An Overview of NFPA 72
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an organization dedicated to the prevention and protection against destructive fires. One of the three main forms established by the NFPA is the NFPA 72, or the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, which outlines every aspect of fire alarm systems including their design, installation, maintenance, and testing. Essentially, without the NFPA 72, there wouldn’t be guidelines that specify what the components of a fire alarm should be or when and how often it needs to be inspected and tested to ensure reliable operation. It is the NFPA 72 that sets the standards for all of these things. This means that not only are the systems themselves necessary , but there also needs to be evidence that they have been regularly examined in order to confirm that they will function properly in the event of an emergency situation. Part of this is establishing the frequency with which professionals must be hired to inspect and test existing fire alarm systems. In fact, even if you are using a fire alarm system that complies with the requirements of the NFPA 72, you may still not be receiving the quality fire alarm testing and maintenance that will provide you with the reliability that you need.
Testing Mandates Within the Scope of NFPA 72
The NFPA 72 requires the completion of various forms of tests to ensure that a fire alarm system is functional, both upon installation and as part of periodic maintenance. Section 14.2.3 sets forth requirements for Acceptance Tests, which are tests performed to verify the proper functionality of a system. Tests of alarm actuators to verify that they react appropriately to an alarm signal must be included in the acceptance tests, as should tests to verify that all alarm notification appliances (e.g., audible and visible alarms) activate during an alarm. The intent of an acceptance test is to check each circuit, zone and logical path in order to confirm that that every circuit is complete and functional. Acceptance tests are also carried out on fire alarm systems that are repaired or modified, with such tests confirming that the system is working properly after the repair or modification was completed. Periodic testing, which is set forth in Sections 14.3.1-14.3.2, is the next required form of testing, which must be conducted on installed fire alarm systems. As specified by Section 14.3.1, the scope of periodic testing will depend on the type of fire alarm system being tested. Section 14.3.2.4 requires that at least 1 of each type of alarm requires a different actuation method in representative locations be tested at least once each year to confirm that the system is responding to actuation properly. Section 14.3.2.5 requires similar testing for the supervisory functions of the fire alarm system, including verification of the presence of system-ground fault indicators, trouble indicators, and more. NFPA 72 Section 14.3.2.6 similarly mandates periodic testing of waterflow and/or supervisory alarm actuators. Tests performed as part of Periodic Testing must include verification that the correct alarm type, including pre-alarm, general alarm, or trouble alarm, actuates. This means that Verification Testing is completed at all stations to ensure that alarms generally work as intended. Testing must be "with each signal that is capable of being transmitted." While the NFPA 72 provides for guidelines for the testing of fire alarm systems, NFPA 72 does not specify the particular authoring organization whose test requirements for a system must be followed to ensure compliance with the NFPAs requirements. This means that different organizations can have different requirements.
How Often Should You Test Your Fire Alarm?
For many, the fire alarm testing requirements of NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) are an afterthought until a deadline is looming. In order to maintain compliance with the Code, testing must be performed at the frequency currently specified in the Code. Typically, it is the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) that enforces code compliance.
The NFPA 72 (2010 Edition) requirements for frequency are as follows: Inspection of all alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals. This must be done within a 24-hour period and the required activities are per Table 14.2.2(a)(1).
Performance testing of alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals. Performance tests require the testing of a full load on the initiating device circuit(s) to verify that signals originate in the manner intended. Personnel performing supervisory service shall be qualified by knowledge and experience in all of the components and functions of the system. Table 14.4.3.1 requires a minimum of a one-month interval for 10% of devices or five devices, whichever is greater. This is for "not more than one signal initiation per initiation device", meaning you should not test a device more than once on any given test. Also, the actual date of the test needs to be recorded, along with the type and location of the device, which should be cross referenced with the existing record.
