Which NFPA standard governs circuit and pathway performance for fire alarm systems?

• A. NFPA 70
• B. NFPA 72
• C. NFPA 13
• D. NFPA 101

Answer: (B)

NFPA 72 defines how fire alarm circuits and signaling paths must perform. It lays out the requirements for how initiating devices, the fire alarm control panel, and notification appliances are connected, powered, supervised, and tested so the system reliably detects conditions and communicates alarms. This includes rules for circuit integrity, means of power (primary and battery backup), fault and open/short supervision, and the procedures to verify performance over time. The other standards deal with related but different areas: NFPA 70 focuses on general electrical installations, NFPA 13 covers sprinkler systems, and NFPA 101 is about life safety code and egress, but none prescribe the detailed circuit and pathway performance for fire alarm systems like NFPA 72 does.