Prevent False Alarms Eugene A. Cable, P.E., M.S.F.P.E. Life Safety Consultants NEHES Honorary Member 412 Horse Heaven Road Averill Park, New York (518)

Objective Better understand the seriousness of a false fire alarm: engineering failure Better understand the seriousness of a false fire alarm: engineering failure Provide ideas / options you can implement next week to prevent false alarms Provide ideas / options you can implement next week to prevent false alarms

Background situation Our fire protection goal is to provide: Our fire protection goal is to provide: – Life Safety: a reasonably safe environment for occupants; code: “to protect the occupants not intimate with the initial fire development for the time needed to evacuate, relocate, or defend in place” – A reasonable level of building functionality and continuity of operations – Property protection

Definitions Alarm: A warning of danger Alarm: A warning of danger

Definitions Summoning Signal: An alert to respond Summoning Signal: An alert to respond False Alarm: (not defined – see unwanted alarm) an alarm received when there is no danger or real hazard. False Alarm: (not defined – see unwanted alarm) an alarm received when there is no danger or real hazard. Unwanted Alarm: Any alarm that occurs that is not the result of a potential hazardous condition. Unwanted Alarm: Any alarm that occurs that is not the result of a potential hazardous condition. Nuisance Alarm: An unwanted activation of a signaling system in response to stimuli or a condition caused by mech. failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of maint., or by cause cannot be determined. Nuisance Alarm: An unwanted activation of a signaling system in response to stimuli or a condition caused by mech. failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of maint., or by cause cannot be determined.

Serious consequences Firefighters placed in danger, unavailable Firefighters placed in danger, unavailable Facilities Management: Facilities Management: –Utilities shut down –Elevators inoperable –Doors close – inoperative –Personnel stop work – to respond Patient Care staff Patient Care staff –Patient Care interrupted –Patient transfers stopped

“Each false alarm reduces the credibility of a warning system.” “Each false alarm reduces the credibility of a warning system.” The false alarm effect “ is particularly strong in warning systems in which the recipient of the information is an intelligent being.” The false alarm effect “ is particularly strong in warning systems in which the recipient of the information is an intelligent being.”

False Alarm vs. Real Hazard Fire: Rapid oxidation..resulting in light and heat Fire: Rapid oxidation..resulting in light and heat Uncontrolled combustion with damage Uncontrolled combustion with damage Real Hazard: Uncontrolled combustion with a high probability of continued growth. Real Hazard: Uncontrolled combustion with a high probability of continued growth.

NFPA 2014 Las Vegas Fire alarm signal: Recognized – 35% Means Urgent? – 6% Fire alarm signal: Recognized – 35% Means Urgent? – 6% “Global” statistic: 98% of fire alarm activations are false alarms. “Global” statistic: 98% of fire alarm activations are false alarms. The Las Vegas Fire Dept: Not respond The Las Vegas Fire Dept: Not respond

Life Safety Fire Protection Fire alarm is a warning – not protection Fire alarm is a warning – not protection NFPA 72: “To provide indication and warning of abnormal fire conditions.” NFPA 72: “To provide indication and warning of abnormal fire conditions.” “System should alert building occupants and summon appropriate aid in adequate time to allow for occupants to travel to a safe place and for rescue operations to occur.” “System should alert building occupants and summon appropriate aid in adequate time to allow for occupants to travel to a safe place and for rescue operations to occur.”

Real World Life Safety Factors Life Safety Code Redundant requirements Total Concept (Section ) Multiple Safeguards - Prevent Ignition - Detection of Fire - Alarm - Inhibit fire growth - Confinement of fire and smoke - Extinguishment of fire - Fire Dept actions - Staff action – transfer to area of refuge - Staff action - evacuate

Fire and Life Safety Model - Escape Time Time to Detection Time to Notify Occupants Time for Smoke To Block Egress Path Occupants Safely Out Fire Ignition Detection Occupants Alerted Egress Route Blocked Time Needed To Get Out Response Delay To Prepare To Travel Safety Margin Fire Development - fire growth curve Gene Cable (518)

Video Video

Prevent False Alarms System Options System Options Practical Operational Options Practical Operational Options

Notification Signals for Staff Response Inputs Inputs –Alarms –Supervisory –Trouble Outputs –Occupant Notification »Alarm (warn) those in danger »Summon Staff to Respond –Emergency Forces Notification –Fire Safety Functions Fire Alarm Control Unit

