Effective January 1, 2026, the 2025 Edition of NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) will take effect in California. Per NFPA’s website, the 2025 edition features several revisions and additions to the standard, including the following (verbatim):
- Expanded requirements in Chapter 11 for the protection of fire alarm and signaling systems from cyber attacks
- New requirements for acoustic leak detectors and thermal image fire detectors in Chapter 17
- Clarification on the spacing of smoke detectors to be unchanged on ceilings up to 40 ft (12.2 m) in height, after which performance-based design spacing must be used
- Addition of a new notification mode, permitting a restricted mode audible operation (RAMO) notification zone to apply private mode audible levels
- Detailed instructions for the calculations of voltage drop in notification appliance circuits to standardize the calculation procedure in Chapters 18 and 24
- Significant changes in Chapter 26 related to auxiliary service providers (ASP) and communications technologies
- Revisions in Chapter 29 to direct the user to NFPA 715, Standard for the Installation of Fuel Gases Detection and Warning Equipment, for fuel gas detection
This blog intends to concentrate exclusively on NFPA 72-2025’s changes relative to Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES), which are outlined in Chapter 24, Section 9. (We are, of course, a company that specializes in ERCES).
As a reminder, the current NFPA ERCES standard is outlined in NFPA 1225 (Standard for Emergency Services Communications), primarily in Chapter 18. NFPA 1225 is mainly written for radio/RF system design engineers. It outlines system design, donor antenna and antenna specifics, signal strength and quality (and other RF parameters), but doesn’t define precisely how to interface with the building’s fire protection system.
NFPA 72, on the other hand, is written with the fire marshal and alarm contractor in mind. It governs items like UL-listings for interfaces, required signal types and response times, testing intervals, and integration with elevators, notification systems, and supervisory controls.
NFPA 1225 refers to NFPA 72 for notification and fire alarm panel interfaces. Meanwhile, NFPA 72 relies on 1225 for performance standards. The 2025 edition of NFPA 72 further formalizes this connection in the annex material.
The clear connection between these two standards is as follows: NFPA 1225-2025, Section 18.14.1.1, states, “The system shall include automatic supervisory signals for malfunctions of the in-building ERCES that are annunciated by the fire alarm system in accordance with NFPA 72.” And Section 18.14.1.2(1) states that “Monitoring for integrity of the system shall comply with Chapter 10 of NFPA 72.”
Key Updates in NFPA 72 2025 – Chapter 24, Section 9 (ERCES)
1. Pathway Survivability Clarification
- Maintains Level 2 or 3 survivability for two-way ERCES but adjusts terminology and details to better align with Chapter 10 standards.
- Highlights that ERCES pathways (such as cables, coax, power) now need explicit fire-resistance measures (like 2-hour-rated cable or enclosure) in high-risk zones.
2. Formalization of Monitoring & Supervision
- Section 9 now requires FACP integration for key ERCES fault signals (power loss, battery, amplifier, antenna issues), explicitly linked to Chapter 10 logic on circuit integrity.
3. Cybersecurity Integration
- While Chapter 11 covers cybersecurity in general, Section 9 emphasizes this for ERCES, meaning remote access, password policies, and logging requirements now officially apply to ISP/Network-connected BDA systems.
4. Remote Control Requirements
- This section now references NFPA 72 control functionality—ERCES resets, silencing, or supervision resets must be performed through authorized or secured interfaces, per remote access controls in Chapter 11.
5. Enhanced Audible & Visual Modes
- Although primarily a Chapter 18 update, Section 9 alignment ensures ERCES-connected speakers support the NEW Restricted Audible Mode (RAMO), allowing lower-volume alerts (10 dB above ambient) for specialized environments.
6. Documentation & Testing Provisions
- The updates emphasize the importance of thorough design reviews, AHJ-approved engineering documents, signal surveys, and yearly supervised acceptance testing, aligned with Section 9’s overall focus on formal engineered oversight.
