Fire Alarm Inspection Handbook A Field Reference for Inspectors, Technicians, and Engineers

Fire Alarm Inspection Handbook: A Field Reference for Inspectors, Technicians, and Engineers (2025 Edition)

Prepared by Practicing Engineers Network

🔥 The Complete Field Guide to Fire Alarm Inspections

The Fire Alarm Inspection Handbook (2025 Edition) is the definitive, code-based guide for professionals responsible for testing, verifying, and maintaining life-safety systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Designed as a practical field reference, this handbook translates NFPA 72 and NEC 760 requirements into clear inspection steps, ready-to-use checklists, and illustrated examples.

Whether you’re a licensed inspector, fire protection engineer, technician, or AHJ reviewer, this book provides everything you need to perform consistent, compliant, and defensible inspections.

Inside This Handbook

• Part I – Fundamentals of Fire Alarm Inspection
  Understand system types, inspection scope, and code authority.

• Part II – Inspection Preparation and Procedures
  Step-by-step testing methods for detectors, pull stations, and notification appliances.

• Part III – Documentation and Reporting
  Standardized forms, deficiency logs, and tagging templates for AHJ submittals.

• Part IV – Sample Inspection Scenarios and Diagrams
  Real-world examples for residential, high-rise, and industrial systems.

• Part V – Appendices and Field Reference
  Quick-lookup tables for NFPA 72 and NEC 760, troubleshooting guide, and fillable inspection checklist (Appendix F).

Features

✅ 100% code-referenced and field-ready
✅ One-line riser and device layout diagrams included
✅ NFPA 72 (2022) & NEC 760 (2023) references throughout
✅ Troubleshooting tables and visual inspection forms
✅ Includes “Inspector’s Quick Notes” after every major section

Who This Book Is For

• Fire alarm inspectors and test technicians

• Electrical and fire protection engineers

• AHJs and plan reviewers

• Building managers and safety officers

• Students and apprentices learning NFPA 72 inspection fundamentals

About the Author

Practicing Engineers Network (PEN) is a collaborative team of engineers, inspectors, and safety professionals dedicated to producing clear, code-based handbooks for real-world use.
Their publications emphasize practicality, clarity, and compliance—bridging the gap between design standards and field application.