NFPA Codes for
Maintaining Fire Alarm Systems
Fire alarm system can employ the best design and have been installed by
a top-notch installation crew.
However, if the system is not maintained in accordance with Chapter 14,
Inspection Testing and Maintenance asfound within NPFA 72, National Fire Alarm
and Signaling Code, after it has been accepted by the authority having
jurisdiction (AHJ) during the final acceptance test, it will decay over time.
Mr.
Meghnad Is on the Fire Alarm System Owner
I own a library of photos that I have taken over the years featuring
various fire alarm systems that were not maintained in accordance with NFPA 72.
I have seen everything from dead batteries, smashed manual pull
stations, smoke detectors hanging by their connecting conductors, painted heat
detectors and many more offenses.
In some of these cases, the harm done resulted in the alarm system not
operating when there was an actual fire and was a contributor to extended
property damage. It is the owner of the building who has the ultimate
responsibility for maintaining the system.
Let’s take a look at how the industry’s various standards and codes
literature addresses this matter. NFPA
72 includes the following requirements in Chapter 14:
14.2.3
Responsibilities.
14.2.3.1 The property or building or system owner or
the owner’s designated representative shall be responsible for inspection,
testing, and maintenance of the system and for alterations or additions to this
system.
Similar language is also found in NPFA 1, Fire Code. Within Chapter 13,
Fire Protection Systems, the following is stated:
13.1.2 The property
owner shall be responsible for the proper testing and maintenance of the
equipment and systems.
The language offered within NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, requires that
fire alarm systems be maintained in accordance with NFPA 72, but has no direct
reference to the owner’s responsibility:
9.6.1.3 Fire alarm systems required by this Code
shall be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with the applicable
requirements of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, and NFPA 72, unless it is an
approved existing installation, which shall be permitted to be continued in
use.
9.6.1.4 To ensure operational integrity, the fire
alarm system shall have an approved maintenance and testing program complying
with the applicable requirements of NFPA 70 and NFPA 72.
The International Fire Code uses the following verbiage, which like
NFPA 72 and NFPA 1, places the responsibility of inspection and testing upon
the building owner:
907.8.5 Maintenance,
inspection and testing. The building owner shall be responsible to maintain the
fire and life safety systems in an operable condition at all times. Service
personnel shall meet the qualification requirements of NFPA 72 for maintaining,
inspecting and testing such systems. A written record shall be maintained and
shall be made available to the fire code official.
If your business involves the installation of fire alarm systems, then
your services portfolio should include the inspection and testing of these
systems. The requirements for the same are found in both of the model fire
codes that are used in the United States as well as NFPA 72.
A lot of building owners would prefer not to think about the system
that was required to be installed within their building, until it does not
operate during a fire. Installed systems also need to be maintained on a
regular basis so as to prevent unwanted alarms.