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At UL Solutions, we understand the importance of maintaining the safety and functionality of your fire detection systems. Our specialized testing capabilities determine whether your systems meet industry standards and can help your heat alarms operate at peak performance.
NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, provides requirements for the inspection, testing and maintenance of heat sensors. Chapter 14 of NFPA 72 specifically addresses these requirements, covering various types of heat detectors, such as fixed temperature, rate-of-rise, rate of compensation, restorable/non-restorable line and spot-type technologies. Annual testing for heat detector sensors is required to be conducted either using a listed and labeled (certified) heat source or in accordance with the manufacturer's published instructions.
For fixed-temperature, non-restorable spot-type heat detectors, all devices should be replaced 15 years after initial installation. Alternatively, NFPA 72 allows for two out of every 100 of these heat alarms to be laboratory tested to demonstrate performance as a representative sample of all installed devices. When this approach is used, tests must be repeated at intervals of five years thereafter.
| Component | Initial Acceptance | Periodic Frequency | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-temperature, rate-of-rise, rate of compensation, restorable line, spot type (excluding pneumatic tube type) | X | Annually (see 14.4.4.5) | Perform heat test with a listed and labeled heat source or in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions. Assure that the test method for the installed equipment does not damage the nonrestorable fixed-temperature element of a combination rate-of-rise/fixed-temperature element detector. |
| Fixed-temperature, nonrestorable line type | X | Annually | Do not perform heat test. Test functionality mechanically and electrically. Measure and record loop resistance. Investigate changes from acceptance test. |
| Fixed-temperature, nonrestorable spot type | X | See Method | After 15 years from initial installation, replace all devices or have 2 detectors per occurs on any of the detector removed, remove and test additional detectors to determine either a general problem involving faulty detectors or a localized problem involving 1 or 2 defective detectors. |
| Nonrestorable (general) | X | Annually | Do not perform heat tests. Test functionality mechanically and electrically. |
| Restorable line type, pneumatic tube only | X | Annually | Perform heat tests (where test chambers are in circuit), with a listed and labeled heat source or in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions of the detector or conduct a test with pressure pump. |
UL Solutions also offers comprehensive services for testing fire alarm heat detectors, supporting a more sustainable approach to heat detection inspection, testing and maintenance. Heat detectors removed for laboratory testing in accordance with NFPA 72 can be shipped to our laboratory in Northbrook, Illinois. After testing, UL Solutions provides a detailed test report documenting the performance of the detector. This report includes identification of the individual devices tested to show the chain of custody and evidence of results.
We are committed to providing reliable and efficient testing services to help you evaluate compliance with NFPA 72 and support the safety and functionality of your heat detection systems. For more information, please contact us.
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Our fire safety testing and certification capabilities have made us one of the most recognized and respected third-party certification bodies in the industry.
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