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Plan Review of Fire Alarm System Installations P0264

Training Specialist


Keith Heckler
301-447-1380

Delivery type


5-day on-campus

ACE recommendation


There is not an American Council on Education credit recommendation for this course.

Course currently under development. Advanced-level course.

"Plan Review of Fire Alarm System Installations," an advanced-level course, will describe the plan review process and show students how to conduct a plan review in a rigorous, systematic approach. This course is not intended as a general overview of a fire alarm system review but is instead focused on detail-oriented, very specific “down in the weeds” components associated with the proper design of a system.

This process will provide:

  • Plan review checklists.
  • Spreadsheets to determine battery and voltage drop calculations.
  • Exercises to determine proper spacing of smoke detectors.
  • Exercises to determine proper audibility spacing of fire alarm notification appliances.
  • Proper sizing and placement of visible notification appliances.

This course will also review the codes that affect where detection is required and how to provide it, help identify what is involved with determining performance of the detection system, and be able to identify correct and incorrect methods of detector spacing in a given application. It covers:

  • Definitions of listed spacing.
  • Nominal spacing.
  • Design spacing.
  • Radius of coverage.

The target audience includes full-time fire prevention and allied public officials who are responsible for the review of fire alarm shop drawings in their jurisdictions.

Individuals who inspect fire alarm systems only do not qualify.

This course will explore the technical aspects of fire alarm submittals for authority having jurisdiction review and is not a designer’s course.

Applicants who are transitioning or acquiring additional responsibilities must submit a letter from the chief or organizational head of their department.

Applicants must have familiarity with fire protection, codes/standards compliance, and fire protection systems and equipment.

Students should be familiar with commercial fire alarm systems equipment and nomenclature and have prior experience in fire prevention plan review programs, community goals and priorities. They must also meet the following minimum requirements:

1.  Incident Command System (ICS)-100-level and ICS-200-level training. Preferred courses are Q0462 and Q0463, available through NFA Online. Chief’s signature attests that the applicant has completed this required training.

2.  Applicants must meet ONE of the following:

Successful completion of National Fire Academy's "Plans Review for Fire and Life Safety" (R/N/O0393 or R102).

International Code Council Commercial Fire Plans Examiner or Commercial Fire Alarm Plans Examiner I certification.

National Fire Protection Association Fire Plans Examiner (CFPE) certification.