PassFAS

Level II tabbing guide for your printed code books

Your printed references are your only lookup tools on exam day, so how you tab them decides how fast you answer. NICET allows the books bound or in a three-ring binder, with highlighting and self-adhesive tabs that are permanently attached; handwritten notes, loose pages and repositionable tabs are not allowed. These are the sections worth a tab for Level II, chapter by chapter.

How to tab: one color per book, one tab per chapter on the side edge, and a second row on the top edge for the tables you use most. Label tabs with the section number and a keyword, e.g. “17.15 Pull stations”.

NFPA 72 (2022)

SectionWhyChapter
NFPA 72 §10.3Equipment listed for the purpose, compatibility, operating rangeL2 Power
NFPA 72 §10.6.5Primary power: dedicated branch circuit, red disconnect, location identified at the control unitL2 Power
NFPA 72 §10.6.7Secondary power: battery or generator plus 4 h batteryL2 Power
NFPA 72 §10.6.7.2Capacity: 24 h + 5 min; voice and mass notification 15 min; transmitting equipment 5 minL2 Power
NFPA 72 §10.6.10Batteries: listing, charger, remote location identified at the control unitL2 Power
NFPA 72 §7.2.1Documentation: battery and voltage-drop calculationsL2 Power
NFPA 72 §12.3Pathway classes A, B, C, D, E, N, XL2 Power
NFPA 72 §12.3.8Separate routing of Class A / X outgoing and return conductorsL2 Power
NFPA 72 §12.4Pathway survivability Levels 0 to 4L2 Power
NFPA 72 §12.6.1Monitoring for integrity: 200 sL2 Power
NFPA 72-2022 §17.5.2, §17.7.4.2.3.1Partitions that reach within the top 15% of the ceiling height create separate roomsL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.5.3.1Total coverage: combustible blind spaces (50 ft², 6 in.), open-grid ceilings (1/4 in., 70%), plenum returnsL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.6.2, Table 17.6.2.1Heat detector temperature classes and colors; rating at least 20°F above the maximum ceiling temperatureL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.6.3.1.1Heat detector spacing: listed spacing, S/2 to walls, 0.7S ruleL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 Table 17.6.3.5.1, §17.6.3.5Ceiling-height multipliers for heat detector spacing (10 to 30 ft); spacing need not be below 0.4 times the ceiling heightL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.6.3.2 and §17.6.3.4Solid-joist ceilings: 50% of listed spacing at right angles to the joists; sloped ceilings: first row within 36 in. of the peakL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.7.4.2.3.1Smoke detector spacing on smooth ceilings: 30 ft nominal, 15 ft to walls, 0.7SL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.7.4.2.4.2Beam construction for smoke detectors: 0.1H and 0.4H rules; corridors 15 ft or less wide with perpendicular beamsL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.7.4.6 and §17.7.4.7Air-sampling (transport time, pipe design, labeling) and projected-beam detectors (stable mounting, listing limits, A.17.7.4.7 spacing guide)L2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.7.5, A.17.7.5.1HVAC: keep detectors out of direct airflow; 36 in. from diffusers and returnsL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.7.6Duct smoke detectors: manufacturer's instructions, access doors or panels for cleaning, remote indicators; location per NFPA 90AL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 Table 17.7.7.3.3.2Smoke detector coverage in high air movement areas (air changes per hour)L2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.8, §17.13 and §17.17Flame detectors (line of sight, nuisance sources); waterflow devices; supervisory (tamper, pressure, temperature) devicesL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §17.15Manual fire alarm boxes: 42 to 48 in., within 5 ft of exits, 200 ft travel, conspicuous and unobstructedL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 Table 18.5.5.7.1(a) and (b)Candela by room size for wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted visible appliancesL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §18.5.5.8 and §18.5.5.10Corridor spacing (15 cd, 15 ft, 100 ft) and sleeping-room candela (110 or 177)L2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §18.4Audibility: public, private, and sleeping modes; 110 dBA limit; 520 Hz; mounting height of audible appliancesL2 Layout
NFPA 72-2022 §7.4, §7.4.5Shop drawing contents; floor plan items (level, north arrow, graphic scale)L2 Layout
NFPA 72 §21.2.4ECF interface within 3 ft of the controlled component; 2022 exception for Class D control circuitsL2 Control
NFPA 72 §21.3Elevator Phase I recall: lobby detector within 21 ft of each door centerline; designated and alternate levelsL2 Control
NFPA 72 §21.4Elevator shutdown: heat detector within 2 ft of each sprinkler, no-delay waterflow, monitored shunt-trip powerL2 Control
NFPA 72 §21.8HVLS fans interlocked to shut down on waterflow where NFPA 13 requires itL2 Control
NFPA 72 §17.7.6Detectors for control of smoke spread: duct detectors and door release (24 in. header rule)L2 Control
NFPA 72 §17.17Supervisory signal-initiating devices: valve tamper, pressure, temperature, water levelL2 Control
NFPA 72 §23.8.1Pre-signal (§23.8.1.1) and positive alarm sequence (§23.8.1.2.1.1): 15 s and 180 sL2 Control
NFPA 72 §23.8.5.4Alarm verification feature: smoke detectors, 60 s total limitL2 Control
NFPA 72 §10.17.2Notification appliance control circuits: monitored, one notification zone eachL2 Control
NFPA 72 §18.4.11 and Annex DVoice intelligibility: ADS, STI and CIS criteriaL2 Control
NFPA 72 Ch. 24, §24.3.14 and §24.10EVACS, mass notification; Class N/X separation (one-third of diagonal); two-way communication (24 h + 4 h power, posted instructions)L2 Control
NFPA 72 §26.3 to §26.5Central, proprietary, and remote supervising stationsL2 Control
