Articles By This Author
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Wayne D. Moore — Fire/Life Safety Columnist and Freelance Writer
Wayne D. Moore, a licensed fire protection engineer, frequent speaker and an expert in the life safety field, is a co-editor of the current National Fire Alarm Code Handbook. Moore is a principal with Hughes Associates Inc. at the Warwick, R.I., office.
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Please Design Safely
August 2010
The very nature of design/build projects requires you to participate in the design process. You may even feel comfortable with assisting in this process. However, these types of projects come with increased responsibility.
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Protecting Public Spaces
August 2010
For many reasons, public spaces can prove difficult to protect with security systems as well as with fire detection and alarm systems. In many cases, historic buildings present an array of specific design and installation issues. These include the importance of not allowing the installation of the fire alarm or security system to destroy the historic fabric of the building.
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On the Path to Survival
July 2010
One of the first things you discover when reading NFPA 72 (2010), the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, is the interdependence of the chapters. For example, you will find the application, installation and performance requirements for emergency communications systems and their components in Chapter 24. But by itself, this chapter does not cover every aspect of installing such systems.
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Breaking Through the Red Tape
June 2010
How could maintaining a fire alarm system in a government building possibly be different than a private commercial building? It may not seem obvious, but attempting to maintain a fire alarm system in a government building brings many unique issues into focus.
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Green Guide
June 2010
Surely, you have heard of green construction and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. One might not think a fire alarm system (FAS) contributes to a green building, but a FAS certainly can have some effect, particularly if a building owner works with a FAS designer and installing contractor on the facility’s fire protection goals.
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Fire Alarm Circuits Have No Style
May 2010
Readers of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 72 2010, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, will find many changes including three new chapters. One of the new chapters is dedicated to circuits and pathways.
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Catch up on Your Reading
April 2010
The 2010 edition of the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code has three new chapters, one of which, Chapter 21, is devoted to emergency control functions and interfaces. This new chapter finally brings all of the integrated safety systems that are monitored or controlled by the fire alarm system (FAS) into one location to make it easier for you to find and understand the installation requirements for the following interfaces: elevator recall for firefighters’ service; elevator shutdown; first responders use of elevators; elevators for occupant-controlled evacuation; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; door-release service; electrically locked doors; and exit marking audible notification systems.
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Fire Focus: Understanding Needs for Better Care
April 2010
Fire alarm systems play an important part in any healthcare facility’s compliance with the Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for accreditation. Maintaining and inspecting the fire alarm system is required by NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, which also is the referenced code both the CMS and Joint Commission use in determining life safety compliance. The Joint Commission’s focus on Life Safety Code compliance doesn’t look to be subsiding, as evidenced by fire safety provisions topping the latest list of most-cited standards in hospitals.
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Followers Not Leaders
March 2010
Typically, contractors know what codes and standards are in force in their market areas, and if they don’t, they should find out. But often this is limited to the code they use the most, the National Electrical Code (NEC). What is interesting is that most contractors are unsure why it matters which editions of the codes they need to use or which are specifically referenced for their work. One reason to use the right code or standard is to ensure the inspector will approve the installation, and there will not be any surprises, which, of course, leads to changes and cost overruns and lost profits or customers. The other reason to use the right code is to avoid any legal issues that may arise from the installation. Generally speaking, electricians know the NEC, and assuming that the installation is Code-compliant and professionally installed in a workmanlike manner, there is little likelihood of a lawsuit developing over their installation.
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Back to School
February 2010
A recent survey by Campus Safety magazine provides some insight into just how much fire alarm system renovation work could be available for you in 2010. According to the survey, more than half of the college and K–12 school fire safety professionals surveyed stated that systems maintenance represents one of their top four fire-protection challenges. More than 48 percent also indicated false alarms present a significant problem.
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Fire Focus: Interfacing Fire Alarm Systems
February 2010
When placing a new fire alarm system in an educational facility, a contractor may feel frustrated by the requirement to interface nonfire systems. The fire alarm system (FAS) must either monitor or control these nonfire systems. In many such situations, the FAS designer will not have thought through the interface for each nonfire system. The designer leaves it to the contractor to figure it out.
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Strobe Code Compliance 101
December 2009
Most contractors install strobe lights to comply with the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code by simply using a combination audible-visible appliance everywhere one or the other is shown on the plans. It should be obvious that if you follow this method of “compliance,” you will either have an incorrect number of audible appliances or an incorrect number of visible appliances. Each of these appliances is governed by distinct rules.
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Where the Fire Things Are
December 2009
Most fire protection designers and authorities having jurisdiction place historic buildings in a special class. When the owner of a historic property asks you, as a professional contractor, to provide a fire alarm system, you will need to preserve the historic fabric while protecting it with an appropriately designed fire system. If providing the design for the system, you will need to clearly define the project’s scope, goals and objectives, just like you would for any property.
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Acceptance Testing
November 2009
Unfortunately, a fire alarm system usually is the last system to be finished and acceptance tested in a newly constructed building. The code more or less requires this, as Section 17.7.1.11.3 of NFPA 72-2010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, states that, “Where detection is not required during construction, [smoke] detectors shall not be installed until after all other construction trades have completed cleanup.” In most cases, detection is not required during construction and then you, as the contractor, cannot acceptance-test the fire alarm system until after all other construction trades have completed cleanup, and you have installed the smoke detectors and finished programming the control panel.
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No Train, No Gain
October 2009
Have you ever seen a poor fire alarm system installation? Perhaps the original installer executed an incompetent design, or an incompetent installer poorly installed a proper design. In either case, the bottom line profitability of the installer will suffer.
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You Hear It First
October 2009
We often think about what the building code requires but not about the building occupants where we install a fire alarm system. In a hotel, for example, a large number of people are in unfamiliar surroundings. This fact should be considered when designing or installing a fire system’s notification appliance layout and also how the system is programmed. The transient population must be notified of a fire alarm condition early, so they have time to evacuate.
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Pardon Me?
September 2009
In order for any emergency communications system (ECS) to communicate information properly, it must reproduce the desired messages in a way that the intended listeners will both hear and understand. In trying to apply the require-ments of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, many designers, installers and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) have struggled with the concept of intelligible voice messages. To develop an understanding of these intelligibility requirements, they must first have a basic understanding of sound and communications principles.
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Maintenance Responsibilities
August 2009
Recently, while witnessing a company performing a periodic test and inspection of a large, old fire alarm system, technicians discovered the system’s trouble light was illuminated. A fire alarm’s trouble light is never insignificant. NFPA 72-2007, the National Fire Alarm Code, requires a fire alarm system to monitor its circuits and power supplies for integrity in order to ensure that, when a fault occurs in the system, the owner—or, in this case the technician witnessing the test—becomes aware as soon as it happens. This will allow the quick initiation of repairs. The use of this monitoring helps to maintain a reliable fire alarm system.
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Opportunity or Trap
July 2009
Contractors often field calls from prospective customers regarding the installation of a fire alarm system. The customer has made the decision to protect his building and wants advice on how best to accomplish this goal. This request meets the classic definition in NFPA 72-2007 of nonrequired: “A fire alarm system component or group of components that is installed at the option of the owner, and is not installed due to a building or fire code requirement.”
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Beyond the NEC
June 2009
Last month, this column introduced the new Emergency Communications Systems (ECS) Chapter 24 that will debut in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72-2010, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. It references another new chapter, Chapter 12, Circuits and Pathways.
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Where's Our Stimulus Package?
June 2009
The US House of Representatives adopted the National Park Act on January 30, 1872; It passed in the Senate on Feb. 27, and President Grant signed it on March 1 of that same year. The national park idea conceived two years earlier became a reality, and the reality developed into a system, which, through the years, has grown to embrace more than 21,011,778 acres of land and water including 25 national parks, 80 national monuments and 45 national historical areas. Many of us have visited these national parks and enjoyed both the facilities and the magnificent vistas.
