What is the maximum coverage area for a single fire-protection zone?

• A. NFPA 72 not to exceed 20,000 sq ft and does not extend beyond a floor of a building
• B. NFPA 72 not to exceed 5,000 sq ft
• C. NFPA 72 not to exceed 10,000 sq ft per floor
• D. NFPA 72 not to exceed 30,000 sq ft and full building height

Answer: (A)

Fire zones are used to localize where an alarm condition is happening so occupants can evacuate efficiently and responders can reach the right area. NFPA 72 sets a practical limit on how large one zone can be, to keep signaling accurate and the system manageable. The maximum coverage for a single fire-protection zone is 20,000 square feet, and it must be contained on a single floor—it cannot span multiple floors. Keeping zones within one floor helps with clear annunciation, easier testing and maintenance, and straightforward wiring and circuit loading.

Other options would be too restrictive or violate the floor-limited rule. A smaller area like 5,000 or 10,000 square feet limits the zone more than NFPA 72 requires, while allowing a zone to cover 30,000 square feet across the full building height would cross floors, which this rule disallows.