Fire Alarm & Life Safety Technicians
Fire alarm technicians install, test and repair the systems that warn people and call the fire department. The job takes them above ceilings, into mechanical rooms and onto lifts, and means working on circuits that must keep protecting the building. A mistake can injure the technician or leave a building unprotected.
- Electrical
- Life Safety
- Service
The codes
- NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) covers installation, testing, inspection and maintenance.
- The local fire code and adopted building code set requirements for where systems are required, and local authorities may require licensed technicians or permits.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for panels and devices.
Requirements vary by state and city, so check your local licensing and permit rules.
Electrical hazards
- Fire alarm circuits are often low voltage (24 volts), but panels also connect to 120-volt or higher power, and to batteries. Treat everything as live until tested. See Testing for Absence of Voltage.
- Follow lockout where you can. Fire alarm systems that stay on can’t always be shut off. Follow the building’s procedure and your employer’s rules. See Lockout/Tagout.
- Use insulated tools and tested meters. Disconnect backup batteries when working inside a panel if the procedure says so, and wear eye protection. See Battery Safety.
Impairments: the hidden hazard
Whenever a system is shut off, bypassed or not working during service, it’s an impairment. If a fire happens, the building may have no alarm. Before testing or repair that disables any part of the system:
- Tell the building owner or manager and the people in the building
- Notify the fire department and the monitoring company, so they ignore alarms during testing
- Plan a fire watch for areas left unprotected, if required
- Limit how long the system is down, and restore it fully and test it when done
- Document the start and end of the impairment
Ceilings, ladders and lifts
- Use the right ladder or a scaffold or lift, and keep three points of contact. Stay off the top steps. See Step Ladders and Scissor Lifts.
- Ceiling spaces can hold asbestos insulation, live wiring, dust, insulation fibers and other trades’ work. Don’t step on ceiling tiles or drywall. Step only on joists.
- Watch for heat in attics and roof spaces. See Heat Illness.
- Wear a hard hat, eye protection and a dust mask or respirator when needed.
Testing: noise and drills
- Horns and strobes can be extremely loud, and strobes can trigger seizures or discomfort in some people. Warn people nearby, and wear hearing protection when testing close to devices. See Noise.
- Testing can trip door holders, elevators, HVAC shutdowns and sprinkler flow switches. Coordinate with building staff so people aren’t trapped or surprised.
- Watch for elevators and doors that move automatically during tests.
Smoke and gas detection
Smoke detectors in testing use aerosol or smoke test products. Use the right test product, ventilate the space, and don’t overuse them. Work with detectors that contain tiny amounts of radioactive material (older ionization types) as the manufacturer directs.
Before service work
- Building and fire department notified; impairment plan ready
- Circuits tested before touching; batteries handled safely
- Ladder or lift set up; hard hat and eye protection on
- Hearing protection for horn tests
- System restored, tested and documented before you leave
Standards & references
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