Fire alarm devices must be grounded in accordance with Article 250 of the NEC®.

Fire alarm devices must be grounded in accordance with Article 250 of the NEC®.

• A. Not required
• B. True
• C. False
• D. Only in certain situations

Answer: (C)

Grounding requirements for fire alarm systems are found in Article 760, not Article 250. The NEC treats fire alarm systems as a distinct category with its own rules for bonding and grounding to ensure reliable operation and life-safety performance. This includes bonding metal enclosures and components, and often using a dedicated grounding electrode conductor connected to the building’s grounding electrode system, with specific provisions that differ from general grounding practices in Article 250. While some general grounding concepts from Article 250 may appear in fire alarm projects, the primary authority for fire alarm grounding is Article 760, so the statement that fire alarm devices must be grounded in accordance with Article 250 is not correct.

Grounding requirements for fire alarm systems are found in Article 760, not Article 250. The NEC treats fire alarm systems as a distinct category with its own rules for bonding and grounding to ensure reliable operation and life-safety performance. This includes bonding metal enclosures and components, and often using a dedicated grounding electrode conductor connected to the building’s grounding electrode system, with specific provisions that differ from general grounding practices in Article 250. While some general grounding concepts from Article 250 may appear in fire alarm projects, the primary authority for fire alarm grounding is Article 760, so the statement that fire alarm devices must be grounded in accordance with Article 250 is not correct.