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NFPA 72 Nears Membership Vote
May 2009
Next month at the NFPA Fire Safety Conference & Expo, the 2010 edition of NFPA 72 will be voted on by the National Fire Protection Association membership. The code is on a typical three-year cycle. Similar to most other codes, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC), you expect some changes, especially to accommodate technical advancements and new technology. However, this edition of NFPA 72 has been changed radically and will require some study before you will feel comfortable installing fire alarm systems under its requirements.
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Going Up ... In Flames
April 2009
When integrating building systems with fire alarm systems, we normally consider the more obvious list of building systems: heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); lighting; fire protection (sprinkler, restaurant hood suppression, etc.); security; access control; other low-voltage; and elevators.
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Installations on the Fly
April 2009
Whether a healthcare occupancy is a full-service hospital, assisted living facility or nursing home, codes and common sense require that the fire alarm system be reliable and operational 24/7 all year long. Contractors are aware that installing a fire alarm system in any healthcare facility during initial construction is relatively straightforward, but requires care and knowledge of the applicable codes. However, when a fire alarm system is replaced in an existing facility, a whole new array of challenges present themselves.
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Change Is in the Air
March 2009
During the 2008 presidential election, we heard a lot about the need for change. Over the last few months, we all experienced change of a different nature, a kind none of us wanted. Our faith in those who ran or are running large financial and industrial institutions has dropped to new lows. As a result of the drastic changes to our economy, many companies are closing their doors or filing for bankruptcy protection. All of this is directly affecting those of us in the construction industry. Things are changing, and those changes generally are not in our favor.
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Campus Fire Alarm System Upgrades
February 2009
President George W Bush signed the Higher Education Opportunity Act on August 14, 2008. This bill contains several important campus-safety components, including the core provisions of the original Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act. The law will require colleges to report fire safety information to the U.S. Department of Education.
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The Visual Inspection
February 2009
The calls vary, but all have a similar theme: “My fire alarm system needs work. Can you help?” Of course, the answer is always yes. But professional contractors know they must make a thorough investigation of the installed system before determining the scope of the work.
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Challenging Times
January 2009
Although the origin of the phrase “May you live in interesting times” is uncertain, the times in which we are living are interesting. They also are challenging for many contractors, especially those who were “too busy” to diversify or learn more about specialty systems, such as fire alarm systems installations.
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Attention to Details
December 2008
Although we have all heard, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” we find that the small stuff really matters as we build our businesses. Part of the issue depends on who defines what constitutes the “small stuff.”
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Pay Attention to the Basics
December 2008
Consider the fable about crying wolf. False alarms have the same effect in reducing the credibility of alarms. Individual experiences with home smoke alarms that keep going off from cooking develops a negative culture of response to real emergencies. This negative
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Retail Therapy
December 2008
A trip to the local mall can be an all-day event, depending on how many family members participate in the shopping spree. And the closer the shopping event is to a holiday, the better the chances are that the mall will be crowded. Designing, installing and maintaining a fire alarm system in retail occupancies, such as a mall, can be a much bigger challenge than simply shopping at one.
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Cheating Economic Difficulties
November 2008
Every day, we encounter both good and bad customer service. If you fly at all, you already know that most airlines have forgotten what the words “customer service” mean. You are met by a surly gate agent who is upset about having to assist you. You board the plane and are greeted by a flight attendant who is disgruntled because the company keeps reducing benefits and salaries. And the news is full of all the ways the airlines are “nickel-and-diming” the passenger.
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Be the Expert
October 2008
As an electrical contractor, you field calls from prospective customers asking for a fire alarm system installation. Interestingly, although you may be knowledgeable in these installations, you may rarely ask the owner about his or her fire protection goals. Never assume that because the owner has decided to have a nonrequired fire alarm system, he or she knows what is needed for protection. Unless an owner is a fire protection engineer, he or she cannot determine what those needs may actually be.
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Inhospitable Fire Alarm Environments
October 2008
Hospitality venues, such as casinos, resorts and gaming facilities, present interesting challenges to contractors that provide life safety and security systems. The owner’s fire protection and security goals for these establishments always include providing a facility in which occupants feel safe and secure. But, those same occupants must remain completely unaware of how management provides that safety and security. Another important owner goal includes providing a false-alarm-free, code-compliant fire detection and alarm system.
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Customer Service
September 2008
Electrical contractors field calls daily in response to their customer’s electrical needs. What separates the good electrical contractors from the great electrical contractors is how they respond to their customers. Whether you believe it or not, you are a problem solver. You may think you respond pretty well when a potential customer asks for a quote for a fire alarm system, but take a minute or two and think about how you process requests. You receive the call. The customer tells you he or she wants a fire alarm system. Do you ask why? Do you assume the system is to meet the minimum requirements of the building code? Do you inquire about the customer’s fire protection goals?
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The Sounds of Crisis
September 2008
For many years, the audibility and intelligibility of fire alarm signals were ignored. Traditionally, a contractor or designer would put one audible/visible appliance above each manual fire alarm box (pull station) and maybe one or two more in the hallway. It seemed the unwritten rule was if you could hear the alarm in the halls of residential or office buildings, you were OK. Anyone familiar with the National Fire Alarm Code knows the requirements are much stricter today than they were 12 or 15 years ago. For contractors who design systems, it is imperative that they understand both the requirements of NFPA 72-2007 and the basics of sound transmission. NFPA 72 allows two modes of signaling: public mode and private mode. The requirements for public mode are specified in Section 7.4.2.1. The code states, “To ensure that audible public mode signals are clearly heard, … they shall have a sound level at least 15 dB above the average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds, whichever is greater, measured 1.5 m (~5 ft) above the floor in the area required to be served by the system using the A-weighted scale (dBA).” NFPA 72-2007, Section 7.4.3.1 states, “To ensure that audible private mode signals are clearly heard, they shall have a sound level at least 10 dB above the average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds, whichever is greater, measured 1.5 m (5 ft) above the floor in the area required to be served by the system using the A-weighted scale (dBA).” The annex of the code provides some background. It states, “Audio levels are commonly measured using units of decibels, or 1⁄10 Bell, abbreviated dB. When measured using a sound level meter, the operator can select either an A-weighted, B-weighted, or C-weighted measurement. … The A-weighted measurement filters the input signal to reduce the measurement sensitivity for frequencies to which the human ear is less sensitive and is relatively flat from 600 Hz to 7000 Hz. This results in a measurement that is weighted to simulate the segment of the audio spectrum that provides the most significant intelligibility components heard by the human ear. The units used for measurement are still dB, but the shorthand for specifying use of the A-weighted filter is typically dBA. The difference between any two sound levels measured on the same scale is always expressed in units of dB, not dBA.” Typically, the only time private mode operation is allowed is in a well-staffed environment, such as a hospital. Public mode signaling is normal for most building designs. However the point must be made that all systems installed in buildings must meet these audibility criteria. How can professional contractors ensure systems they design will be audible? The answer is simply to design and install more audible appliances throughout the enclosed spaces. Audible appliances installed only in corridors will not meet the code requirements, regardless of how many or how loud they might be. Sound transmission losses through solid doors and walls can range from 20 to 30 dB. In addition, 6 dB is lost every time you double the distance from the sound source. Based on this background, each apartment, motel room and enclosed office will require an audible appliance within the space. More audible appliances also will mean additional power requirements for the system. Sleeping rooms have an additional requirement. Section 7.4.4.1 of the code requires that where “audible appliances are installed to provide signals for sleeping areas, they shall have a sound level of at least 15 dB above the average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds or a sound level of at least 75 dBA, whichever is greater, measured at the pillow level in the area required to be served by the system using the A-weighted scale (dBA).” In order to meet this requirement, an audible appliance will need to be placed in each bedroom of an apartment or hotel/motel room. If there is a barrier between the notification appliance and the pillow, the code also requires the sound pressure level be measured at the pillow with the barrier in place. It should be obvious from all the requirements quoted above that the professional contractor also must own and be able to use a sound-level meter. NFPA 72-2007 requires that the meters used comply with ANSI S1.4a, Specifications for Sound Level Meters, Type 2 requirements. The code requires that sound levels throughout protected area be measured and recorded. In order to record the optimum readings, the sound level meter must be set in accordance with ANSI S3.41, American National Standard Audible Evacuation Signal, using the time-weighted characteristic F (FAST). For some contractors, these requirements have already been learned the hard way. When the authority having jurisdiction arrives and asks for the sound pressure levels to be measured, make sure your design will pass. Adding audible notification appliances after the building is complete and the fire alarm system has already been installed will be a costly mistake. Understand these requirements to ensure audibility. MOORE, a licensed fire protection engineer, frequent speaker and an expert in the life safety field, is a co-editor of the current National Fire Alarm Code Handbook. Moore is a principal with Hughes Associates Inc. at the Warwick, R.I., office.
