The document discusses NFPA 72 and NFPA 101, which provide minimum requirements for fire alarm systems and life safety from fire. NFPA 72 defines signal initiation, transmission, notification and annunciation for fire alarm systems to provide notification, summon aid and control safety functions. NFPA 101 aims to protect occupants from initial fire development and improve survivability for those near the fire. The document outlines requirements for visible signaling, including candela ratings and placement of strobes in corridors and sleeping areas. Synchronization of multiple appliances is also addressed.

1. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
The Basics
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code® 2007
Not a Code unless adapted by AHJ
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code® 2006
Not a Code unless adapted by AHJ

2. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code®2006


“The purpose of the code is to provide minimum
requirements, with regard to function, for the
design, operation and maintenance of buildings or
structures for safety of life from fire”
This is accomplished by:
 1.) Protection of occupants not intimate with the
Initial fire development
 2.) Improvement of the survivability of occupants intimate
with the initial fire development.

3. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
NFPA 72


“The purpose of this code is to define the means
of signal initiation, transmission, notification, and
annunciation; the levels of performance; and the
reliability of the various types of fire alarm
systems.”
“The purpose of fire alarm systems shall be
primarily to provide notification of fire alarm,
supervisory, and trouble conditions; to alert the
occupants; to summon aid; and to control fire
safety functions.”

4. Fire Alarm System

5. Fire Alarm System

6. Fire Alarm System

7. Fire Alarm System

8. Fire Alarm System

9. Visible Signaling Terminology




Candela (cd)
Candela effective (cd
eff.)
Direct signaling
Indirect signaling

10. Visible Signaling


Strobes
Not just Strobes
 Textual
 Graphical
Mass Notification.

11. Truth or Consequences
Visible Signaling

NFPA 72
 Prescriptive requirements
 Performance requirements
Do Not
Agree

12. Fire Alarm System

13. Fire Alarm System

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16. Fire Alarm System

17. Visible Signaling in
Corridors


Direct signaling
For corridors no wider thatn 20ft
 Appliances rated at not less thatn 15 cd
 Located no more than 15 fr from end
 Separation not greater than 100 ft between
appliances
 Any interruptions in viewing path treated as
separate areas

18. Fire Alarm System

19. Sleeping Areas

16 feet max between

110 or 177 cd eff

20. Visible Appliance
Synchronization
Appliance flash rate limited by U.L.
If more than two applieances can be viewedsynchronize
If more than two synchronized groups can be
viewed – synchronize the synchronized
groups
If more than two synchronized systems can
be viewed – synchronize the synchronized
systems
Not required for viewing from outside.

21. Visual Signaling in Large
Spaces

22. Fire Alarm System

23. Fire Alarm System

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25. Fire Alarm System