California fire alarm wiring and NFPA 72

What the code requires

Article 760 of the NEC covers the wiring and equipment of fire alarm systems, including the circuits that the fire alarm system powers and controls. California's State Fire Marshal adds section 760.1.1, which is not in the national code.

Under 760.1.1, fire alarm equipment and systems required in occupancies covered by State Fire Marshal regulations must meet the performance and construction standards of NFPA 72, 2025 edition. The State Fire Marshal kept its existing amendments throughout Article 760, with 760.1.1 updated to point to the 2025 edition of NFPA 72.

On the job

• Cable ties used to support exposed fire alarm cable must be listed and identified for securement and support (760.24(A)).
• A listed surge-protective device must be installed on the supply side of a fire alarm control panel (760.33).

What changed in 2023

The 2023 NEC added 760.33, requiring a listed surge-protective device on the supply side of fire alarm control panels, and changed 760.24(A) so that cable ties used for support must be listed and identified for securement and support; California's NFPA 72 reference moved from the 2016 edition in the 2022 CEC to the 2025 edition.

In California

The printed 2025 CEC still shows NFPA 72-2016 in an informational note under 760.1, even though 760.1.1 requires the 2025 edition; confirm the edition with your building department or fire authority.

Related sections

• NEC 760.24
• NEC 760.33
• NEC 760.41
• NEC 760.121
• NEC 722.135: Low-voltage cable types and where they can go

Where this comes from

• California Building Standards Commission: 2025 California Electrical Code amendments (rev. 2025-11-20)
• California State Fire Marshal: 01/23 Final Express Terms, Part 3
• Mike Holt: Summary of the 2023 Changes to the NEC
• Electrical Contractor: Concluding the 2023 Code Review (M. Earley), Sep 11 2023
• Read the official NEC free at NFPA