Functional testing. This section includes 14.4.3.2 Functional Testing of Initiating Devices, 14.4.3.3 Fire Alarm Component Testing, 14.4.3.4 Functional Testing of Notification Appliances, 14.4.3.5 Inspection and Functional Testing of Notification Appliances, 14.4.3.6 Inspection and Functional Testing of Circuits and Pathways, 14.4.3.7 Functional Testing of Off-premises Signaling and Transmission Equipment, and 14.4.3.8 Inspection and Functional Testing of Emergency Responders Radio Coverage Equipment in Non-municipal Systems. The requirements for these testing intervals are for the testing of individual circuits commonly referred to as a Zone, or Circuit in a Fire Alarm System. Although this section of the Code does not quantify the testing intervals, the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), in their publication entitled "NICET’S Recommended Guidelines for Fire Alarm Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance," suggests a three-year interval. Periodic Testing intervals of 12 months or less are not practical considering the number of all existing fire alarm systems in service today. Testing fire alarm equipment at less than 12 month intervals would require companies to hire additional personnel, and would create a burden on having to revisit sites that have already been completed. OSHA’s rule for man hours is 1,750 hours per year for a full time employee here in the Washington DC area. At 6,500 systems to be tested annually, a company should have at least 3 to 4 qualified service technicians to meet the demand of the testing. This does not include any work that would be requested or scheduled during the performance of testing. In addition to this, if an individual technician is not familiar with all the components and features of all fire alarm systems in service in a geographic region, to include "Networked" systems, attaining overall acceptable proficiency is highly unlikely. For this reason, a broader range of intervals must be considered.
Six-monthly interval testing is required for all of the above listed features if tested in six-monthly intervals. If the supervisory service is performed more frequently and the other requirements are still included, one of the six-monthly tests can be replaced with the more frequent signal system testing.
A complete performance test of the primary and/or secondary power sources is required at least annually. The amount of time for testing of the batteries is also defined. Refer to Testing, Frequency of Battery Load Tests, below.
The requirements for the semiannual inspection and testing intervals of "electronically operated locking mechanisms that are part of a fire door" is also defined in the Code.
The Procedures and Protocols for Testing
According to NFPA 72, Article 7.3, notification appliances must be tested annually to verify that the circuit(s) supplying power to the appliance is functioning properly. Also according to Article 7.3, notification appliances must be tested semi-annually to verify proper operation of the device or component under actual operating conditions. First, the circuit supplying power should be tested. This should be done with alarm conditions simulated at each location and each circuit. If for any reason an individual alarm cannot be simulated at a particular location, or the alarm cannot be initiated from somewhere else on the same circuit, or someone wants to know that the circuit is functioning when in normal or standby mode, a minimum 50% power load should be applied to the circuit and the current measured. Then normal load(s) may be applied and proper operation of all loads can be verified. The monitoring of fire alarm control unit trouble conditions should be next on the list. This includes testing required signal circuits for failure, testing of grounding conductors, and testing of control input and output devices. According to Article 7.5.1, the fire alarm system should be tested after each substantial modification or servicing of the system. NFPA 72 Article 24 covers the required procedure for Testing, Maintenance, and Record Keeping. In accordance with 24.2.2.1, In addition to the requirements for visual inspection and service indicated in other chapters of NFPA 72 and the user’s manual, listed fire alarm system components shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of 14.4.5, and required testing, inspections and maintenance activities shall be conducted in accordance with this chapter.
Record Keeping and Documentation
Documentation and record-keeping are not actively part of the testing and maintenance process, but are a vital factor in all audit and legal matters. Providing appropriate documentation for testing will include: system default testing results, a list of any faulty devices that need replacement and/or repair, a list of other deficiencies, and a complete report. NFPA 72 requires these records be kept for two years, following an approved format . Although the project manager may involve others such as the supervisor of the installation team, or the contracting firm that has the responsibility of testing and maintaining the fire alarm system, the project manager must ensure there are appropriate records that document all work performed. Vigilance must be exercised in the industry, ensuring that there is no negligence or establishment of red flags. The central issues involved with having accurate records are to show all aspects of the fire alarm contractor’s knowledge with testing and maintenance "best" standards qualifications.