NFPA 72 §26.6.3 and §26.6.4Performance-based paths (60 min / 6 h) and DACT requirements (two means, line seizure)L2 Control
NFPA 72 §14.4.1Initial acceptance testing; AHJ notified beforehandL2 Control
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2Test methods: item 8 power, item 15 circuit integrity, items 20 and 24 interfacesL2 Control
NFPA 72 §14.4.2.4 to §14.4.2.6Reacceptance after site-specific or executive software changes; remote changesL2 Control
NFPA 72 §14.6.1 and §7.5Close-out documents, record of completion (§7.5.6), site-specific software (§7.5.7)L2 Control
NFPA 72 §14.2.4Notification before and after testing; coordination with the owner (14.2.4.3)L2 Testing
NFPA 72 §14.2.5Documentation the owner provides to service personnel, including software revisionsL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §14.2.10Written test plan; plan and results filed with the test recordsL2 Testing
NFPA 72 Table 14.3.1Visual inspection frequencies and methodsL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §14.4.2 and A.14.4.2Reacceptance: hardware, site-specific and executive software, remote changes, like-for-like replacementL2 Testing
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 items 2-4Control unit, trouble signals (ring-back), transmission equipment and its noteL2 Testing
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 items 8-9 and notes d-fSecondary power, VRLA battery tests, charger voltage, automated load testsL2 Testing
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 item 15Conductors: circuit integrity at 10% of devices for initial and reacceptanceL2 Testing
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 item 17Initiating devices: smoke, heat, duct, beam, aspirating, multi-sensor, supervisory, waterflowL2 Testing
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 item 18Special hazard equipment: abort, cross-zone, solenoid, squibL2 Testing
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 items 22 and 24Notification appliances (SPL, candela marking) and emergency control function interfacesL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §14.4.4Frequency, 18-month cap for shutdown testing, sensitivity, heat detector sample, CO recordsL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §14.6Permanent records and inspection, testing, and maintenance recordsL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §7.6.6 and Fig. 7.8.2Record of Inspection and Testing and its supplementary formsL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §7.7Record maintenance, supervising station records, documentation cabinetL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §10.21Impairments: owner notification, record kept 1 year after correctionL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §10.5.3Qualifications of inspection, testing, and service personnelL2 Testing
NFPA 72 A.14.4.3 and A.14.4.3.2Annex: silent testing, ohmic baseline and battery capacity formula, owner notice of suspected low SPL, documenting devices not testedL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §14.6.4, §14.6.2.2 and §7.5.6.6Simulated-operation note, heat sample record retention, revised and replacement records of completionL2 Testing
NFPA 72 §10.21Impairments: owner, supervising station, AHJ at more than 8 h, mitigation per AHJ, end-of-impairment notice, 1-year recordL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §10.3Equipment listed for purpose; compatibility of devices on IDC and SLC with the control unitL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §10.6Power supplies: primary branch circuit, secondary battery, chargerL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §12.3Pathway classes A, B, X: behavior with open, ground, and shortL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §12.6Monitoring for integrity: open and ground annunciated within 200 sL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §14.2.2Impairments, deficiencies (written notice within 24 h), recalls, observationsL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §14.4.2 and A.14.4.2Reacceptance testing after added, deleted, or changed devices, hardware, and softwareL2 Fix
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 item 2Control unit functions after hardware repairL2 Fix
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 item 9 and A.14.4.3.2Batteries and charger tests, including the 13.26 V float check on 12 V VRLA; annex advice to replace both units of a failing series stringL2 Fix
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 items 3(3), 4(2), 11, 26(1)Ground detection, DACT two means of transmission, annunciators, alarm verification delayL2 Fix
NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2 item 15Conductors: stray voltage 1 V, ground, short, loop resistance, 10% open-connection testL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §14.4.4.3Smoke detector sensitivity: out of range means clean or replaceL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §17.6.2 and Table 17.6.2.1Heat detector rating at least 20°F above maximum ceiling temperature; classesL2 Fix
NFPA 72 §17.7Smoke detector location and environment (air velocity, temperature, humidity)L2 Fix
NFPA 72 §26.6.4DACT: line seizure, two means of transmission, 4-minute trouble indicationL2 Fix
NFPA 72-2022 §3.2.2Definition of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)L2 Projects
NFPA 72-2022 §10.21Impairments: notify owner, service provider reports to AHJ after 8 h, notify at end, record 1 yearL2 Projects
NFPA 72-2022 §14.2.4Notify those who receive signals and occupants before and after testingL2 Projects
NFPA 72-2022 Ch. 7Documentation: shop drawings, record drawings, record of completionL2 Projects
NFPA 72-2022 Ch. 21Emergency control functions and interfaces (elevator recall, HVAC): trade coordinationL2 Projects

NFPA 70 / NEC (2020)

SectionWhyChapter
NEC 2020 Art. 760 / §760.127Fire alarm circuits; supply side of the PLFA sourceL2 Power
NEC 2020 Table 760.154 and 760.154(A)Cable applications and substitutions (FPL, FPLR, FPLP)L2 Power
NEC 2020 §300.22(C)Wiring methods in plenum spacesL2 Power
NEC 2020 Ch. 9 Tables 1, 4, 5, 8 and NotesConduit fill, areas, conductor resistance, Notes 4, 7, 9L2 Power
NEC 2020 Table 314.16(A) and (B)Box volume and conductor volume allowancesL2 Power
NEC 2020 §358.30, §358.26, §348.30, Table 352.30Support and bends: EMT, FMC, PVC (expansion fittings: §352.44)L2 Power
NEC 2020 §250.118 and Table 250.122Permitted EGCs and EGC size by breaker ratingL2 Power
NEC 2020 §300.5(B), Table 300.5, Table 310.104(A)Underground raceways are wet locations; cover depths; conductor typesL2 Power
NEC 2020 §314.15, §358.42 and §300.7(A)Fittings in wet locations and in concrete; seals between warm and cold areasL2 Power
NEC 2020 §376.22, §300.14 and §300.21Wireway fill (20%); free conductor length; firestopping of penetrationsL2 Power
NFPA 70-2020 §760.154, §300.22(C)Plenum-rated cable and wiring methods in air-handling spacesL2 Layout
NFPA 70 §760.41(B) and §760.121(B)FACU branch circuit: red identification, no GFCI or AFCI, restricted accessL2 Fix
NFPA 70 §760.136Separation of power-limited fire alarm conductors from power conductorsL2 Fix
NFPA 70 Ch. 9 Table 8Conductor DC resistance per 1000 ft for troubleshooting calculationsL2 Fix
NFPA 70-2020 §110.26(A)Working space in front of electrical equipment must stay clear (coordination with other trades)L2 Projects
NFPA 70-2020 Art. 590Temporary installations on construction sites, including GFCI protectionL2 Projects
AIA A201 Art. 1, §3.12, Art. 7 (study ref)Contract Documents, submittals, Change Order, CCD, minor changeL2 Projects
AIA A201 Art. 9, Art. 12, Art. 15 (study ref)Payment, stop work, Substantial Completion, one-year correction, 21-day claim noticeL2 Projects

IBC (2021)

