An AHJ Perspective Presented by Tim Knisely Introduction Unwanted Alarms What is an Unwanted Alarm Any alarm that occurs that is not the result of a potentially hazardous condition ID: 803827
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Slide1
Reducing Unwanted Alarms Through Plan Review and Inspection:
An AHJ Perspective
Presented by:
Tim Knisely
Slide2Introduction
Slide3Unwanted AlarmsWhat is an ‘Unwanted Alarm’?Any alarm that occurs that is not the result of a potentially hazardous conditionMaliciousNuisanceUnintentionalUnknownMany times referred to as ‘False Alarms’
Slide4Unwanted AlarmsAccording to the NFPA…Fire departments respond to 2.5 million false alarms in a yearTwice the number of firesFive times the number of structure fires
Slide5Unwanted AlarmsManaging unwanted alarmsRelocate smokesCover / remove pullsUse alternative devices in prone locationsFollow minimum codeUse proper devices
Slide6The Impact of Unwanted AlarmsThese alarms cause……complacencyOccupants / First responders / Building owners…increased costs to the fire department…delayed response to a confirmed emergency…increased risk of injury responding to/from
Slide7Compounding the issue…Where do we see alarm systems being installed today? Are all of these installations required to be installed?Are some of these combination systems, such as burglar or hold-up alarms with fire devices addedNow systems can be purchased on-line and installed by the owner?
Slide8Today’s Discussion –Examine the required elements of systems in accordance with the adopted code and referenced standards.Consider alternative devices in areas that are subject to unwanted activationsUtilize the exceptions that are provided in the code, or follow the minimum requirementsReview options for the ‘Sequence of Operations’ to best meet the needs of the use group.
Slide9OwnershipUnderstanding how a building will be occupied is essential before we can design and install a systemCodes and standards will only tell us so muchEducation, experience and common sense will guide usThis path may help us fix the system before it becomes a problem
Slide10Ownership Will you ever return to this building? Treat all jobs as if you willOr, as if you’ll live thereOr, as if you’ll respond as a firefighter and expect to know what is wrong
Slide11Design by Use Group:What building and/or fire code is adopted?What NFPA-72 standard is referencedCan you use a more current standard?It depends!State or local amendmentsDesign professional in responsible charge –IBC 107.3.4
Slide12Codes and StandardsInternational Building Code - 2015International Fire Code - 2015NFPA 72 – 2013
Slide13IBC 907.1.1 Construction DocumentsConstruction documents must show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of the IBC and the IFCShop drawings must contain all information as required by the referenced installation standards in Chapter 9.
Slide14IBC 907.1.2: Shop DrawingsShop drawings for fire protection systems must be submitted and approved prior to the start of system installation.
Slide15IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawingsA floor plan that indicates the use of all rooms: Locations of alarm-initiating devicesLocations of alarm notification appliances, including candela ratings for visible appliancesDesign minimum audibility level for occupant notification
Slide16IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawings:5. Location of FACU, transponders and notification power supplies6. Location of the Annunciator(s)7. Power connections8. Battery calculations9. Conductor type and sizes
Slide17IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawings:10. Voltage drop calculations11. Manufacturers’ data sheets, including model numbers and listing information:12. Details of ceiling height and construction
Slide18IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawings:13. The interface of fire safety control functions14. Classification of the supervising station
Slide19Shop DrawingsWhat statement is on your drawings?By Use Group in accordance with the code
THESE DRAWINGS ARE PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IBC/2015 AND NFPA-72/2013
Slide20Shop DrawingsWhat statement is on your drawings?Designed using the project specification, and not in verified for code compliance
THESE DRAWINGS ARE PREPARED PER PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THIS PROJECT. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REVIEWED FOR STATE AND LOCAL CODE COMPLIANCE.
Slide21Construction DrawingsWhat statement is on your drawings?Designed using the Construction Drawings
Slide22Use Group Examples
Slide23IFC 907.2.8: R-1: Hotel/MotelA manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system shall be installedExceptions:
A manual fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height, sleeping units have a 1-hour fire partition and the sleeping rooms exit directly to a public way, egress court or yard.
