Categories of fire alarm certification
Our Fire Alarm Service Certification program evaluates the installation of alarm equipment and the providers of alarm services to help verify ongoing compliance with applicable codes and standards. Currently, three fire alarm certification categories exist:
- 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 and for proprietary fire alarm monitoring stations are found in NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®. The requirements for the central station facility are found in UL 827, the Standard for Central-Station Alarm Services.
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 Certification on protected properties. The UL Certification is the alarm company’s declaration that an alarm system is installed, serviced, maintained, tested, inspected and monitored in compliance with applicable codes and standards.
To help maintain ongoing 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 service systems, this will also include providing runner service as prescribed by NFPA 72.
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 Certification.
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 Certification should a protected property certificate be required.
Local alarm service company
This type of company delivers 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 or a prime contractor as described in NFPA 72. The prime contractor or local alarm service company usually issues the UL Certification.
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