activity.
The FACU shall comply with the cybersecurity requirements of NFPA 72 Chapter 11 (2022 edition). Remote access to the FACU for diagnostics, programming updates, or alarm monitoring shall require authentication and shall be conducted over an encrypted communication channel. The Contractor shall document all remote access accounts created during commissioning and shall change default passwords before system acceptance.
Initiating devices detect fire conditions or supervisory conditions and report them to the FACU. Every initiating device shall be listed for use with the FACU as required by its UL listing. Device placement, spacing, and coverage shall comply with NFPA 72 Chapter 17. Detector placement that deviates from the spacing limitations of NFPA 72 Chapter 17 is not permitted without engineering analysis demonstrating equivalent performance, documented in the shop drawing submittal.
Spot-type smoke detectors shall be listed to UL 268. Smoke detectors shall be provided in all areas required by NFPA 72, NFPA 101, IBC/IFC, and the AHJ. The default spacing in smooth-ceiling conditions at or below 10 ft (3.05 m) ceiling height is based on the manufacturer's listed spacing. Where ceiling heights exceed 10 ft, spacing shall be reduced or detectors shall be listed for higher-ceiling applications; the Contractor shall apply the appropriate NFPA 72 Chapter 17 ceiling-height adjustment factors and document the calculation in the shop drawings.
Multi-criteria detectors that combine photoelectric sensing with heat or CO sensing provide improved discrimination between actual fires and nuisance conditions (steam, cooking smoke, dust). Multi-criteria detectors are the preferred type for commercial applications because false alarm callbacks are expensive and degrade occupant responsiveness to alarms. Single-technology ionization detectors shall not be used in areas subject to cooking aerosols, steam, or dusty environments.
Smoke detectors shall be located no closer than 3 ft (0.9 m) from supply air diffusers or return air grilles, because high-velocity air flow dilutes smoke and may prevent detection. In areas with air movement patterns that preclude detector placement away from air outlets, the Contractor shall consult with the mechanical engineer and shall use high-sensitivity or air-sampling detection.
Duct smoke detectors shall be listed to UL 268 and shall be designed and listed for duct installation. They shall be provided in supply and return air ducts as required by NFPA 90A Section 6.4.4 and the mechanical engineer's design. Duct smoke detectors shall be listed to sample air from the duct cross-section via sampling tubes whose length and diameter are appropriate to the duct dimensions; sampling tube selection shall be documented in the submittal. Duct detectors shall be accessible for testing and maintenance through access doors in the ductwork or through dedicated access panels; the mechanical contractor shall provide these access provisions.
Duct smoke detectors shall report to the FACU as supervisory or alarm points as directed by the sequence of operations. Most projects use duct detector activation to shut down the AHU serving the zone in alarm, while simultaneously reporting a supervisory or alarm signal. Duct detector activation shall not be the primary means of alarm initiation for occupant notification — a duct detector signaling occupant notification in the absence of a space smoke detector or manual station serving the same area is an incomplete detection strategy.
Each duct detector shall be provided with a remote LED indicator and test/reset station mounted in an accessible location on the outside of the ductwork or on the adjacent wall, so that the detector status can be visually checked and the detector can be tested without opening the duct access panel.
Where early-warning smoke detection is required — in data centers, equipment rooms, server rooms, archival storage, or telecommunications rooms — air sampling (aspirating) smoke detectors shall be considered. Air sampling detectors draw air continuously through a pipe network to a centrally located detection chamber. They achieve sensitivity levels that conventional spot detectors cannot approach, typically detecting smoke at concentrations of 0.001 to 0.2 percent obscuration per foot. The detection threshold, alarm threshold, and fault threshold shall be set during commissioning and documented in the closeout record.
Heat detectors shall be listed to UL 521. Heat detectors shall be used where smoke detectors are unsuitable due to environmental conditions — in parking garages, mechanical rooms, commercial kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas with conditions that cause nuisance alarms from smoke detectors.
Rate-of-rise detectors respond to a rapid increase in temperature (typically 15°F per minute or greater) regardless of the ambient temperature baseline, in addition to the fixed-temperature response. The combination rate-of-rise and fixed-temperature detector is the most common type for commercial applications because it provides fast response to fast-developing fires while still responding to slow-developing fires that never trigger the rate-of-rise element.
Fixed-temperature non-restorable detectors use fusible elements that are permanently destroyed on activation. Non-restorable detectors shall be used only in locations where the ambient temperature, humidity, or contamination would degrade the performance of restorable devices over time, and shall be documented in the device schedule.
