When One Storm Can Take Out a System
A summer lightning storm rolls through, the sky lights up, and the next morning the project manager finds the fire alarm control panel is fried. Circuits are dead. Boards are toast. The system won’t power up and now the building sits in limbo. Everything hinges on timelines for replacement parts, another AHJ inspection, and an expensive re-test. This setback consequently delays occupancy permits. Nothing frustrates an owner more than this kind of carelessness. The installer shoulders the blame by not knowing to use surge protection for fire alarm systems.
This isn’t a rare story. Power surges and lightning strikes are the number one cause of fire alarm equipment failures. That’s why surge protection for fire alarm systems isn’t just good practice—it’s code.
What Surge Protection for Fire Alarm Systems Means in Life Safety
Surge protective devices (SPDs) work like a shield. They divert excess voltage away from sensitive equipment, protecting fire alarm control panels, NAC circuits, and communication lines from catastrophic failure.
Think of them as insurance for your fire alarm panel. Compared to the cost of panel replacement, re-inspection, and lost time on the job, surge protection gets you your money’s worth.
Without SPDs, every lightning strike or grid disturbance becomes a gamble. With them, installers and project managers gain confidence that systems will function when they’re needed most.
NFPA and IFC Requirements You Can’t Ignore
For years, surge protection was treated as a best practice. Today, it’s a requirement.
- NFPA 72 24.6.7.3: “All external conductors shall be protected with surge suppression to minimize potential equipment damage from lightning strikes.”
- NFPA 70 760.32: “Fire alarm circuits extending beyond one building – non-power limited fire alarm circuits and power limited fire alarm circuits that extend beyond one building shall meet the installation requirements of Parts II, III and IV of Article 800.”
- IFC (International Fire Code) 907.6.1.5: “In addition to any built-in surge protection of the Fire Alarm Panel, each fire alarm panel and power supply panel shall have an added surge protector installed. If data lines run between separate buildings, data line surge/spike protection is required on each data line where the line enters and/or exits each building.”
These aren’t optional guidelines, rather they are enforceable code requirements that AHJs use to evaluate compliance on every inspection.
UL Standards That Define Compliance
Not all surge protection devices are equal. AHJs don’t just want to see a “surge suppressor.” In particular, they want to see a UL-listed SPD that meets the correct standard.
- UL 1449 – The primary standard for Surge Protective Devices. Fire alarm SPDs must carry this listing for power circuits.
- UL 497B – Applies to protectors for fire alarm and data circuits such as phone lines, network connections, and signaling pathways.
If your SPD doesn’t carry the right UL mark, it won’t pass inspection—and it won’t protect your reputation.
Common Failure Points Without Surge Protection for Fire Alarm Systems
Nevertheless, installers and project managers who skip SPDs quickly learn where systems fail:
- Burned-out power supplies after a nearby lightning strike.
- Damaged control boards from a utility disturbance.
- Disabled notification appliance circuits (NACs) during a surge event.
- Corrupted communication lines that leave systems unable to transmit alarms.
The fallout isn’t just equipment damage—it’s downtime, liability, and lost trust. One small oversight can delay an entire project.
Space Age Electronics Surge Protection for Fire Alarm Systems
At Space Age Electronics, we’ve made surge protection part of our life safety DNA. We offer a portfolio of SPDs designed specifically for fire alarm systems, each carrying the appropriate UL listings for both power and communication circuits.
For a complete solution, our PSP Panel Power Surge Protection Kit is pre-wired, clearly labeled, and AHJ-friendly. By doing so, you cut install time while guaranteeing compliance with NFPA and UL standards.
For that reason, our solutions are:
- UL 1449 and UL 497B compliant for code-approved protection.
- Designed for installers with clear labeling and AHJ-friendly documentation.
- Flexible for projects from service entrance to control panel protection.
When you specify surge protection through Space Age Electronics, you’re not just buying a device—you’re investing in compliance, reliability, and peace of mind.
Best Practices for Project Managers and Installers
In order to stay ahead of AHJ inspections and client expectations, follow these best practices:
- Protect at multiple points: Service entrance, distribution panels, and at the fire alarm control panel itself.
- Cover communication circuits: Install UL 497B devices on phone, network, or signaling lines.
- Document compliance: Keep UL cut sheets and product labels available for inspectors.
- Train your team: Ensure installers know how to identify UL-listed devices and where to place them.
For service entrance and fire alarm panel protection, Space Age Electronics offers the E120V-GT Hybrid Surge Protection Device. It combines MOV and gas tube technology to provide layered defense against surges, thus delivering higher durability and reliability where projects need it most.
When SPDs are integrated into the project plan, inspections go smoother, downtime risks shrink, and client confidence grows.
The Cost of Non-Compliance vs. Protection
A surge protection device might cost a few hundred dollars. A project delay, re-inspection, and failed panel replacement can cost thousands.
Or as our West Coast Business Manager, Joseph Cervantes, often reminds teams: “The cost of downtime will always be higher than the cost of prevention.”
Surge protection for fire alarm systems isn’t just a compliance requirement, instead it’s smart project management.
Compliance Is Protection
Surge protection for fire alarm systems isn’t optional. NFPA requires it. UL defines it. AHJs enforce it. But beyond the code, SPDs protect your projects, your reputation, and most importantly—your clients’ safety.
At Space Age Electronics, we’re committed to helping installers and project managers stay ahead of compliance while keeping systems reliable and inspections stress-free.
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