Discover how POTS replacement solutions, like Ooma AirDial®, can ensure your building fire alarm panels meet safety compliance standards in the face of copper phone lines being decommissioned.
Fire Safety Regulatory Compliance
VIEW WHITEPAPERCompliance with regulations like NFPA 72 are key to maintaining system reliability, early fire detection, and swift emergency response.
It is important to keep records of tests and maintenance to support audits, liability protection and effective emergency response.
With copper lines going away, it important to ensure fire alarm panels have reliable communication methods, such as cellular, VoIP or dedicated IP networks.
Provide regular fire alarm training and drills to occupants to help reduce panic, improve efficient evacuation and enhance overall safety in the event of a fire.
Regular maintenance and upgrades to fire alarm panels are proactive measures that can help protect occupants, property and operational continuity.
Proper accessible placement of fire alarm panels enhances safety, supports emergency personnel and makes for efficient system operation during emergencies.
Keeping your fire alarm panels in compliance with local and national standards not only provides peace of mind for your property owners, managers and occupants, but provides many safety, financial and liability benefits as well.
Improve safety for occupants and enable efficient emergency response
Facilitate smooth inspections and renewals of occupancy certificates
Minimize property damage and avoid costly repairs and insurance hikes
Reduce risk of lawsuits and the expense of insurance claims
Build a positive reputation with tenants and avoid reduced occupancy
Future-proof building operations through regular upgrades
Ooma AirDial, the industry leading POTS replacement solution, provides everything you need to replace copper phone line support for your fire alarm panels.
The National Fire Protection Association publishes codes related to fire and life safety, including NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code), which covers installation, maintenance, testing and inspection information for fire alarms.
The Building Owners and Managers Association provides resources for property owners and managers. BOMA offerings include building codes, compliance best practices, and building safety standards on a range of topics, including fire safety and fire alarm panel compliance.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets guidelines on fire safety and emergency action plans associated with workplaces, as well as fire alarm requirements for commercial buildings.
The International Code Council is a global organization that develops model codes and standards. They provide access to the International Fire Code (IFC) that is often adopted by local jurisdictions.
The National Fire Sprinkler Association provides a variety of resources on fire alarm systems that integrate with sprinkler systems.
Fire Smarts creates and provides educational training courses about fire suppression and fire alarm training solutions for building offices, business organizations and service providers.
A fire alarm panel is the central control unit of a fire alarm system. It monitors inputs from smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, and other fire safety devices, then activates alarms and notifications when a fire or system issue is detected.
Conventional panels divide a building into zones, each with multiple devices; they are useful for smaller buildings.
Addressable panels identify individual devices, providing more precise location information; they are ideal for larger buildings.
Hybrid panels combine features of both conventional and addressable systems.
Weekly: Visually inspect panels for errors, power issues or system faults.
Monthly: Testkey functions, including alarms and communication with monitoring stations.
Annually: Conduct a full inspection and test by a certified fire protection professional, per NFPA 72 requirements.
A trouble signal indicates a fault in the system, such as a wiring issue, device failureor communication error.
• Check the panel display for error details.
• Ensure phone lines, batteries and power sources are working.
• Contact a fire alarm technician if the issue persists.
Fire alarm panels typically last 10-20 years, depending on maintenance, technology updates and code compliance. Regular testing and upgrades help extend their lifespan.
Non-compliance can result in:
• Fines or legal penalties from fire inspectors
• Increased liability and potential lawsuits if a fire occurs
• Residential properties can be forced into limited or no occupancy status
• Voided insurance coverage due to negligence
• Risk of system failure, endangering lives and property.
Fire alarm panels should have backup batteries or generators that allow them to function during power outages. However, batteries must be regularly tested and replaced as needed.
Fire alarm panels typically use one or more of these communication methods to send a signal to a supervising station that notifies fire department personnel:
• Phone lines (POTS): traditional landline connections (being phased out)
• Cellular communicators: wireless communication via mobile networks
• IP-based communication: internet for faster, more reliable alerts
• Radio systems: secure, dedicated frequencies for fire alarm signals
Fire alarm panels monitor for fire, smoke and heat, alerting occupants and emergency responders to fire-related incidents. Security alarm panels monitor for unauthorized entry, motion and glass breaks, alerting building owners or law enforcement to potential trespassing or crimes.