Manual pull stations shall be listed to UL 38 and shall be provided at every exit door and at other locations required by NFPA 72 Chapter 17 and IBC/IFC. Manual pull stations shall be mounted at a height of 42 to 48 inches (1067 to 1219 mm) above the finished floor to the operable part, in compliance with ADA accessibility requirements. Manual pull stations shall be red and shall be clearly visible and unobstructed; they shall not be hidden behind door swings or obscured by equipment, furniture, or signage.
Single-action pull stations are the standard for most commercial occupancies. Dual-action pull stations reduce accidental activations and are appropriate for occupancies where pull stations are frequently subjected to vandalism or misuse; the AHJ's approval of dual-action stations shall be confirmed before specifying them in occupancies where NFPA 72 or IBC/IFC mandates single-action.
Pull stations in outdoor or wet locations, in areas subject to vandalism, or in areas where water, ice, or condensation can affect the mechanism shall be provided with a weatherproof or vandal-resistant cover and shall be listed for the installation environment.
Waterflow switches (also called waterflow alarm initiating devices) detect water movement in the sprinkler system piping that indicates sprinkler activation. Waterflow switches shall be listed for use with the sprinkler system pipe material, pipe size, and water pressure. Waterflow switch contacts shall be supervised by the FACU as initiating device circuit inputs.
Waterflow switches shall be provided with a retard time delay to prevent alarm from momentary pressure surges (water hammer). The retard delay shall be adjustable and shall be set at the minimum value that eliminates false alarms from water hammer at the project site — typically 30 to 90 seconds. The delay shall not be set so long that it creates an unacceptable response time. The retard setting shall be documented and included in the closeout records.
Supervisory devices monitor the status of fire protection equipment and report any deviation from the required normal condition as a supervisory signal. Supervisory signals are distinct from alarms and shall generate a distinctly different audible and visual indication at the FACU, the remote annunciator, and the supervising station.
Supervisory devices required by this standard include:
Every sprinkler control valve shall be provided with a tamper (supervisory) switch. A closed sprinkler control valve that is not detected is among the most dangerous conditions in a building — it means the sprinkler system is ineffective. Tamper switches shall be wired to the FACU so that even partial closure of the valve (two revolutions of gate valve handwheel, per NFPA 72) initiates a supervisory signal. The Contractor shall coordinate with the sprinkler contractor to confirm that every control valve in the project — including zone valves, OS&Y valves, and post-indicator valves — is covered.
Notification appliances provide occupant notification of fire alarm conditions. Appliances shall be listed to the applicable UL standard: UL 464 for audible appliances, UL 1971 for visible (strobe) appliances, and UL 2017 where applicable. Appliance placement shall comply with NFPA 72 Chapter 18 and ICC A117.1 for accessible design. Every room and space occupied by building occupants shall be covered by audible and visible notification appliances as required by NFPA 72 and the applicable occupancy requirements of IBC/IFC.
Audible notification appliances shall produce a minimum sound pressure level of 15 dB above the average ambient sound pressure level in the space, or 5 dB above the maximum ambient sound pressure level in the space, whichever is greater, but not less than 75 dB(A) at the device location, at the horn's listed rating, in accordance with NFPA 72 Section 18.4. In sleeping rooms and areas, the minimum sound level shall be 75 dB(A) at the pillow level (measured 24 inches above the pillow).
Audible appliances shall produce the standard three-pulse temporal pattern (Temporal Pattern 3, T3) required by NFPA 72 Section 18.4.5.1 for alert and alarm signaling, unless the system is a voice evacuation system, in which case the T3 tone precedes the voice message. The T3 pattern — three 0.5-second pulses followed by a 1.5-second pause, repeated — is the nationally recognized fire alarm signal and shall not be replaced by any other tone pattern for fire alarm service.
Visible notification appliances (strobes) shall be listed to UL 1971 and shall flash at 1 to 2 Hz (1 to 2 flashes per second) at a luminous intensity (candela rating) sufficient to provide coverage of the space in accordance with NFPA 72 Table 18.5.4.3.1 (wall-mounted) or Table 18.5.4.4.4 (ceiling-mounted). The candela selection shall be based on the room dimensions and the mounting location of the appliance within the room, as required by NFPA 72 Section 18.5.4.
