Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1043933
In June 2018, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) held its annual technical meeting. The 2019 Edition of NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code was voted on and passed. The final step to approval is through the NFPA Standards Council meeting where this edition is expected to pass without reservation. This article is a brief overview of some of the significant changes in the 2019 edition, including communication paths, Class N, fire access elevators, occupant evacuation elevators, and the inclusion of NFPA 720, Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment, into NFPA 72. With each new edition of NFPA 72, members of the technical committees try to improve the code to make it easier for the user. This edition is no exception, with global changes to standardize a variety of terms and offer a clear and concise understanding to the reader. Communication paths and Class N take on a new look in 2019. For years, the traditional digital alarm communicator transmitter (DACT) was deployed and required a primary and a secondary line with the DACT to be connected to a public switched telephone network (PTSN). In the 2007 code, the secondary line could be a cellular telephone connection, one-way radio system, one-way private radio alarm system, private microwave radio system, two-way radio system, one-way private radio alarm system, private microwave radio system, two-way radio frequency (RF) multiplex system, or another type of transmission that complied with the requirements. With the evolution of newer communication technologies over the past decade, these requirements have changed. In an effort to include newer technologies and address the lack of PTSN, the 2010 edition allowed for managed facilities-based voice network (MFVN) as a subset to the PTSN. The MFVN is defined as a physical facilities-based network capable of transmitting real-time signals with their formats unchanged. During the next code cycle in 2013, the code kept the primary line, but made changes to the secondary line with reduced choices to a one-way private radio alarm system, two-way RF multiplex system, or a transmission method complying with the code. Recognizing that the world is getting further and further away from the PTSN and becoming more converged in their communications technology, the 2019 code eliminates the term PTSN and replaces it with MFVN. For years, the fire alarm components on a system were connected using two-connector cable. With this design, there were three basic circuits: signaling line, initiating device, and notification device, all connected to the fire alarm control unit. With the continued advancements of newer communication technologies and the ever-increasing availability of computer networks, Class N was introduced into the 2016 code to allow for connecting to IP networks. A Class N network is required to have two or more pathways with the operational The 2019 Edition of NFPA 72 promises to improve the code, making it easier for the user. By far, the most significant change made in the 2019 edition of NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, involved the integration of NFPA 720, Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment.