NFPA 72 2016 Chapter 23 Changes

NFPA 72 2016 Chapter 23 - Protected Premises Fire Alarm

The following information contains the changes, updates and additions to Protected Premises for Fire Alarm Systems found in Chapter 23 of the NFPA 72 2016 edition.  Remember if you see a * make sure to consult the Annex A for additional information.

All information highlighted in this light blue color is NEW to the 2016 edition of NFPA 72.

• 23.1.2 The Requirements of Chapters 7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 21, 24 and 26 shall apply, unless otherwise noted in this chapter.
• 23.2.2.1 A record of installed software and firmware version numbers shall be prepared and maintained in accordance with sections 7.5 and 7.7.
• 23.3.2.2 Non-required systems and components shall be identified on the record drawings required in 7.2.1(14)   

Protected Premises - SLC Performance

• 23.6 The assignment of class designations to signaling line circuits shall be based on their performance capabilities under adnormal or fault conditions in accordance with the requirements for Class A, Class B, Class N, or Class X pathways as specified in NFPA 72 Chapter 12
• 23.6.1* A single fault on a pathway connected to the addressable devices shall not cause the loss of the devices in more than one zone.
• 23.6.1.1 For the purpose of this section, each floor of the building shall be considered a separate zone.  
• 23.6.1.2 For the purpose of this section, if a floor of the building is subdivided into multiple zones by fire or smoke barriers and the fire plan for the protected premises allows relocation of occupants from the zone of origin to another zone on the same floor, each zone on the floor shall be considered a separate zone.
• 23.6.1.3* The requirements in 23.6.1 shall NOT apply to the following:
1. Circuits between enclosures containing transponders and control units regardless of the number of initiating devices, notification appliances, or control relays that may be connected to those control units.
2. Circuits connecting short-circuit fault isolation modules to enclosures containing transponders and control units where the conductors are installed in metallic raceway or equivalently protected against mechanical injury and where the circuit does not exceed 3 feet (1 m) in length.

Below are some diagrams of different CORRECT methods of using ISO or Fault Isolation modules with SLCs:

Isolation method with a Class B SLC

Isolation method with a Class A SLC

Isolation Method for a Hybrid Class A and Class B SLC

Below is an INCORRECT method of using a Fault Isolation Module with SLC:

INCORRECT Isolation Method for SLC

• 23.6.1.4 The loss of more than one zone shall be permitted on a documented performance-based design approach. 
• 23.6.1.5* Performance-based designs submitted to the authority having jurisdiction for review and approval shall include documentation, in an approved format, of each performance objective and applicable scenario, together with technical substantiation used in establishing the proposed zone performance.

Protected Premises - Class N Devices and Shared Pathways

• 23.6.2 Class N Devices
• 23.6.3 Class N Shared Pathways
• 23.6.3.1 Level 1 and Level 2
• 23.6.3.2 Accessibility
• 23.6.3.3 Deployment Plan
• 23.6.3.4 Change Control Plan
• 23.6.3.5 Management Organization
• 23.6.3.6 Analysis
• 23.6.3.7 Maintenance Plan
• 23.6.3.8 Other Risks

Protected Premises - System Requirements

• 23.8.2.7 Each interconnected fire alarm control unit shall be separately monitored for alarm, supervisory, and trouble conditions with supervised pathways that are in accordance with the manufacturers' published instructions.
• 23.8.2.7.1 Alarm conditions on interconnected fire alarm control units shall annunciate as alarm signals and initiate the evacuation signals.
• 23.8.2.7.2 Supervisory conditions on interconnected fire alarm control units shall annunciate as supervisory signals.
• 23.8.2.7.3 Trouble conditions on interconnected fire alarm control units shall annunciate as trouble signals.
• 23.8.2.7.4* Where supervised pathways between interconnected fire alarm control units is not achievable, a supervised annunciator shall be installed adjacent to the control unit(s) to annucnaite the status of each control unit.
• 23.8.2.9.1 Where multiple control units of the same manufacturer are interconnected in a network arrangement and serve the same protected premises, the control units shall be arranged to be reset or silenced from one location.
• 23.8.2.9.2 Where multiple control units of different manufacturers are interconnected in accordance with 23.8.2.5 through 23.8.2.8 and serve the same protected premises, the control units shall be permitted to be reset or silenced individually at each control unit. 
• 23.8.2.9.3 Resetting procedures shall be documented and permanently posted beside each control unit and annunciator.

The following is a California State amendment:

• 23.8.5.1.2 Where connected to a supervising station, fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or waterflow detection devices shall include a manual fire alarm box to initate a signal t the supervising station.
• Exception: Fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator recall control, supervisory service and fire sprinkler monitoring as permitted in section 21.3 of NFPA 72.

• 23.8.5.4.1* Systems equipped with alarm verification features shall be permitted under the following conditions:
1. The alarm verification feature is not initially enabled, unless conditions or occupant activities that are expected to cause nuisance alarms are anticipated in the area that is protected by the smoke detectors.  Enabling of the alarm verification feature shall be protected by password or limited access.
2. A smoke detector that is continuously subjected to a smoke concentration above alarm threshold does not delay the system functions of sections 10.7 through 10.16 or 21.2.1 by more than 1 minute.
3. Actuation of an alarm-initiating device other than a smoke detector causes the system functions of section 10.7 through 10.16 or 21.2.1 without additional delay.
4. The current status of the alarm verification feature is shown on the record of completion.

The following is a California State amendment:

• 23.8.5.4.1 Systems equipped with alarm verification features shall be permitted under the following conditions:
• (5) Operation of a patient room smoke detector in I-2 and R-2.1 occupancies shall not include an alarm verification feature.

• 23.8.5.6.3* If a valve is installed in the connection between a sprinkler system and an initiating device, the valve shall be supervised in accordance with 17.16.1 unless the valve is arranged to cause operation of the supervisory signal initiation device when it is in its non-normal position.  

NFPA 72 2016 Chapter 24 - Emergency Communication Systems (ECS)

NFPA 72 2016 Chapter 21 - Emergency Control Function Interfaces