Field reference for fire alarm and life safety technicians. 8 entries, taken from the LoopWatt app.
Reference notes from LoopWatt, the offline field toolkit for fire alarm and life safety technicians. It works with no cell signal, because the sites do not have any.
Get LoopWatt on the App StoreSupplied by a listed PLFA power source limited to 100 volt amperes. Most modern addressable panels are PLFA. Cable types FPL, FPLR (riser), FPLP (plenum) by location.
NEC 760.121
Up to 600 V; wiring methods follow Chapter 3 with Article 760 Part II modifications. Used on some legacy and high power circuits. Cable types NPLF, NPLFR, NPLFP.
NEC 760.35 to 760.53
Solid or stranded copper. 18 and 16 AWG permitted for PLFA under conditions. Size for voltage drop, not just ampacity: notification circuits fail on drop long before ampacity.
NEC 760.49
The fire alarm primary power branch circuit supplies no other loads, is marked FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT, and the disconnecting means is identified and protected against casual operation.
NEC 760.41 and 760.121(B)
Where the design requires survivability (partial evacuation and relocation voice systems), use 2 hour circuit integrity (CI) cable, a listed electrical circuit protective system, or 2 hour rated construction. NFPA 72 pathway survivability levels 0 through 3.
NFPA 72 12.4; NEC 760.24
PLFA conductors must be separated from electric light and power conductors except as permitted. Do not share raceway with power circuits; noise and safety both suffer.
NEC 760.136
Fire alarm circuits identified at terminal and junction locations to prevent unintentional signals during work on other systems. Red is customary but marking is what the code requires.
NEC 760.30
Accessible portions of abandoned fire alarm cable must be removed unless tagged for future use.
NEC 760.25
Reference notes from LoopWatt, the offline field toolkit for fire alarm and life safety technicians. It works with no cell signal, because the sites do not have any.
Get LoopWatt on the App StoreThese notes are a field aid, not a substitute for the governing codes, the stamped drawings, the authority having jurisdiction, or manufacturer manuals. Verify against the current documentation for your installed equipment.