Home  >  Codes and Standards  >  Complete List of Codes and Standards  >  NFPA 1221: Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems

NFPA 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems

2019 NFPA 1221 Standard - Current Edition
In purchasing digital access through a PDF or subscription service, you are purchasing a single-user license to access content only by the named account holder. Certain restrictions apply.

NFPA Members save an additional 10%.

Item #: NFPA_1221
Price: $0.00
Edition:
Digital Access with NFPA LiNK® Plans starting at $11.99/month
Formats Available:















Quantity:
  • Description

    Help protect public welfare with reliable emergency services communications using NFPA 1221.

    Prompt and effective emergency response -- by the fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other entities -- depends on reliable emergency services communications. NFPA 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems covers all aspects of service delivery, from receiving calls to dispatching emergency units to the correct location in the appropriate time period. It provides procedural and physical criteria for the installation, performance, operation, and maintenance of public emergency services communications systems and facilities.

    Changes reflect the needs and concerns in the field today.

    In response to a tentative interim amendment (TIA) issued for the 2016 edition, new requirements regarding two-way radio communications enhancement systems eliminate the need for pathway survivability for antenna cables. New coverage addresses data security for communication systems to give communities added support in a critical area. Other changes include:

    • A global revision to change “alarm” to “event” to recognize the many ways calls for service are processed by emergency communications centers
    • Updated definitions based on current terminology
    • Updated extracts drawn from the latest codes and standards
    • New call processing time benchmarks based on recent evaluations

    Help protect the public by keeping your emergency communications systems up to code.

    Fire and law enforcement departments, emergency communications centers, and local and state jurisdictions all need the 2019 edition of NFPA 1221 to facilitate reliable and survivable emergency services communications systems. (Print, 72 pp., 2019)

  • Table of Contents (2019 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 1221 Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems, 2019 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Retroactivity.
    1.5 Equivalency.
    Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
    2.1 General.
    2.2 NFPA Publications.
    2.3 Other Publications.
    2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
    Chapter 3 Definitions
    3.1 General.
    3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
    3.3 General Definitions.
    Chapter 4 Communications Centers
    4.1 General.
    4.2 Exposure Hazards.
    4.3 Construction.
    4.4 Climate Control.
    4.5 Fire Protection.
    4.6 Security.
    4.7 Power.
    4.8 Lighting.
    4.9 Lightning.
    4.10 Remote Communications Facilities.
    Chapter 5 Communication and Signal Wiring
    5.1 Circuit Construction and Arrangement.
    5.2 Circuit Conductors.
    5.3 Underground Cables.
    5.4 Aerial Cable and Wire Construction.
    5.5 Wiring Inside Buildings.
    5.6 Circuit Protection.
    5.7 Fuses.
    5.8 Grounding.
    5.9 Access.
    Chapter 6 Emergency Response Facilities
    6.1 General.
    6.2 Commercial Telephone.
    6.3 Fire Protection.
    6.4 Power.
    6.5 Lighting.
    6.6 Communications Conductors.
    Chapter 7 Operations
    7.1 Management.
    7.2 Telecommunicator Qualifications and Training.
    7.3 Staffing.
    7.4 Operating Procedures.
    7.5 Time.
    7.6 Recording.
    7.7 Quality Assurance/Improvement.
    Chapter 8 Telephones
    8.1 Telephone Receiving Equipment.
    8.2 Directory Listing.
    8.3 Equipment and Operations.
    8.4 Universal Emergency Number 9-1-1 Service.
    8.5 Published Emergency Number Alternative Routing.
    8.6 Multiple Line Telephone Systems (MLTS).
    Chapter 9 Dispatching Systems
    9.1 Fundamental Requirements of AlarmEvents Dispatching Systems.
    9.2 Wired Dispatching Systems.
    9.3 Radio Dispatching Systems.
    9.4 Radio Alerting Systems.
    9.5 Outside Audible Alerting Devices.
    9.6 Two-Way RadioCommunicationsRadio Communications Enhancement Systems.
    Chapter 10 Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD) Systems
    10.1 General.
    10.2 Secondary Dispatch Method.
    10.3 Security.
    10.4 AlarmEvent Data Exchange.
    10.5 CAD Capabilities.
    10.6 Performance.
    10.7 Backup.
    10.8 Redundancy.
    10.9 Storage Network.
    10.10 Information Transmittal.
    10.11 Mobile Data Computers (MDCs).
    10.12 Integrated Mapping Interface.
    Chapter 11 Testing
    11.1 General.
    11.2 Acceptance Testing.
    11.3 Operational Testing.
    11.4 Power.
    Chapter 12 Records
    12.1 General.
    12.2 Installation.
    12.3 Acceptance Test Records/As-Built Drawings.
    12.4 Training Records.
    12.5 Operational Records.
    12.6 Maintenance Records.
    12.7 Retention of Records.
    Chapter 13 ICT Security
    13.1 DataInformation Communication Technology (ICT) Security Plan.
    13.2 Testing Security.
    13.3 Testing Records.
    13.4 Cyber Security Measures.
    Chapter 14 Public Alerting Systems
    14.1 General.
    14.2 Security.
    14.3 Permitted Uses.
    14.4 Permitted Systems.
    14.5 Public Alerting System Alerting Appliances (PASAAs).
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Cyber Security
    Annex C Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2016 Edition