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An Untapped Opportunity
August 2008
There are an estimated 17,500 museums in the United States. Approximately 21 percent are small museums with operating budgets of $150,000 or less, and 9 percent are large museums with operating budgets of $9 million or more. Our country’s most well-known museum complex, the Smithsonian Institution, had a fiscal 2006 appropriation of $516.57 million. The American Association of Museums (AAM) reports that approximately 25 percent of general museums, natural history/anthropology museums, science/technology center museums and more than half of history museums have no security at all. Obviously, the professional contractor has an opportunity to enter this market niche and provide quality security system installations. But for the contractor to make an impact, he must be aware of the codes and standards that make up the “standards of care” for the industry. The proposed Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties—Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship, NFPA 909-2009 edition, will be available soon and provides valuable information and requirements that should be used when marketing to museums. Chapter 8 of the code discusses the security protection plan and requires that a vulnerability assessment be conducted, examines the cultural resource property’s vulnerability to foreseeable crimes; losses through the deliberate actions of third parties, staff members or visitors; breaches in security caused by natural disasters; or from other conditions or physical situations with the potential to cause damage or loss. The code also requires that the vulnerability assessment include an evaluation of the threat of terrorist activity that has the potential to directly or indirectly affect the cultural resource property. And where the vulnerability assessment indicates the need for an electronic premises security system, NFPA 909 requires that the system be designed by a qualified person. NFPA also publishes the Standard for the Installation of Electronic Premises Security Systems, NFPA 731-2006, which NFPA 909 requires to be followed for all installations in museums, libraries and places of worship. NFPA 731-2006 is an installation standard that establishes the “minimum requirements for application, installation, performance, testing and maintenance of physical security systems and components.” The standard is similar in structure to NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm Code. NFPA 731 also requires that “installation of all wiring, cable, and equipment be in accordance with NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code.” Another security document available from NFPA is the Guide for Premises Security (730-2006). It addresses the application of security principles based on occupancies, but because it is a guide, it is “a document that is advisory or informative in nature and contains only non-mandatory provisions.” NFPA 730 uses the application of security principles based on occupancy type to reduce security vulnerabilities to life and property. It is the new national standard of care for premises security for public access facilities, such as museums. It is important for the contractor to understand that not all public access facilities have identical security vulnerabilities, so there is no set of one-size-fits-all security countermeasures. Groups of such facilities do, however, experience many common security issues. Many of these issues, as well as examples of effective mitigation/countermeasure techniques, are provided in NFPA 730 through a “tool-box” approach and provide valuable assistance and guidance to contractors and facility security planners when combined with a proven performance-based risk assessment methodology: the security vulnerability assessment (SVA). Accordingly, the professional contractor should encourage all facilities to conduct an SVA to determine the security countermeasures appropriate for their particular organization and potential threats. NFPA 730 is based on three principles: > Developing a security plan to ensure that security measures and personnel respond in an integrated and effective way to mitigate the effects of an adversarial event in a manner that is appropriate for that particular organization or facility > Implementing effective countermeasures specific to public access facility, “soft target,” occupancy types to measurably reduce security vulnerabilities > Conducting an SVA, the core of any security plan An SVA is a powerful technique for assessing the current status of an organization’s threat exposures, security measures and preparedness. The SVA described in Chapter 5 of NFPA 730-2006 uses a systematic and methodical process to examine an organization’s vulnerabilities, ways an adversary might exploit those vulnerabilities, and aids in the development and implementation of effective countermeasures. The guide discusses other considerations essential for protection of occupants, recognizing that adequate security is more than a matter of installing electronic security equipment. NFPA 730, since it is the national standard of care for premises security, is a significant step toward the implementation of meaningful practices for necessary security features in public access buildings nationwide. Private sector security should be based on a comprehensive asset protection program that includes the protection of an organization’s people, property and information through development and implementation of a comprehensive security plan and the cooperation and support of top management. A security plan should be developed to ensure that security measures and personnel respond in an integrated and effective way to mitigate the effects of an adversarial event in a manner that is appropriate for that particular organization or facility (Chapter 10). The SVA is a systematic risk assessment technique for: > Assessing the current status of an organization’s threat exposures, security features and preparedness > Examining ways an adversary might exploit an organization’s security vulnerabilities > Developing countermeasures to mitigate adversarial events > Strengthening security and life safety layers of protection The seven-step SVA process consists of the following: 1. Formation of a multidisciplined team 2. Organization/facility characterization 3. Threat assessment 4. Threat vulnerability analysis 5. Countermeasure development 6. Assess risk reduction 7. Document findings/track implementation Most museum directors are unaware of any of these documents. Knowing this, a professional contractor could purchase copies of NFPA-909, NFPA 730 and NFPA 731 and present them to local museum officials as part of a sales effort to penetrate this market. At the same time, the contractor can assist with the SVA to determine which electronic systems will enhance the security of the institution. Since so many museums have no security at all, a premises security system will provide the least expensive option to improve that situation. Of course, the challenge for any contractor is to study the codes, standards and the guide so that he will be conversant in the tools available and will know the protection requirements that a museum should follow. Another challenge is to take advantage of the training provided by the various manufacturers of electronic premises security systems and attend trade shows to view the current state-of-the-art technology. There are a number of organizations that have training materials or offer seminars. The educational offerings of the American Society of Industrial Security, ASIS International, can be found on its Web site, www.asisonline.org. And a source directly related to museum educational and other material of interest is the AAM, www.aam-us.org. Professional contractors have an opportunity to enter into an untapped market. With a little homework and extra effort, you can become the museum security system specialist in your market area. MOORE, a licensed fire protection engineer, frequent speaker and an expert in the life safety field, is a co-editor of the current National Fire Alarm Code Handbook. Moore is a principal with Hughes Associates Inc. at the Warwick, R.I., office.
