Fire, life safety: Notification systems and NFPA 72-2022
November 14, 2023
NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code provides design and installation provisions for fire signaling, emergency communication and mass notification systems. These systems are used not only to notify occupants of fire emergencies, but also cover emergencies such as weather events, terrorist events and other threats.
In 2022, several changes were made to NFPA 72. Chapters 12 and 14 have notable changes. The survivability requirements have undergone a major update this cycle. The task group spent hours meeting to understand the history, potential failures, material installation requirements and revising the current requirement.
Primarily institutional occupancies including health care facilities and high-rise building’s use relocation and partial evacuation strategies. These buildings can be constructed with no fire resistance or more than two hours. The fire alarm system must be able to evacuate occupants that are not notified during the initial alarm.
- Explain the minimum building codes that govern notification systems, such NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
- Recognize how the potential NFPA 72 revisions impact the design, installation, inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems.
- Determine how application, installation, location, performance, inspection, testing and maintenance of notification systems will be handled.
- Examine fire alarm notification objectives, along with occupant behavior patterns in emergencies, to determine the best design for achieving system goals.