Last month’s blog focused on NFPA 1225’s pivot from ERRCS (RC = radio communication) to ERCES (CE = Communication Enhancement) with the inclusion of cellular based systems like LTE and 5G. There are other changes in NFPA 1225 that we didn’t highlight and a number of these have implications for Fire Alarm Systems.
NFPA 72 is widely considered the authoritative guide for designing, installing, testing, maintaining, and inspecting fire alarm and emergency communications systems across the United States. It is used extensively by engineers, system designers, contractors, inspectors, code officials, and fire safety professionals. It has been adopted as the law or reference standard by most jurisdictions in the U.S., with local amendments and variations.
NFPA 1225 references NFPA 72 in several key areas to ensure the seamless integration and functionality of ERCES with fire alarm systems. Notable references include:
System Monitoring and Annunciation
Automatic Supervisory Signals: NFPA 1225 mandates that malfunctions within the ERCES trigger automatic supervisory signals, which must be annunciated by the building’s fire alarm system in accordance with NFPA 72 standards.
Integrity Monitoring: The standard specifies that the integrity of the communication link between the fire alarm system and the ERCES should be continuously monitored, ensuring prompt detection and notification of any faults, as outlined in NFPA 72.
Power Supply Supervision
Secondary Power Source: NFPA 1225 requires that the ERCES’s secondary power source be supervised for integrity in line with NFPA 72 guidelines, ensuring reliable operation during power disruptions.
Pathway Survivability
Fire Alarm System Pathways: The standard emphasizes that monitoring the integrity of power sources and pathways within the ERCES should comply with Chapter 10 of NFPA 72, ensuring system resilience during emergencies.
By aligning these critical aspects with NFPA 72, NFPA 1225 ensures that ERCES are effectively integrated with fire alarm systems, enhancing the overall safety and responsiveness of emergency communication infrastructures.
So, are these the only two relevant code sources? Unfortunately, no. While NFPA 72 and NFPA 1225 are the primary standards explicitly focused on ERCES and emergency communication, other NFPA codes (especially NFPA 1, NFPA 70, and NFPA 101) also reference ERCES to ensure integrated safety, electrical compliance, and reliable operation.
Each of these standards addresses ERCES from slightly different perspectives, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of emergency communication infrastructure. These codes do not explicitly use the terms ERRCS or ERCES but reference NFPA 1221 (now NFPA 1225) and “reliable in-building communications for emergency responders.”
NFPA 1 – Fire Code
- Sets broad requirements for emergency responder radio communication coverage in buildings.
- Often references ERCES installation, testing, and compliance with related standards (NFPA 1225, NFPA 72).
NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code – NEC)
- Includes guidelines regarding electrical installation requirements applicable to ERCES, such as wiring methods, grounding, and circuit protection.
NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
- References ERCES as part of overall building safety and emergency preparedness, ensuring communication reliability for responders during fires or emergencies.
NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
- Frequently reference ERCES to ensure effective communications coverage within structures for responder safety and evacuation assistance.
The takeaway is that the standards now clearly mandate a cohesive, interoperable, and coordinated approach between ERCES and fire alarm systems. As discussed before, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is the primary source of exactly which codes are being enforced.
If you need help with ERCES design, testing or installation, please contact us.