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Know Your Limits
August 2008
Most professional contractors feel confident in their ability to provide design/build services for a building electrical system. They know the right questions to ask of the owner and know from both experience and the knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) how to meet the owner’s goals in a safe and Code-compliant manner. Those same professional contractors often try to design a fire alarm system, but many find the cost of what the owner wanted and what the AHJ demanded exceeds the budget of their original design. This happens for a number of reasons, beginning with the discussion with the owner about his or her fire-protection goals. Most often, the owner does not know what they want other than to ask you to “just meet code,” and then they are unsure of what that even means. You can help the owner focus on their fire-protection goals by leading with this question, “What do you want to have left after the fire?” This question is guaranteed to pique the owner’s interest because they assumed that just meeting code would mean the system installed by you would prevent a total loss of their building. You should understand that there are three codes that must be satisfied in order to just meet code. The building code in force in the jurisdiction will tell you what type of system the occupancy is required to have, and the NEC and National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72-2007) will provide the design application and installation requirements. As stated in section 1.2.3 of NFPA 72-2007, “This Code establishes minimum required levels of performance, extent of redundancy, and quality of installation but does not establish the only methods by which these requirements are to be achieved.” [Emphasis added.] If you design a fire alarm system that meets only the minimum requirements of these codes, you definitely will not meet the owner’s goal of preventing a total loss of their building. That is why it is so important to ask what the owner wants to have left after a fire. Remember, the owner is not a fire protection engineer and is looking to you as the fire alarm expert. So as a designer, you must be careful not to be led down a path by an owner who does not understand the value and the limitations of a fire system. In order to ensure you are that expert, you must know the application of all detection devices and their spacing as allowed or prescribed by the code. Even if the system is not required by a building code, NFPA 72-2007 states in section 6.2.3.1 that “Non-required protected premises systems and components shall meet the requirements of this Code.” In some cases, even before you get started, the owner will ask that you also perform some “value engineering” to lessen the cost (and most likely the protection provided) of the system. It is your job as the designer to understand the meaning of complete coverage and partial coverage, especially when using smoke detectors. NFPA 101-2006, the Life Safety Code, provides guidance in the area of total coverage in stating in section 9.6.2.8 that, “Where a total (complete) coverage smoke detection system is required…, automatic detection of smoke in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, shall be provided in all occupiable areas, common areas, and work spaces in environments that are suitable for proper smoke detector operation.” Anything less than complete coverage would obviously be partial coverage. A designer should be aware of the possibility that a fire could be larger. In a partial-coverage design scenario, detection is most often delayed for any fire remote from the detector locations in the building. Many owners believe that a few smoke detectors in the corridors will detect any fire on a floor. While this may be true eventually, the fire will almost always be large enough to at least burn out the floor before the fire department can successfully suppress it. There are other issues a designer must understand beyond detection, including audibility and visibility of notification appliances. The code has very specific requirements in these areas. Chapter 7 of NFPA 72-2007 specifies the requirements for audibility and visibility but does not provide design guidance to ensure the designer has enough appliances in the appropriate locations to ensure compliance. Contractors are encouraged to research the design tools for the application and placement of notification appliances available from manufacturers. If a contractor is going to provide design/build services for a fire alarm system installation and does not feel confident enough to design the system alone, then they should employ the services of a fire protection engineer or choose an equipment supplier that offers design assistance. In addition to knowing the limitations of a fire alarm system, the professional contractor is well advised to know their own limitations when designing fire alarm systems. MOORE, a licensed fire protection engineer, frequent speaker and an expert in the life safety field, is a co-editor of the current National Fire Alarm Code Handbook. Moore is a principal with Hughes Associates Inc. at the Warwick, R.I., office.
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Special Detection Challenges
August 2008
Professional electrical contractors are asked to design fire alarm systems in many challenging buildings and spaces. Structures and buildings such as wharfs, power plants, aircraft hangars, museums and high-ceiling spaces require fire detection. The challenge is to find the detection devices that will work reliably in the application.
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Friend or Foe
July 2008
Elecrical contractors become very comfortable having someone looking over their shoulder to judge their work. Most of the time, the electrical inspector fills the role of judge. Many electrical inspectors were once licensed electricians. They now work for a jurisdiction and use their experience and National Electrical Code (NEC) knowledge to review and judge your electrical installation for Code compliance.
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Keep It Covered
July 2008
In many states, laws exist that allow the electrical contractor to design fire alarm systems for projects he is selling and installing for a customer. When you decide to perform the fire alarm system design portion of a project, you should be familiar with the detector coverage requirements of the National Fire Alarm Code and the requirements of your locally adopted building and fire codes.
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A Change in the Air
June 2008
As you read the question above, you may think, “How can this make sense? What do you mean ‘a new class of electrician?’ And, as a business owner, why do I care? How does this affect me?” The soon-to-be-released 2008 “Profile of the Electrical Contractor,” performed by Renaissance Research & Consulting Inc. for ELECTRICAL- CONTRACTOR, shows a growing number of contractors working in fire and life safety systems. Traditionally, that number has been low, but it’s not staying that way. Now, more than 67 percent of electrical contractors are actively engaged in security and life safety systems. (See next month’s issue for the actual numbers from the profile.) The future is bristling with change. The quest for clear and relevant information during an emergency has become increasingly prevalent in systems proposals. The national model codes and standards have responded by writing requirements that affect the design, installation, testing, maintenance and use of fire alarm voice communication and mass notification systems. This should materially affect the business plan of every electrical contractor who desires to expand into a lucrative and satisfying portion of the electrical enterprise. So, to properly adjust and respond to this redefining of the electrical business, the new class of electrician must understand the changes in technology. He or she must specifically develop an understanding of the computer-based fire alarm and communications systems. While younger contractors have not materialized to fill vacancies in the tradesman pipeline created by retirements and other causes of attrition within the electrical industry, the proportion with apprenticeship, trade or vocational school training increased from 25 percent to 29 percent. A greater emphasis on vocation-specific education and practical trade skills, and an understanding of codes and standards, have elevated the overall competency of the trade. A professional contractor must understand all the subtleties of changes affecting his or her business. Of course, with the code and technology changes come opportunities. The well-prepared contractor will always lead the competition, but it takes effort, preparation and determination to know, understand and do. As a business owner, what should you look for? What information should you gain to prepare to respond to change within the scope of your business? Some recent changes have either already occurred or reached the proposal stage and will affect both the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72. For example, at the NFPA Standards Council meeting in July 2007, the council established a new technical committee for the 2010 edition of the National Fire Alarm Code. This new technical committee, Emergency Communications Systems (SIG-ECS), will have the primary responsibility for documents on the installation and performance of emergency communications systems (including mass notification systems) and their components. The committee will add a new chapter to the code’s 2010 edition that will contain requirements for the new mass notification systems. Understand these new requirements to begin installing these systems. Another example: The 2008 NEC has a new Article 708 titled “Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS).” The article’s provisions apply to the installation, operation, monitoring, control and maintenance of the portions of the premises wiring system intended to supply, distribute and control electricity to designated critical operations areas (DCOA) in the event of disruption to elements of the normal system. The Code defines COPS as power systems for facilities or parts of facilities that require continuous operation for the reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security or business continuity. Critical operations power systems include those systems so classified by municipal, state, federal or other codes by any governmental agency having jurisdiction or by facility engineering documentation establishing the necessity for such a system. These systems may include but not be limited to power systems, HVAC, fire alarm, security, communications and signaling for designated critical operations areas. Of course, this classification may include mass notification systems as one of these critical systems and under certain circumstances will need a COPS. Contractors who perform fire and life safety system installations must remind themselves that if these systems do not pass the commissioning and acceptance tests, this failure will delay the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The new class of electrician will need to understand and address these issues. He or she must be familiar with how applicable code requirements for these new systems will influence the design, installation, testing, maintenance and use. They will need more complete and constant training to ensure these important systems are installed properly and are code compliant. Each electrical business owner must ask himself or herself, “What will I do to prepare for these dynamic changes to the scope of my business?” MOORE, a licensed fire protection engineer, frequent speaker and an expert in the life safety field, is a co-editor of the current National Fire Alarm Code Handbook. Moore is a principal with Hughes Associates Inc. at the Warwick, R.I., office.
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Decoding Spacing and Use
June 2008
Heat detectors are used for property protection and for efficiently protecting small and medium-sized spaces. Typically, designers place heat detection in spaces where the environment is not acceptable for smoke detection. Additionally, heat detectors are used in fire-rated enclosures where the enclosure will contain the fire for a sufficient period to allow for emergency responders to arrive while the fire is still relatively small.
