scope:

This standard covers minimum performance, location, mounting, testing, and maintenance requirements of automatic fire detectors for protection of the occupant, building, space, structure, area, or object to be protected in accordance with the stated purpose.

This standard is intended to be used with to be NFPA standards that deal specifically with fire alarm, extinguishment or control. Automatic fire detectors add to fire protection by initiating emergency action but only when used in conjunction with other equipment.

The interconnection of detectors, the control configurations, the power supply or the output systems responding to automatic fire detector actuation are detailed in NFPA 71, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Signaling System for Central Station Service; NFPA 72A, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Local Protective Signaling. Systems for Guard's Tour, Fire Alarm, and Supervisory Service; NFPA 72B, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Auxiliary Protective Signaling Systems for Fire Alarm Service; NFPA 72C, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Remote Station Protective Signaling Systems; NFPA 72D, Standard for the installation, Maintenance, and Use of Proprietory Protective Signaling System; NFPA 74, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Household Fire Warning Equipment; and others.

Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of new methods or devices providing sufficient technical data are submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate that the new method or device is equivalent in quality, effectiveness, durability, and safety to that prescribed by this standard.