NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2016 Edition

THE NFPA HANDBOOKS DIFFER FROM CODES AND STANDARDS

Ever wonder what the difference is between an NFPA^® handbook and a code or standard? We’re glad you asked.

NFPA codes and standards both provide requirements for achieving outcomes. Handbooks take a deeper dive, providing the full text of a code or standard as well as expert commentary and features such as graphics, decision trees, testing procedures, case studies, sample forms and checklists, and other helpful aids to give a better understanding of the reasoning behind the requirements and how to apply them.

JUST REMEMBER:

• A code or standard is a framework—a set of rules to follow with a goal to achieve a certain result
• A handbook is a connector—linking requirements to application by helping you understand the reasoning behind a code or standard

The simplest way to think about it is that codes and standards list the technical requirements while handbooks explain those requirements to clarify how to apply them.

NFPA 72^® National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2016 Edition

Chapter 1 Administration

1.1 Scope
1.2 Purpose
1.3 Application
1.4 Retroactivity
1.5 Equivalency
1.6 Units and Formulas
1.7 Code Adoption Requirements

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 Reserved

Chapter 5 Reserved

Chapter 6 Reserved

Chapter 7 Documentation

7.1 Application. (SIG-FUN)
7.2 Minimum Required Documentation. (SIG-FUN)
7.3 Design (Layout) Documentation
7.4 Shop Drawings (Installation Documentation). (SIG-FUN)
7.5 Completion Documentation
7.6 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Documentation. (SIG-TMS)
7.7 Records, Record Retention, and Record Maintenance
7.8 Forms

Chapter 8 Reserved

Chapter 9 Reserved

Chapter 10 Fundamentals

10.1 Application
10.2 Purpose
10.3 Equipment
10.4 Design and Installation
10.5 Personnel Qualifications
10.6 Power Supplies
10.7 Signal Priority
10.8 Detection and Signaling of Conditions
10.9 Responses
10.10 Distinctive Signals
10.11 Alarm Signals
10.12 Fire Alarm Notification Appliance Deactivation
10.13 Supervisory Signals
10.14 Trouble Signals
10.15 Emergency Control Function Status Indicators
10.16 Notification Appliance Circuits and Control Circuits
10.17 Annunciation and Annunciation Zoning
10.18 Monitoring Integrity of In-Building Fire Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications Systems
10.19 Documentation and Notification
10.20 Impairments
10.21 Unwanted Alarms

Chapter 11 Reserved

Chapter 12 Circuits and Pathways

12.1 Application
12.2 General
12.3 Pathway Class Designations
12.4 Pathway Survivability
12.5 Shared Pathway Designations
12.6 Monitoring Integrity and Circuit Performance of Installation Conductors and Other Signaling Channels
12.7 Nomenclature

Chapter 13 Reserved

Chapter 14 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance

14.1 Application
14.2 General
14.3 Inspection
14.4 Testing
14.5 Maintenance
14.6 Records

Chapter 15 Reserved

Chapter 16 Reserved

Chapter 17 Initiating Devices

17.1 Application
17.2 Purpose
17.3 Performance-Based Design
17.4 General Requirements
17.5 Requirements for Smoke and Heat Detectors
17.6 Heat-Sensing Fire Detectors
17.7 Smoke-Sensing Fire Detectors
17.8 Radiant Energy-Sensing Fire Detectors
17.9 Combination, Multi-Criteria, and Multi-Sensor Detectors
17.10 Gas Detection
17.11 Other Fire Detectors
17.12 Sprinkler Waterflow Alarm-Initiating Devices
17.13 Detection of Operation of Other Automatic Extinguishing Systems
17.14 Manually Actuated Alarm-Initiating Devices
17.15 Fire Extinguisher Electronic Monitoring Device
17.16 Supervisory Signal-Initiating Devices

Chapter 18 Notification Appliances

18.1 Application
18.2 Purpose
18.3 General
18.4 Audible Characteristics
18.5 Visible Characteristics - Public Mode
18.6 Visible Characteristics - Private Mode
18.7 Supplementary Visible Signaling Method
18.8 Textual Audible Appliances
18.9 Textual and Graphical Visible Appliances
18.10 Tactile Appliances
18.11 Standard Emergency Service Interface

Chapter 19 Reserved

Chapter 20 Reserved

Chapter 21 Emergency Control Function Interfaces

21.1 Application
21.2 General
21.3 Elevator Phase I Emergency Recall Operation
21.4 Elevator Shutdown
21.5 Fire Service Access Elevators
21.6 Occupant Evacuation Elevators
21.7 Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
21.8 Door and Shutter Release
21.9 Electrically Locked Doors
21.10 Exit Marking Audible Notification Systems

Chapter 22 Reserved

Chapter 23 Protected Premises Fire Alarm Systems

23.1 Application
23.2 General
23.3 System Features
23.4 System Performance and Integrity
23.5 Performance of Initiating Device Circuits (IDCs)
23.6 Performance of Signaling Line Circuits (SLCs)
23.7 Performance of Notification Appliance Circuits (NACs)
23.8 System Requirements
23.9 In-Building Fire Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications
23.10 Fire Alarm Systems Using Tone
23.11 Suppression System Actuation
23.12 Off-Premises Signals
23.13 Guard's Tour Supervisory Service
23.14 Suppressed (Exception Reporting) Signal System
23.15 Protected Premises Emergency Control Functions
23.16 Special Requirements for Low-Power Radio (Wireless) Systems

Chapter 24 Emergency Communications Systems (ECS)

24.1 Application
24.2 Purpose
24.3 General
24.4 In-Building Fire Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications Systems (EVACS)
24.5 In-Building Mass Notification Systems
24.6 Wide-Area Mass Notification Systems
24.7 Distributed Recipient Mass Notification Systems (DRMNS)
24.8 Two-Way, In-Building Wired Emergency Services Communications Systems
24.9 Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems
24.10 Area of Refuge (Area of Rescue Assistance) Emergency Communications Systems
24.11 Elevator Emergency Communications Systems
24.12 Stairway Communications Systems
24.13 Information, Command, and Control
24.14 Performance-Based Design of Mass Notification Systems
24.15 Documentation for Emergency Communications Systems

Chapter 25 Reserved

Chapter 26 Supervising Station Alarm Systems

26.1 Application
26.2 General
26.3 Central Station Service Alarm Systems
26.4 Proprietary Supervising Station Alarm Systems
26.5 Remote Supervising Station Alarm Systems
26.6 Communications Methods for Supervising Station Alarm Systems

Chapter 27 Public Emergency Alarm Reporting Systems

27.1 Application
27.2 General Fundamentals
27.3 Management and Maintenance
27.4 Communications Methods
27.5 Alarm Processing Equipment
27.6 Alarm Boxes
27.7 Public Cable Plant
27.8 Emergency Communications Systems (ECS)

Chapter 28 Reserved

Chapter 29 Single- and Multiple-Station Alarms and Household Fire Alarm Systems

29.1 Application
29.2 Purpose
29.3 Basic Requirements
29.4 Assumptions
29.5 Detection and Notification
29.6 Power Supplies
29.7 Equipment Performance
29.8 Installation
29.9 Optional Functions
29.10 Maintenance and Tests
29.11 Markings and Instructions

Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex B Engineering Guide for Automatic Fire Detector Spacing
Annex C System Performance and Design Guide
Annex D Speech Intelligibility
Annex E Sample Ordinance Adopting NFPA 72
Annex F Wiring Diagrams and Guide for Testing Fire Alarm Circuits
Annex G Guidelines for Emergency Communication Strategies for Buildings and Campuses
Annex H Informational References
Index

NFPA 72®: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code evolves to help you save lives with fire detection, signaling, and emergency communications systems that function as intended.

NFPA 72 provides requirements for the design, application, installation, performance, testing, and maintenance of protective signaling systems and their components. The Code was expanded and renamed for the 2010 edition to include requirements for Mass Notification Systems (MNS) used for weather emergencies; terrorist events; biological, chemical, and nuclear emergencies; and other threats. Fire protection engineers, designers, installers, contractors, maintainers, electricians, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), manufacturers, facilities operators, and anyone involved with fire alarm or emergency communications needs NFPA 72 to work confidently with these life-saving early warning systems.

The 2013 NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code features significant revisions that clarify fire alarm and emergency communications systems rules and enhance usability. New Chapter 7 consolidates all documentation provisions into one location, helping Code users and AHJs improve efficiency and save time. Other major changes include a reorganized inspection table with specific inspection methods; a new testing table that merges two previous tables into one -- with both test methods and frequencies side by side for improved usability; revised supervising station transmission methods; and new requirements for audible and visible occupant notification.

The 2010 NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code presents the most extensive change to the Code since the 1993 edition, with a new scope and revised organization. Besides the core focus on fire alarm systems, this edition adds requirements for Mass Notification Systems (MNS) used for weather emergencies; terrorist events; biological, chemical, and nuclear emergencies; and other threats. NFPA 72's broader coverage is reflected in a new Code title. In addition to updating rules for in-building fire emergency voice/alarm communication systems, a new Emergency Communications System chapter addresses in-building and wide-area MNSs.

The 2007 NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm Code presents technology- and research-driven changes that offer improved egress time and system reliability. A new Mass Notification Systems Annex developed at the request of the U.S. Air Force provides guidelines to facilitate fast, safe evacuation in emergency situations such as fire, terrorist attack, biological and hazardous chemical incidents, accidents, and natural disasters. Added requirements for new technology equipment include new rules for video image smoke and flame detection, detectors that use multiple sensing inputs, fire extinguisher monitors, and directional appliances.

The 2002 NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm Code offers comprehensive requirements to support your work with the design, application, installation, performance, testing, and maintenance of protective signaling systems and their components. This edition provides additional coverage of performance-based detection and visible signaling systems, and new requirements for integrating fire alarm systems with other building systems.

The 1999 NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm Code is a trusted guide to the design, installation, maintenance, testing, and use of fire alarm systems. Separate groupings for system inputs, systems outputs, system functions, and general requirements enhance the Code's user-friendly design. This edition of NFPA 72 introduces a new requirement to synchronize the temporal-three standard evacuation signal within a notification zone, increased audibility requirements for emergency voice/alarm communications systems, and qualification requirements for fire alarm systems designers.

Find previous editions of NFPA 72 here.

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eForms Table of Contents

• System Record of Completion
• Emergency Communications Systems Supplementary Record of Completion
• Power Systems Supplementary Record of Completion
• Notification Appliance Power Panel Supplementary Record of Completion
• Interconnected Systems Supplementary Record of Completion
• Deviations from Adopted Codes and Standards Supplementary Record of Completion
• System Record of Inspection and Testing
• Notification Appliance Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
• Initiating Device Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
• Mass Notification System Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
• Emergency Communications Systems Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing
• Interface Component Supplementary Record of Inspection and Testing

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