BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: RILSC section 9.6.11.4 provides that certification of any periodic testing required by the Code shall be Uniform Test Report (UTR) as prescribed by NFPA 1, section 1.13.1(3).  This UTR shall be utilized by all persons and firms performing fire alarm testing and inspections pursuant to this Code and shall bear the name and license number of the licensed person performing the test.

The Board notes that the two periodic testing frequencies set forth within the UTR are for quarterly and semiannual testing.

Additionally, RILSC section9.6.11.1 provides that all fire alarm systems shall be tested at least once every three months with twenty-five percent of all initiating devices operated with each test.  A different twenty-five percent of the above-mentioned devices will be operated at each inspection so that the entire system will have been tested at the end of a twelve month period as per NFPA 72.

Rhode Island Fire Safety Code section 10-1-1 provides that the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72, (2010 Edition), as amended by sections 10-1-2 and 10-1-2.1 below, is hereby adopted as the Rhode Island Fire Alarm Code.


NFPA 72 (2010) provides the following:

14.4.5 Testing frequency.  Unless permitted by other sections of this Code, testing shall be performed in accordance with the schedules in Table 14.4.5, or more often if required by the authority having jurisdiction.

A.14.4.5 It is suggested that the annual test be conducted n segments so that all devices are tested annually.
	The intent of 14.4.5 is to prevent a test from being made at intervals exceeding those allowed by Table 14.4.5.  Annual tests should be made every 12 months; monthly tests should be made every 30 days, and so forth.  For example, it is not acceptable to conduct an annual test in January of year one, and i9n December of year two (23-month frequency), just because Table 14.4.5 requires a test once each year.  See the definition of frequency in 3.3.106 for minimum and maximum time between testing events.

3.3.106 Frequency.  Minimum and maximum time between events.

3.3.106.3 Quarterly frequency.  Four times per year with a minimum of 2 months, maximum of 4 months.

3.3.106.4 Semiannual frequency.  Twice per year with a minimum of 4 months, maximum of 8 months.

DETERMINATION OF THE BOARD: It is the determination of the Board that the intent of RILSC sections 9.6.11.1 and 9.6.11.4 is that testing every three months is the equivalent of quarterly frequency testing.  QUARTERLY TESTING SHALL BE CONDUCTED FOUR TIMES PER YEAR WITH A MINIMUM INTERVAL OF TWO MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM INTERVAL OF FOUR MONTHS BETWEEN TESTS.  Accordingly, the Board finds that if a test is conducted on May 5th, the next required test shall be performed no earlier than July 4th (2 months) and no later than September 4th (4 months).  Likewise, if semiannual testing were required, the next required test shall be performed no earlier than September 4th (4 months) and no later than January 4th (8 months).