Fire Alarm Service Certification

Categories of fire alarm certification

Our Fire Alarm Service Certification program evaluates the installation of alarm equipment and the providers of alarm services in order to help verify compliance with applicable codes and UL Standards.  

Currently, there are three fire alarm certification categories: 

• Central Station Fire Alarm Service (UUFX)
• Local, Remote Station, Proprietary Supervising Station Fire Service (UUJS)
• Proprietary Fire Alarm Monitoring Stations (UUKA)

The requirements for the installation of the fire alarm system at the protected property are found in NFPA 72. The requirements for the central station facility are found in the UL standard UL 827.

Obtaining fire alarm certification to become a UL Listed alarm company

The process to become a UL Listed Alarm Company includes an evaluation of sample alarm systems to determine compliance with the applicable parts of NFPA 72. Alarm companies that successfully demonstrate compliance can then become UL Listed and therefore, have the ability to issue UL certificates on protected properties. The UL certificate is the alarm company’s declaration that an alarm system is installed, serviced, maintained and monitored in compliance with applicable codes and standards.

To help ensure continued compliance, our fire alarm technical experts conduct annual audits to help verify that the alarm system installation and services continues to comply. Our audits require alarm service providers to verify that fire alarm systems are inspected, tested and maintained under a service agreement with the alarm system subscriber. In the case of central station systems, this will also include providing runner service.

Types of UL Listed alarm companies

• Full-service company — A full-service company delivers all alarm service elements and has the ability to issue UL certificates.
• Monitoring only company — Providing signal monitoring and system supervision services, a monitoring-only company must operate under a subcontract with an alarm service company that is authorized to issue UL certificates.
• Local alarm service company — Delivering installation, testing, service, maintenance and runner service to protected premises; monitoring is subcontracted to a UL Listed central station.

Central station service delivery

Fire alarm systems are supervised by a commercial entity serving multiple customers. Fire alarm signals are recorded and acted on by trained operators. Requirements in NFPA 72 address the following elements of service:

• System installation at protected premises
• Signal monitoring
• Retransmission of signals and associated record keeping
• Testing
• Maintenance
• Runner service
• Certification

NFPA 72 allows for Central Station Service delivery by either a single full-service entity or through a contractual partnership between a monitoring company and a local alarm service company. The local alarm service company issues the UL certificate.

Fire alarm certification benefits

Fire alarm systems are supervised by a commercial entity serving multiple customers. Fire alarm signals are recorded and acted on by trained operators. Requirements in NFPA 72 address the following elements of service:

• Installation at protected premises
• Signal monitoring
• Retransmission of signals and associated record keeping
• Testing
• Maintenance
• Runner service
• Certification

NFPA 72 allows for Central Station Service delivery by either a single full-service entity or through a contractual partnership between a monitoring company and a local alarm service company. The local alarm service company issues the UL certificate.

Watch our videos to learn more.