Readers who design, build, and buy fire safety products will find the following documents as an invaluable tool in ensuring safe and efficient life safety installations.
Documents listed below are available at IHS Markit.
NEMA SB 30002-2022 “Impact of UL 268 and UL 217 Fire and Nuisance Tests”
The addition of new polyurethane foam fire tests and a cooking nuisance smoke test were the largest changes ever to UL 217 and UL 268. These new tests required that all smoke alarms and detectors be redesigned to operate completely differently, that is, detect fires more quickly and reject cooking nuisances. This document explains the context that led to the development of the new requirements, details about the new tests, and the consequences of the new products for designers, installers, end-users, and authorities having jurisdiction.
Free Download – NEMA BS 30002-2022 – “Impact of UL 268 and UL 217 Fire and Nuisance Tests”
NEMA BS 30000-2021 “Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Guidance Document”
This guidance paper provides information on the issues related to the use of lithium-ion batteries, how fires start in batteries, and how fires may be detected, controlled, suppressed, and extinguished. It also provides guidance on post-fire management. Excluded from the scope are explosion and ventilation issues.
Free Download – NEMA BS 30000-2021 – “Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Guidance Document”
NEMA SB 30001 “Quality Informational Guide for Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm Systems”
Provides guidance to Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for establishing programs to ensure highly reliable fire detection and alarm systems in his or her community. This document contains a recommended model ordinance to assist AHJ through improving the reliability of existing systems, including dealing with false, or nuisance alarms.
Free Download – NEMA SB 30001 – “Quality Informational Guide for Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm Systems”
NEMA SB 2 “Training Manuals on Fire Alarm Systems”
The document is written to provide text material for the training in proper physical installation of fire alarm signaling systems. To that end, the manual covers terminology, basic theory of operation, installation details, system startup techniques, and general maintenance. This manual is ideal as a reference guide and can be used in a classroom setting for learning about fire alarm systems.
Free Download – NEMA SB 2 – “Training Manuals on Fire Alarm Systems”
NEMA BS 30003 “Applications Guide for Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Detectors”
Covers carbon monoxide (CO)–detection devices, including single- and multiple-station CO alarms and system-connected CO detectors and sensors connected to a control unit.
Free Download – NEMA BS 30003 – “Applications Guide for Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Detectors” *New Revision
NEMA SB 11 – “Guide for Proper Use of System Smoke Detectors”
The purpose of this guide is to provide information concerning the proper application of smoke detectors used in conjunction with fire alarm systems. It outlines basic principles, which should be considered in the application of early warning fire and smoke detection devices. Operating characteristics of detectors and environmental factors, which may aid, delay, or prevent their operation, are also presented.
Free Download – NEMA SB 11 – “Guide for Proper Use of System Smoke Detectors”
Free Spanish Download – NEMA SB 11 – “Guía para el uso adecuado de los detectores de humo del Sistema”
NEMA SB 13 – “Guide for Proper Use of Smoke Detectors in Duct Applications”
Provides information concerning the proper use of smoke detectors in duct applications.
Free Download – NEMA SB 13 – “Guide for Proper Use of Smoke Detectors in Duct Applications” *New Revision
NEMA SB 20 – “Guide to Understanding Smoke Control Systems”
This guide is intended to offer a general understanding of smoke control systems to individuals who have a need or desire for solid basic information but do not need the in-depth knowledge necessary to design smoke control systems.
Free Download – NEMA SB 20 “Guide to Understanding Smoke Control Systems”
NEMA SB 23 – “Guide for Application of Flame Detectors”
Provides information concerning the proper use of flame-detection systems. It covers the major technologies used for flame detection, application, selection, installation, and testing.
Free Download – NEMA SB 23 “Guide for Application of Flame Detection”
NEMA SB 50 – “Emergency Communications Audio Intelligibility Application Guide”
Assists specifiers and authorities having jurisdiction with the concepts and terminology used to enhance intelligibility for emergency voice and paging systems.
Free Download – NEMA SB 50 – “Emergency Communications Audio Intelligibility” *New Revision
Free Spanish Download – NEMA SB 50 – “Guía de aplicaciones de inteligibilidad de audio para comunicaciones de emergencia”
White Papers
NEMA ERCES 1-2021 “In-Building Two-Way Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES)”
Provide education/awareness to installation contractors, engineers, end-users, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and Federal Communication Commission License Holders about ensuring indoor wireless communications for Emergency Responders.
Free Download – NEMA ERCES 1-2021 “In-Building Two-Way Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES)”
NEMA SBP 2 – “Multi-Criteria Detectors (MCD)”
This document provides an introduction to the next evolution in life saving early warning smoke and fire detection.
Free Download – NEMA SBP 2 – “Multi-Criteria Detectors (MCD)” *New Revision
NEMA SBP 3 – “The Changing Communications within Fire Alarm System Reporting”
The requirements of NFPA 72 for fire alarm system communications between a protected premises fire alarm system and the supervising station have kept up with technology in some ways and have been left behind in other ways. In this publication we attempt to explain today’s options for fire alarm system communications.
Free Download – NEMA SBP 3 – “The Changing Communications within Fire Alarm System Reporting”
NEMA SBP 4 – “Low Frequency Audible Signals”
Addresses the need for and the development of the low-frequency audible signal used in fire alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and fire or CO alarm systems.
Free Download – NEMA SBP 4 “Low Frequency Audible Signals”
NEMA WT 1 – “Wireless Communications within Fire Alarm System Reporting”
Provides a brief overview of wireless technology currently available and how it impacts the life safety industry today.
Free Download – NEMA WT 1 – “ Wireless Communications Technology for Fire and Life Safety Systems”