NFPA 72: Requirements for Low-Frequency Sounders for Sleeping Rooms

Frequently Asked Questions

In dormitories, hotels, assisted living facilities and other buildings with sleeping areas, a fire alarm
system must be capable of awakening people who are sleeping. To help achieve this life-saving
objective, NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code now requires low-frequency alarm
signaling in new sleeping areas. Below are answers to some commonly asked questions that
address a variety of topics related to this important NFPA 72 requirement.

What is the background research that led to low-frequency signaling requirement being
added to NFPA 72?

The requirement was put in place by NFPA technical committees based on research showing that a
low-frequency 520 Hz square wave sound is the single most effective signal for awakening sleeping
adults, including those who are hard of hearing. NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation
commissioned the study, conducted through the School of Psychology and The Centre for
Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering at Victoria University in Australia.

When was the low-frequency signaling requirement added?

The low-frequency signaling requirement was first added to the 2010 edition of NFPA 72. Since
then, the requirement has remained essentially the same for the 2013 edition, the 2016 edition and
the soon to be released 2019 edition.

What is the specific low-frequency requirement for sleeping rooms that is part of NFPA 72?

In the 2016 edition of NFPA 72, the requirement can be found in section 18.4.5.3. It is the same
requirement contained in previous editions of the code.

18.4.5.3* Audible appliances provided for the sleeping areas to awaken occupants shall produce a
low-frequency alarm signal that complies with the following:
(1) The alarm signal shall be a square wave or provide equivalent awakening ability.
(2) The waveform shall have a fundamental frequency of 520 Hz ± 10 percent.
(3)*The notification equipment shall be listed for producing the low frequency waveform.

When is low-frequency notification required and what types of facilities are affected?

Effective with the 2010 edition of NFPA 72, the code requires that audible appliances provided to
awaken occupants in sleeping areas shall produce a low-frequency alarm signal that meets the
criteria outlined in section 18.4.5.3. The requirement applies to hotels and motels, apartments and
condominiums, colleges and universities, and retirement and assisted living facilities. A low-
frequency signal is not required in areas such as lobbies, hallways, meeting rooms, hospitals and
detention/correctional facilities.

Does the low-frequency notification requirement apply to existing systems? Are there certain
upgrades or retrofits that may trigger compliance with low-frequency notification?

NFPA codes and standards typically apply only to new systems or systems protecting areas that are
undergoing renovations. However, some local jurisdictions may require adherence to newer codes,
so it’s always a good idea to check first with your local AHJ (authority having jurisdiction).

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Does the low-frequency requirement apply to pre-alert tones?

Yes, a tone that precedes a voice notification message is required to be low frequency, as specified
in section 24.4.4.1 and 24.4.4.2.

24.4.4.1 The tone preceding any message shall be permitted to be a part of the voice message or to
be transmitted automatically from a separate tone generator.

24.4.4.2* Except as specified in 24.4.4.3, in occupancies where sleeping accommodations are

provided and the voice message is intended to communicate information to those who could be
asleep, a low-frequency tone that complies with 18.4.5 shall be used.

Can you explain how low-frequency signaling relates to audible synchronization and the
requirement that the signal pattern has to be the same in all zones of a building?

Yes, NFPA 72 requires the evacuation signal to be synchronized within a zone. The frequency of the
signal can be different within that zone, but the pattern needs to be the same.

18.4.2.4* The standard evacuation signal shall be synchronized within a notification zone.

In our dorm rooms we have a 520 Hz tone for our sounder bases with a smoke detector.
Should we also have 520 Hz speakers in the rooms when the building goes into alarm?

The answer to the question of whether you should also have speakers in dorm rooms depends on
whether you are looking to provide mass notification messages for non-fire events. If you want the
ability to provide mass notification information and instruction to dorm room occupants in the event
of an active shooter, weather emergency or other non-fire event, then you would likely want to have
speakers in the rooms. In that case, the speakers would have to meet the low-frequency signaling
requirement. You might also want to consider addressable speakers (available through Johnson
Controls), which provide enhanced mass notification/emergency communications capabilities.
Addressable speakers can deliver audio messages that are targeted to specific areas within a
building, which may be helpful in certain types of emergencies.

Is there an upper limit on decibels of audible appliances?

Yes, the maximum allowable dBA is 110, per NFPA 72.

18.4.1.2* The total sound pressure level produced by combining the ambient sound pressure level
with all audible notification appliances operating shall not exceed 110 dBA at the minimum hearing
distance.

Regarding hotel rooms: Most one-bedroom units also have sleeping capabilities in the living
room. Is low frequency be required in both areas?

Yes, a low-frequency appliance would be required in any area that is designated as a sleeping area.
This would include sofa beds in a living area within a hotel room suite, for example.

For More Information

If you have further questions regarding NFPA 72 and low-frequency signaling, please email Rodger
Reiswig, Director, Industry Relations at Johnson Controls, at Rodger.reiswig@jci.com.

If you are interested in replaying the recent one-hour Johnson Controls Learn from the Leader
webinar that focused on NFPA 72 and low-frequency signaling, click here to access the recording.