1. Chapter 14: Inspection and Maintenance
NFPA 72:
Chapter 14: Inspection and Maintenance

2. Inspection Frequencies
NFPA 72 establishes the frequency of inspection and testing
Initial installation
Monthly: Supervising station receivers (ie: DACT test signals), batteries
Quarterly: Supervisory signal equipment
Semi-annually
Annually: Initiating devices, supervisory station equipment

3. Test Methods
NFPA has established methods for testing components of a fire alarm system
Lights
Fuses
Power supplies
Batteries
Initiating devices
Notification devices
Transmission equipment

4. Service Personnel Conducting Tests and Inspections
Service personnel shall be qualified and experienced in the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems.
Examples of qualified personnel shall be permitted to include, but shall not be limited to, individuals with the following qualifications:
(1) Factory trained and certified
(2) National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies fire alarm certified
(3) International Municipal Signal Association fire alarm certified
(4) Certified by a state or local authority
(5) Trained and qualified personnel employed by an organization listed by a national testing laboratory for the servicing of fire alarm systems

5. Alarm Type Transmission
A fire alarm system can have one of a number of different types of transmission systems

6. McCulloh Transmitter
This method uses a "party line" that connects several businesses to a monitoring facility. When an alarm signal is received via the dedicated party line, the monitoring facility checks a code to identify which business was compromised.

7. Multiplex
This system also operates like a "party line," using one dedicated telephone line to connect several businesses to a monitoring facility.

8. Digital
The alarm signal is transmitted over the business's regular telephone lines (rather than over a dedicated line), which transmit them to the monitoring facility. The system can be compromised by cutting the line.
Digital alarm communicator transmitter (DACT)
Digital alarm radio transmitter (DART)
Digital alarm communicator receiver (DACR)
Digital alarm radio receiver (DARR)

9. Reverse Polarity
A Reverse Polarity Signaling Module communicates system conditions (alarm, trouble, and supervisory) from a compatible control panel to a monitoring station by reversing or interrupting the polarity of a steady signal it sends over leased telephone company lines.

10. Radio Frequency
This system transmits status signals via radio wave to a receiving antenna, which relays the signal to the monitoring facility. In a two-way radio system, the monitoring facility can receive the alarm system's status signal as well as send a signal to ask for the status or confirm an alarm condition, thus, providing line security.

11. Initiating Devices Manual Fire Alarm Boxes Ionization Smoke Detectors
Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Duct Detectors
Heat Detectors
Waterflow Switches
Supervisory Switches

12. Alarm Notification Appliances
Bells
Horns
Chimes
Strobes
Speakers

13. Supervisory Signal-Initiating Devices
Building Temp
Site Water Temp
Site Water Level
Fire Pump Power
Fire Pump Running
Fire Pump Auto Position
Fire Pump or Pump Controller Trouble
Generator in Auto Position
Generator or Controller Trouble
Switch Transfer
Generator Engine Running

14. SIGNALING LINE CIRCUITS
Quantity and style of signaling line circuits connected to system

15. SYSTEM POWER SUPPLIES Primary Secondary Voltage Amps
Over current Protection
Secondary
Second line
Generators
Battery

16. Emergency or Standby System
Used as a backup to primary power supply, instead of using a secondary power supply
Examples:
Battery

17. SUPERVISING STATION MONITORING
Alarm Signal
Alarm Restoration
Trouble Signal
Trouble Signal Restoration
Supervisory Signal
Supervisory Restoration

18. Maintenance
Fire alarm system equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

19. Permanent Records
A set of reproducible as-built installation drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, and a written sequence of operation shall be provided to the building owner or the owner’s designated representative.
For software-based systems, a copy of the site- specific software shall be provided to the owner or owner’s designated representative.
The owner shall be responsible for maintaining these records for the life of the system for examination by any authority having jurisdiction.
Paper or electronic media shall be permitted.

20. Maintenance, Inspection, and Testing Records
Records shall be retained until the next test and for 1 year thereafter