Fire alarm systems are the first line of defense for occupant notification and emergency response. NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, establishes the minimum requirements for inspection, testing, and maintenance of these critical life safety systems in Chapter 14. Proper inspection ensures that control panels, initiating devices (smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations), and notification appliances (horns, strobes, speakers) will function when needed. Systems that are not regularly inspected and tested may fail to activate during an actual fire emergency. This guide covers the complete inspection and testing requirements with a free downloadable checklist.
Free Fire Alarm System Inspection Checklist
Download our Word document checklist covering control panels, detectors, pull stations, notification appliances, and battery testing.
Download Checklist (.docx)Regulatory Framework
NFPA 72 Chapter 14 — Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
- Table 14.3.1: Visual inspection frequencies for all fire alarm components (weekly, monthly, semiannual, annual).
- Table 14.4.3.2: Testing frequencies for initiating devices, notification appliances, and control equipment (semiannual and annual).
- 14.2.1: Inspection, testing, and maintenance programs shall satisfy the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
- 14.6.2: Records of all inspections, testing, and maintenance shall be maintained until the next test and for one year thereafter.
OSHA Requirements
- 1910.37(b)(4): Each exit sign must be illuminated and the word "EXIT" clearly visible.
- 1910.165: Employee alarm systems must be maintained in operating condition (applicable where fire alarms serve as the employee alarm).
- 1910.165(d): Employee alarm systems shall be tested at least every two months.
Pre-test notification required: Before any fire alarm testing, notify all affected parties including building occupants, the alarm monitoring company, the local fire department, and the AHJ. Failure to provide notification can result in unnecessary emergency responses, occupant panic, and potential fines or penalties.
Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP)
| Inspection Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Panel status (weekly) | System in normal operating condition. No trouble signals, supervisory signals, or alarm conditions displayed. All LEDs showing normal status. No audible trouble signals. |
| Power supply | Primary (AC) power connected and operating. Transfer to secondary (battery) power verified. Trouble signal activates on primary power loss. Power supply indicator lights normal. |
| Fuses and LEDs | All fuses intact and rated correctly. LED indicators functional and displaying correct status. No missing or burned-out indicators. |
| Panel condition | Enclosure intact with door closing and latching properly. No unauthorized modifications. Panel accessible. No storage within 3 feet. As-built drawings and zone maps present. |
| Annunciator | Remote annunciator (if equipped) displays same status as main panel. All zone indicators correspond to correct areas. Annunciator accessible to emergency responders. |
Initiating Devices
| Inspection Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Smoke detectors | Visual: Semiannual — not painted, obstructed, or damaged. No environmental changes affecting coverage. Functional test: Annual — activate with listed test method (smoke aerosol or magnet). Verify alarm signal at FACP. Sensitivity test: Within 1 year of install, then every 2 years. |
| Heat detectors | Visual: Semiannual — no paint, damage, or obstruction. No environmental changes. Functional test: Annual — test per manufacturer instructions. Verify alarm at FACP. Fixed-temperature non-restorable: test by replacement with new device (test old unit separately). |
| Duct smoke detectors | Visual: Semiannual — detector accessible, sampling tubes clear, airflow adequate. Functional test: Annual — activate with listed method. Verify HVAC shutdown and alarm signal at FACP. Confirm air handling system response. |
| Manual pull stations | Visual: Semiannual — accessible, unobstructed, visible, no damage. Functional test: Annual — trip each pull station and verify alarm at FACP. Verify station resets properly. Test key-reset types with key. |
| Waterflow switches | Visual: Quarterly — valve position, physical condition, signage. Functional test: Semiannual — open inspector’s test connection, verify alarm within 90 seconds. Verify signal at FACP and monitoring company. |
| Tamper / supervisory switches | Visual: Quarterly — valve in correct (open) position, sealed or locked. Functional test: Semiannual — turn valve two revolutions from normal, verify supervisory signal at FACP. |
Notification Appliances
| Inspection Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Audible devices (horns/speakers) | Visual: Semiannual — devices present, not damaged or obstructed. Functional test: Annual — activate and verify audible signal. Sound level adequate throughout notification zone. No dead spots. |
| Visual devices (strobes) | Visual: Semiannual — devices present, lenses not painted or obscured, mounting secure. Functional test: Annual — activate and verify flash pattern. Candela rating appropriate for room size. ADA-compliant placement. |
| Speaker/voice systems | Visual: Semiannual — speakers present and not damaged. Functional test: Annual — test voice intelligibility. Pre-recorded messages play correctly. Microphone for live voice announcements operational. |
Secondary Power and Batteries
| Inspection Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Battery visual inspection | Semiannual — no corrosion, leakage, or swelling on battery terminals. Connections tight. Battery manufacture date recorded. Sealed lead-acid batteries replaced every 4 years per NFPA 72. |
| Battery voltage test | Annual — measure voltage with voltmeter. Voltage should not fall below 2.05 volts per cell under load for lead-acid batteries. Record readings and compare to previous tests. |
| Battery load / discharge test | Annual — disconnect primary power. System must operate on battery power for required standby time (typically 24 hours standby plus 5 minutes alarm, or as specified). Verify alarm signals during battery operation. |
NFPA 72 inspection frequency summary: Control equipment should be checked weekly for normal status. Smoke detectors, heat detectors, and notification appliances require semiannual visual inspections and annual functional testing. Waterflow and tamper switches require quarterly visual inspection and semiannual testing. Smoke detector sensitivity testing is required within 1 year of installation and every 2 years thereafter. Local jurisdictions and the AHJ may require more frequent inspection intervals.
Documentation Requirements
NFPA 72 Record Keeping
- Maintain a Record of Completion for the original system installation
- Complete an Inspection and Testing Form (ITF) for each inspection event
- Document every device tested, the method used, and the pass/fail result
- Record all deficiencies found and corrective actions taken
- Retain records until the next test and for one year thereafter
- Document all pre-test notifications (monitoring company, fire department, occupants)
- Keep records of all system modifications and reacceptance testing
Download the Free Checklist
Get our fire alarm system inspection checklist in Word format. Covers all NFPA 72 inspection frequencies.
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