The candela rating shall be selected for each device location based on the room dimensions and the device's position within the room. NFPA 72 Table 18.5.4.3.1 provides the minimum candela as a function of the maximum room dimension (from 20 ft × 20 ft at 15 cd to rooms up to 100 ft × 100 ft at 185 cd). Where a device is not centered in a room, the room dimension shall be doubled on the non-centered axis to determine the effective room size for the table. Failure to properly size candela ratings is a common submittal deficiency that generates re-submittals and delays; the floor plan drawings shall show each device with its assigned candela rating and the room dimensions used to select it.
All strobe appliances visible from a single location (corridor, open-plan office, atrium) shall be synchronized to flash within 200 milliseconds of each other, in accordance with NFPA 72 Section 18.5.4.6, to prevent the multiple-flash effect that can induce photosensitive seizures. Synchronization shall be achieved using a listed synchronization module in each NAC circuit or by the FACU's integral synchronization protocol. Strobes not synchronized via the same protocol shall not be mixed on the same circuit.
In sleeping rooms (hotel guestrooms, dormitory rooms, healthcare patient rooms), visible appliances shall provide a minimum 110 cd (or 177 cd where mounted more than 24 in. off-center) in accordance with NFPA 72 Section 18.5.4.3.2. In public and common-use toilet rooms and bathrooms, visible appliances shall be provided and shall be rated at minimum 15 cd per ADA Standards Section 4.28 and ICC A117.1.
Where the building is required by IBC/IFC, NFPA 101, or the AHJ to have an in-building fire emergency voice/alarm communication system (EVACS), the FACU shall include or be connected to a listed emergency voice/alarm communications system complying with NFPA 72 Chapter 24. EVACS systems are required in high-rise buildings (75 ft or more in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access), large assembly occupancies, large covered mall buildings, underground buildings, and other occupancies as specified by the AHJ.
EVACS systems shall achieve speech intelligibility (STI or STI-PA) scores meeting the requirements of NFPA 72 Section 24.4.1. Speech intelligibility is a minimum pass/fail criterion, not merely a design goal; if the installed system does not achieve the required intelligibility level at acceptance testing, additional speakers, signal processing, or acoustic treatment shall be added until the criterion is met.
EVACS secondary power shall support 15 minutes of full-alarm operation (all speakers at maximum voice output) following a 24-hour standby period, in accordance with NFPA 72.
All fire alarm circuits shall be designed and installed in accordance with the class designations of NFPA 72 Chapter 12. Circuit performance class determines how the circuit behaves under wiring fault conditions.
Class A wiring is required for SLCs in certain occupancies and applications. EVACS systems shall use Class A or Class X SLC wiring in accordance with NFPA 72 Section 24.3.12 (Class X is required for EVACS SLC where partial evacuation or relocation strategies are used). For standard alarm/notification systems in low-rise commercial occupancies, Class B circuits are acceptable; for high-rise or critical occupancies, Class A is recommended for both SLC and NAC circuits.
The common field error of installing a Class A circuit by pulling two home runs to the same panel without the required full geographic separation is not compliant — Class A requires that the outgoing and return conductors be routed by different physical paths so that a single conduit fire cannot disable both legs. The Contractor shall document the routing separation in the shop drawing floor plan.
Pathway survivability is the degree to which fire alarm wiring maintains functional integrity during a fire. NFPA 72 Section 12.4 defines five pathway survivability levels; the applicable level is determined by the evacuation strategy and occupancy requirements.
Pathway survivability requirements are triggered by partial evacuation or relocation strategies (as opposed to simultaneous total evacuation), by high-rise building requirements, and by AHJ direction. Where Level 1 or higher survivability is required, the Contractor shall confirm that the wiring method — cable type and raceway — has been evaluated and is compliant before purchasing materials.
The FACU shall be supplied from a dedicated branch circuit of the building's normal electrical system, originating at the main electrical distribution equipment or the electrical panel serving the electrical room where the FACU is located. The primary power circuit shall be a dedicated circuit breaker labeled "FIRE ALARM — DO NOT DISCONNECT" and shall comply with NEC Article 760 and NFPA 72 Section 10.5. The primary power circuit shall be coordinated with Low Voltage Panelboards for breaker identification and labeling requirements.
The primary power circuit shall be sized for the FACU's total connected load including all connected power supplies, notification appliances, and ancillary equipment. The Contractor shall provide the load calculation to the electrical engineer of record for verification that the circuit ampacity is adequate.
Where the project includes emergency power (generator), the need to connect the FACU primary power to the emergency system shall be evaluated. Many AHJs require fire alarm primary power on the normal electrical system (not on the emergency generator) so that loss of the emergency generator does not cause a fire alarm trouble; the secondary battery provides bridging power in a normal power failure. The Contractor shall confirm the AHJ's position before roughing in the primary power circuit.
