LLDesk

Fire & Life Safety

Fire Alarm

FDNY Fire Alarm System — Periodic Test (NFPA 72)

Buildings with a fire alarm/detection system must inspect and test it on the NFPA 72 schedule (practically an annual full functional test) using an FDNY Certificate of Fitness holder from an approved company.

Track your fire alarm system's periodic test.All laws

Who is covered

Any building with a fire alarm or detection system — most multiple dwellings, commercial, and institutional buildings.

What the law requires

  • Contract an FDNY-approved fire alarm company with a correctly-certified technician.
  • Perform the NFPA 72 periodic test (devices, notification, supervisory/trouble signals, central-station transmission).
  • Retain the signed test record on site for FDNY/insurer review.

Filing frequency and deadlines

Filing frequency

Per the NFPA 72 schedule — practically annual.

Key deadlines

No fixed citywide calendar date; tracked from the last test per NFPA 72.

Penalty structure

Non-compliance with Fire Alarm can result in the following penalties:

  • FDNY violation/summons to OATH for an untested or impaired fire alarm system.

Exemptions

  • Buildings with no fire alarm/detection system.

Recent updates and amendments

Cadence is standard-driven (NFPA 72), not a fixed nyc.gov date — model it as a recurring interval from the last test.

Reference

NYC Fire Code Ch. 9; NFPA 72 as adoptedFDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention

Official source: FDNY — Fire Alarm System Certificates

Don't track this manually

LLDesk automatically calculates your Fire Alarm deadlines and penalty exposure.

Enter your building profile and get an instant compliance scan — including Fire Alarm applicability, filing windows, and estimated fines. Free, no account required.

Run a free scanCreate free account

Related fire & life safety laws

Sprinkler

Sprinkler System — Inspection & Testing (NFPA 25 + 5-yr FDC)

Sprinkler systems require routine NFPA 25 inspection/testing plus a 5-year Fire Department Connection (FDC) hydrostatic …

Standpipe

Standpipe — 5-Year Hydrostatic & Flow Test (3 RCNY 912-01)

Buildings with a standpipe system must perform a 5-year hydrostatic pressure test plus a flow test, conducted before an …

Fire Pump

Fire Pump — Annual Flow Test (NFPA 25)

Fire pumps serving sprinkler/standpipe systems require a weekly or monthly no-flow 'churn' test (per driver type) and an…