






Manual Fire Alarm Boxes
Ionization Smoke Detectors
Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Duct Detectors
Heat Detectors
Waterflow Switches
Supervisory Switches

The layout of detectors should account for
various factors in predicting detector
response to anticipated fires:
Ceiling shape and surface
Ceiling height (reduction factors Configuration of contents in the protected area
Combustion characteristics and probable
equivalence ratio of the anticipated fires involving
the fuel loads within the protected area
◦ Compartment ventilation
◦ Ambient temperature, pressure, altitude, humidity,
and atmosphere
◦
◦
◦
◦


NFPA 72: 17.7.3.2
◦ 30 foot spacing (maximum)
◦ Closest distance to a wall is 4”
NFPA 72: 17.7.3.2.3.5: For smooth ceilings, all
points should have a detector within a distance
of .7S
◦ S= Listed spacing

When a manufacturer, through its own testing
and research program, publishes a specific
spacing recommendation that is different from
the 30 ft NFPA spacing, that spacing
recommendation becomes an enforceable part of
the NFPA Code.

NFPA 72: 17.6
◦ Classifications
◦ Markings
◦ Spacing
 Heat detectors shall not exceed their listed spacing
and there shall be a detector within 1/2 times the
listed spacing at right angles all walls, partitions, etc.
 All points on the ceiling shall have a detector within .7
times the listed spacing (.7S)
 Ceiling Height reduction factors for certain types of
detectors


NFPA 72: 17.14
Mounting location on wall requirements
◦ Height, distance to exit
◦ Maximum travel distances






Bells
Horns
Chimes
Strobes
Speakers
NFPA 72: Chapter 18
◦ For your case study, recommend a notification
system but you do not have to recommend
placement of horns, strobes, etc.












Building Temp
Site Water Temp
Site Water Level
Fire Pump Power
Fire Pump Running
Fire Pump Auto Position
Fire Pump or Pump Controller Trouble
Fire Pump Running
Generator in Auto Position
Generator or Controller Trouble
Switch Transfer
Generator Engine Running

Primary Supplies
◦ Requirements for Voltage and Amps
◦ Over current Protection

Secondary Power Supply Options
◦ Second line
◦ Generators
◦ Battery

Used as a backup to primary power supply,
instead of using a secondary power supply
◦ Examples:
 Battery






Alarm Signal
Alarm Restoration
Trouble Signal
Trouble Signal Restoration
Supervisory Signal
Supervisory Restoration


Inspection Frequencies
NFPA 72 establishes the frequency of
inspection and testing
◦ Initial installation
◦ Monthly: Supervising station receivers (ie: DACT
test signals), batteries
◦ Quarterly: Supervisory signal equipment
◦ Semi-annually
◦ Annually: Initiating devices, supervisory station
equipment

NFPA has established methods for testing
components of a fire alarm system
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Lights
Fuses
Power supplies
Batteries
Initiating devices
Notification devices
Transmission equipment


Service personnel shall be qualified and
experienced in the inspection, testing, and
maintenance of fire alarm systems.
Examples of qualified personnel shall be
permitted to include, but shall not be limited to,
individuals with the following qualifications:
◦ (1) Factory trained and certified
◦ (2) National Institute for Certification in Engineering
Technologies fire alarm certified
◦ (3) International Municipal Signal Association fire alarm
certified
◦ (4) Certified by a state or local authority
◦ (5) Trained and qualified personnel employed by an
organization listed by a national testing laboratory for
the servicing of fire alarm systems

Fire alarm system equipment shall be
maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.




A set of reproducible as-built installation
drawings, operation and maintenance manuals,
and a written sequence of operation shall be
provided to the building owner or the owner’s
designated representative.
For software-based systems, a copy of the sitespecific software shall be provided to the owner
or owner’s designated representative.
The owner shall be responsible for maintaining
these records for the life of the system for
examination by any authority having jurisdiction.
Paper or electronic media shall be permitted.

Records shall be retained until the next test
and for 1 year thereafter