What critical component must every fire alarm system under NFPA 72 include?

Every fire alarm system under NFPA 72 must include visual and audible alarm devices. These devices play a crucial role in alerting occupants in the event of a fire or other emergencies. NFPA 72 emphasizes the importance of these alarms being effective in ensuring that individuals are notified promptly and clearly, allowing them to respond accordingly.

The inclusion of both visual and audible components ensures that the warning can reach a diverse range of individuals, including those with hearing impairments, thereby meeting accessibility and safety requirements. This multifaceted approach is essential for effective life safety measures, which are paramount in any fire alarm system.

While manual control panels and various technologies, such as addressable systems or heat detection, are important components that may be part of a comprehensive fire alarm system, they are not mandated as a critical component in every system like audible and visual alarms are.