To meet the building code, when must a fire alarm system be “listed?”

All of the building, life safety and fire prevention codes reference NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, when a fire alarm system is required in a specific occupancy. NFPA 72-2022, Section 10.3.1, Equipment, states: “10.3.1* Equipment constructed and installed in conformity with this Code shall be listed for the purpose for which it is used.”

Additionally, from Annex A, Section A.10.3.1, terms used by testing laboratories for equipment that is listed or labeled could include certified, approved or listed. In seismic hazard zones, the fire alarm designer should verify seismic certification requirements for control equipment with the AHJ.

For designing and bidding fire alarm systems from the building plans, what are ‘the placement of device’ requirements?

When other codes require a fire alarm system, NFPA 72 tells us how to install it. Chapter 17, for example, deals with the location of initiating devices, and Chapter 18 describes the location and orientation of notification appliances. The “requirements” when bidding a fire alarm system from the design drawings is to bid it as designed. Otherwise, you will be one of the contractors that will not be the successful bidder. Having said that, if you realize that there are design errors in the drawings, you should include alternates in the bids to correct the design deficiency to both protect yourself and to show the owner that you have a good knowledge of the codes and standards. The alternates should always reference the code requirement so that the owner does not feel you are trying to “gild the lily.”

I am an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and see a lot of installation problems that are viewed by other contractors or inspectors during the installation, but are not found, noticed or corrected until acceptance and testing time (crunch time). How can this be improved upon?

It is only through education that we can raise the bar on the quality of installed systems. As designers, installers and AHJs, we have a responsibility to seek additional knowledge in the field of our endeavors and share the knowledge we have gained with others. There are many options to help raise the professionalism and, therefore the competency, of installers and inspectors. Some examples are to require licensing, to require certification of technicians, or to require a third-party review of the system by either a UL-listed company or a fire protection engineer before the AHJ is called for the acceptance test.

There are, admittedly, several challenges facing the fire alarm industry. The equipment today is more complex and takes a more sophisticated installer to ensure it is working properly. AHJs often are overwhelmed by the complexity of the systems and do not know how to properly inspect them. The contractors installing the systems often wait until the end of the project before they realize the building won’t open until the fire alarm system is accepted. AHJs accept calls from general contractors who indicate they “are ready” for the acceptance test, but all they are really doing is trying to pressure the fire alarm system contractor into finishing the installation. (AHJs should always require that the call for the acceptance test come from the installing contractor, not the general contractor).

With all these challenges, it becomes even more important for AHJs and installers to understand the code requirements, ensure that a system narrative or matrix of operation is submitted before the final test and to require a complete commissioning of the fire alarm system and all its components and interfaced fire safety systems (elevator recall, etc.) in accordance with the narrative or matrix of operation.

Should smoke detectors be required in hazardous buildings?

The requirements for hazardous locations are found in the applicable building and fire codes and vary considerably depending on the nature of the hazard. Whether or not a smoke detector is appropriate will depend on the fire safety goals of the owner and the ability of the smoke detector to operate in the hazardous environment. Depending on the hazard, a smoke detector may not be appropriate unless combined with some form of suppression system.

Can the alarm verification feature be activated in a fire alarm control unit for duct smoke detectors?

There is nothing in the code that would preclude utilizing an alarm verification feature in a duct smoke detector application; however, it might not be a good idea for several reasons. Alarm verification is a useful feature to prevent nuisance alarms in detectors that are subject to transient particles of combustion (smoke) such as someone deliberately blowing cigarette smoke at a detector, or dust being introduced during a periodic cleaning operation. Nuisance alarms in duct detectors are more likely to be caused by dust built up over time, and the only remedy is to clean the detector and possibly change associated duct filters more regularly.

Recognizing the potential for accumulated dust in duct work to cause nuisance alarms, NFPA 90A-2021, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, permits duct detectors to transmit supervisory, rather than alarm signals to the fire alarm panel. The requirement is stated in Section 6.4.4.2.1: “Smoke detectors used solely for closing dampers or for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system shutdown shall not be required to activate the building evacuation alarm.” While activation might cause any associated fire safety function such as AHU shutdown to occur, the building will not need to be evacuated and disruption to occupants should be minimal. Therefore, it is unnecessary to add alarm verification when the detector is allowed to signal a supervisory signal.

However, if the AHJ or the owner’s fire protection goal warrants the duct smoke detector to signal an alarm condition, then alarm verification of the duct smoke detector is allowed under the conditions found in the following section of NFPA 72-2022, Section 23.8.5.4.1*: Systems equipped with alarm verification features shall be permitted under the following conditions:

(1) The alarm verification feature is not initially enabled, unless conditions or occupant activities that are expected to cause nuisance alarms are anticipated in the area that is protected by the smoke detectors. [From the NFPA 72-2022 Handbook: The alarm verification feature for all smoke detectors in a system used to be a requirement in some model building codes until the year 2000.] Enabling of the alarm verification feature shall be protected by password or limited access.

(2) A smoke detector that is continuously subjected to a smoke concentration above alarm threshold does not delay the system functions of Sections 10.7 through 10.17, or 21.2.1 by more than 1 minute.

(3) Actuation of an alarm-initiating device other than a smoke detector causes the system functions of Sections 10.7 through 10.17, or 21.2.1 without additional delay.

(4) The current status of the alarm verification feature is shown on the record of completion [see Figure 7.8.2(a), item 4.3].

I will answer more of your questions in my July web exclusive!