Fire Alarm - FAQ
1. Are inspection, testing and maintenance required?
2. How often is testing required?
3. Is special testing required for smoke detectors?
4. What method is used to test smoke detectors?
5. Are some types of testers prohibited?
6. Who is responsible for the maintenance, inspection, and testing?
7. Are the inspectors and service personnel required to have specific qualifications?
8. Are records of maintenance, inspection and testing required?
1. Yes- Texas has adopted the International Fire Code and that code requires maintenance and testing in accordance with the International Fire Code and Chapter 7 of NFPA 72 back to top
2. Testing shall be performed in accordance with the schedules in Chapter 7 of NFPA 72 or more frequently where required by the fire code official. Where automatic testing is performed at least weekly by a remotely monitored fire alarm control unit specifically listed for the application, the manual testing frequency shall be permitted to be extended to annual. Exception: Devices or equipment that are inaccessible for safety considerations shall be tested during scheduled shutdowns where approved by the fire code official, but not less than every 18 months. back to top
3. Detector sensitivity shall be checked within 1 year after installation and every alternate year thereafter. After the second calibration test, where sensitivity tests indicate that the detector has remained within its listed and marked sensitivity range (or 4-percent obscuration light grey smoke, if not marked), the length of time between calibration tests shall be permitted to be extended to a maximum of 5 years. Where the frequency is extended, records of detector-caused nuisance alarms and subsequent trends of these alarms shall be maintained. In zones or areas where nuisance alarms show any increase over the previous year, calibration tests shall be performed. back to top
4. Each smoke detector shall be tested using either a calibrated test method, the manufacturer’s calibrated sensitivity test instrument, listed control equipment arranged for the purpose, a smoke detector/control unit arrangement whereby the detector causes a signal at the control unit where its sensitivity is outside its acceptable sensitivity range or other calibrated sensitivity test method acceptable to the fire code official. Detectors found to have a sensitivity outside the listed and marked sensitivity range shall be cleaned and recalibrated or replaced. Exceptions: (1) Detectors listed as field adjustable shall be permitted to be either adjusted within the listed and marked sensitivity range and cleaned and recalibrated or they shall be replaced. (2) This requirement shall not apply to single-station smoke alarms.
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5. Yes. Detector sensitivity shall not be tested or measured using a device that administers an unmeasured concentration of smoke or other aerosol into the detector. back to top
6. The building owner shall be responsible for ensuring that the fire and life safety systems are maintained in an operable condition at all times. back to top
7. Yes. 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
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8. A written record shall be maintained and shall be made available to the fire code official.back to top