    Bring emergency services communications systems to a new level of effectiveness and reliability with the new NFPA 1221.

    Reliable emergency communications are critical to effective emergency response by the fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other entities. NFPA 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems addresses service delivery -- from receiving calls to dispatching emergency units to the correct location in the appropriate time period.

    Reflecting industry changes and new technologies, the 2016 edition of NFPA 1221 is essential to public welfare in every community.

    NFPA 1221 provides procedural and physical criteria for the installation, performance, operation, and maintenance of public emergency services communications systems and facilities. The 2016 edition reflects changes to call processing times and the addition of language on two way radio communications enhancement systems and pathway survivability.

    Revisions impact fire and emergency services management and personnel:

    • New requirement that two telecommunicators be on duty and present in the communications center at all times eliminates the possibility of any gaps in coverage should one telecommunicator become unavailable.
    • Enhanced telecommunicator support during critical incidents such as a MayDay. When requested by the incident commander, a telecommunicator shall be dedicated to the incident and relieved of other duties within the communications center.
    • New section on Two Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems helps ensure quality radio communications during an emergency -- even in buildings where radio transmission is compromised.
    • Revised call processing time requirements reflect real-world capabilities and set a new minimum standard for the field.
    • A significant amount of added material from the 2016 NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code includes important language concerning pathway survivability.

    Put the new emergency communications standard to work now.

    Fire and law enforcement departments, emergency communications centers, and local and state jurisdictions all need the 2016 NFPA 1221 to facilitate reliable and survivable emergency services communications systems. (Softbound, 67 pp., 2016)

     

    Interested in other editions of NFPA 1221? Use the drop down menu above to select the edition year you need.

  • NFPA PDF Products

    If you purchased a PDF, licensed PDFs can be accessed immediately. Instructions can be found in your order confirmation.

    Effective with the annual 2020 code cycle, NFPA® will no longer offer access to the PDF format as a choice for new editions of codes and standards, handbooks, or other reference titles. Existing PDFs will remain in-market and will still be accessible in our National Fire Codes® Subscription Service (NFCSS™). For more information about the different format options available to access essential code and standard content you need, click here.

  • Historical Editions

    Previous editions of NFPA® documents are available for sale. Please see applicable NFPA codes and standards product pages to confirm which editions are available for purchase. If you have any questions, contact NFPA Customer Support at 1-800-344-3555 or nfpa.org/customerservice.