Compliance Obstacles and Challenges
Automating testing is a proven way to ensure compliance with the Standard. But, compliance is only part of it. NFPA 72 compliance depends not only on performing the proper field tests and inspections, but also on ensuring that the information is sent back to the central office to be analyzed and acted upon quickly. A fast response with the right action can often avoid a really bad problem.
Using an automated process to do this is not only feasible but, for some building types, it can be critically important. A hospital, for example, cannot just take a fire alarm system offline for weeks at a time when a smoke detector warning light goes out or does not illuminate as designed. If often has to be addressed immediately to assure the safety of patients in the room. NFPA 72 compliance for testing is critical, but so is the ability to quickly respond to a failure.
The NFPA recommends putting a dedicated NFPA 72 automatic test and inspection management program in place to:
- reduce the number of required NFPA 72 repairs or corrective actions that must be performed, decreasing the number of times the system must be taken offline
- reduce the time between the need for a repair or corrective action, and the execution of the repair and corrective action
- ensure compliance with NFPA requirements in a systematic way
- facilitate the timely collection of information that can assist facilities managers and technicians in identifying common problems with their fire alarm systems
- prove compliance with the Testing and Maintenance requirements of the NFPA 72
The NFPA 72 requirements are not optional, and they are not just guidelines—it is a hard core regulation, backed up by the authority of law. If the authority having jurisdiction or other parties involved in a legal proceeding were to discover that an organization is out of compliance with NFPA 72 or that its fire alarm system has not been properly maintained based on the requirements, the consequences could be severe.
NFPA 72 is a true life-and-death requirement, and there are no free passes. This standard has teeth, and the penalty for being out of compliance with the standard can be enormous, in both liability and dollars. The way to prevent being out of compliance is to implement the NFPA 72 requirements for managing the installation, monitoring, inspection, maintenance and documentation of your facility’s fire alarm system as recommended by the NFPA, the Federal Government and the Security Industry Association. NFPA 72 compliance is not optional—it’s the law.
The Advantages of NFPA 72 Compliance
Below are some benefits of adhering to NFPA 72 standards that you might want to include in your article, or that may help you to put together an article.
Complying with NFPA 72- and particularly the testing and inspection requirements – is essential for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most compelling benefit of installing and maintaining fire alarms according to NFPA 72 standards is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your alarm system will function at peak efficiency in the event of a fire.
In the aftermath of a fire, the legal consequences can linger even longer than the damage. If it is discovered that your alarm system was not in compliance with NFPA 72, it can hurt you or your company in a number of ways, including:
One significant issue that NFPA 72 addresses is the issue of multiple occupancies within a building. In order to avoid confusion and delays in emergency response, it includes color coded requirements so that emergency responders can determine what kind of alarm they are responding to. Pink tags, for instance, indicate a voice alarm signal.
Compliance with NFPA 72 is also important when it comes to communicating with your fire alarm service provider, as the requirements of NFPA 72 serve as a common language between parties. The following outline provides several key points for both alarm service providers and account managers to keep in mind when inspecting and testing alarm systems.
Best Practices and Conclusions
The previous sections of this article reviewed the NFPA 72 requirements for testing and inspecting fire alarm systems. We further dissected the requirements to be certain the test is adequate, including the difference between functional testing and operational testing and other important aspects of the inspection. The final section of this article turns to providers of service to building owners and operators and to owners and operators of such systems subsequently contract for service and maintenance of their systems. To maintain compliance with NFPA 72 , the maintenance of a fire alarm system and the periodic performance of required inspections and tests must be a paramount concern of the building owner. To provide for a systematic and scheduled compliance program, the building owner and operator should consider the following best practices: