AZ Fire Alarm cheat sheet

NFPA 72 is the installation, testing, and maintenance standard; NFPA 70 (NEC) governs wiring methods; NFPA 101 addresses life safety and occupancy requirements.

NFPA 72 Chapter 9 covers initiating devices, Chapter 10 notification, Chapter 12 circuits and pathways, Chapter 14 inspection/testing/maintenance.

A pathway is Class A when it survives a single open or ground fault; Class B does not survive an open and is the common style for conventional loops.

NFPA 72 survivability requires 2-hour circuit protection for notification circuits in high-rise, assembly, and other specified occupancies.

Design documents must show device locations, candela ratings, voltage-drop calculations, and battery calculations per NFPA 72 and adopted local codes.

The IBC and IFC adopt fire alarm requirements by reference; the AHJ may amend, so verify the locally adopted edition before design.

Detector spacing rules in NFPA 72 Chapter 17 are prescriptive maximums; engineering analysis may justify different spacing.

NFPA 72 requires a record of completion (Form) and as-built drawings at system acceptance; the record documents design intent and site-specifics.

Smoke detector spacing: 30 ft (9.1 m) maximum between detectors on smooth ceilings; 15 ft (4.6 m) from walls and obstructions.

Spot-type heat detectors: 50 ft (15.2 m) maximum spacing for 135 F rated units; 25 ft (7.6 m) from walls.

Duct smoke detectors are required where air-handling units exceed 2,000 cfm; they must be installed in the duct and tested with a smoke source.

Initiation circuits may be Class A or B; conventional zones use end-of-line resistors and supervised loops, addressable systems use addressable devices and isolators.

Detectors are not permitted in bathrooms, near cooking appliances, or in areas where normal conditions produce smoke or particles exceeding listed thresholds.

Beam and air-aspirating smoke detectors have specific listing criteria; use manufacturer spacing and listing data rather than generic rules.

Manual pull stations must be located within 5 ft (1.5 m) of an exit door and mounted 42 to 48 in (1.1 to 1.2 m) above the floor.

Smoke detector spacing must account for ceiling height, slope, and obstructions; NFPA 72 provides reduction factors for high ceilings.

Audible appliances must produce a sound level at least 15 dBA above ambient or 5 dBA above maximum ambient, whichever is greater, and at least 75 dBA at 10 ft.

Visible appliances must be rated in candela; the required candela depends on room size, ceiling height, and mounting per NFPA 72 Chapter 18.

Public mode visible notification is required in public and common areas of occupancies specified by NFPA 101 and the adopted building code.

Sleeping areas require visible notification in each sleeping room and at a minimum sound level of 75 dBA at the pillow.

Audible signals must use a distinctive three-pulse temporal pattern; voice evacuation systems must meet intelligibility requirements.

Notification appliance circuits must be supervised and sized for voltage drop; candela ratings and strobe synchronization must be verified.

Synchronization of visible appliances is required within a field of view to prevent seizure hazards; appliances must be listed for synchronization.

Mounting height for visible appliances is typically 80 to 96 in (2.0 to 2.4 m) above finished floor; manufacturer listings govern.

Primary power must be a dedicated branch circuit; secondary power is battery or generator; batteries must be sized for 24 hours standby plus 5 minutes alarm (or 4 minutes per NFPA 72).

Battery calculation: total standby current times standby hours plus alarm current times alarm minutes, divided by battery efficiency and derating.

Control panels must be listed for fire alarm service and installed per manufacturer instructions and NFPA 72.

Circuit design must account for voltage drop; a typical maximum drop is 10 percent for notification circuits, but verify manufacturer limits.

Addressable systems require addressable devices and may use isolator modules to protect loop integrity; conventional panels use zones.

Power supplies must be supervised for failure and must provide required notification current; auxiliary power supplies must be listed and monitored.

Ground fault detection is required on initiating and notification circuits in many systems; verify listing and code requirements.

Remote annunciators and auxiliary devices must be listed and connected per manufacturer instructions; do not exceed panel ratings.

Fire alarm wiring must be installed per NEC Article 760; power-limited circuits use Class 2 or 3 wiring; non-power-limited uses Article 300 methods.

Fire alarm cables must be listed (FPL, FPLR, FPLP) and installed in accordance with their listing; plenum cable is required in plenums.

Pathways must be protected from physical damage; raceways, conduit, and supports must be installed per NEC and NFPA 72.

Class A pathways require a redundant path; Class B pathways may be single-path but must be supervised.

Survivability requirements may require 2-hour fire-rated cable or raceway for notification and control circuits in specified occupancies.

Cable splices must be made in listed junction boxes or enclosures; no splices in inaccessible locations unless listed for the purpose.

Separation from power conductors is required by NEC; maintain required spacing and use barriers where necessary.

All penetrations of fire-rated assemblies must be sealed with listed firestop systems.

NFPA 72 Chapter 14 sets inspection, testing, and maintenance frequencies; smoke detectors are tested annually, heat detectors annually, and notification appliances annually.

Inspection includes visual checks of devices, wiring, and panel status; testing verifies functional operation and response.

Test records must be maintained and made available to the AHJ; documentation includes device list, test results, and deficiencies.

Battery tests include a load test and a check of charging current; batteries must be replaced per manufacturer recommendations.

Sensitivity testing of smoke detectors is required per NFPA 72; detectors outside listed sensitivity must be cleaned or replaced.

Duct smoke detectors require annual testing and periodic cleaning; test with approved smoke or aerosol.

Notification appliances must be tested for audibility and visibility; verify candela and sound levels at required locations.

Deficiencies must be corrected and documented; the AHJ may require reinspection and retesting.

Arizona fire alarm work is regulated by the Arizona State Fire Marshal and local AHJs; contractors must hold appropriate licenses.

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 32 governs contractor licensing; fire alarm contractors must be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).

Fire alarm technicians may be required to hold NICET certification or equivalent; verify current Arizona requirements.

Permits and plan review are required before installation; the AHJ may require stamped drawings by a licensed engineer.

Arizona adopts the IFC and NFPA standards by reference with amendments; verify the locally adopted edition.

Contractors must carry insurance and comply with ROC rules on contracts, advertising, and consumer protection.

Inspections must be performed by qualified personnel; the AHJ may require certification of test personnel.

Violations may result in license discipline, fines, or stop-work orders; maintain records of inspections and tests.