This document summarizes NFPA 72 Chapter 21 on emergency control functions and interfaces that can be connected to a fire alarm system. It discusses requirements for functions like elevator recall, shutdown, HVAC control, door release, and exit marking notification. Key requirements include that initiating devices used for elevator recall must connect to the building fire alarm system, lobby smoke detectors must be within 21 feet of elevator doors, and electrically locked doors must release upon fire alarm and remain unlocked until reset.

1. Part 3
Special Systems

2. Referenced Publications
All these modules are based upon the NFPA 70 and
the NFPA 72 publications unless otherwise dictated.

3. Agenda
 Part 1 Fire Alarm System Fundamentals
 Part 2 Initiating Devices
Protected Premises Fire Alarm Systems
Part 3 Circuits & Pathways
Inspection Testing & Maintenance
Notification Appliances
Special Functions

4. Agenda
NFPA 72
Chapter 21 Emergency Control Functions &
Interfaces
Chapter 23 Protected Premises Fire Alarm
Systems
Chapter 24 Emergency Communication Systems
Chapter 26 Supervising Station Alarm Systems
Chapter 27 Public Emergency Alarm Reporting
Systems
Chapter 29 Single and Multiple-Station Alarms
and Household Fire Alarm
Chapters 22 / 25 / 28 Reserved

5. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
Chapter 21
21.1 Application
21.2 General
21.3 Elevator Recall for Fire Fighter’s Service
21.4 Elevator Shutdown
21.5 First Responder’s Use Elevators
21.6 Elevators for Occupant-Controlled Evacuation
21.7 Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC)
Systems
21.8 Door Release Service
21.9 Electrically Locked Doors
21.10 Exit Marking Audible Notification Systems

6. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.1 Application
The provisions of Chapter 21 shall cover the minimum
requirements for the interconnection of emergency control
functions to the fire alarm system and emergency
communications systems …
21.1.1 The requirements of Chapters 10, 14, 17, 18, 23,
24 and 26 shall also apply, unless they are in conflict with
this chapter.
21.1.3 The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to
Chapter 29 unless otherwise noted

7. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.2.1* Emergency control functions shall be permitted to
be performed automatically
21.2.4* A listed relay or other listed appliance … used to
initiate control … shall be located within 3 ft of the
controlled circuit or appliance
21.2.7 Emergency control functions shall not interfere
with other operations of the fire alarm system.

8. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.2.12 The operation of all fire safety emergency control
functions shall be verified by an operational test at the
time of system acceptance
21.3.1 All initiating devices used to initiate fire fighters’
service recall shall be connected to the building fire
alarm system.
21.3.2* In facilities without a building fire alarm system,
initiating devices used to initiate fire fighters’ service
recall shall be connected to a dedicated function fire
alarm control unit that shall be designated as “elevator
recall control and supervisory control unit,” …

9. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.3.3 Unless otherwise required by the authority having
jurisdiction, only the elevator lobby, elevator hoistway,
and elevator machine room smoke detectors, or other
automatic fire detection as permitted by 21.3.7, and
initiating devices used to initiate shutdown of elevator
power …
21.3.5* A lobby smoke detector shall be located on the
ceiling within 21 ft (6.4 m) of the centerline of each
elevator door within the elevator bank under control of
the detector

10. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.3.6 Smoke detectors shall not be installed in
unsprinklered elevator hoistways unless they are
installed to activate the elevator hoistway smoke relief
equipment
21.3.11 Where lobby detectors are used for other than
initiating elevator recall, the signal initiated by the
detector shall also initiate an alarm signal.
21.3.12* Separate outputs from the fire alarm systems to
the elevator controller(s) shall be provided to
implement elevator Phase I Emergency Recall
Operation in accordance with Section 2.27 of
ANSI/ASME A17.1a/CSA B44a

11. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.3.12.1 Designated Level Recall. For each elevator or
group of elevators, an output shall be provided to
signal elevator recall to the designated level
21.3.12.2 Alternate Level Recall. For each elevator or
group of elevators, an output shall be provided to
signal elevator recall to the alternate level

12. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.4 Elevator Shutdown
21.4.1* Where heat detectors are used to shut down
elevator power prior to sprinkler operation, the
detector shall have both a lower temperature rating
and a higher sensitivity as compared to the sprinkler
21.4.2* If heat detectors are used to shut down elevator
power prior to sprinkler operation, they shall be placed
within 24 in. of each sprinkler head

13. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.4.4* Control circuits to shut down elevator power shall
be monitored for the presence of operating voltage
21.5 First Responders Use Elevators
Where one or more elevators are specifically designated
and marked for use by first responders during fires, the
conditions specified in 21.5.1 for the elevators, associated
lobbies, and machine rooms shall be continuously
monitored and displayed during any such use.

14. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.6 Elevators for Occupant-Controlled Evacuation
21.6.1 Where one or more elevators are specifically
designated and marked for use by occupants for
evacuation during fires, they shall comply with all of the
provisions of Section 21.5

15. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.7 Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC)
Systems
21.7.3* Connections between fire alarm systems and the
HVAC system for the purpose of monitoring and
control shall operate and be monitored in accordance
with applicable NFPA standards
21.7.4 Smoke detectors mounted in the air ducts of HVAC
systems shall initiate either an alarm signal at the
protected premises or a supervisory signal at a
constantly attended location or supervising station

16. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.7 Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC)
Systems
Review NFPA 90A
21.7.6 Where interconnected as a combination system, a
firefighter’s smoke control station (FSCS) shall be
provided to perform manual control over the automatic
operation of the system’s smoke control strategy.

17. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.8 Door Release Service
21.8.3 All door hold-open release and integral door
release and closure devices used for release service
shall be monitored for integrity in accordance with
Section 21.2.
21.8.4 Magnetic door holders that allow doors to close
upon loss of operating power shall not be required to
have a secondary power source

18. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.9 Electrically Locked Doors
21.9.1 Any device or system intended to electrically lock a
required means of egress door in the direction of
egress shall be connected to the fire alarm system
serving the protected premises.
21.9.4 Locks powered by independent power supplies
dedicated to lock power and access control functions,
and that unlock upon loss of power, shall not be
required to comply with 21.9.3.

19. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.9.6 All doors that are required to be unlocked by the
fire alarm system in accordance with 21.9.1 shall
remain unlocked until the fire alarm condition is
manually reset

20. Emergency Control Functions
and Interfaces
21.10* Exit Marking Audible Notification Systems
21.10.1 Where required by other governing laws, codes,
standards, or the authority having jurisdiction, exit
marking audible notification appliances shall be
activated by the building fire alarm system
21.10* Exit Marking Audible Notification Systems
21.10.1 Where required by other governing laws, codes,
standards, or the authority having jurisdiction, exit
marking audible notification appliances shall be
activated by the building fire alarm system