NFPA 731 Section 4.6.3.1 requires the installation of all wiring, cable, and equipment to be performed in accordance with NFPA 70 (NEC), Article 725 or Article 800, where applicable. Many circuits in a security system are “signal circuits” and NEC^® Article 725 must be followed.

One requirement in NEC^® 725.3(B) is to limit the spread of fire or products of combustion by installing Class 1, 2, and 3 remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits in compliance with NEC^® 300.21. This section requires proper sealing of cable and raceway penetrations through fire-resistant rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings.

Not all walls, floors or ceilings are “Fire-rated”. The International Building Code (IBC) dictates which walls, floors or ceilings must be fire-rated and how they must be identified when they are so that other trades will be aware that they are dealing with a rated wall or assembly.

Only a few years ago in the 2012 IBC there were no identification requirements for fire-rated walls, floors or ceilings. A security alarm installer could walk into an existing commercial or multi-family type occupancy built in 2012 or before and there would be no visible indication that any walls, floors or ceilings were originally required to be fire-rated. In the 2015 IBC, marking and identification requirements first appeared.

Always be sure to seal all penetrations into a wall, floor, or ceiling in case the wall, floor, or ceiling happens to be fire-rated even if the wall, floor, or ceiling is not marked to identify it as being fire-rated.

Below is a sample of NFPA 731. For the complete section, see the actual NFPA 731 text at NFPA.ORG. Once there, click on the free access link to the latest edition of  NFPA 731.

4.6.3 Wiring.

4.6.3.1 The installation of all wiring, cable, and equipment shall be performed in accordance with NFPA 70, Article 725 or Article 800, where applicable.

Below is a sample of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the latest NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.

300.21 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Electrical installations in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings around electrical penetrations into or through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.

Below is a sample of the IBC. See the actual IBC text at ICCSAFE.ORG for the complete code section.

703.7 Marking and identification. Where there is an accessible concealed floor, floor-ceiling or attic space, fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and smoke partitions or any other wall required to have protected openings or penetrations shall be effectively and permanently identified with signs or stenciling in the concealed space. Such identification shall:

1. Be located within 15 feet (4572 mm) of the end of each wall and at intervals not exceeding 30 feet (9144 mm) measured horizontally along the wall or partition.
2. Include lettering not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height with a minimum 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) stroke in a contrasting color incorporating the suggested wording, “FIRE AND/OR SMOKE BARRIER—PROTECT ALL OPENINGS,” or other wording.