Code Compliant
I have not found a definition of the words "Code Compliant" anywhere in the actual code for the NFPA 72. Without a definition shown in the NFPA 72, the dictionary definition is required. I have found the word "compliant" in the Appendix.
Because the Code does not define the word "compliant", a dictionary is required for the definition.
Definitions from Oxford Languages
com·pli·ant - adjective - inclined to agree with others or obey rules, especially to an excessive degree; acquiescent.
Also, keep in mind that the National Fire Alarm Protection Association, Inc. (NFPA) is a publishing house and not a rule-making authority. Someone in authority has to accept of approve of any fire alarm system that's installed.
Accepted
The word "Accepted" is defined by the NFPA 72 in their definitions, and in the appendix. Part of what they say in the Appendix:
... In determining the acceptability of installations, procedures, equipment or materials, the authority having jurisdiction many base acceptance or compliance with NFPA or other appropriate standards. In the absence of such standards, said authority may require evidence of proper installation, procedure, or use...
The NFPA's definition of "Accepted", along with the Appendix of the word "Accepted" includes referring to the "AHJ" (Authority Having Jurisdiction). Again, make sure you read the definition of the "AHJ", along with the appendix's definition of "AHJ".
The writers and editors of the NFPA 72 Code go further. In their Handbook's commentary about the AHJ, they say:
"Any given physical property may have multiple authorities having jurisdiction, who may be concerned with life safety, property protection, mission continuity, heritage preservation, and environmental protection. Some authorities having jurisdiction may impose additional requirements beyond those of the Code. If requirements for the installation of a specific fire alarm system conflict, the installer must follow the most stringent requirements."
Listed for Use
"Listed for Use" is required for all fire alarm systems and all of the equipment that is in the system. The listing includes not just the control panel, but any sub-panels, all detectors or other input devices, all relays, and all output devices like horns and strobes. By the way, the wires and how the system will be wired, shown in the equipment's Installation Manual and Installation Sheets, is also included in the equipment's "Listed for Use".
However, the fire alarm manufacturers don't "List" anything; fire alarm manufacturers just pay a nationally known testing laboratory to have their equipment listed.
An example of a listing company would be UL. See:
History of UL
Nowadays, the testing companies also test life-safety equipment and whole systems to make sure they at least meet minimum standards of performance. The standards that the testing companies use include all publications made by NFPA, IFC, IBC, Government Agencies, etc.
If the equipment, like a disable switch, is going to be used with other equipment, like a fire horn when used with a fire panel, the manufacturer and model of each of those are tested together. When the testing company determines that the equipment works as a whole, the equipment is placed on a "Listed for Use" with each other list.
It's the AHJ that Accepts the Fire Alarm System
However, there are other options to looking for the "Listed for Use" part of the label. An alternative to being Listed for use is to have the Authority Having Jurisdiction (commonly the fire marshal) "Accepting" of the idea.
Under certain circumstances, adding the disable switch can be considered to be more stringent than the NFPA 72 Code because the addition of the switch allows testing of the fire alarm system without evacuating the building every time the system is partially tested.
Just make sure the fire marshal will accept the additional switch, whether it's an ordinary switch or key-switch . . . in writing. Keep the written CYA Acceptance you receive from the fire marshal in your files.
Also, follow any further instructions from the fire marshal, like:
- Any key-switch requirements in addition to using just an ordinary switch
- The location requirements for the switch
- The conditions under which the switch may be activated
- Whatever time limits there are for activation
- What kind of logging requirements are required each time that the switch is used
- The requirements that the panel will always show a trouble at any time the horns and strobes are disabled
Each of these instructions should be touched on in the written instructions from the fire marshal.
Fire Alarm Panel Circuit Disable
Most fire alarm panels come with a feature that can disable individual circuits, or may have other disable functions. If the disable feature can be used, it may be easier to just use the manufactured-in disable functions, rather than imposing the extra requirements of a fire marshal's acceptance of the idea.
P. S. Get the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Handbook, with Commentary
For your understanding of the NFPA 72 Code book, I really recommend getting the "National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Handbook, with Commentary". For a better understanding of the Code, in addition to showing the entire official Code itself, it shows the applicable Appendix material with many along with the individual lines of Code. Also included, written by the writers and editors of the Code, is commentary.
Included in the Handbook are pictures and illustrations, and line drawings.
The Handbook is sold on the www.NFPA.org website, right next to the Code book.
Yes, the Handbook is more expensive. But for anyone trying to deal with the NFPA Code, who isn't a lawyer, the extra information provided by the Handbook make the extra expense darn well it.
Douglas Krantz 
