In the realm of fire protection and life safety, few documents carry as much weight as NFPA 72. Officially titled the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, this standard, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is the definitive guide for the application, installation, performance, and maintenance of fire alarm systems and emergency communications systems (ECS) in the United States and beyond.
The schedule for monthly visual inspections and annual comprehensive testing. Emergency Communications: nfpa.72
This covers smoke detectors, heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors (via Annex B), manual pull stations, and water flow switches. It includes siting requirements—for example, ceiling-mounted smoke detectors must be within 21 feet of any point in a corridor. NFPA 72: The Backbone of Modern Fire Alarm
The 2013 edition of NFPA 72 formally integrated Mass Notification. Unlike fire alarms, which are one-directional (get out), MNS are bi-directional and informational ("Shelter in place," "Lockdown," "Chemical spill west side"). Unlike fire alarms, which are one-directional (get out),