Code Compliance Checklists

NEC Article 800 — Communications Circuits^[1]

• Confirm the communications cable listing matches the installation environment — plenum (CMP), riser (CMR), general-purpose (CMG/CM) — for each space the run passes through; verify the adopted NEC edition with your AHJ. (NEC Article 800.179 (cable listings & markings))
• Maintain the required separation between communications cables and electric light/power conductors, or use the listed barrier/divider the code permits. (NEC Article 800.133 (installation & separation))
• Bond and ground the communications cable shield/sheath and the primary protector grounding conductor to the building grounding electrode system. (NEC Article 800.100 (cable & primary protector bonding))
• Remove the accessible portion of abandoned communications cable not identified for future use, per the adopted edition. (NEC Article 800.25 (abandoned cable))
• Where communications cables share a conduit or raceway, confirm the conduit fill does not exceed the NEC Chapter 9 limits for the trade size and conductor count. (NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 (conduit fill))

Related calculator: Cable Length Budget, Conduit Fill

NEC Article 770 — Optical Fiber Cables & Raceways^[2]

• Classify the optical fiber cable as nonconductive (OFN), conductive (OFC), or composite, and confirm conductive cables are treated for their metallic members per the adopted NEC edition. (NEC Article 770.2 / 770.179 (classification & listing))
• Select the fiber cable type for the environment — plenum (OFNP/OFCP), riser (OFNR/OFCR), or general-purpose (OFN/OFC) — for every space the run traverses. (NEC Article 770.179 (type listings & markings))
• Keep nonconductive optical fiber cables separated from electric light/power conductors as the code requires; verify any shared raceway condition with your AHJ. (NEC Article 770.133 (installation with other circuits))
• Remove the accessible portion of abandoned optical fiber cable not identified for future use. (NEC Article 770.25 (abandoned cable))

Related calculator: Cable Length Budget

NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code^[3]

• Designate each circuit class (Class A/B/X) and confirm the survivability level required for the occupancy; verify the adopted NFPA 72 edition with your AHJ. (NFPA 72 Ch. 12 (circuits & routing))
• Size the secondary (standby) power supply for the required standby hours plus alarm load per the system type, and confirm the source meets the code. (NFPA 72 Ch. 10 (power supplies))
• Perform and document acceptance/reacceptance testing of every initiating device, notification appliance, and circuit before placing the system in service. (NFPA 72 Ch. 14 (inspection, testing & maintenance))
• Verify notification-appliance audibility/visibility and circuit loading against the manufacturer listing and the code; confirm any AHJ-specific amendment. (NFPA 72 Ch. 18 (notification appliances))

NFPA 1221/1225 — Emergency Services Communications^[4]

• Confirm the in-building public-safety radio coverage requirement and minimum signal-strength level for the occupancy; NFPA 1225 (2022) consolidated and superseded NFPA 1221 — verify the edition adopted by your AHJ. (NFPA 1225 (consolidated; formerly NFPA 1221))
• Where an emergency responder radio communication enhancement system (ERRCS) is required, confirm its components are listed and that the donor antenna/BDA design meets the code and the AHJ-approved frequency plan. (NFPA 1225 (in-building emergency responder coverage))
• Provide the required secondary/standby power for the communications system for the mandated duration and confirm monitoring of system integrity. (NFPA 1225 (power & system monitoring))
• Document acceptance testing of in-building coverage on a per-grid basis as the standard prescribes, and retain records for the AHJ. (NFPA 1225 (acceptance testing))

NDAA §889 — Federal Surveillance Procurement Restrictions^[5]

• Determine whether the project is subject to §889 (federal funding or a federal-agency nexus); the restriction is a federal procurement constraint, not an industry standard — confirm applicability for your jurisdiction. (NDAA FY2019 §889(b) (prohibition scope))
• Check video-surveillance and telecommunications equipment against the covered-equipment categories the statute defines in §889(f)(3); equipment from a covered entity is restricted for the affected procurements. (NDAA FY2019 §889(f)(3) (covered telecommunications equipment))
• Evaluate components for the "substantial or essential component" condition — a compliant-branded device incorporating covered equipment can still fall within the restriction. (NDAA FY2019 §889(f)(2)–(3) (covered components))
• Retain procurement documentation establishing the §889 status of the surveillance equipment for the record the AHJ or contracting officer requires. (NDAA FY2019 §889 (procurement records))

Related calculator: Camera Storage, Camera Bandwidth