This document provides an overview of fire alarm system fundamentals based on current NFPA codes. It defines key components of fire alarm systems including the fire alarm control panel, initiating devices, notification appliances, transmitters and receivers, and control functions. It also outlines the classification of fire alarm systems, why they are installed, and what topics will be covered, including a review of NFPA 72.

1. PresentsPresents
Fire Alarm FundamentalsFire Alarm Fundamentals
(Based on Current NFPA Codes)

2. WARNING!!!!
As noted in earlier warnings, it isAs noted in earlier warnings, it is
imperative that you have a copy ofimperative that you have a copy of
the 2014 NEC and a copy of the 2013the 2014 NEC and a copy of the 2013
NFPA 72 at hand when taking thisNFPA 72 at hand when taking this
course.course.

3. What it isWhat it is ……
What this class isWhat this class is
• A review of fire alarm systemA review of fire alarm system
fundamentalsfundamentals
• A review of codes and standardsA review of codes and standards
What this class is notWhat this class is not
• A complete course in Fire Alarm SystemsA complete course in Fire Alarm Systems
• A NICET Test Preparation seminarA NICET Test Preparation seminar

4. What to expectWhat to expect
Review Fire Alarm System FundamentalsReview Fire Alarm System Fundamentals
 Why do we install fire alarm systems?Why do we install fire alarm systems?
 Fire alarm systems classificationFire alarm systems classification
 Fire alarm system componentsFire alarm system components
 NFPA 70-2014 article 760NFPA 70-2014 article 760
 Fire alarm system riser diagramFire alarm system riser diagram
 Fire alarm system design fundamentalsFire alarm system design fundamentals
 Difference between a code and a standardDifference between a code and a standard
Chapter-by-Chapter Review of NFPA 72Chapter-by-Chapter Review of NFPA 72

5. AgendaAgenda
Part 1 Fire Alarm System FundamentalsPart 1 Fire Alarm System Fundamentals
Part 2 Initiating DevicesPart 2 Initiating Devices
Part 3 Protected Premises Fire Alarm SystemsPart 3 Protected Premises Fire Alarm Systems
Part 4 Notification AppliancesPart 4 Notification Appliances
Part 5 Supervising Station Fire Alarm SystemsPart 5 Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems
Part 6 Public Fire Alarm Reporting SystemsPart 6 Public Fire Alarm Reporting Systems
Part 7 Inspection, Testing, & MaintenancePart 7 Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance
Part 8 Fire Warning Equipment for DwellingPart 8 Fire Warning Equipment for Dwelling
UnitsUnits

6. Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
FundamentalsFundamentals
Why do we install fire alarm systems?Why do we install fire alarm systems?
Fire alarm systems classificationFire alarm systems classification
Fire alarm system componentsFire alarm system components
Electrical requirementsElectrical requirements
Riser diagramRiser diagram
Design fundamentalsDesign fundamentals
Codes and standardsCodes and standards

7. Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
FundamentalsFundamentals
• Life safetyLife safety
• Property protectionProperty protection
• Mission continuityMission continuity
• Heritage preservationHeritage preservation
• Environmental protectionEnvironmental protection
Why Are Fire Alarm Systems Installed?Why Are Fire Alarm Systems Installed?

8. Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
FundamentalsFundamentals
 Why do we install fire alarm systems?Why do we install fire alarm systems?
Fire alarm systems classificationFire alarm systems classification
Fire alarm system componentsFire alarm system components
Electrical requirementsElectrical requirements
Riser diagramRiser diagram
Design fundamentalsDesign fundamentals
Codes and standardsCodes and standards

9. Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ClassificationClassification
NFPA 72 1.3.1 Fire alarm systems shall beNFPA 72 1.3.1 Fire alarm systems shall be
classified as follows:classified as follows:
(1)(1) Fire alarm systemsFire alarm systems
(a)(a) Household fire alarm systemHousehold fire alarm system
(b)(b) Protected premises (local) fire alarm systemsProtected premises (local) fire alarm systems
(2)(2) Supervising station alarm systemsSupervising station alarm systems
(a) Central station (service) alarm systems(a) Central station (service) alarm systems
(b) Remote supervising station alarm systems(b) Remote supervising station alarm systems
(c) Proprietary supervising station alarm systems(c) Proprietary supervising station alarm systems
(3)(3) Public fire reporting systemsPublic fire reporting systems
(a) Auxiliary alarm systems — local energy type(a) Auxiliary alarm systems — local energy type
(b) Auxiliary alarm systems — shunt type(b) Auxiliary alarm systems — shunt type

10. Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
FundamentalsFundamentals
 Why do we install fire alarm systems?Why do we install fire alarm systems?
 Fire alarm systems classificationFire alarm systems classification
Fire alarm system componentsFire alarm system components
Electrical requirementsElectrical requirements
Bringing it all together in a riser diagramBringing it all together in a riser diagram
Design fundamentalsDesign fundamentals
Codes and standardsCodes and standards

11. Fire alarm control panelFire alarm control panel
Initiating devicesInitiating devices
Notification appliancesNotification appliances
Transmitters and receiversTransmitters and receivers
Control functionsControl functions
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents

12. • Monitor circuit integrityMonitor circuit integrity
– EveryEvery pathwaypathway
• Provide powerProvide power
– Two independent and reliable sourcesTwo independent and reliable sources
• Interface with other systemsInterface with other systems
– Control functionsControl functions
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents
Fire Alarm Control PanelFire Alarm Control Panel

13. FACPFACP
Initiating devicesInitiating devices
Notification appliancesNotification appliances
Transmitters and receiversTransmitters and receivers
Control functionsControl functions
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents

14. • ManualManual
– Pull station (evacuation)Pull station (evacuation)
– Guard’s tour supervisory stationGuard’s tour supervisory station
• Automatic (spot-type and line-type)Automatic (spot-type and line-type)
– Smoke-sensing (photoelectric, ionization & sampling)Smoke-sensing (photoelectric, ionization & sampling)
– Heat-sensing (fixed temperature, rate-of-rise, comb.)Heat-sensing (fixed temperature, rate-of-rise, comb.)
– Water-based suppression systemsWater-based suppression systems
• Alarm & supervisoryAlarm & supervisory
– Radiant energy (flame, spark, and ember)Radiant energy (flame, spark, and ember)
– Gas-sensing (CO, COGas-sensing (CO, CO22, H, H22O, ammonia, etc.)O, ammonia, etc.)
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents
Initiating DevicesInitiating Devices

15. FACPFACP
Initiating devicesInitiating devices
Notification appliancesNotification appliances
Transmitters and receiversTransmitters and receivers
Control functionsControl functions
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents

16. Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents
• AudibleAudible
– Horn, bell, chime,Horn, bell, chime,
buzzerbuzzer
• VisibleVisible
– StrobeStrobe
– TextualTextual
• TactileTactile
– Bed shakerBed shaker
Notification AppliancesNotification Appliances

17. FACPFACP
Initiating devicesInitiating devices
Notification appliancesNotification appliances
Transmitters and receiversTransmitters and receivers
Control functionsControl functions
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents

18. • Active Multiplex (i.e. ScanAlert)Active Multiplex (i.e. ScanAlert)
• DACT (digital dialer) & DART (SafeCom)DACT (digital dialer) & DART (SafeCom)
• McCullohMcCulloh
• Two-way RF Multiplex (i.e. AES)Two-way RF Multiplex (i.e. AES)
• One-way Private Radio (King Fisher)One-way Private Radio (King Fisher)
• Directly connected non-codedDirectly connected non-coded
• Private MicrowavePrivate Microwave
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents
Transmitters and receiversTransmitters and receivers

19. FACPFACP
Initiating devicesInitiating devices
Notification appliancesNotification appliances
Transmitters and receiversTransmitters and receivers
Control functionsControl functions
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents

20. – Elevator recallElevator recall
– Air-handling unit fan shutdownAir-handling unit fan shutdown
– Make-up air fan startupMake-up air fan startup
– Door release serviceDoor release service
– Damper controlDamper control
Fire Alarm SystemFire Alarm System
ComponentsComponents
Control functionsControl functions