The Training Never Stops At NTC.
Check back often to learn more about upcoming NTC training opportunities and the latest news and updates affecting the fire protection and low-voltage industry.
Intrusion System Control Units
Selection of the control unit for an intrusion system is an important consideration for the intrusion system designer. An intrusion system is designed to detect and notify of unauthorized entry into premises, and the control unit provides the platform for this...
Employee Pay and Payroll
What are the biggest concerns of your employees? Pay is toward the top of the list, of course. What are the biggest concerns of your employer? Payroll is toward the top of the list, of course. Everyone can agree on the importance of pay and payroll. It drives...
Using NFPA 25
NFPA 25 (Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems) is the primary reference for NICET’s Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems (ITWBS) Certification. While local jurisdictions may enforce other editions or...
What is the NTC Red Book?
The NTC Red Book, NICET Fire Alarm Certification Study Guide, is designed to prepare the reader for NICET Certification in Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) or Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems (ITFAS). The NTC Red Book covers the requirements for both areas of...
Planning Your 2026 Conference Travel
Industry professionals who attend industry conference events have the dates for ISC West (March) and NFPA (June) shows circled on their calendars. While these events are important for staying in touch with industry developments, there is another conference every...
What Does “Listed” Mean?
The word “listed” appears throughout NFPA 72 and is a term we use regularly in our discussions about fire alarm systems. “Listed” is a key term in fire alarm work that many fire alarm professionals do not fully understand. A discussion of the word “listed” in the...
5 Reasons Why You Need the NTC Brown Book (Fire Alarm Systems Handbook)
The 2025 NTC Brown Book (Fire Alarm Systems Handbook) is NTC's largest publication. At 682 pages, the 2025 NTC Brown Book is a hefty book loaded with a wealth of information about fire alarm systems. The 2025 NTC Brown Book is a necessary reference for every fire...
NFPA 72 Visible Notification Requirements in Special Applications
NFPA 72 specifies visible notification requirements in Chapter 18, which determine strobe intensity based on the room size and the location of the strobe(s). The Code provides separate tables for wall-mount and ceiling-mount strobes. However, the tables are all based...
Smoke Alarms and Smoke Detectors in Sleeping Areas
The IBC (International Building Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) require smoke alarms in sleeping areas for specific occupancy classifications. Smoke alarms receive primary power from the building's electrical wiring, typically at 120 VAC. Since most states...
What is the NTC Orange Book?
The NTC Orange Book, Fire Alarm Code Handbook, is a quick reference guide to codes concerned with fire alarm requirements. The Orange Book, originally called "Chuck Notes" after the original author, Charles Aulner, has evolved over the years. The Orange Book began as...