Quick Comparison: 2022 vs. 2025 for ERCES
| Aspect | NFPA 72 2022 | NFPA 72 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Survivability terminology | Reference to survivability levels w/o Chapter 10 clarity | Explicit Level 2/3 survivability tied to definitive fire-resistance requirements |
| Supervision integration | Advisory, implied via NFPA 1225 link | Mandatory FACP supervision per Chapter 10 |
| Cybersecurity requirements | Annex J (non-mandatory) | Now enforceable requirements in Chapter 11 apply to ERCES |
| Remote control access | Guidance-level remote reset/silence | Must align with secured, role-based access defined in Chapter 11 |
| Notification modes available | Traditional audible/voice only | Adds Restricted Audible Mode (RAMO) support |
| Documentation/testing | General ECS documentation/testing rules aligned with Chapter 14 | Reinforces AHJ engineering approval and documented annual testing |
These changes imply that Fire Alarm contractors will have several new responsibilities under NFPA 2025 relative to ERCES. Here’s a partial list:
| Requirement | What’s New in 2025 | What They Must Do Now |
|---|---|---|
| FACP Integration & Supervision | Integration is now explicitly required, not optional or “as coordinated.” | • Provide dedicated FACP inputs for ERCES faults (power, battery, donor loss, antenna, amplifier) • Accept a single-point supervised input only if it’s UL 864 listed and labeled “ERCES Fault” • Ensure these inputs meet Chapter 10 circuit monitoring standards (e.g., open/short detection, ≤200 sec response) |
| Remote Reset/Control Capabilities | Must follow the new secured remote access rules from Chapter 11 | • Ensure any ERCES-related reset/silence buttons (physical or digital) are access-controlled and logged • Cannot allow unsecured remote access via public networks • If remote control is allowed (e.g., via web GUI), it must be through a VPN, firewall, or secure cloud interface |
| Cybersecurity Compliance | Chapter 11 is now enforceable (was optional “Annex J” before) | • Work with the ERCES vendor to verify unique passwords, no default admin logins • Require audit logging of panel access and changes • Segregate ERCES network connections from public or corporate LANs • Document cybersecurity posture in submittals |
| Notification Appliance Integration (RAMO) | Adds Restricted Audible Mode (RAMO) | • If ERCES drives building voice alerting, ensure notification appliances can support RAMO (lower dB alerting) • This is crucial in schools, hospitals, or other sensitive occupancies |
| Survivability Cross-Compliance | Aligns fire alarm pathways and ERCES pathways with Chapter 10 survivability | • Ensure any wiring from ERCES to FACP (or annunciator) meets the survivability class required by NFPA 72 (e.g., Class A or Class B) • Coordinate with the ERCES vendor on fire-rated conduit, riser pathways, and label everything correctly |
| Documentation & AHJ Submittals | Testing, labels, and submittals are now explicitly required | • Include ERCES relay wiring diagrams in the FACP riser plans • Submit proof of labeling and interface logic (which faults go where) • Participate in integrated system test with AHJ, alongside ERCES installer |
| Annual Re-Testing (if applicable) | Previously ambiguous; now aligned with Ch. 14 | • Coordinate annual fire alarm inspections with ERCES alarm point testing • Document test logs and timing of relay activations, battery transitions, etc. |
In conclusion, before the 2022 and earlier editions, ERCES was considered a “foreign system” — the alarm company would monitor a dry contact. Supervision and reset rules were unclear or left to local AHJs. There were also no formal cybersecurity requirements.
Now (2025 edition), ERCES is regarded as a life safety extension of the fire alarm system. You must monitor its fault conditions just like smoke detectors or NACs. You must secure and control any remote access or reset capability. You must document, label, and test it as part of your system, not just “receive a relay.”
The NFPA 72 2025 updates are important for ERCES. We’re not fire alarm specialists, but this new standard will require closer coordination between the two vendors starting in 2026. If you need ERCES assistance on a project, please don’t hesitate to contact us.