INTRODUCTION: Automatic sprinkler systems and fire alarms have long been used together to protect building inhabitants and improve fire prevention. A fire alarm system is defined by the International Fire Code (IFC) as a system or portion of a combination system consisting of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to the signals. Alarm starting devices and supervisory devices are among the parts that a fire alarm system keeps an eye on. If a monitored alarm device detects a probable fire condition, the fire alarm control panel (FACP) will detect a signal and initiate the proper reaction. If the building has an occupant alerting system, the horn/strobes or voice evacuation system will activate.
Fire alarm systems with dedicated functionalities can handle emergency tasks such as turning on smoke control systems, reaction or deluge valves, and recalling elevators. An alert signal is sent to a central station, while a difficulty signal indicates a problem with the fire alarm system itself. Not all FACPs are obliged to alert a central station, but some do. The IFC specifies the locations where sprinkler systems are necessary in Section 903.2 and the locations where fire alarm systems are needed in Section 907.2. NFPA 72 distinguishes between a fire alarm panel installed to monitor a general function and a full fire alarm system comprised of horns/strobes, detection, and manual pull stations.
When a fire alarm system with occupant notification is mandated by IBC Section 907, one or more of the following must occur before the fire alarm notification appliances (horns, speakers, strobes) will operate: automatic devices for sprinkler system waterflow, automatic fire detectors, manual pull stations, and automatic fire-extinguishing systems. Section 7.7 of the NFPA 13 2022 edition was changed to divide the requirements based on whether a waterflow alarm device is mechanical or electrical. The 5-minute threshold set forth by NFPA 13 is meant to account for variations in water flow in buildings with mechanical alarms but no fire alarm system. Section 903.4 of the IBC mandates that waterflow be under the supervision of a listed fire alarm control unit. Additionally, the waterflow alarm device has an additional ten seconds after the initial 90 seconds to activate the building’s notification. Hospitals present particular difficulties for sprinkler and fire alarm systems. The IBC mandates that floors be segregated into two smoke compartments separated by smoke barriers, and the NFPA 99 Healthcare institutions Code requires sprinkler zones to match with smoke compartment borders. Elevator inspectors, fire sprinkler installers, and fire alarm technicians have expressed concern about the fire protection regulations for elevator shafts. NFPA 13 stipulates that a sidewall sprinkler in the lift hoist way must be installed no higher than 2 feet above the pit’s floor. For traction type elevators, sprinkler protection is not necessary.
Fire alarm detection must be offered if Phase I emergency recall is necessary. Heat detectors must have a lower temperature rating and higher sensitivity than sprinklers when they are used to shut off the lift power before sprinkler operation. Smoke detectors are not allowed to be used to turn on sprinklers or cut off the main line power supply to the lift equipment.
Jelly with peanut butter. Pepper and salt. bacon with eggs. The NFPA 13 and NFPA 72…? Despite the fact that this pairing may appear odd, automatic sprinkler systems and fire alarms have long worked in concert to safeguard building inhabitants and improve fire prevention generally. It only makes sense that sprinklers and alarms are frequently referenced in the same phrase when discussing fire safety because many modern structures are mandated by model codes to have both.
The fire alarm control panel (FACP) will recognise a signal if a monitored alarm equipment identifies a potential fire condition. The FACP will subsequently start the proper response (which is defined in Section 907 of the IFC based on the kind of protected occupancy). The horn/strobes or voice evacuation system will go on if the building has an occupant alerting system. Activating smoke control systems, preaction or deluge valves, or recalling elevators are just a few examples of emergency actions that can be started. Finally, a central station will often receive an alarm signal. Prior to alerting the building owner or designee, NFPA 72 mandates that the central station promptly notify the relevant fire department of an alarm activation.
An alert state is not indicated when a supervisory signal starting device activates. However, it does point up a problem that the building owner or designee should address right away. An activated tamper switch could mean that the water supply for the sprinkler system has been cut off. As a result, the FACP will sound an alert and the central station will get a supervisory signal. The building owner or designee will be called following a supervisory signal and is required to reply in order to look into and address the issue. Most of the time, a supervisory signal won’t result in a call to the fire department.