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Know the Differences
June 2008
As most contractors know, installing fire alarm systems is a code-driven business. One would think the requirements for fire alarm system installations are the same for all commercial and government buildings. While that may be the case for some government buildings, it certainly is not universal. With federal office buildings or courthouses, for example, knowing the General Services Administration’s (GSA) requirements is necessary if you don’t want to lose money on the project.
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As Safe as You Want to Be
May 2008
The National Fire Alarm Code does not require anyone to install a fire alarm system. That statement sometimes surprises contractors who have been told by a fire official to install a fire alarm system in accordance with NFPA 72. In fact, the requirement for a fire alarm system in a new building comes from the building code in force in the jurisdiction. Generally, an engineer has designed the system based on the building code, and once the system has been mandated, you must install it in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Alarm Code.
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Growing Your Fire Alarm Systems Business
May 2008
Sometimes we get so caught up in running an electrical business and trying to make ends meet that we forget the importance of planning. It is important to take the time to evaluate your business and decide which areas need improvement and where new business can be developed.
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Planning for Safety
April 2008
Any contractor who has worked in healthcare environments knows the systems installation—whether electrical, fire alarm or security—poses many unique challenges. As an electrical contractor, you deal with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) on a fairly regular basis. You may have learned of the recently adopted NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security and NFPA 731, Standard for the Installation of Electronic Premises Security Systems. But do you know about NFPA 99, Standard for Healthcare Facilities?
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Smell the Roses
March 2008
We appear to be entering a slow construction period. Those of us in the field have experienced these slow periods before, and we know that professional electrical contractors who plan for these slowdowns prosper through them.
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Understanding Power Requirements
March 2008
Many electrical contractors (ECs) run the primary power to fire alarm control units without giving the installation much thought. After all, they have done this type of installation numerous times, and most could perform the operation blindfolded. The National Fire Alarm Code does, however, have specific requirements that must be followed in addition to the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
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Going the Extra Mile
February 2008
Many of us have had unpleasant experiences while flying, especially during the winter. It takes only a little snow at a major airport to disrupt the whole system.
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Performance and Integrity
February 2008
Often when you are installing fire alarm systems, you are asked what style or class of circuitry you plan to use. The circuit designations may be required in a local or state code or may be specified by the designer of the fire alarm system. Generally, there is a requirement for specific circuit types to help ensure system reliability.
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Study the Requirements
February 2008
The National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72, Section 10.4.1.1 requires trained technicians to perform an acceptance test on all new fire alarm systems. Specifically, the section states, “All new systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 10. The authority having jurisdiction shall be notified prior to the initial acceptance test.”
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Assuming Responsibility
January 2008
I was at a Cracker Barrel, one of my favorite restaurants for breakfast, when the two gentlemen at the next table were approached by their waitress who informed them that she had made a mistake. When she went to check on the status of their order, she discovered she had neglected to put the order in the computer. She apologized profusely and gave the gentlemen a plate of biscuits to eat while they waited. Then she came to my table to take my order, and I’m thinking, “Great, I get the one with the bad memory!” I placed my order, and was pleasantly surprised when my breakfast arrived quickly. The men at the next table were served right after me by the manager, who apologized for the delay and said that both meals were compliments of the restaurant. He told the gentlemen that Cracker Barrel prides itself on fast and efficient service, and he hoped they would come back. Of course, they probably will.
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Not Just a Guideline
January 2008
Most electrical contractors (ECs) ensure that they know the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC), and when they make a Code-related installation mistake, they expect the electrical inspector to advise them to correct it. That may not be the best way to install electrical systems, but it tends to be what some would call a “real-world” situation. Ideally, one would expect all areas of a professional contractor’s electrical installation to be Code-compliant. However, the NEC is more than just a list of rules for ECs to follow. It ensures all electrical systems are installed and operate safely. Therefore, a contractor should know the required codes in all installations and should not use the inspector to create a punch list of needed corrections.
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Big Box Stores
December 2007
Retail stores present many challenges for the notification of shoppers and employees when a fire alarm system actuates. One obvious challenge is the high ambient noise levels that the audible notification appli-ances must overcome. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and NFPA 72-2007 for the placement of strobes is another.
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Developing 'World Class' Fire Alarm Technicians
December 2007
Almost every owner or manager of a contracting firm brings up the challenging problem of finding and keeping qualified technicians. Some of the old-timers complain they can’t seem to figure out what motivates the younger technicians entering today’s marketplace.
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Take out a Contract
December 2007
Running a successful contracting business is a time-consuming job. You spend time marketing and selling your company to clients and then spend time operating the company, hopefully at a profit. Those of you who install fire alarm systems often treat them like other electrical projects. Once the projects are completed, you thank the client and wait for a call about the next project. However, those of you who provide service contracts on your electrical work know that servicing what you have installed can be very lucrative.
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Get It Done Right
November 2007
In this age of e-mails, cell phones and text messages, every contracting project seems to take on an urgency. The mantra everyone seems to voice is, “Get it done now!” Along with this comes the inherent problem of finishing projects, while maintaining the attitude that the installation must follow proper procedures and proper work practices.
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Above the Noise
October 2007
Bells jingling, people talking, glasses clinking, ratchets rattling as people pull levers, the whirl of the roulette wheel and the shouts of encouragement as the dice roll.
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Moving Beyond the Comfort Factor
October 2007
As electrical contractors grow, they usually specialize in a niche that involves installing electrical systems in a certain type of occupancy—residential homes; large, newly constructed industrial plants; or small, commercial retrofit projects. These niches create a certain comfort factor for the contractor. What that really means is once the EC has developed a comfort factor with certain types of electrical installations, it tends to bid and do more of the same type of work. With this comfort factor comes a developing proficiency for the particular installation, which leads to greater efficiencies and, hopefully, higher profits.
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Timing Is Everything!
October 2007
During a recent NFPA fire alarm systems seminar, a gentleman introduced himself and his two technicians. They had traveled quite a distance. Knowing NFPA planned a future seminar in his state, I asked why he did not wait to attend the closer seminar.
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Whole-Building Automation: Opportunity or Not?
October 2007
Electrical contractors constantly search for a way to set themselves apart from the competition. Some contractors excel in the installation of complex fire alarm and security systems. Others specialize in the systems controls. Regardless of the area in which you choose to expand your capabilities, change always will serve as the one constant in the electrical business.
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How Far Apart?
September 2007
This month, we address smoke detector spacing, which is found in NFPA 72-2007 or the National Fire Alarm Code. It is important that your technicians know the spacing requirements for these devices, so they can discover problems on the drawings and prevent mistakes during the installation. The code provides a list of factors to be considered for smoke detector placement in section:
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Training Days
August 2007
Most of my readers know I encourage training, and some have stated I would like to augment it with something technicians can read and review in an after-work-hours venue. I will attempt to provide these training vignettes over the next few issues on specific items of interest to those installing fire alarm systems. In this issue, I pose the question, “Where do fire alarm detection device spacing requirements come from?” If you answered “NFPA 72” or the National Fire Alarm Code, you would be correct. But the real question is do your technicians understand the basic requirements of NFPA 72-2007 when they are installing these devices? It is important that your technicians know the spacing requirements for these devices, so they can discover problems on the drawings and prevent mistakes during the installation.
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Consistency Builds Profit
July 2007
Over the last few weeks of traveling, I have spoken with colleagues at meetings in various states. I realized that every time we had a choice of where to eat breakfast or lunch, we would universally choose a Cracker Barrel restaurant. We never hesitated in this choice. Why? Two reasons: consistently good food and consistently good service.
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Code Change Brings Twist to Military Facility Fire Alarms
June 2007
If you have not purchased and read the 2007 edition of the National Fire Alarm Code, it is possible your next fire alarm system installation in a military or government facility will hold a surprise.
