1. FIRE ALARM TRANSMISSION METHODS “NFPA 72 2013”
Louis T. Fiore
FIRE ALARM TRANSMISSION METHODS “NFPA ”
March 14, 2012

2. Methods in NFPA 72 Chapter 26
DACT
One-Way Private Radio
Two-Way Radio
Performance Based Technologies

3. “Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter” First defined in NFPA 71
DACT
“Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter”
First defined in NFPA 71

4. NFPA 72
The next edition (2013) will see DACT and a second technology (not two phone lines).
The current (and perhaps final) version of NFPA requires a 6 hr DACT test rather than 24 hrs.
The 2016 Edition will probably “sunset” DACT altogether.
Two-Way radio, Private One-Way Radio, Digital Cellular and IP will survive as your only communications alternatives.
NITNAM Procedure

5. 26.6.3.1 Performance Based Technologies
Single Path
60 second polling or check-in
Multiple Paths
6 hour polling or check-in on each side
Digital Cellular
IP/Internet

6. Current Version (2010):
Transmission Channels.
(A) A system employing a DACT shall employ one telephone line (number). In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be employed:
(1) A second telephone line (number)
(2) A cellular telephone connection
(3) A one-way radio system
(4) A one-way private radio alarm system
(5) A private microwave radio system
(6) A two-way RF multiplex system
(7) A transmission means complying with new technologies section

7. VoIP

8. Issues for Alarms with VoIP
Pass alarm DACT signal formats in an undistorted fashion
Ensure Line Seizure is not compromised
The ability to provide for our control panels to "see” a telephone line equivalent (voltage and dialtone)
VoIP and cable/ISP hardware should have sufficient backup power

9. MFVN in NFPA 72-2010 Definition: 3.3.141
Manage and maintain their network to ensure service quality and reliability
Provide a service that is functionally equivalent to traditional analog phone service (dialing, dial plan, and loop voltage treatment),
Provide real-time transmission of voice signals that carry alarm system formats unchanged,
Provide both professional installation and subscriber information …….which preserves primary line seizure for alarm system interconnection, and
Have disaster recovery plans to address both individual customer outages and widespread events of a catastrophic nature, including network power restoration equivalent to traditional landline telephone services.

12. One Way Private Radio Two-Way RF Multiplex AES-Intellinet AlarmNet A
AlarmNet M
AAGARD
HolmesNet

13. Transmission Channels
(A) A system employing a DACT shall employ one telephone line (number).
In addition, one of the following transmission means shall be employed:
(1) A one-way private radio alarm system
(2) A two-way RF multiplex system
(3) A transmission means complying with (performance-based technologies)
Exception: Where access to two technologies listed above is not available at the protected premises, with the approval of the authority having jurisdiction, a telephone line (number) shall be permitted to be used as the second
transmission means.

14. 26.6.3 Communications Methods.
The communications methods used to transmit signals to supervising stations shall meet the requirements of for performance-based technologies, or (Digital Alarm Communicator Systems) or (Radio Systems) for prescriptive-based technologies.
Performance-Based Technologies.
Conformance. Communications methods operating on principles different from
specific methods covered by this chapter shall be permitted to be installed if they conform to the
performance requirements of this section and to all other applicable requirements of this Code.

15. 26.6.3.1.5 Single Communications Path.
Unless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing laws, codes, or standards, a single transmission path shall be permitted, and the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more than 60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 60 minutes. The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with
Multiple Communications Paths.
If multiple transmission paths are used, the following requirements shall be met:
(1) Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.
(2) The failure of any path of a multi-path system shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 hours.
(3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with
Single Technology. A single technology shall be permitted to be used to create the multiple paths provided the requirements of (1) through (3).

16. 26. 6. 3. 1. 5 Single Communications Path
Single Communications Path. Unless prohibited by the enforcing authority, governing laws, codes, or standards, a single transmission path shall be permitted, and the path shall be supervised at an interval of not more than 60 minutes. A failure of the path shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 60 minutes. The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with

17. 26. 6. 3. 1. 6 Multiple Communications Paths
Multiple Communications Paths. If multiple transmission paths are used, the following requirements shall be met:
(1) Each path shall be supervised within not more than 6 hours.
(2) The failure of any path of a multi-path system shall be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 hours.
(3) The failure to complete a signal transmission shall be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with

18. Single Technology. A single technology shall be permitted to be used to create the multiple paths provided the requirements of (1) through (3).

19. Questions?

20. Thank you!