As an AHJ, public authorities have the responsibility to enforce the adopted codes and standards for fire protection and life safety in their communities. This responsibility requires them to inspect properties, review plans, and witness tests of systems. They may well be either the sole approvingThe term "approved" typically means that an installation, procedure, or equipment is acceptable to the AHJ. authority or one of a number of approving authorities on a fire alarm project.

In many instances, the local AHJ may have the ability to accept alternatives to the requirements of a code or standard, as long as the alternative offers equivalent protection. They are not allowed to lessen the requirements of the codes or standards, unless a lesser requirement is legally adopted by the jurisdiction.

NOTE: This is an unformatted excerpt from our online fire protection training library.