What is mainly required for heat detectors to meet safety standards?

Heat detectors must undergo regular testing to ensure they function correctly and meet safety standards, which is essential for maintaining life safety and property protection. The requirement to test two or more different detectors each year allows for a comprehensive assessment of the system's performance across multiple device types and installations. This approach ensures that any potential issues are identified and addressed, which is crucial for maintaining the reliability of the heat detectors in detecting fires.

By rotating the testing among different detectors, this method helps to gather performance data and ensures that a variety of detectors are evaluated over time. This process contributes to the overall effectiveness of the fire alarm system, as it can uncover variations in performance based on different environmental conditions or installation peculiarities.

In contrast, testing only once during installation, choosing annual testing, or conducting quarterly tests may lack the thoroughness necessary to guarantee that all detectors are functioning properly over time, potentially compromising safety standards. The requirement for varied and repeated testing aligns with best practices in fire safety management and compliance with NFPA 72.