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Become a Problem Solver
June 2007
Those of you tasked with selling fire detection and security systems for your company (and we are all in sales in one form or another) look for ways to set your company apart from the competition; most companies try to promote their strengths and benefits to an owner. For example, “We use only the best equipment” or “We are authorized dealers” or “We are factory trained.”
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Increase Your Market Share
June 2007
Sell the product: your company
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Impact of UL 864—Ninth Addition
May 2007
New UL standard outdates FACUs many consider current Most contractors know the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). They see the stamp, label or tag on just about everything electrical. UL operates as an independent, not-for-profit, product-safety testing and certification organization. It has tested products for public safety for more than a century.
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Planning an Upgrade
April 2007
Fit the ‘personality’ of the facility: Retrofitting a fire alarm system in a healthcare facility requires careful installation planning and understanding the facility’s nature; the primary code for a healthcare facility is National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101-2006, Life Safety Code. Additionally, the facility must address all of the issues reviewed by and the requirements imposed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
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Protect Your Bottom Line
April 2007
Keeping up with national fire alarm code and technology changes: The primary code for any electrician is the National Electrical Code (NEC), and information about it appears regularly in this magazine to help ensure you are kept up-to-date with all the changes and understand the impact on your everyday business.
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Understanding Impairments
March 2007
The contractor’s responsibilities:
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Beyond Fire Drills
February 2007
What you need to know about school fire protection systems: We don’t often read about fires in our K–12 schools, but as recently as two years ago in a Massachusetts city, a fire occurred in a middle school; reportedly, the firefighters were already responding to the 5:22 am municipal master box alarm when a passerby called 911 to report the fire. The four-story, wood and brick building had a pitched roof covered with slate tiles. It also had a complete smoke and heat detection system connected to the municipal fire alarm system. Even though the building did not have sprinklers, fire officials considered it a save. (For more information on municipal fire alarm systems, see National Fire Protection Association’s National Fire Alarm Code, 72-2007, Chapter 9.)
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Mechanical Protection vs. Survivability
February 2007
Know the terms before you bid: There seems to be a confusion among contractors regarding the term “survivability” as it relates to fire alarm system circuits; some use it to discuss the circuit’s inclusion in a metal raceway and assume that installing wire in a metal raceway adds to its fire rating. That is not true. Survivability is defined using the performance requirements of Section 6.10.9.4.1 of NFPA 72-2007, which states, “Fire alarm systems used for partial evacuation and relocation shall be designed and installed such that attack by fire within an evacuation signaling zone shall not impair control and operation of the notification appliances outside the evacuation signaling zone.” So survivability really refers to the floor above the fire floor’s capability to operate for some time in a fire. The NFPA 72-2007 Protected Premises Technical Committee has determined that time to be two hours.
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On Watch
February 2007
Watching over fire protection systems: Many electrical contractors get frustrated because the fire alarm system they are responsible for installing is also interfaced with many other fire protection-related systems in the building; every fire protection system must be connected to the building’s fire alarm system. As with the fire alarm system, other fire protection systems must be ready when they are needed. By electrically supervising the operational status of the other systems, the owner can be assured it will be there when he or she needs them to operate. In the everyday world of an electrical contractor, he or she gets service calls from customers. If a light does not work or a fan does not operate, the owner can wait until it is repaired; rarely are these problems life threatening. However, the loss of reliable operation of an automatic sprinkler system due to a closed valve or some other water-related issue, such as freezing, can be catastrophic.
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Frustrating Fire Alarms
January 2007
What to do with those pesky smoke detectors: On every job, you are required to wire or install a device that is provided by others; most of the time, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor will be required to supply the duct smoke detectors and install the detectors in the ducts. What never seems to be coordinated is the required compatibility of the duct smoke detector with the fire alarm equipment supplied by the electrical contractor. In many cases, the duct device’s voltage is 120V AC while the fire alarm system is 24V DC.
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The Challenge of Communicating the Alarm
December 2006
Stores and public venues need special communications: The professional contractor often greets the landing of a large project, such as a shopping mall, with enthusiasm; these projects offer both financial benefits to the firm and a long-term project for the contractor’s labor force. But, like any large project, it will only show a profit through careful planning and execution of the work required. The fire alarm system makes up a small percentage of the contractor’s overall work. However, failure to install the system properly could delay a certificate of occupancy.
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Think Ahead
November 2006
Commissioning fire detection and alarm systems
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Avoid Acceptance Test Failures
October 2006
Understand related systems and learn important cues
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Exploring Security Opportunities in the Lodging Industry
October 2006
EVERY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR has at one time or another thought about ways to expand his or her business. Sometimes the day-to-day drill of operating a business keeps an electrical contractor from differentiating itself from the competition. One way to start is to investigate developing a security division.
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Priority Shift
October 2006
Ten success tips for the professional contractor
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Fire Safety Functions
September 2006
Elevator connection requirements
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Measuring Competence
August 2006
As defined and discussed in the web-based Wikipedia “competence is a standardized requirement for an individual to properly perform a specific job. It encompasses a combination of knowledge, skills and behavior utilized to improve performance. More generally, competence is the state or quality of being adequately or well-qualified, having the ability to perform a specific role.” So, how do we measure competence in our rapidly changing technology environment? According to Wikipedia: “A person possesses a competence as long as the skills, abilities, and knowledge that constitute that competence are a part of him, enabling the person to perform effective action within a certain workplace environment. Therefore, one might not lose knowledge, a skill or an ability, but still lose a competence if what is needed to do a job well changes.”
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Test Mechanics
July 2006
Having the right tools makes any job easier. As any electrician entering the field learns, he or she must have the right tools to perform electrical work efficiently. This same rule applies to installing a fire alarm system. With the advent of computer-based fire alarm systems, the types of tools change. In addition, a contractor must use different test methods to ensure that he or she has installed the fire alarm system correctly.
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Pitfalls to Avoid
June 2006
In most fire alarm system installations, electrical contractors simply follow the specifications and drawings developed by an engineer. Many professional contractors, however, have developed an alarm division where they employ sales staff and system designers to seek out and meet the fire alarm system needs of prospective clients. In either case, knowledge of the applicable codes is important. But, knowing how to apply the detection devices available is equally important. The most common detection device in fire alarm systems is the smoke detector. Of course, if you have been installing fire alarm systems for any period of time, you also know that smoke detectors can be the cause of unnecessary alarms and numerous (and costly) callbacks to an installation.
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Seeing (and Hearing) Is Believing
May 2006
Over the last few years, there has been confusion over which laws or codes apply to the audible and visible notification appliances. The confusion has been so great that there are some fire officials who believe it is their duty to enforce the requirements of a law that does not grant them the authority.
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The Contractor’s Responsibility
April 2006
Contractors who have developed their fire alarm system maintenance and testing business and specialize in the retrofit markets have already seen the financial benefits associated with these specialized businesses. However, these contractors may not be familiar with the requirements in NFPA 72-2002 regarding system impairments. Whether you are servicing an existing fire alarm system or installing a replacement system, you are inevitably “impairing” the operation of the system. NFPA 72-2002 provides the minimum requirements for a fire alarm system impairment program. Adequate measures must be taken during the impairment to ensure that increased fire and life safety risks are minimized and the duration of the impairment is limited to the actual time necessary to repair the system.
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Out with the Old
March 2006
“We can’t occupy our building?” This is not a question that an experienced electrician wants to hear. But, I am sure many of you have heard that question directly or worked for a project manager who has. All too often I have seen a highly competent electrical team plan its electrical installation in clear and concise detail but perform the fire alarm system installation the “old” way. It is not until things start going haywire that team members realize the old way of doing things just won’t work in today’s technology advanced industry.
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But They Changed Inspectors!
