In NFPA, the word "shall" ____________.

In NFPA standards, the word "shall" is explicitly used to indicate a mandatory requirement. This means that if a provision uses the term "shall," it is an obligation that must be followed and is not optional. It establishes a clear requirement that must be adhered to in order to comply with the code. The language within NFPA documents is carefully chosen to ensure clarity and enforceability, where "shall" communicates that failure to comply would be a violation of the standard. Such requirements are typically critical for safety and legal compliance, particularly in fire safety and alarm systems.