NON-POWER-LIMITED FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS (NPLFA) INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCHES - Sketch Series

Oct 28, 2026

Industry reference sketches for Non-Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuits (NPLFA), revised 7.06.2011 as reviewed by Mr. Donald Gottfried from the New York City Department of Buildings. The set includes wiring service arrangements for Fire Alarm Service Switches, transformers with bonded neutrals, dedicated automatic transfer switches (3-pole and 4-pole), dedicated ATS with multiple emergency generators and paralleling switchboards, and a sub-system fused cut-out. Each sketch is presented as an acceptability check with specific grounding and sizing questions, plus general installation labeling and conduit material requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Sketches (1/10 through 10/10)

Sketches 1-4: Service switch wiring, grounding, and transformer neutral bonding

Sketches 5-10: Transfer switches, multiple generators, paralleling, and fused cut-out

NON-POWER-LIMITED FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS (NPLFA) INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCHES 1/10 THRU 10/10 REVISED: 7.06.2011 AS REVIEWED BY MR. DONALD GOTTFRIED NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS SKETCH \#1 Sketch \#1 depicts a service arrangement for a Fire Alarm Service Switch. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? b‐ For a 30A Fire Alarm Service Switch may the Grounding Electrode Conductor be sized for 30A anda \# 10 awg wire be used? SKETCH \#2 Sketch \#2 depicts a service arrangement for a Fire Alarm Service Switch and a Multi‐Story Fire Alarm Power Riser a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#3 Sketch \#3 depicts a service arrangement for a Fire Alarm Service Switch at 265/460v and a step down transformer indicating the bonding of the neutral at the transformer. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#4 Sketch \#4 depicts a service arrangement for a Fire Alarm Service Switch at 265/460v and a step down transformer indicating the bonding of the neutral at the Fire Alarm disconnect on the load side of the transformer. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#5 Sketch \#5 depicts a service arrangement for a Fire Alarm Service Switch and a dedicated 3‐Pole Automatic Transfer Switch. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#6 Sketch \#6 depicts a service arrangement for a Fire Alarm Service Switch and a dedicated 4‐Pole Automatic Transfer Switch. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#7 Sketch \#7 depicts a service arrangement for a Dedicated Fire Alarm ATS in a building with Multiple Emergency Generators. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#8 Sketch \#8 depicts a service arrangement for a Dedicated Fire Alarm ATS in a building with Multiple Emergency Generators. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#9 Sketch \#9 depicts a service arrangement for a Dedicated Fire Alarm ATS in a building with Multiple Emergency Generators and a Paralleling Switchboard. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? SKETCH \#10 Sketch \#10 depicts a service arrangement for a Sub‐System Fire Alarm Fused Cut‐Out. a‐ Is this an acceptable wiring arrangement? FUSED CUT-OUT PANEL 120/208V. SERVICE SWITCH MUST BE RATED FOR AVAILABLE FAULT CURRENT AT SERVICE POINT. ALL NPLFA DISTRIBUTION DEVICES AND PULL BOXES MUST BE LABELED AND PAINTED RED. ALL CONDUIT TO BE RMC, IMC, OR MI CABLE. RMC MAY BE RGS OR ALUMINUM TYPICAL FIRE ALARM SERVICE SWITCH 120/208 INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCH: 1 / 10 7/06/11 1/13 THRU 3/13 AS REVIEWED BY MR. DONALD GOTTFRIED MULTI-STORY FIRE ALARM POWER RISER INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCH: 2 / 10 7/06/11 " GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONNECTION AT TRANSFORMER" INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCH: 3 / 10 7/06/11 * CT CABINET TYPICAL FIRE ALARM SERVICE SWITCH 265/460V OPTION \#2 " GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONNECTION AT THE FIRST DISCONNECTING MEANS"INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCH: 4 / 10 7/06/11 GENERATOR FUSE TYPICAL FIRE ALARM FUSED CUT-OUT PANEL WITH 3 POLE ATS 120/208V. FIRE ALARM CONNECTIONS INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCH: 5 / 10 7/06/11 GENERATOR | | | | --- | --- | 4 POLE ATS DEDICATED (PAINT RED) EMERGENCY GENERATOR 120/208V 3PHASE 4 WIRE SYSTEM WITH A 4 POLE ATS TYPICAL FIRE ALARM FUSED CUT-OUT PANEL 120/208V. FIRE ALARM CONNECTIONS INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCH: 6 / 10 7/06/11 FIRE ALARM EQUIP. INDUSTRY REFERENCE SKETCH: 7 / 10 7/06/11

FAQs

What does Sketch #1 focus on for the Fire Alarm Service Switch?

It addresses a service arrangement for a Fire Alarm Service Switch and asks whether the wiring arrangement is acceptable and how grounding electrode conductor sizing applies for a 30A switch.

How do Sketch #3 and Sketch #4 differ regarding transformer bonding?

Sketch #3 shows the bonding of the neutral at the transformer, while Sketch #4 shifts the bonding point to the Fire Alarm disconnecting means on the load side of the transformer, each for acceptability of the wiring arrangement.

What installation requirements are stated for NPLFA distribution devices and conduit?

The sketches specify that all NPLFA distribution devices and pull boxes must be labeled and painted red, and conduit must be RMC, IMC, or MI cable (with RMC allowed as RGS or aluminum).

Oct 28, 2026

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