February 2006
I enjoy working in the field. Providing construction oversight services for our clients gives me the opportunity to see the results of our designs and evaluate whether the contractors clearly understood our specifications. At other times, I assist the owner as a liaison between the contractors and the code-enforcement officials during the final approval stages of a project. During one of the projects where I acted as a liaison, I had the opportunity to work with a relatively large electrical contractor. This large project required the electrical contractor to provide a project supervisor and two project foremen, as well as a “special” foreman for the fire alarm system installation.
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The 'New World' Challenge
February 2006
Sept. 11, 2001, changed our lives forever. Since then, we have experienced additional security measures in all areas of our lives. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, “Private-sector preparedness is not a luxury; it is a cost of doing business in the post-9/11 world. It is ignored at a tremendous potential cost in lives, money and national security.” To respond to this new world challenge, we must strengthen an organization’s security layers of protection by combining the best of modern security techniques with proven life safety practices. One obvious response to this challenge: we find more closed-circuit cameras in buildings, more security at airports and more interest by the media on what still needs to be done.
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‘I Always Do Class A Work!’
January 2006
“I always do class A work!” That was the answer I got when I asked the fire alarm system contractor whether or not he had wired the system in a Class A fashion. Although he was attempting to mechanically install the system in a quality—or using his term, “Class A”—fashion, the answer didn’t specifically ensure that it was done that way, making his response the wrong answer. It reminded me that many in our profession tend to trade off a high level of quality by accepting that something is “good enough” if it allows a faster (read cheaper) installation. What some have forgotten is that quality plays an important part in the reliability or mission effectiveness of the installed fire alarm system.
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‘I Just Want to Meet Code!’
December 2005
Many professional contractors called to provide a fire alarm system in either a new or existing building have heard the owner exclaim, “I just want to meet code!” Most building owners (especially those not knowledgeable in the code process) have made the assumption that if they instruct you to “just meet code,” they will not pay a lot of money for their fire alarm system. Rather than assume the owner has a strong background in building and fire codes, look at this constraint imposed by the owner as an opportunity to differentiate their company from the competition. You should understand that the majority of the owners who make this statement have no clue what the statement means.
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Plan of Action
November 2005
In the chaos of finishing a large electrical project on time, it can be difficult to focus on commissioning the fire alarm system. This helps ensure the reliability of the system “after installation by identifying problems and providing a baseline of values for comparison with subsequent tests,” according to the Department of the Army Technical Manual.
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Certification Programs and Your Career
October 2005
The U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts a 23 percent increase in new job opportunities for electricians by 2012. Assuming you have the skill level of an apprentice, journeyman or master electrician and you desire to work at keeping your competency at an acceptable standard, you should not have to worry about job placement over the next seven years. Reportedly, fewer workers have chosen apprenticeship programs for electricians, which could eventually cause a spike in the demand for experienced electricians. This will be important, given the increasing emphasis on the electrician skill set required for installing new technology fire alarm systems as well as other innovative technology networks.
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Getting Attention
September 2005
Professional contractors normally develop their marketing expertise with their technical expertise. Typically, a contractor’s marketing experience comes from observation of successful marketing techniques. This works well for the contractor’s base market of electrical contracting, but what about growing other niche markets like fire alarm system installations? What can you use to sell your expertise in this growing field?
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More Than It Used to Be
August 2005
The Technical Committees that oversee the development of the National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72-2006, have started the cycle for processing proposed changes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has published its “Report on Proposals.” This document contains approximately 650 proposals that relate to suggested changes to the next edition of the code. If you design or install fire alarm systems, you will want to review the proposed changes the Technical Committees (TCs) have initially accepted. Keep in mind that the changes have not yet reached their final form and may be altered as the committees process any public comments they receive regarding the proposals. Once the committees process those public comments, the revision process will present the new version of the code for voting by the NFPA membership at the June 2006 NFPA World Fire Safety Congress in Orlando, Fla.
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Combining Forces
July 2005
When did your company last integrate a fire alarm system with another building-control or security system? Most electrical contractors would find it hard to answer that question. In fact, most would likely answer, “Never!” In the past, the fire alarm system industry has resisted integration with other protection or building-management systems. This resistance occurred because the fire alarm systems industry had regulation by codes and standards while the other systems did not have such constraints. Typically, a fire alarm manufacturer submits a fire alarm control unit to a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or FM Approvals for testing and to obtain a listing. The fire officials look for that listing as proof that the fire alarm control unit met minimum standards for use in a fire alarm system.
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High-Rise Fire Alarm Systems
June 2005
Delayed notification is a major factor of fire-related deaths in the United States. In most cases, the building occupants did not hear the audible alarms in the building or failed to understand the voice message instructions proved by the fire alarm voice communication system. Many contractors already understand the audibility requirements of the National Fire Alarm Code. Contractors may have experienced a delayed opening of a building they worked on due to a deficiency in the fire alarm system audibility measurements. The code states in the Annex that “notification appliances be sufficient in quantity, audibility, intelligibility, and visibility so as to reliably convey the intended information to the intended building occupants in a fire emergency.”
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Avoiding the Pitfalls
May 2005
According to the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), “Design--Build is a process that has been embraced by the world's great civilizations. In ancient Mesopotamia, the Code of Hammurabi (1,800 BC) fixed absolute accountability upon master builders for both design and construction. In the succeeding millennia, cathedrals and cable-stayed bridges, cloisters and corporate headquarters have been conceived and constructed using the paradigm of design-build.” The architect-engineer (A & E) team is the most common design structure today. The pair, working for an owner, develops the design and specifications for systems in a building. The electrical contractor then assumes only the installation liability based on the A & E team's design.
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Fire Stopping: What Every Contractor Needs to Know
May 2005
For approximately 40 years, unprotected or improperly protected penetrations have presented a subject of much concern to the fire-protection community. In 1996, an electrical fire occurred at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The arriving firefighters discovered several fires had broken out in five remote locations, filling many different areas of the building with smoke.
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Safety in the Workplace-Fire Resistant Clothing
May 2005
Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and myriad other potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury. Controlling a hazard at its source offers the best way to protect employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions, OSHA recommends the use of engineering or work practice controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent possible. For example, building a barrier between the hazard and the employees would represent an engineering control; changing the way in which employees perform their work would provide a work practice control.
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Avoiding the Pitfalls
April 2005
According to the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) “Design-Build is a process that has been embraced by the world's great civilizations. In ancient Mesopotamia, the Code of Hammurabi (1,800 BC) fixed absolute accountability upon master builders for both design and construction. In the succeeding millennia, cathedrals and cable-stayed bridges, cloisters and corporate headquarters have been conceived and constructed using the paradigm of design-build.” The most common design trend today is to have an architect-engineer (A & E) design team, who is working for the owner, develop both the design and specifications of the various systems to be installed in a building. The electrical contractor then assumes only the installation liability based on the design of the A & E team.
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Understanding NFPA 72
March 2005
NFPA's signaling standards date back to 1898. The 1993 edition of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code was a consolidation of all of the fire alarm system-related installation standards published previously as separate documents. NFPA 72 covers the application, installation, location, performance and maintenance of fire alarm systems and their components. A common misconception is that NFPA 72 requires a fire alarm system to be installed in all buildings. The requirement for a fire alarm system rests with the building codes. The purpose of the code is to “define the means of signal initiation, transmission, notification, and annunciation; the levels of performance; and the reliability of the various types of fire alarm systems.” It also defines the features associated with these systems and provides information necessary to modify or upgrade an existing system to meet the requirements of a particular system classification.
