Home  >  Codes and Standards  >  Complete List of Codes and Standards  >  NFPA 731: Standard for the Installation of Electronic Premises Security Systems

NFPA 731, Standard for the Installation of Premises Security Systems

2023 NFPA 731 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_731
Price: $0.00
Edition:
Digital Access with NFPA LiNK® Plans starting at $11.99/month
Formats Available:









Spanish Formats Available:
eForms:
Quantity:
  • Description

    Help protect premises from intrusion by complying with consensus-based requirements for electronic and mechanical security systems and their components.

    NFPA® 731, Standard for the Installation of Premises Security Systems, provides the most comprehensive knowledge and performance criteria for essential equipment intended as the first line of defense for people and property. The 2023 edition is revised to reflect the latest on the application, location, installation, performance, testing, and maintenance of premises security, access control, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in all buildings.

    Notable changes include:

    • New section on cyber security
    • Extracted definition of cyber security from NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®, 2022 edition
    • Added updates to clarify various types of software
  • Table of Contents (2023 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 731 Standard for the Installation of Premises Security Systems, 2023 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Retroactivity.
    1.5 Equivalency.
    1.6 Units and Formulas.
    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 Fundamentals
    4.1 General.
    4.2 Equipment.
    4.3 Personnel Qualifications.
    4.4 Power.
    4.5 System Functions.
    4.6 Installation and Design.
    4.7 Special Requirements for Low-Power Radio (Wireless) Systems.
    4.8 Grounding.
    4.9 Zoning and Annunciation.
    4.10 Software Control.
    4.11 Interconnected and Combination Systems.
    4.12 Documentation and Training.
    Chapter 5 Intrusion Detection Systems
    5.1 General.
    5.2 Exterior Space Detection Systems.
    5.3 Interior Detection Systems.
    5.4 Vaults, Safes, ATMs, and Secured Containers.
    Chapter 6 Electronic Access Control Systems
    6.1 General.
    6.2 Administration Tools and Interface.
    6.3 Network Interface Device.
    6.4 Access Control Software as a Service (SaaS).
    Chapter 7 Video Surveillance Systems
    7.1 General.
    7.2 Cameras.
    7.3 Low-Level Lighting Conditions.
    7.4 Enclosures.
    7.5 General Hardware and Mounts.
    7.6 Lens.
    7.7 Physical Conductors.
    7.8 Radio Frequency (RF). (Reserved)
    7.9 Camera Imaging.
    7.10 Network Video Recorder (NVR).
    Chapter 8 Holdup, Duress, and Ambush Systems
    8.1 General.
    8.2 Holdup Alarm Systems.
    8.3 Duress Alarm Systems.
    8.4 Ambush Alarm Systems.
    Chapter 9 Monitoring Stations
    9.1 Application.
    9.2 Scope.
    9.3 Public Safety Agencies.
    9.4 Proprietary Monitoring Stations.
    9.5 Central Monitoring Stations.
    9.6 Disposition of Signals.
    9.7 Transmission and Receiving Technologies.
    9.8 Record Keeping and Recording.
    9.9 Testing and Maintenance Requirements for All Transmission Technologies.
    Chapter 10 Testing and Inspections
    10.1 Application.
    10.2 Impairments.
    10.3 General Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance.
    10.4 System Testing.
    10.5 Inspection and Testing Frequency.
    10.6 Maintenance.
    10.7 Records.
    Chapter 11 Asset Protection Systems
    11.1 General.
    11.2 Equipment.
    11.3 Power Sources for Asset Protection Systems.
    11.4 Antenna.
    11.5 Tag.
    11.6 Deactivators and Detachers.
    11.7 Testing.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Camera Specifications
    Annex C Camera Selection
    Annex D Homeland Security Advisory System
    Annex E Critical Infrastructure Protection
    Annex F Special Events
    Annex G Special Topics
    Annex H Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2023 Edition

    Take confidence premises are adequately protected from intrusion by complying with consensus-based requirements for electronic and mechanical security systems and their components.

    In an increasingly advanced and complex world, it's critical to help ensure the technology used to protect occupancies and facilities is ready to perform as intended. NFPA 731, Standard for the Installation of Premises Security Systems, 2020 edition, offers the most extensive knowledge and performance criteria for this vital equipment that often serves as the first line of defense for people and property.

    Developed in parallel with NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security, with references to NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), the document covers all aspects of helping to ensure security equipment installations are up-to-standard. Content covers the application, location, installation, performance, testing, and maintenance of premises security, access control, and CCTV systems in all types of buildings.

    The 2020 edition features extensive updates to account for quickly evolving security system industry knowledge and best practices.

    NFPA 731 offers the latest provisions for interior, exterior, and secured location intrusion detection systems. Reference the most relevant information on everything from electronic access, video surveillance, and system monitoring to distress alarm systems, asset protection, and testing and inspections.

    Changes to the 2020 edition include:

    • Alignment of definitions between NFPA 731 and NFPA 730
    • Revision of Chapter 3 definitions to ensure consistency with NFPA 730
    • Deletion of certain definitions not used in NFPA 731
    • Review of SI/metric conversions throughout the document with amended values to better ensure conversion accuracy
    • Removal of the word 'electronic' from the title of the document and throughout as NFPA 731 is not limited to electronic security but also provides requirements for both electronic and mechanical means of protection
    • Addition of requirements relative to maintenance and prioritization of repairs
    • New criteria for Power over Ethernet (PoE) equipment and operation
    • Addition of four Annexes extracted from NFPA 730 to provide easier reference and improve clarity: Annex D, Homeland Security Advisory System; Annex E, Critical Infrastructure Protection; Annex F, Special Events; and Annex G, Special Topics

    Upgrade to the most current edition of NFPA 731 to help ensure the reliability of premises security systems.

    This NFPA® publication is a must-have for security personnel, installers, owners, service technicians, and anyone with concerns for protecting premises from unauthorized or illegal access. Help improve public safety by ordering your copy of NFPA 731, Standard for the Installation of Premises Security Systems, 2020 edition, today.

    2017 Edition

    Provide more reliable security systems using the 2017 edition of NFPA 731, Standard for the Installation of Electronic Premises Security Systems with references to the latest National Electrical Code® (NEC®).

    If you work with security, access control, or CCTV systems, make sure you're up-to-code with the latest consensus-based requirements for all facets of security equipment installation. NFPA 731 includes provisions for the application, location, performance, testing, and maintenance of premises security systems and their components in all types of buildings. The Standard covers every aspect from signal initiation, transmission, notification, and annunciation to levels of performance and reliability. Requirements address the protected premises from the property line to the interior of the premises.

    Major changes in the 2017 edition include:

    • Revisions of 4.4.3.5 to clarify that there is not a single value for battery backup.
    • Changes 6.1.5.8 relative to wireless locking hardware interference with other wireless systems.
    • Updates to Chapter 7 addressing Internet protocol (IP) cameras, camera imaging, and network video recorders (NVR).
    • Revised Annex B with new coverage addressing megapixel (MP) cameras; and Annex C, regarding provisions pertaining to camera resolution, frame rate, compression, and bandwidth.
    • Updated references to other NFPA® codes, including the 2017 edition of the NEC®

    To make sure security systems are ready to respond, the latest edition of NFPA 731 is essential for security personnel, installers, owners, and servicers. (Print, 64 pp., 2017)

    Interested in other editions of NFPA 731? 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.

  • NFPA eForms

    NFPA® makes available PDF versions of some forms originally published in earlier editions of our NFPA Standards and handbooks. These eForms allow you to fill in the form fields electronically and then save, print, or share the file. NFPA eForms are intended for use on computers and are compatible with some mobile devices and apps. An internet connection is not needed to fill in and save the forms once they are downloaded to your device.

    NFPA eForms can be used with many PDF applications. Functions of the specific PDF application will work on the forms. For example, most PDF applications include a signature feature, allowing you to use your finger, stylus, or mouse to sign a document. Note that it is recommended that the eForms be viewed and filled in through Adobe Acrobat Reader or higher, and not using the default reader of your device, for example, the iOS reader on iPhones.

    Note that NFPA eForms are not compatible with the NFPA eLibrary app.

    Features of the NFPA eForms include:

    • Editable fields and checkboxes that allow you to enter content
    • Spell check
    • Easy file sharing (through email or Cloud storage)
    • Printing
    • Basic PDF markup tools, including highlighting and comment boxes
    • A "Learn More" button with explanatory comments to help you understand the requirements necessary to complete the form
    • Electronic signature
    • Searching form text
    • Table of contents with links to each form within the file
    • Dedicated placeholder to add company logo

    Additional features that may be available, depending on PDF software/app you choose:

    • Text message sharing of forms
    • Attaching files to PDF (including audio files)
    • Duplicating forms
    • Advanced tools, including inserting stamps and inserting images
    • Clearing all fields at once
    • Searching extended to include form fields
    • Extracting pages from the full file
    • Save'flattened' option that prevents further editing of content entered into form fields
    • Automatic saving when closing the file
    • Date fields with scroll bar selection

    Directions on how to use on a desktop or mobile device are provided on the first page of the PDF.

  • eForms Table of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    • Record of Completion Inspection & Testing Report
    • Intrusion Detection or Holdup and Duress Systems Inspection & Testing Report
    • Access Control Inspection & Testing Report
    • Video Surveillance Inspection & Testing Report
    • Additional Devices Inspection & Testing Report
  • 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.