Slide24IFC 907.2.8: R-1: Hotel/MotelException 2: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required throughout the building where all of the following conditions are met:
2.1 Building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with NFPA-13 or NFPA-13R2.2 The notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler water flow.2.3 Not fewer than one manual fire alarm is installed at an approved location.
Slide25R-1: Hotel/Motel (IFC 907.2.8.2)An automatic smoke detection system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed throughout all interior corridors serving sleeping units.
Slide26Hotel Conference Area
Slide27System Smoke Detection (IFC 907.2.11.7 #3)Activation of a smoke detector in a sleeping unit shall not activate alarm notification appliances outside of the sleeping unit,Provided that a supervisory signal is generated
Slide28R-2: Apartments (IFC 907.2.9.1)A manual fire alarm system must be installed in R-2 occupancies where any of the following conditions apply: 1. Any dwelling unit is located three or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge. 2. Any dwelling unit located more than one story below the highest level of exit discharge 3. The building contains > 16 units
Slide29R-2: Apartments (IFC 907.2.9.1)Exception:Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped with sprinklers installed in accordance with NFPA 13 or 13R…And, the notification appliances will activate upon a sprinkler water flow.
Slide30R-2: Apartments
Slide31System Smoke Detection (IFC 907.2.11.7 #3)Activation of a smoke detector in a dwelling unit shall not activate alarm notification appliances outside of the dwelling unit,Provided that a supervisory signal is generated
Slide32B – BusinessA Manual fire alarm system must be installed where one of the following exists:Combined occupant load of all floors is 500 or moreOccupant load is more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.Exception:Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped with sprinklers and the notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler flow.
Slide33M: MercantileA manual system that activates the occupant notification system must be installed in Group M occupancies where ONE of the following conditions exist: The combined occupant load of all floors is >500 persons, or >100 persons below grade. Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with a sprinkler system that automatically activates the notification zones upon sprinkler flow.
Slide34More on Design StageIf the proposed systems exceeds the code, or more importantly is poorly designed…Can you re-design it ? Or, do you install what you were given?Will the design be rejected by the AHJ…
Slide35SupervisionIs it required by the code?Who does Supervising Station call first? Why?Should it always be the fire department?
Slide36Coordination of other tradesBetween GC and all othersElectricalMechanicalSprinkler
Slide37Maintenance ContractHow to maintain?IBC / IFCDon’t use this as a time to ‘improve’ the existing systemIs maintenance required?Why is this important?
Slide38InspectionsRough Wiring methods Device placementFinal What is involved? 100%What if we find something wrong now? Can we fix it?Verify signal transmission and messaging – is it accurate to the device
Slide39General Smoke alarms/detectorsInstallation near cooking appliances:In residential useIn non-residential useInstallation near bathroomsHigh-Rise Buildings:Mechanical, electrical transformer, telephone or similar that is not provided with sprinkler protectionIn each elevator machine/space and elevator lobbiesThat’s it! (Specific use groups aside)
Slide40General – smoke alarms/detectorsDuct smoke detectors:Must be connected to a FACU when present/installedDuct detector activation shall initiate a visible and audible supervisory signal at a constantly attended location and perform the intended fire safety function in accordance with the IMC.Protection of the FACU:Areas not continuously occupied, a single smoke detector must be provided at the location of eaoch FACU, NAC power extender and supervising station transmission equipment.Except where ambient conditions prohibit installation of a smoke
det, a heat detector shall be permitted. Examples!!!!!907.4.3 Automatic sprinkler system – smoke detectors may be omitted if ambient conditions exist and a heat detector or sprinkler may be acceptable
Slide41General Thoughts:Protective covers 907.4.2.5Two step exceptionRecord of CompletionStorage Document Box
Slide42Cry WolfOver design or poor designCreates unwanted alarm issuesIs more always better?
Slide43Household or PublicPrimary or Secondary SystemExplainDetectors vs AlarmsAnd, require supervisory signal – check code req
Slide44QuestionWhere are smoke detectors typically required in the code?Mostly where people sleep
Slide45Questions?Thank you!Tim Knisely(814) 933-8552firecodeinstructor@yahoo.com
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