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Cables Are Not Created Equal
February 2005
Fire case histories make an argument for requiring survivability of all fire alarm system circuits. A fire occurred in the London Apartments for the elderly in Delaware, Ohio, on March 12, 1994. Manual fire alarm boxes and corridor smoke detectors were connected to the building’s fire alarm system. The wiring for the fire alarm system was installed in a surface-mounted metal raceway. The fire reportedly started in a sofa in a common area and spread to adjacent furniture. Investigators believed that smoking materials were the most likely ignition source.
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Developing a Specialty Field
January 2005
Any electrical contractors are experiencing a steady flow of work in their core business in electrical work. If you are one of those have continued to bid and install fire alarm systems as an “add-on” to your core work, you might want to give some thought to expanding the specialty work of fire alarm installations while the level of your core work is high. The key to developing a specialty field is either immersing yourself in all of its aspects so you can understand all facets of the new venture or hire trained and experienced people in the field and manage them as you manage your core business.
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Fire Foresight: Tragedy Equals Lessons Learned
December 2004
It took just minutes for the 2003 nightmare at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., to reach its climax. The blaze was Rhode Island's most devastating fire in decades and the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. Even after the smoke cleared, emergency medical teams and ambulance sirens kept wailing throughout that February night. In the end, 100 perished, while 200 others suffered fire-related injuries, some catastrophic.
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Protecting Financial Centers
December 2004
In August 2004, Northeast financial sectors were alerted to possible terrorist activities focused on five specific buildings and areas: the International Monetary Fund and World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C.; the New York Stock Exchange and Citigroup Center in New York; and the Prudential Financial building in Newark, N.J. According to a Washington Post story, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said the information pointed to intelligence that al Qaeda had been casing those buildings, and perhaps others, well before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center. Authorities said they did not know when the operatives planned to carry out the bombings, but the surveillance identified “the location of security desks and cameras in the buildings; traffic and pedestrian patterns surrounding them; employee and vehicle routines; the locations of nearby fire departments, police stations, libraries and schools; and what kinds of explosives would do the most damage to the structures.”
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Fire Alarm Systems and Elevator Recall
November 2004
In every building taller than two stories-and in some two-story buildings as well-regulations will require you to provide elevator recall as part of the building's fire alarm system installation. Numerous codes interrelate to ensure that the recall functions as ultimately required by the ASME/ANSI A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. Building codes, elevator codes and fire alarm codes and standards all play a part to require recall and how the recall function should operate.
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Hotels and Casinos: A Challenging Combination
October 2004
Interesting occupancies for fire detection
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A Roller Coaster of Code Requirements
August 2004
Regulations for public places and amusement parks
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Double Duty
July 2004
Using fire alarm systems for special applications
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Managing a Fire Alarm Installation
June 2004
A little planning can go a long way
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The Good Side of Government Intervention
June 2004
A brief history of how fire alarm codes came about
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Where the Jobs Are
June 2004
New opportunities for ECs continue to emerge in the government market
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Detecting a Trend in the Residential Market
May 2004
More homeowners want CO detectors installed
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Analog Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
April 2004
Is high-tech better?
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Profitable Installations
March 2004
Estimation, training and planning put you in the black
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Avoiding False Alarms
February 2004
Many electrical contractors will attest to the fact that fire alarm systems offer a nice addition to their primary electrical business. Most can also tell a horror story or two about the number of costly and unpaid service calls due to false alarms from fire alarm systems. Some contractors even decide the false alarm issue provides a significant enough reason to keep them from accepting a fire alarm system installation. Others may complain that they lost a longtime customer due their inability to repair a faulty alarm.
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Extra Credit
January 2004
Owners often contact contractors to install fire alarm systems in existing buildings. And, just as often, the Code does not require these installations. Rather, the building owner simply wants a fire alarm system installed for his or her own peace of mind. The owner usually wants the system because of his or her desire to meet building or life safety protection goals.
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Beyond the Basics
December 2003
When considering the various financial institutions we personally deal with each day, such as banks and investment corporations, we immediately think of how much security is involved to protect the financial assets held in, or controlled by the institution. We rarely think about fire protection because the assumption is the building will be protected by a complete automatic fire sprinkler system and the “required” fire alarm system.
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High-Rise Requirements
November 2003
Tall buildings require different systems than “standard” buildings. This is true for fire alarm systems as well as electrical systems. So what defines a “tall” building? The International Building Code (IBC 2000) and the Building Construction and Safety Code, NFPA 5000TM-2002, define high-rise buildings as buildings 75 feet or greater in height measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupiable story.
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Shopping for Retail Fire Systems
October 2003
Retail stores or “mercantile” properties, as defined by the various building codes, include everything from small mom-and-pop stores in free-standing buildings to multiple stores in a strip mall, from large, enclosed malls to big-box stores selling books, hardware or whatever. Each of these facilities presents different fire alarm system challenges.
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Extreme Installations
September 2003
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Cities Unto Themselves
August 2003
Hospitality and gaming facilities, with their large crowds often sharing one property, need quick and reliable fire detection systems with the ability to pinpoint the area in alarm to allow selective and orderly evacuation.
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Fire Alarm Follow-Through
August 2003
Because a fire alarm system installation falls in Division 16 of the project specifications for new buildings, the electrical contractor normally will purchase the equipment and install the system. He or she may have a specialty crew to do this work or just assign whoever is available to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and shop drawings. Typically, after the system is installed and has been accepted by the fire authorities, the contractor moves on to the next project.
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Retrofitting Fire Alarm Systems
July 2003
Anyone planning to retrofit anything electrical in a building faces a difficult task at best. Only a true craftsman can successfully install something as a retrofit that looks like the original installation had included it. When retrofitting a fire alarm system, additional challenges can present themselves.
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Don’t Be Intimidated by Government Contracting
June 2003
Many designers, installers and building management personnel view working with the federal government as appealing as getting an electric shock. Many believe that the Federal Government uses its own code and those individuals trying to design, install or manage any type of system or building within federal jurisdiction will entail too much code review, change orders and red tape to make the project worthwhile.
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Planning a Fire Alarm System Installation
June 2003
Developing a ‘specialty’ crew is important
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Opportunities and Challeges Continue to Grow in the Fire/Life Safety Systems Market
May 2003
The estimated installed market value of fire alarm systems in commercial facilities is valued at nearly $3.3 billion. It is estimated that systems installers account for more than half of this market value (55 percent). This information is based in part on the “U.S. Fire Alarm Systems Market Analysis—2002-05” released by FIREPRO® Inc. and Sandra Jones & Company.
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Safe at Home?
May 2003
Residential opportunities abound for ECs
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ADA and Its Impact
April 2003
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Do Your Systems Have Class and Style?
March 2003
In the day-to-day challenges of electrical contracting, when a specific wiring question arises, the wiring methods you use depend on what you have learned in the trade along with an occasional dose of the National Electrical Code. Most of you know that when it comes time to install a fire-alarm system, you should refer to NEC Article 760 to determine what wiring methods are needed.
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Installing Fire-Alarm Systems, Part II
February 2003
Last month, in part one of this article, we said the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the “National Fire Alarm Code” from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) were two of the most important resources needed to properly install a fire-alarm system. And you discovered a major difference between fire-alarm systems and basic electrical systems was a codes-and-standards process that regulates the fire-alarm system installation and application over and above NEC requirements.
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Installing Fire Alarm Systems - Part I: A Quick Guide To Getting Started In The Business
January 2003
Many electrical contractors have attempted to install commercial fire alarm systems and because they were not properly prepared, they did not enjoy the experience. What steps do you take to properly install such a system? How can you ensure that the system you install today will work in the future when a fire occurs?
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Resisting Change
August 2002
Since the 1980s, the National Fire Protection Association’s fire alarm standards have required the notification appliance (speaker) circuits used in high-rise building Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications systems to “survive” during a fire. While the standards did not explicitly define the term “survivability,” methods to meet performance requirements for survivability first appeared in NFPA 72F-1985, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications.