PDH Course E341 - Design to the Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72-2010

Oct 28, 2026

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PDH Course E341 explains essential fire alarm system components and fire alarm nomenclature used across different occupancies, from historic facilities and high-rise apartments to schools, offices, retail businesses, and factories. The course defines key devices such as detectors, notification appliances, control units, switches, annunciators, and related suppression interfaces, and ties design decisions to controlling building codes and project scope. It emphasizes required-versus-chosen installations, occupant calculation considerations, and the importance of legend definitions for standard terms, abbreviations, and symbols.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages38

Reading Time1 h 36 min

AccessFree to download

Course Content

Fire alarm system components and nomenclature

When a fire alarm is required and design compliance

Building codes, building classification, and architect responsibilities

Occupancy considerations and device count

Standard terms, abbreviations, and symbol legends

| | | --- | | | | PDHonline Course E341 (3 PDH)
Design to the Fire Alarm Code, NFPA
72-2010
Instructor: Thomas Mason, P.E.
2026
PDH Online • PDH Central
9820 Bucklow Hill Dr
Orlando, FL 32832-7126
[info@PDHonline.com](info@PDHonline.com)
[PDHonline.com](PDHonline.com)
[PDHonline.org](PDHonline.org)
An Approved Continuing Education Provider | | [www.PDHonline.com](www.PDHonline.com) PDH Course E341 [www.PDHonline.org](www.PDHonline.org)
COURSE CONTENT
A fire alarm system has a number of essential components, whether protecting a historic jail in a park, a high-rise apartment building, a school, an office building, a retail business or a factory. Some essential components and fire alarm nomenclature are illustrated below: | | | --- | --- | | STROBE

SPRINKLER SMOKE HEAD DETECTOR EXHAUST HOOD STROBE/HORN
OR
HO
HO ~~ ~~ ANSUL SPEAKER/HORN SYSTEM CORRIDOR
ANNUNCIATOR
PULL STATION SD
P
FLOW SWITCH

TAMPER SWITCH ~~ ~~
UTILITY ROOM

P

P
PULL STATION

OUTSIDE DOOR
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM | SPRINKLER BELL | | Revised 6/09, 64kW

Where:
Sprinkler head = mechanical device to release a spray of water into the space
Smoke detector = electrical device to signal the presence of smoke, part of the general group,“initiation devices”
©Thomas Mason Page 2 of 38 | | [www.PDHonline.com](www.PDHonline.com) PDH Course E341 [www.PDHonline.org](www.PDHonline.org) ho = magnetic door hold = electrical device to hold door open; releases upon alarm, usually connected to the group,“supervisory devices” heat detector = electrical device to signal a high temperature or a rapid rise in temperature, part of the general group,“initiation devices” pull station = electrical device to permit manual initiation of alarm abort switch = electrical device to delay discharge of local suppressant flow switch = electrical device to signal operation of the sprinkler system, part of the group,“initiation devices” tamper switch = electrical device to signal that the valve is not “full open”, part of the group,“supervisory devices” strobe/horn = electrical device providing visual and audible indication of alarm, part of the group,“notification devices” strobe/speaker = electrical device providing visual and audible indication of alarm, part of the group,“notification devices” fire alarm control unit (formerly, fire alarm control panel) central device and logic for the fire alarm system, usually contains 24-V batteries annunciator = electrical device for visual report of location of alarm initiation sprinkler bell = electrical device for audible report of sprinkler operation outdoor strobe = electrical device for visual report of which building is in alarm Ansul = brand name (Tyco) of a powder local fire suppression system, usually connected to the group,“supervisory devices”, used mostly for kitchen hoods Halon = brand name (Tyco) of a gasseous local fire suppression system, usually connected to the group,“supervisory devices”, used mostly for computer rooms HVAC = mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment that must be stopped by the fire alarm in a computer room or other occupancy UPS = electric power distribution unit for computer equipment which must be stopped by the fire alarm in a computer room slice server = very high density computer equipment; 19 cards per rack shelf, 4 or more processors per card mag lock = electric device in the security system, connected to the group,“notification devices”, may be fail-safe or fail-secure elevator = normal path of egress, usually safely shutdown during alarm by auxiliary relay in the group,“notification devices” fire pump, city shut-off valve = not shown, sometimes present as part of the sprinkler design, have supervisory connections to the fire alarm system Building classification and Architect design responsibilities. The illustration above intr

FAQs

What essential components are covered in the fire alarm system overview?

The course introduces core fire alarm components and related devices, including detectors, strobe/horn or strobe/speaker notifications, control units, annunciators, switches, and suppression-related interfaces.

How does the course frame the key design question of whether a fire alarm is required?

It presents “Is a fire alarm required?” followed by “What type of fire alarm is required?” based on interpretation of controlling Building Codes against the facility and project scope.

What caution is given if the Building Code does not require a fire alarm but the owner installs one anyway?

The course warns that even if not required, the installed system MUST COMPLY with the Fire Alarm Code.

Oct 28, 2026

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