Inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems must be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of NFPA 72, regardless of when the system was installed. Failing to inspect and test fire alarm systems regularly can mean the difference between life and death. What may be an inconvenience now for the facility and maintenance team, could be a tragedy later.
This Q&A series covers questions relating to inspections and testing of fire alarm systems in accordance with NFPA 72.
Who can perform the required annual fire alarm system ITM?
The required annual fire alarm system ITM can be performed by your trained and qualified facility personnel or a trained and qualified fire alarm contractor. NFPA 72 has the requirements for the qualifications for those involved in ITM activities for your fire alarm system.
Does NFPA 72 set requirements for selecting a fire alarm ITM firm?
No, NFPA 72 does not define requirements for ITM firms. Instead, it sets requirements (i.e., qualifications) for individuals. However, there may be state or local licensing requirements for both the firm and the technician, and that is something you will need to check individually by jurisdiction.
How do I know if my fire alarm technician or inspector is qualified under NFPA 72?
Chapter 10 of NFPA 72 provides some minimum guidance for inspection, testing, and service personnel, as well as individuals who perform programming of fire alarm systems. For example, the technician should be factory trained on the fire alarm system equipment that is installed in your facility. The technician should be familiar with the NFPA 72 requirements for inspection and testing of fire alarm systems. Technicians should also be certified by a nationally recognized certification organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. And finally, if the local jurisdiction requires licensing for fire alarm technicians, the individuals working on your system should hold the required license.
Does a building engineer need to have special certification for fire systems?
The answer depends on whether the building engineer plans on performing the ITM functions on the system as required by NFPA 72. If that is the case, then the requirements are the same as those outlined in the answers above. If the building engineer is not intending to perform the ITM functions, then no special certification is needed just because a fire alarm system has been installed in their facility.
Will the inspector of my fire alarm system at the time of construction be the same as the inspector who performs annual operating inspections?
As you might expect it may be a different inspector for new construction versus annual inspection of an existing system. Who performs these inspections also differs by jurisdiction. Often the initial inspection will be accomplished by building and fire officials working together. Almost always after the building is complete and occupied, any follow-up inspections for the jurisdiction of the building and system for the jurisdiction will be performed by a fire prevention inspector.
Wayne D. Moore is a licensed professional fire protection engineer with over 45 years of engineering experience. Moore currently serves on the NFPA 72 Correlating Committee and Chapter 24 Technical Committee (past Chair), as well as being an editor of five editions of the “National Fire Alarm Code Handbook.”
Larry D. Rietz, is a NICET Level IV Certified fire alarm designer with more than 29 years of life safety industry experience. Rietz is Vice President and Global Service Line Leader for Fire Detection and Alarm for Jensen Hughes and serves on the NFPA 72 Chapter 24 and 12, 21, & 23 Technical Committees.
Required Documentation for Fire Safety ITM
Who Can Perform Fire Alarm Inspections?
