Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems: Design, Installation, and Performance
Live Sessions: May 11 - 22, 2026, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday, 1:00 PM EDT to 3:00 PM EDT
Access to the on-demand content is guaranteed through May 22nd, 2027. After this date, access to the content will expire.
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the design, application, installation, and ongoing performance of fire alarm and signaling systems in buildings. Using the requirements of NFPA 72, the International Building Code (IBC), the International Fire Code (IFC), and the National Electrical Code (NEC), the course examines how fire alarm systems are selected, configured, and maintained to support life safety objectives across a wide range of occupancies.
Participants will explore the fundamental purpose and architecture of fire alarm systems, including control units, initiating devices, notification appliances, power supplies, and signal transmission methods. The course addresses the operation and appropriate application of smoke detectors, heat detectors, and other initiating devices, along with spacing, placement, and environmental considerations. Audible and visual notification requirements are examined to ensure effective occupant awareness and response.
In addition, the course covers fire alarm circuits, pathways, and wiring methods, emphasizing system reliability, survivability, and coordination with other building systems. Emergency control function interfaces—such as elevator recall, HVAC shutdown, and door control—are discussed to illustrate how fire alarm systems interact with broader life safety strategies. The role of supervising stations and off-site signal transmission is also examined.
The course concludes with a detailed review of inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation requirements, highlighting the importance of system performance over the full life cycle of a building. By the end of the course, participants will have a practical understanding of how fire alarm and signaling systems are designed, installed, and maintained to meet code requirements and support occupant safety.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply the requirements of NFPA 72, IBC, IFC, and the NEC to the design, installation, and performance of fire alarm and signaling systems.
- Explain how occupancy and use group classifications drive fire alarm system requirements.
- Describe the purpose, architecture, and major components of fire alarm and signaling systems.
- Identify and select appropriate initiating devices based on application, environment, and code requirements.
- Apply basic spacing, placement, and installation rules for smoke detectors and heat detectors.
- Differentiate between alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals and their system implications.
- Identify and apply requirements for audible and visible notification appliances to ensure effective occupant notification.
- Describe fire alarm system interfaces with emergency control functions such as elevators, HVAC systems, and door controls.
- Identify fire alarm circuit types, pathway classes, and wiring methods, and explain their operational characteristics.
- Apply primary and secondary power supply requirements, including basic battery capacity and voltage drop considerations.
- Describe supervising station functions and signal transmission methods for off-site monitoring and emergency reporting.
- Explain inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation requirements necessary to maintain system compliance and reliability.
Professional Development Credits
PDH: 12
Fees
Early Bird Pricing Ends April 11th!
SFPE Members: $559.00
SFPE Non-members: $699.00
Regular Pricing
SFPE Members: $659.00
SFPE Non-Members: $819.00
*Not an SFPE member? Join today to receive a discount on all future SFPE Webinars and Seminars.
Questions? Please email us at [email protected].
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CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY
To cancel your registration and qualify for a partial refund, SFPE must receive in writing your cancellation notice by May 8th, 2026. A $100 USD administrative fee will be deducted for all cancellations. SFPE cannot refund registration fees after the cancellation cutoff date. SFPE reserves the right to cancel the seminar based on registration levels participation up to 2 weeks prior to the first session.Access to the on-demand content is guaranteed through May 22nd, 2027. After this date, access to the content will expire.
Presenters
Merton Bunker, PE
Merton has 36 years of engineering experience, including seven years at the National Fire Protection Association as staff liaison to the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72).
Merton is active in codes and standards development and is the Chair of the Signaling Systems for the Protection of Life and Property Correlating Committee (NFPA 72). Merton previously served on the National Electrical Code Correlating Committee, the Technical Committee on Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems, Technical Committee on Air Conditioning Systems, chaired the NFPA Technical Committee on Protected Premises Signaling Systems, and chaired the Technical Committee on Electrical Systems Maintenance (NFPA 73).
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management. Merton is a licensed professional engineer, is a certified fire and explosion investigator, and a certified master electrical inspector. Merton is the president of Merton Bunker & Associates in Stafford, Virginia.
