What sets criteria for determining where fire alarm systems are needed in most buildings?

• A. NFPA 101
• B. NFPA 731
• C. NFPA 70
• D. NFPA 72

Answer: (A)

NFPA 101 Life Safety Code sets the criteria for when fire alarm systems are required in buildings. It focuses on protecting people by detailing occupancy types, occupant loads, construction types, and egress requirements, and from those factors determines whether a fire alarm system is needed in a given building. In other words, it provides the threshold that authorities use to decide where alarms must be installed.

The other standards cover different aspects: NFPA 72 describes how fire alarm systems should be designed, installed, tested, and maintained; NFPA 70 deals with electrical wiring; NFPA 731 relates to premises security systems. These don't establish the occupancy-based requirement for fire alarms—that determination comes from NFPA 101.