The FACU secondary power supply shall consist of sealed, valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries, or other listed battery technology, providing standby power when primary power is lost. Secondary batteries shall be located inside the FACU enclosure or in a listed, dedicated battery cabinet adjacent to the FACU.
Secondary power capacity shall comply with NFPA 72 Section 10.6.7: the secondary supply shall support the system in standby (quiescent) operation for not less than 24 hours, and at the end of that 24-hour period shall be capable of operating all notification appliances for not less than 5 minutes (or 15 minutes for EVACS systems). Battery amp-hour capacity shall be calculated with a minimum 25 percent margin above the calculated requirement, in accordance with the 2022 edition of NFPA 72 (increased from 20 percent in earlier editions).
The battery calculation shall be submitted as a project submittal (see Submittals section). The battery calculation shall list every device and its quiescent and alarm current draw, multiply by the required duration, apply the 25 percent derate, and identify the required amp-hour capacity. The installed battery shall meet or exceed this calculated capacity. Batteries shall be replaced on a schedule recommended by the FACU manufacturer and shall be included in the O&M manual.
Battery charging shall be supervised by the FACU; a trouble signal shall be generated if the battery charger fails or if the battery voltage falls below the minimum operating level. The FACU shall provide a battery test function that discharges and recharges the battery under controlled conditions to verify capacity.
Where the NAC circuits require more current than the FACU's integral power supplies can provide, listed remote NAC power supplies or booster power supplies shall be used. Each auxiliary power supply shall be UL 1481 listed, shall be supervised by the FACU for AC power, charger status, and battery status, and shall have its own secondary battery providing standby and alarm capacity in accordance with NFPA 72. Remote power supplies shall be installed in dedicated, labeled enclosures in electrical rooms or mechanical rooms.
The protected-premises fire alarm system shall be monitored by a listed supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72 Chapter 26. Monitoring shall ensure that fire alarm signals, supervisory signals, and trouble signals from the FACU are transmitted to and acknowledged by the supervising station with the response times required by NFPA 72. The supervising station shall be a UL-listed central station, or a proprietary or remote supervising station as accepted by the AHJ.
The transmission pathway from the FACU to the supervising station shall be designed to ensure that no single fault in the communication path prevents alarm signals from reaching the supervising station. NFPA 72 Section 26.6 governs communication pathway performance and supervision requirements.
Dual-path communications using IP primary and cellular backup (or the reverse) is the current industry standard for new installations. DACT over POTS (plain old telephone service) is still permitted by NFPA 72 where two dedicated, supervised telephone lines are provided, but POTS infrastructure is being retired by telephone carriers and new installations relying solely on POTS shall be evaluated for long-term supportability. Where a DACT is used, it shall test both transmission paths to the supervising station at least every 6 hours, in accordance with NFPA 72.
The IP or cellular communicator path shall be supervised for integrity at least every 60 minutes; a failure to receive a supervision signal at the supervising station within 60 seconds of the expected interval shall be treated as a trouble condition.
The FACU shall require a manual reset action at the FACU (or at a listed remote reset device accepted by the AHJ) after every alarm event. Automatic reset after alarm acknowledgment shall not be permitted. The reset sequence shall require the FACU to confirm that all initiating devices have returned to a non-alarm condition before the system returns to normal status.
Fire alarm system wiring shall be installed in accordance with NEC Article 760. Circuit wiring shall use cable types and raceways appropriate to the power-limited or non-power-limited classification of the circuit as defined in NEC Article 760 and NFPA 72 Chapter 12.
Fire alarm wiring in exposed and accessible locations above finished ceilings shall be installed in conduit (EMT minimum) per project requirements. Exposed surface-mounted fire alarm wiring in finished spaces (corridors, lobbies) shall be in raceway. Fire alarm wiring shall not share conduit with power circuits or other building systems, in accordance with NEC 760.136.
The fire alarm Contractor shall install all conduit, pull boxes, and junction boxes associated with fire alarm circuits, and shall be responsible for coordinating raceway routing with other trades. Conflicts between fire alarm conduit routing and ductwork, piping, and structural elements shall be resolved before rough-in, using the pre-installation coordination process. See Raceways And Conduit for conduit installation requirements.
Conductors for fire alarm circuits shall be listed fire alarm cable of the type and insulation class appropriate to the installation environment. Conductor size shall be not less than 18 AWG for all power-limited fire alarm circuits. Where voltage drop calculations require a larger conductor to maintain device operating voltage at end-of-line under full alarm load, the larger size shall govern.
