Fire Detection and
Alarm System
INSPECTION, TESTING AND
MAINTENANCE – NFPA 72
Emmanuel C. Flores, PECE, ASEAN Eng.
General Requirements
Contents of Inspection Requirements
the Seminar
Testing and Maintenance Requirements
Define terms related to the inspection, testing,
and maintenance of fire alarm systems
Recognize general requirements for the
inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire
alarm systems
Objectives: Identify the purpose of inspections
Describe the requirements of acceptance
inspections and periodic inspections
Identify the testing and maintenance
requirements for fire alarm systems
General
Requirement
• Visual check of the system and
Inspection its components
General
Requirement • Physical manipulation of
Testing equipment in order to assess
or measure its performance
Terminology
• Includes but not limited to,
Maintenance repair, replacement and
service.
Acceptance
• Performed on new
Inspection and installations
Test
General
Requirement Re-acceptance • Performing acceptance I&T of
Inspection and any new work or modifications
Test to existing work
Terminology
Periodic
• Performed at prescribed
Inspections intervals
and Test
Weekly • Once per calendar week (52/yr)
General Monthly • Once per calendar Month (12/yr)
Requirement
• Four times per year
Quarterly • Min. 2 months and max. of 4 months
Intervals
• Twice per year
Defined Semi-Annually • Min. 4 months and max. of 8 months
• Once per year
Annually • Min. 9 months and max. of 15 months
Factory
Trained
General
Requirement
Certified Qualified Licensed
Personnel
Qualification
Works
for
Inspection
Requirement
• Acceptance & Re-
Initial acceptance
Inspection
Inspection
Requirement
Periodic
• Routine Inspection
Inspections
Purpose / Goal
Inspection What to Inspect
Requirement
Process Tools
Develop a Routine
Acceptance • To ensure compliance with
& Re- approved design documents
acceptance • To ensure installation in
Inspection Inspection accordance with code
Requirement
Purpose • To assure obvious damages
Periodic or changes that might affect
Inspections system operability are
visually identified
Acceptance Periodic
Inspection Inspection
Inspection Approved Design Documents
Plans
Requirement Plans
Specification As-built drawings
Tools As-built drawings
Shop drawings Shop drawings
NFPA 72
NFPA 72
Other codes and standards
Inspection
Requirement
Inspection Control Panel should
be clear of all trouble
conditions
FACP
Inspection
FACP A neat and
workmanlike
installation instills
confidence
Inspection
FACP
Battery Replacement
Inspection • as per
manufacturer
recommendation
Battery • when the batteries
fail during testing
Inspection
Check Fuse
size and
FACP rating
Acceptance
Check
Inspection Wiring
Checklist Termination
Acceptance
Check drain
Inspection wire
Checklist termination
Acceptance
Check EOL
Inspection resistor
Checklist
Check FACP location /
auxiliary panels if smoke
detector installed within
a 21 ft. radius of the
control unit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Check if properly labeled
Acceptance on all annunciators/control
Inspection units in accordance with
Checklist the design documents.
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Must not damage the
overcurrent protective device or
obscure any manufacturer’s
markings
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Detector
locations
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Detector
locations
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Detector
locations
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Detector
locations
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Detector
locations
Within 5 ft. (1.5 m) of the door
Installation height from FFL = 42 in (1 m) to 48 in (1.2m)
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Manual Fire
Alarm Box
Shall be located near entrance of each exit, on each floor of the
building.
Maximum travel distance = 60 meters
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Manual Fire
Alarm Box
FCL
6 in. (15 cm)
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist 80 in. to 96 in.
(203 cm – 244 cm)
Notification 90 in. (228 cm)
Appliance
FFL Area of Coverage
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Notification
Appliance
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
Notification
Appliance
Strobes in Sleeping Areas
Ceiling mounted: 177 cd effective
Wall mounted: 110 cd effective @ 24 in. (610 mm.)
Acceptance 610 mm.
Inspection 110 cd
Checklist
Locate within 16 ft. (4.8 m.) of the pillow
NAC –
Sleeping Area
4.8 m
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Acceptance
Inspection
Checklist
FAS Circuit
Less technical than acceptance
Inspect for obvious
Periodic Damages
Inspection Changes to the building
Changes to the environment
Periodic
Inspection
Obvious
Damage
Periodic
Inspection
Changes in the
building
Periodic
Inspection
Changes in the
building
Periodic
Inspection
Changes in the
building
Periodic
Inspection
Changes in the
Environment
Testing and
Maintenance
Smoke Smoke
Detector Smoke Entry Detector Sensitivity
Testing Testing
• Must be done at acceptance and
once per year
• Detectors tested in place to
ensure smoke entry into the
Smoke sensing chamber and proper
Detector response by FACU
Testing • Must use smoke or a listed and
labeled product that is
acceptable to the manufacturer.
Smoke Entry
Test
Smoke
Detector
Testing
Sensitivity
Test
Testing
Projected
Beam
Detectors
Heat Detector
Testing
• Restorable Heat Detectors can be tested with heat.
• Must be done at acceptance and once per year
• All restorable type heat detector must be tested within 5
years.
• Follow manufacturer’s instruction, as they may require
more frequent testing such as annual testing
• Annual testing
• Simply operate the box
Testing • Annual testing
Manual, • Measure system audibility
Audible and • SPL is determined by the system designer
• Must meet requirements of Code
Visual Device
• Annual testing
• No measurement requirement
• Observe and inspect device
rating
• Check Strobe synchronization
in accordance to the Code.
Not required to document SPL
Use ANSI Type 2 meter
Verify that the appliance remain operational
Testing System should be reviewed and corrections made where necessary
Audible Measurements might be needed to ensure that changes have not affected
Appliance system performance
Grade Definition Tolerance Application
Type 1 Precision Grade for ± 0.7 dB Environmental, building
laboratory and field use acoustics, road vehicle
Type 2 General Purpose Grade ± 1.0 dB Noise at work, basic
for field use environmental, motor sport
NFPA Table 14.3.1 – Visual Inspection
Questions? NFPA Table [Link] – Testing
Thank you!