A third sort of signal, known as a difficulty signal, may be produced in addition to alarm and supervisory signals. A trouble signal indicates a problem with the fire alarm system itself, as opposed to supervisory signals, which indicate a problem with a component or system the fire alarm system is monitoring. Low battery, no AC power, open circuits, or a lack of communication are examples of problematic conditions. These are often addressed to the building owner rather than the fire department, similar to supervisory signals.
A signal to a central station is not necessary from all FACPs. Fire alarm systems with dedicated functionalities are made to handle particular emergency tasks. An lift shaft’s detecting devices, for instance, may be monitored by a special function system to start a recall. A dedicated function system could additionally have a preaction control panel. (Even if the preaction panel doesn’t send a signal to a central station, the building’s FACP monitors it and sends a signal.)
One common misperception across the nation is that although the code (IFC Section 903.4) mandates that a sprinkler system be monitored by a FACP, horns and strobes must also be used to alert building occupants. That is untrue. The IFC specifies the locations where sprinkler systems are necessary in Section 903.2. The locations where fire alarm systems are needed are listed in Section 907.2. If 907.2 does not mention occupant notification expressly, none is necessary.
- Gadgets for automatic sprinkler system waterflow
- Automated fire alarms
- stations with manual pulls
- Systems for extinguishing fires automatically (IBC Section 904)
The standards for waterflow alarm devices were divided in Section 7.7 of the NFPA 13 2022 edition according to whether the device is mechanical or electronic. For many years, NFPA 13 has mandated that, within five minutes of the start of water flow from a single sprinkler, the premises must be audibly alerted. When comparing the requirement for a waterflow alarm to activate within 90 seconds in NFPA 25 and NFPA 72, this requirement has led to some confusion. The 5-minute threshold set forth by NFPA 13 is meant to account for variations in water flow in buildings with mechanical alarms but no fire alarm system. However, keep in mind that Section 903.4 of the IBC mandates that waterflow be under the supervision of a listed fire alarm control unit. According to NFPA 72, a fire alarm control unit built just to monitor sprinkler waterflow is referred to as a dedicated function fire alarm system. A structure constructed in accordance with the IBC or IFC is obliged to have a listed fire alarm control unit for monitoring waterflow (dedicated function fire alarm system), as per NFPA 72’s definition of a dedicated function fire alarm as a “fire alarm system”. According to NFPA 72, the waterflow alarm equipment has a total of 100 seconds, or an additional ten seconds, after the initial 90 seconds, to trigger the building’s notification (horn/strobes). For structures having fire alarm systems, including specialised function fire alarm systems, and for any system using electrically operated local alarm bells, NFPA 13 did clarify this requirement in Section 7.7.2 of the 2022 edition of NFPA 13.
When hydraulic fluids are present in the area, NFPA 13 stipulates that a sidewall sprinkler in the lift hoistway be installed no higher than 2 feet above the pit’s floor. There is a suggestion that all lift hoistways without sprinklers be permitted in the NFPA 13 2025 edition. The NFPA standards development process is still awaiting final approval of that plan, nevertheless. For traction type elevators, when the requirements listed in Section 9.3.6.3 are satisfied, sprinkler protection is not necessary in the hoistway.
Phase I emergency recall is required by ASME A17.1 for almost all elevators. When sprinklers are put in the lift hoist way, fire alarm detection must be offered if Phase I recall is necessary. Since hydraulic elevators are required by NFPA 13 to have sprinkler protection at the bottom of the hoist way, a fire alarm detection device must also be installed near to the sprinkler. The fire alarm initiating device must be placed at the top of the hoist way in cases when sprinklers are installed above the lowest level of recall.
The fire alarm initiating device must be positioned within 24 inches of each sprinkler where they are located in the pit. Heat detectors must have a lower temperature rating and a higher sensitivity than sprinklers when they are used to shut off the lift power before sprinkler operation. Smoke detectors are not allowed to be used to (1) turn on sprinklers in the hoist way (pre-action system) or (2) cut off the main line power supply to the lift equipment, according to ASME A17.1.
John Swanson, the NFSA’s Code and Standards Specialist, wrote this edition of TechNotes.
