Building owners are responsible for meeting NFPA 72 monitoring requirements for fire systems. Security systems need to be monitored, too. But tracking multiple disparate systems is more work, typically requires more people, and often suffers from a lack of coordination.
Even in the best times, that can be challenging. But facilities maintenance staff turnover is a significant and ongoing problem, putting more pressure on owners.
Recent NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) updates emphasize the integration of fire and security systems to enhance overall structure safety. This comprehensive approach to building protection minimizes oversight risks that could compromise occupant safety.
NFPA inspection requirements define how often fire systems need inspection, though details differ for components such as piping, sprinklers, kitchen hoods, or fire extinguishers. Regardless, you’ll still need to abide by fire marshal inspection requirements.
In some cases, NFPA 72 now requires integrated fire and security monitoring, establishing it as an industry best practice.
The Goal of NFPA 72
NFPA standards are created to ensure that facilities incorporate appropriately robust, site-specific fire protection systems. NPFA 72 also sets standards to ensure your system remains up-to-date and performs reliably. These standards stress reliable monitoring for earliest possible fire detection.
Commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential structures vary considerably. That’s why custom designs for fire protection and security systems can make them efficient and effective based on human and operational needs. Integration of these systems optimizes monitoring and maintenance while delivering several key advantages.
Enhanced Safety & Effectiveness
- Comprehensive Protection: Integrated systems provide robust facility and occupant protection through unified monitoring and clear accountability.
- Compliance Assurance: Proper adherence to monitoring and inspection standards can positively impact insurance premiums and coverage. They also bring peace of mind to current and future occupants.
- Rapid Response: Consolidated monitoring of fire and security technology enables real-time data correlation, leading to faster threat detection and more effective emergency response.
Operational Efficiency
- Streamlined Coordination: Single-vendor monitoring eliminates coverage gaps and communication delays that can occur with multiple providers. It may also reduce the number of fire inspector visits to your facilities.
- Cost Optimization: System consolidation and preventive maintenance create operational efficiencies that enhance both system and human performance. In addition, shared infrastructures can save money in equipment cost, installation, and maintenance.
Implementation Considerations
Keeping track of different inspection schedules can be daunting, and you don’t want to risk a lapse if an employee goes on vacation or leaves. Even using a simple inspection scheduling form can help you ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
But eventually, you may need some help managing it all.
Integrated fire and security monitoring may not (yet) be mandatory, but it is good business. The best way to effectively integrate your fire and security systems depends on your building, configuration, usage, and specific risk factors.
You can learn more about that or arrange for efficient, single-source monitoring by contacting our fire protection experts. We’re here to help with whatever you need, from system design and installation to ongoing maintenance.
