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 a “Cliff Notes” version of NFPA 72, intended as a parallel reference for the NICET exam. However, when NICET switched to computer-based testing and restricted references to specific codes in 2010, the Orange Book took on a new purpose.
The Orange Book is designed to help readers find code information quickly and understand the code’s requirements by stating them in plain English. The Orange Book is intended as a desk reference for the fire alarm professional to facilitate and expedite finding information in the codes that concern fire alarm systems, and to help the reader better understand the code requirements by stating them in simple terms. In short, the Orange Book is not intended to REPLACE the codes but rather to supplement them, making them easier to use and understand. The Orange Book covers the four primary codes that fire alarm professionals frequently reference in their daily work: NFPA 72, NFPA 70, IBC, and NFPA 101.
The NFPA 72 section of the Orange Book requirements from Chapters 7 to 29 of the code. Critical design and application information from Annex A, the “should” section of the code, is also included with the code requirements, marked with three asterisks (***) to indicate that the material is explanatory and not a code requirement. Since Annex A requirements may be desirable to some AHJs, the significant recommendations are included with the main material.
A key feature of the Orange Book is an indication of the location of supplied information in the source code. In the NFPA 72 section, the location of the information is indicated for the 2022 and 2025 editions. Additionally, if information has been added, deleted, or significantly changed, this is also indicated.
The NFPA 70 section of the Orange Book starts with the requirements from Article 760 (Fire Alarm Systems). Similar to the NFPA 72, the location of code requirements is indicated in the right-hand column.
Since only specific sections of NFPA 70 are applicable to fire alarm systems, only the key requirements are included in the Orange Book. The Orange Book covers applicable requirements from Articles 725 (Remote Control), 770 (Fiber Optics), and 800 (Communications) cabling. The Orange Book also covers applicable parts of Article 110 (Electrical Installation), 250 (Grounding and Bonding), and 300 (General Wiring). The Orange Book also includes critical requirements for conduit installation in Articles 342-362.
The IBC section of the Orange Book is centered on Section 907 (Fire Alarm Systems), with the code location indicated in the right-hand column, as in other sections. General fire alarm requirements are covered first, followed by a separate section for each Use Group, including sprinkler requirements and mass notification, if applicable. Each Use Group section provides the IBC definition and examples of the Use Group from Chapter 3 of the code. The end of each Use Group section in the Orange Book highlights significant changes to the Use Group in the 2024 edition of the IBC.
The NFPA 101 section of the Orange Book functions similarly to the IBC section. The NFPA 101 section begins with the general fire alarm requirements from section 9.6. Subsequent occupancy classification from the individual chapters of NFPA 101 is detailed in separate sections, including sprinkler (extinguishing) and mass notification requirements. Where separate chapters exist for new and existing, the occupancy classifications are covered in separate chapters. As with the IBC section, occupancy definitions and examples from Chapter 3 are included, and indications of significant changes in the 2024 edition.
The index of the Orange Book is one of the most important factors in making the book an indispensable reference. The index of the Orange Book is designed with the user in mind. The Orange Book is extensively indexed to ensure that critical topics are easy to locate. Additionally, the index of the Orange Book guides you to the specific location by page and line numbers.
Additionally, the Orange Book provides learning resources to help fire alarm professionals better understand fire alarm systems and equipment. The Top 100 is a list of the 100 most critical fire alarm requirements from NFPA 72 and is designed to help memorize these requirements for use in the NICET exam and in the field.
Systems Sheets provide a single-page narrative of 20 different devices and concepts in fire alarm systems. The page describes the item and code requirements and discusses the application of the device or concept in fire alarm systems.
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