What is the primary purpose of NFPA 72?

The primary purpose of NFPA 72 is to establish a standard for the installation, performance, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems. This code serves as the foundational guideline for how fire alarm systems must be designed and operated to ensure they function effectively in alerting building occupants to fire hazards.

By delineating standards for installation, performance requirements, and ongoing maintenance procedures, NFPA 72 aims to enhance safety and ensure that fire alarm systems can reliably detect and notify individuals of an emergency. Compliance with these standards is crucial for ensuring the systems perform as expected when needed, thus protecting lives and property during fire incidents.

In contrast, the other choices focus on different aspects of fire safety that are not the primary objective of NFPA 72. For example, the establishment of standards for fire extinguisher usage pertains to a different NFPA code, while defining the roles of emergency personnel and outlining fire drill procedures relate more to emergency response planning and training rather than the specifics of fire alarm system standards.