The FACU manufacturer's requirements for cable type, shielding, and twisting on SLC circuits shall be followed. Some FACU platforms require shielded or twisted-pair cable on SLC circuits to prevent communication errors from electromagnetic interference; this requirement is FACU-specific and shall be identified in the shop drawing submittal.
Fire alarm system grounding shall comply with NFPA 72 and NEC Article 760. The FACU chassis and enclosure shall be bonded to the building grounding electrode system as required by NEC 250 and coordinated with Grounding And Bonding. Where shielded cable is used on SLC circuits, the shield shall be terminated in accordance with the FACU manufacturer's instructions — typically drained to earth at the FACU end only, with the far end floating. Improper shield termination is a common source of communication errors and nuisance trouble signals.
Devices shall be mounted at the heights specified below and at as indicated on the fire alarm floor plan drawings. Mounting heights shall comply with ADA accessibility requirements and shall be coordinated with finish ceiling heights before rough-in.
Wall-mounted strobe appliances shall have the top of the lens not more than 96 in. (2440 mm) above the finished floor and not less than 80 in. (2032 mm) to the bottom of the appliance, in accordance with NFPA 72 Section 18.5.4.3. The 80-in. to 96-in. mounting zone ensures that the strobe flash is within the cone of vision of standing occupants.
All fire alarm devices shall be identified in accordance with NFPA 72. The FACU and remote annunciator panels shall be labeled "FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT" and "FIRE ALARM ANNUNCIATOR" respectively with permanent letters not less than 1 in. high. Each remote power supply shall be labeled "FIRE ALARM POWER SUPPLY." Junction boxes and pull boxes serving fire alarm circuits shall be painted red or labeled with red labels identifying them as fire alarm circuits. Circuit breaker(s) for fire alarm power shall be labeled "FIRE ALARM — DO NOT DISCONNECT."
The fire alarm system shall be acceptance-tested in the presence of the AHJ and, where required, a UL or other third-party inspection. Acceptance testing shall be performed in accordance with NFPA 72 Chapter 14 (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance). The Contractor shall not schedule acceptance testing until the system is fully installed, programmed, and has passed a complete pre-test by the Contractor's own testing personnel.
The Contractor shall provide at least two full-time technicians, all necessary test equipment, and all required keys, access codes, and documentation during acceptance testing. Testing shall not be performed in a piecemeal manner (zone by zone on separate days) without prior AHJ approval; partial system tests generate incomplete records and increase the likelihood that system interactions are not evaluated.
The following items shall be completed and available before acceptance testing begins:
Every initiating device shall be functionally tested to confirm activation, confirmation of the correct address and location description at the FACU, correct zone assignment, and correct output response per the sequence of operations. Testing methods shall comply with NFPA 72 Table 14.4.5.
Smoke detectors shall be tested using a listed aerosol or magnet test tool accepted by the FACU manufacturer and the detector manufacturer. Blowing smoke, dust, or compressed air into detectors is not an acceptable test method. Heat detectors shall be tested using a listed heat source (heat gun or listed test device) — open flame is not an acceptable test method.
Manual pull stations shall be tested by activating each station using the key or magnet required by the manufacturer's design. All pull stations shall be confirmed to activate and shall be confirmed to return to normal after reset.
Waterflow switches shall be tested by activating the inspector's test valve on each sprinkler zone. Each waterflow activation shall confirm the correct zone identification at the FACU and the correct notification response. The retard setting shall be confirmed during waterflow testing.
Supervisory device testing shall confirm that each supervisory input — control valve tamper, fire pump status, pressure supervisory — generates a supervisory signal (not an alarm) and correct identification at the FACU and at the supervising station.
Sound pressure levels shall be measured in representative spaces to verify compliance with NFPA 72 Section 18.4. Measurements shall be taken with a calibrated sound level meter at the locations most remote from appliances in each notification zone, with doors closed. Where a measured level does not meet the 15 dB above ambient or 75 dB(A) minimum, additional appliances shall be added and the test repeated.
Strobe synchronization shall be verified by visual observation in spaces where multiple strobes are visible simultaneously. All strobes visible from any single vantage point shall appear to flash simultaneously (within the 200-millisecond window required by NFPA 72). Any strobe that flashes out of synchronization with others on the same NAC circuit shall be investigated; the cause is typically a failed synchronization module or an incompatible appliance mix.
