Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security

Performance Specification Gap in Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security submittals

By Deviation Check Editorial Team. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.

Short answer

A measurable performance property in the submittal (rating, capacity, tolerance, efficiency) does not meet what the spec requires. Default grade in Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security: Blocker.

A measurable performance property in the submittal (rating, capacity, tolerance, efficiency) does not meet what the spec requires. This guide covers how it shows up specifically in Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security submittals.

What to look for in Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security

Key performance parameters in Div 28 submittals:

  • Fire alarm system type (conventional vs addressable, single-stage vs two-stage)
  • Notification appliance candela rating (15, 30, 75, 110, 135, 185 cd per NFPA 72 Table 18.5.4.3.1)
  • Notification appliance dBA rating (minimum 15 dBA above ambient or 5 dBA above max, per NFPA 72)
  • Smoke detector sensitivity range (per NFPA 72, UL 268, typically 0.5-4.0 %/ft obscuration)
  • Duct detector air velocity range (fpm per NFPA 72/90A)
  • System capacity (number of addressable points, zones, loops for FACP)
  • Camera resolution (megapixels, pixels per foot at target distance)
  • Camera frame rate (fps at stated resolution)
  • Camera low-light performance (minimum illumination in lux)
  • Camera storage retention (days at stated resolution and frame rate)
  • Access control panel capacity (doors, readers, cardholders per panel/server)
  • Card reader technology (proximity 125kHz, smart card 13.56MHz, mobile credential, biometric)
  • Battery standby time (24 hours for fire alarm per NFPA 72, longer for some security systems)
  • Pathway survivability (Level 0, 1, 2, 3 per NFPA 72 Chapter 12)

How severe is it?

Default grade: Blocker. Always a Blocker when the gap touches life-safety or structural performance.

Deviation Check assigns a default per category and escalates or de-escalates based on the spec, always showing its reasoning. See the Division 28 severity rules.

What the PM should do

Treat this as a hold. Do not approve the submittal until the sub resolves it, either by providing the specified product and documentation or by routing an approved substitution or or-equal request. Return the relevant spec passage to the sub as a redline.

Back to the Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security hub, browse all divisions, or start a review.

Frequently asked questions

What notification appliance performance values should a PM verify in a Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security submittal against NFPA 72 requirements?

Check the candela rating against NFPA 72 Table 18.5.4.3.1 - common ratings are 15, 30, 75, 110, 135, and 185 cd - and confirm the dBA rating is at least 15 dBA above ambient or 5 dBA above the maximum noise level, both per NFPA 72. A strobe that ships at 75 cd where the spec and room calculation require 110 cd is a Blocker because it affects life-safety egress.

Which camera performance parameters in Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security submittals can cause a rejection after installation if not caught during review?

Resolution (megapixels), frame rate (fps at that resolution), minimum illumination (lux), and storage retention (days at stated resolution and frame rate) are all measurable at commissioning. A camera that meets resolution on paper but ships with a smaller sensor that cannot hit the specified minimum lux in a low-light parking deck will fail acceptance testing. Catch the lux and retention calculations at submittal, not after the cameras are mounted.

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