Fire Alarm System Fundamentals and Code Basics

This introductory course establishes the technical and theoretical foundation required for entry-level fire alarm and life safety technicians. Students explore the core principles of fire dynamics, life safety strategies, and the regulatory frameworks governing fire protection systems, including national model building, electrical, and life safety codes. Instruction emphasizes basic control unit architecture, pathway survivability, circuit classifications, and electrical principles necessary for safe wiring practices. Through structured lectures and practical workbench activities, learners interpret construction drawings, master standard electrical schematic symbols, measure foundational circuit parameters, and analyze system response logic. Ethical obligations, workplace safety standards, and meticulous documentation practices are integrated throughout each module to reflect current field expectations. By examining baseline compliance requirements and fundamental operational concepts, students prepare for advanced coursework in initiating devices, signaling line pathways, notification appliance design, and system commissioning.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Introduction to Life Safety Systems and Industry Regulationslecture

02Lesson 2: Principles of Fire Dynamics and Combustion Behaviorlecture

03Lesson 3: Codes, Standards, and Authorities Having Jurisdictionlecture

04Hands-on Lab: Blueprint Reading, Schematic Symbols, and Riser Diagramslab

05Lesson 5: Circuit Classifications, Pathway Performance, and Survivabilitylecture

06Lesson 6: Control Unit Architecture and Internal Component Functionslecture

07Lesson 7: Basic Electrical Concepts, Conductors, and Pathway Racewayslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Control Panel Wiring, Terminal Terminations, and Meter Measurementslab

09Lesson 9: System Operating States: Alarm, Supervisory, and Trouble Conditionslecture

10Lesson 10: Primary and Secondary Power Supply Foundations and Groundinglecture

11Hands-on Lab: Pathway Fault Simulation and Continuity Troubleshootinglab

12Lesson 12: Off-Premises Transmission and Supervising Station Overviewlecture

13Lesson 13: Project Documentation, Submittal Packages, and Record of Completionlecture

14Capstone Service Project: Baseline Facility Audit and System Assessmentassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Life Safety Systems and Industry Regulations", "Week 2: Lesson 2: Principles of Fire Dynamics and Combustion Behavior", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Codes, Standards, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction", "Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Blueprint Reading, Schematic Symbols, and Riser Diagrams", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Circuit Classifications, Pathway Performance, and Survivability", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Control Unit Architecture and Internal Component Functions", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Basic Electrical Concepts, Conductors, and Pathway Raceways", "Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Control Panel Wiring, Terminal Terminations, and Meter Measurements", "Week 9: Lesson 9: System Operating States: Alarm, Supervisory, and Trouble Conditions", "Week 10: Lesson 10: Primary and Secondary Power Supply Foundations and Grounding", "Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Pathway Fault Simulation and Continuity Troubleshooting", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Off-Premises Transmission and Supervising Station Overview", "Week 13: Lesson 13: Project Documentation, Submittal Packages, and Record of Completion", "Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Baseline Facility Audit and System Assessment"]