Presented by: Tim Knisely Reducing Unwanted Alarms Through Plan Review and Inspection: 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 Malicious Nuisance Unintentional Unknown Many times referred to as ‘False Alarms’

Unwanted Alarms According to the NFPA… Fire departments respond to 2.5 million false alarms in a year Twice the number of fires Five times the number of structure fires

Unwanted Alarms Managing unwanted alarms Relocate smokes Cover / remove pulls Use alternative devices in prone locations Follow minimum code Use proper devices

The Impact of Unwanted Alarms These alarms cause… …complacency Occupants / First responders / Building owners …increased costs to the fire department …delayed response to a confirmed emergency …increased risk of injury responding to/from

Compounding 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 added Now systems can be purchased on-line and installed by the owner? Use example of pull stations as outlined in NFPA-72. Mandatory recommendations. Respond to alarms at all hours Chased unwanted alarms for years All systems were already installed – hard to fix Some system installs just don’t make sense If at final the system is wrong, it will always be wrong if we don’t fix it. Hotel detector at air supply – corp complained it was wrong – but they didn’t fix it. Blamed the inspector. It is their building. But, hard to fix non-required detectors, or where det’s are abundant in space Nothing worse than a smoke det activation in a bathroom, mechanical closet, kitchen at 0309 hrs. Need to get in front of installs – never too early to meet and discuss Meet early and often. Include the design team, electrical eng, electrical contractor, alarm contractor, HVAC, etc. Conduct rough inspections, both of wiring practices and device placement. Prior to framing inspection or covering of components with drywall or other finishes.

Today’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 activations Utilize the exceptions that are provided in the code, or follow the minimum requirements Review options for the ‘Sequence of Operations’ to best meet the needs of the use group.

Ownership Understanding how a building will be occupied is essential before we can design and install a system Codes and standards will only tell us so much Education, experience and common sense will guide us This path may help us fix the system before it becomes a problem

Ownership Will you ever return to this building? Treat all jobs as if you will Or, as if you’ll live there Or, as if you’ll respond as a firefighter and expect to know what is wrong

Design by Use Group: What building and/or fire code is adopted? What NFPA-72 standard is referenced Can you use a more current standard? It depends! State or local amendments Design professional in responsible charge – IBC 107.3.4

Codes and Standards International Building Code - 2015 International Fire Code - 2015 NFPA 72 – 2013

IBC 907.1.1 Construction Documents Construction documents must show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of the IBC and the IFC Shop drawings must contain all information as required by the referenced installation standards in Chapter 9.

IBC 907.1.2: Shop Drawings Shop drawings for fire protection systems must be submitted and approved prior to the start of system installation.

IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawings A floor plan that indicates the use of all rooms: Locations of alarm- initiating devices Locations of alarm notification appliances, including candela ratings for visible appliances Design minimum audibility level for occupant notification

IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawings: 5. Location of FACU, transponders and notification power supplies 6. Location of the Annunciator(s) 7. Power connections 8. Battery calculations 9. Conductor type and sizes

IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawings: 10. Voltage drop calculations 11. Manufacturers’ data sheets, including model numbers and listing information: 12. Details of ceiling height and construction

IFC 907.1.2 Fire alarm shop drawings: 13. The interface of fire safety control functions 14. Classification of the supervising station

Shop Drawings What 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

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REVIEWED FOR STATE AND LOCAL CODE COMPLIANCE. Shop Drawings What 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.

Construction Drawings What statement is on your drawings? Designed using the Construction Drawings

Use Group Examples Maybe add NFPA requirements for plans and compare to IFC? Minimize the number of slides and items covered.

IFC 907.2.8: R-1: Hotel/Motel A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system shall be installed Exceptions: 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.

IFC 907.2.8: R-1: Hotel/Motel Exception 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-13R 2.2 The notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler water flow. 2.3 Not fewer than one manual fire alarm is installed at an approved location.

R-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.

Hotel Conference Area

System 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

R-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

R-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.

R-2: Apartments

System 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

B – Business A Manual fire alarm system must be installed where one of the following exists: Combined occupant load of all floors is 500 or more Occupant 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.

M: Mercantile A 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.

More on Design Stage If 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…

Supervision Is it required by the code? Who does Supervising Station call first? Why? Should it always be the fire department?

Coordination of other trades Between GC and all others Electrical Mechanical Sprinkler

Maintenance Contract How to maintain? Is maintenance required? IBC / IFC Don’t use this as a time to ‘improve’ the existing system Is maintenance required? Why is this important?

Inspections Rough Wiring methods Device placement Final 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

General Smoke alarms/detectors Installation near cooking appliances: In residential use In non-residential use Installation near bathrooms High-Rise Buildings: Mechanical, electrical transformer, telephone or similar that is not provided with sprinkler protection In each elevator machine/space and elevator lobbies That’s it! (Specific use groups aside)

General – smoke alarms/detectors Duct smoke detectors: Must be connected to a FACU when present/installed Duct 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

General Thoughts: Protective covers 907.4.2.5 Two step exception Record of Completion Storage Document Box

Cry Wolf Over design or poor design Creates unwanted alarm issues Is more always better?

Household or Public Primary or Secondary System Detectors vs Alarms Explain Detectors vs Alarms And, require supervisory signal – check code req

Question Where are smoke detectors typically required in the code? Mostly where people sleep

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