The secondary battery shall be tested by disconnecting the primary AC power and verifying that the FACU and all supervised components remain operational. The battery test shall include a loaded discharge to confirm amp-hour capacity. The battery charger shall be verified to restore battery charge within the time specified by the FACU manufacturer after a full discharge.
The transmission to the supervising station shall be tested for each signal type — alarm, supervisory, and trouble — and for each transmission pathway (primary and backup). The supervising station shall confirm receipt and correct identification of each test signal. Signal transmission time shall be measured and shall comply with NFPA 72 Chapter 26 maximum response times. Where the communication path uses IP or cellular, the backup path shall be tested by intentionally disconnecting the primary path and confirming that the backup path transmits successfully.
Where an EVACS system is installed, speech intelligibility testing shall be performed using a calibrated measurement system (STI-PA or full STI) at test positions throughout the building in accordance with NFPA 72 Section 24.4.1. The pass criterion is an STI or STI-PA score of 0.45 or greater (CIS scale) in all occupied areas. The intelligibility test report shall be included in the acceptance test submittal.
Upon successful completion of acceptance testing, the Contractor shall complete the NFPA 72 Annex A Record of Completion forms in their entirety. The record of completion shall document: the system description, all components and quantities, the test methods used, the test results, the names and certifications of testing personnel, the date of testing, and signatures of the Contractor and the AHJ representative. The record of completion is the formal documentation that the system has been accepted and shall be placed in the O&M manual.
The fire alarm Contractor shall coordinate with the sprinkler contractor to ensure that every sprinkler control valve is provided with a tamper switch, every sprinkler zone has a waterflow switch, and all waterflow and supervisory devices are connected to the fire alarm system with the correct normally-open or normally-closed wiring polarity. The fire alarm Contractor is responsible for the wiring from the FACU to the devices; the sprinkler contractor is responsible for the device installation in the piping. The sprinkler design, including the location and quantity of waterflow and supervisory devices, is governed by Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems and NFPA 13.
The fire alarm Contractor shall coordinate with the mechanical contractor for duct smoke detector installation locations, duct access provisions, remote indicator/test station locations, and the HVAC control outputs required by the sequence of operations. The FACU output contacts for HVAC fan shutdown and smoke damper release shall be sized and rated for the HVAC control circuit voltages and current loads. HVAC fan shutdown wiring from the FACU output to the HVAC unit's control panel is fire alarm scope; the HVAC unit's internal control logic is mechanical scope.
The fire alarm Contractor shall coordinate with the elevator contractor and the elevator AHJ for the following: elevator recall (fire service) contacts and wiring, elevator power shunt relay for hoistway and machine room sprinkler activation, and elevator lobby detector wiring where smoke detectors in elevator lobbies initiate recall. Elevator recall is governed by ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, and the fire alarm system provides the initiating inputs. The Contractor shall confirm with the elevator contractor what signal format (normally-open dry contact, voltage, etc.) is required before wiring the interface.
Where the fire alarm system provides door-unlock or door-release outputs to magnetically locked egress doors, the fire alarm Contractor shall coordinate with the access control contractor to ensure that the fire alarm output interface is wired and tested. The unlocking of egress doors on fire alarm activation is a life-safety function and is not optional; failures in this interface shall be identified and resolved during acceptance testing.
After system acceptance, the Owner shall maintain the fire alarm system in accordance with NFPA 72 Chapter 14. The minimum maintenance program shall include:
The Contractor shall provide a 12-month service and maintenance contract as part of the system installation cost, beginning at the date of system acceptance.
All fire alarm equipment — FACU, notification appliances, initiating devices, power supplies, and batteries — shall be warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of system acceptance. The Contractor shall provide a summary of all manufacturer warranties at project close. Where manufacturer warranties extend beyond 12 months, the longer warranty period shall apply.
The Contractor shall warrant the fire alarm system installation — including all wiring, connections, device mounting, conduit installation, and programming — against defects in workmanship for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of system acceptance. During the warranty period, the Contractor shall respond to system troubles and malfunctions attributable to the installation within 24 hours of notification and shall provide corrective service at no additional cost to the Owner.
The Contractor shall warrant that the installed system — following acceptance testing and occupancy — will not generate more than two nuisance (false) alarms per calendar year during the warranty period, attributable to installation or programming deficiencies. Nuisance alarms attributable to occupant activities, building process changes, or events beyond the Contractor's control are excluded. Where nuisance alarms exceed this threshold, the Contractor shall investigate, reprogram, or replace devices as necessary to achieve compliance.