SectionWhyChapter
IBC §907.3.1, §907.6.4 and §907.7Duct detector signal; zones; acceptance tests and record of completionL2 Control
IBC §909Smoke control systems: firefighter's panel (§909.16), acceptance testing (§909.18)L2 Control
IBC Section 202Definitions: high-rise, atrium, fire area, occupant load, ambulatory care facility, shaft enclosureL2 IBC
IBC Section 102.4 and Chapter 35Referenced standards are part of the code to the extent referenced; IBC governs in a conflict (102.4.1); Chapter 35 lists editionsL2 IBC
IBC Sections 105 and 107Permits and submittal documents; deferred submittals (107.3.4.1); amended documents (107.4)L2 IBC
IBC Sections 110.1 and 110.3Work stays accessible and exposed for inspection (110.1); required inspections, including penetrations in rated assemblies (110.3)L2 IBC
IBC Chapter 3Occupancy groups A to U; 303.1.1 assembly under 50 persons is Group BL2 IBC
IBC Chapter 4 (402 to 405)Covered mall, high-rise, atrium and underground building special provisionsL2 IBC
IBC Section 508 and Table 509Mixed occupancies (accessory, nonseparated, separated) and incidental usesL2 IBC
IBC Table 601Fire-resistance rating of structural elements by construction typeL2 IBC
IBC Section 703Fire-resistance ratings; marking and identification of rated walls in concealed spacesL2 IBC
IBC Sections 707, 709, 713Fire barriers, smoke barriers, shaft enclosures (2 h for four stories or more, 1 h for fewer)L2 IBC
IBC Section 714Penetrations: F, T and L ratings; membrane penetrations by steel boxesL2 IBC
IBC Section 717Ducts and air transfer openings: fire dampers and smoke dampersL2 IBC
IBC Section 903Where sprinklers are required (903.2), types (903.3.1), supervision and alarms (903.4)L2 IBC
IBC Section 907.1.2Fire alarm shop drawings: prepared per NFPA 72, approved before installationL2 IBC
IBC Section 907.2Where a fire alarm system is required, by group; single manual box rule; smoke alarms 907.2.11L2 IBC
IBC Sections 907.3 and 907.4Fire safety functions and duct smoke detectors (907.3); FACU smoke detector (907.4.1), manual boxes: location, height, color, sign (907.4.2)L2 IBC
IBC Section 907.5Notification: presignal (907.5.1), voice alarm (907.5.2.2), visible alarms and Table 907.5.2.3.2L2 IBC
IBC Sections 907.6 and 907.7Zones (907.6.4), monitoring (907.6.6), acceptance tests and record of completion (907.7)L2 IBC
IBC Sections 909 and 911Smoke control, fire fighter's smoke control panel (909.16); fire command centerL2 IBC
IBC Table 1004.5, Section 1005.3, Table 1017.2Occupant load factors, egress width factors, exit access travel distanceL2 IBC
IBC-2021 §107.2.2Fire protection shop drawings must be approved before system installation startsL2 Projects
IBC-2021 §107.3.1Approved construction documents are kept at the site and open to inspectionL2 Projects
IBC-2021 §107.4Changes not matching the approved documents are resubmitted as an amended setL2 Projects
IBC-2021 §110 and §111Inspections; certificate of occupancy (111.1) and temporary certificate of occupancy (111.3)L2 Projects
IBC-2021 §714Penetrations of rated assemblies need listed firestop systems (restore after every cable penetration)L2 Projects

Study-only references (not allowed in the test center)

SectionWhyChapter
AIA A201 §3.7.4, §6.2.2, §10.3 (study ref)Concealed conditions (14 days in 2017), other-trade work, hazardous materials (stop work and notify)L2 Projects
29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2), 1926.32(f) (study ref)Competent person and frequent, regular inspectionsL2 Projects
29 CFR 1926.417, 1910.147, 1910.333 (study ref)Lockout and tagging: construction versus general industryL2 Projects
29 CFR 1904.7, .29, .32, .33, .39 (study ref)Recordability, 7 days, Feb. 1–Apr. 30 posting, 5 years, 8 h and 24 h reportsL2 Projects
NASCLA 13th ed. (study ref)Contract types, bonds, insurance, liens, estimating formulasL2 Projects

Practice for the real thing. Take the free 20-minute Level II practice exam (no account needed), or get lifetime access to 110-question exams in the NICET format and 248 Level II questions with explanations.

More Level II study guides