Skip Sidebar Navigation

Fire Alarm Systems

      Fire Marshal

      Asst. Chief Sonny Partin
      [email protected]
      (865) 633-0400

      Public Safety Complex
      1630 Huron St.
      Knoxville, TN 37917

      Last item for navigation
      • Share on Facebook
      • Share on Twitter
      • Share via Email

      Fire Alarm System - Plan Submittal and Inspection Requirements

      All fire alarm systems installed within the jurisdiction of the City of Knoxville Fire Department shall meet all the applicable sections of the following: 

      • IFC, 2024 edition
      • IMC, 2024 edition 
      • NFPA 72, 2025 edition
      • NFPA 70, 2023 edition
      • NFPA 13, 2025 edition

      Submit all fire alarm drawings to Plans Review & Inspections for building permit project submittals after Nov. 1, 2025.  All building projects submitted before Nov. 1st must be submitted to the Fire Marshals Office.  This is determined by the building permit number given by Plans Review and Inspections.


      Fire Alarm Design Criteria 

      The fire alarm system shall meet the requirements of NFPA 72 (2025).


      Fire alarm / monitoring systems shall be upgraded to current code compliance under the following circumstances: 

      • Building renovations where system device upgrades and/or wiring upgrades and/or additions to the system.
      • System devices and/or wiring upgrades become necessary and/or additions of 50% or more are planned.
      • A change of occupancy classification where monitoring is required.
      • Excessive false alarms occur due to malfunction (4 within 12 months). 

      Requirements for systems or situations not specifically addressed by this directive and/or refinements to this directive shall be determined by the AHJ. 


      Testing Tags 

      Effective January 1, 2011 fire alarm system tagging is required. All fire alarms systems shall be tagged as described in this section. Fire Alarm Inspection Tags can be purchased from TNESA (call Penny Brooks, 615-791-9590) or purchased elsewhere. If purchased elsewhere color and information shall remain consistent with the tags purchased from TNESA. 

      After installation or service by an approved service company, an approved service tag (as required and approved by the City of Knoxville Fire Marshal's Office) shall be completed in detail indicating all work has been performed. Then the tag should be placed in a clear pouch located on the front side of the panel in a position as to permit convenient inspection and not hamper its actuation or operation. A new tag must be placed each time service is performed. 

      Service tags may be removed only by an authorized employee/agent of an approved firm that has corrected the conditions and certified the service, or a representative of the authority having jurisdiction. 


      RED CRITICAL IMPAIRMENT TAG

      This tag is for Fire Department Inspection use to show Fire Alarm System or devices are Out of Service. This deficiency is a serious life safety issue and liability. If there are any impairment to the system that constitute emergency impairments as defined in applicable NFPA Standards, then a completed 'Red' tag shall be attached to the Fire Alarm Panel door and any/all annunciator panels. 

      Major deficiencies that may constitute a "Red" tag if the primary function is impaired or the operation of equipment is in question due to lack of testing or inspection. Examples of major deficiency would include, but not limited to: 

      1. Audible or visual devices are not operational
      2. The fire pump does not start
      3. The sprinkler system is not functioning properly
      4. Battery pack not functioning 
      5. Over 5% of the initiating devices not functional
      6. System not tested in accordance with Fire Code and 6 months overdue
      7. Fire system activated (hood system, clean agent, etc.)

      This tag must be completed at time of inspection in detail and placed in the plastic sleeve (recommended) attached to the front of Fire Alarm Control Panel door in front of any other tag. The tag shall indicate the servicing company, technicians name and number, date and nature of the impairment or what corrective action is necessary, and shall remain attached until all conditions are corrected. The tag should be punched, with correct month and year, to indicate the date the servicing company placed the red tag on the system. 

      The property owner and the Fire Marshal's Office shall be notified by e-mail immediately after any fire protection or life-safety equipment is RED TAGGED. 


      YELLOW IMPAIRMENT TAG

      This tag is for Fire Department Inspection use to show a Fire Alarm System or equipment is found not to be in compliance with applicable NFPA standards or manufacture's guidelines but the system is functional. 

      This tag must be completed during inspection in detail and placed in the plastic sleeve (recommended) attached to the front of Fire Alarm Control Panel door in front of any other tag. The tag shall indicate the servicing company, technicians name and number, date and nature of the impairment or what corrective action is necessary, and shall remain attached until all conditions are corrected. The tag should be punched, with correct month and year, to indicate the date the servicing company placed the red tag on the system. 

      The property owner shall be notified of the placement of a yellow tag immediately. The Fire Marshal's Office shall be notified by the servicing companies monthly report emailed to the Fire Alarm Reviewer by the 10th of each month. 


      GREEN TAG

      This tag is for Fire Department Inspection use for verifying qualified and licensed alarm contractors are properly inspecting and testing the Fire Alarm system according to NFPA 72. 

      This tag must be completed at each inspection period and placed in the plastic sleeve (recommended) attached to the front of Fire Alarm Control Panel door. The tag should be kept current and marked by the Fire Alarm Inspection Technician at each time of the NFPA 72 required inspection schedule. Green tag shall remain with system for a period of two (2) years. 

      The tag should be punched, with correct month and year, to indicate whether the system is current on its inspection, and has been tested in accordance with NFPA 72. 

      The card shall be filled in with Servicing Company and Company License number, Technician's name and certification number and approving inspectors' signature. The inspected or serviced space shall be marked based on the test results of passing or failing. A NFPA 72 Inspection form shall also be filled out and given to owner. 


      Testing and Maintenance Requirements

      The goal of the inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements is to provide for an acceptable level of reliability for life safety by verifying that a fire alarm system is design, installed, inspected, and serviced in compliance with codes and standards, so it will perform as required. All existing systems are required by local ordinance and NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) to have regular inspections that verify performance. There is no "grandfather" clause or automatic exclusion that exempts an existing system, required by code or not, to forego code compliance as a minimum standard for life safety. 

      To ensure operational integrity, the system shall have an inspection, testing, and maintenance program (NFPA 72, 14.2.2.1). The program shall satisfy the requirements of NFPA 72 and conform to the equipment manufacturers published instructions and shall verify correct operation of the system (NPFA 72, 14.2.2.1.1). 

      Fire alarm impairments such as systems defects and malfunctions shall be corrected (NFPA 72, 14.2.2.2.2). If a defect or malfunction is not corrected at the conclusion of system inspection, testing, or maintenance, the system owner and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) shall be informed of the impairment in writing within 24 hours. 

      The building owner or occupier of tenant space or building is legally responsible for maintaining a safe building for business invitees, licenses, and even trespassers. As such, the owner is responsible for maintaining the fire alarm system by contracting with any Tennessee Licensed Fire Alarm Company for the services of an inspection, testing, and maintenance agreement. 


      Notification of systems out of service 

      The City Of Knoxville Fire Marshals Office shall be notified by email sent to [email protected] where a required fire protection system is out of service. The fire department and the fire code official shall be notified immediately at 865-215-4010 and where required by the fire code official, the building shall be either evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire protection system has been returned to service.

      Where utilized, fire watches shall be provided with not less than one approved means for notification of the fire department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the protected premises and keep watch for fires.

      Exception: Facilities with an approved notification and impairment management program. The notification and impairment program for water-based fire protection systems shall comply with NFPA 25.