Prevent False Alarms System Options Minimize number of smoke detectors – ASHE Minimize number of smoke detectors – ASHE Smoke detectors, change to less sensitive – 3.6 % Smoke detectors, change to less sensitive – 3.6 % Pull stations at nurses station only Pull stations at nurses station only Duct smoke detectors do not activate alarm Duct smoke detectors do not activate alarm Limit alarm notification size - alarm zones Limit alarm notification size - alarm zones Alarm verification Alarm verification Positive alarm sequence permitted Positive alarm sequence permitted

Minimize number of smoke detectors General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations One side only for automatic door release One side only for automatic door release Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in corridors Not required in corridors

Minimize number of smoke detectors General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations One side only for automatic door release One side only for automatic door release Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in corridors Not required in corridors Not required in hazardous rooms & closets Not required in hazardous rooms & closets Not required in stair shafts Not required in stair shafts Not required in nurses lounge/ nourish center Not required in nurses lounge/ nourish center

Limit Alarm Notification

Notification Signals for Staff Response Inputs Inputs –Alarms –Supervisory –Trouble Outputs –Occupant Notification »Alarm (warn) those in danger »Summon Staff to Respond –Emergency Forces Notification –Fire Safety Functions Fire Alarm Control Unit

Alarm Verification Permitted by NFPA 101 Health care Permitted by NFPA 101 Health care Discouraged but also permitted by NFPA 72 ; “alarm verification should be used only where absolutely necessary” Discouraged but also permitted by NFPA 72 ; “alarm verification should be used only where absolutely necessary” “Alarm verification is not intended to compensate for design errors or lack of maintenance.” “Alarm verification is not intended to compensate for design errors or lack of maintenance.”

Alarm Verification Panel Function - must be activated Panel Function - must be activated Delays alarm up to 60 seconds Delays alarm up to 60 seconds Detector Activation Ignored – re-set Detector Activation Ignored – re-set If still activated, panel sends out the alarm If still activated, panel sends out the alarm

Positive Alarm Sequence Systems that have positive alarm features complying with shall be permitted if approved by the authority having jurisdiction Systems that have positive alarm features complying with shall be permitted if approved by the authority having jurisdiction The signal from an automatic fire detection device selected for positive alarm sequence operation shall be acknowledged at the fire alarm control unit by trained personnel within 15 seconds of annunciation in order to initiate the alarm investigation phase. If the signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated The signal from an automatic fire detection device selected for positive alarm sequence operation shall be acknowledged at the fire alarm control unit by trained personnel within 15 seconds of annunciation in order to initiate the alarm investigation phase. If the signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.

Trained personnel shall have up to 180 seconds during the alarm investigation phase to evaluate the fire condition and reset the system. If the system is not reset during the investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated Trained personnel shall have up to 180 seconds during the alarm investigation phase to evaluate the fire condition and reset the system. If the system is not reset during the investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated If a second automatic fire detector selected for positive alarm sequence is actuated during the alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated If a second automatic fire detector selected for positive alarm sequence is actuated during the alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated If any other initiating device is actuated, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated If any other initiating device is actuated, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated * The system shall provide means for bypassing the positive alarm sequence * The system shall provide means for bypassing the positive alarm sequence.

You will know when it’s real

Unattended patient bunches up linen on patient bed and slips hand under the pile

19:09 – Quick Response Sprinkler Activated! 19:09 – Quick Response Sprinkler Activated! ~19:09:30 – Pull Station Activated ~19:09:30 – Pull Station Activated ~19:09:30 – Staff Member places call to ~19:09:30 – Staff Member places call to ~19:09:35 – Audio/Visuals sound ~19:09:35 – Audio/Visuals sound 19:09:40 – Smoke Detector Activated 19:09:40 – Smoke Detector Activated ~19:09:41 – Second Pull Station Activated ~19:09:41 – Second Pull Station Activated

Prevent False Alarms Practical Operational Options Sprinkler covers Sprinkler covers Pull station covers Pull station covers Procedures for construction areas Procedures for construction areas Assure no smoke detectors in rooms with toasters, toaster oven, oven and microwave oven. Assure no smoke detectors in rooms with toasters, toaster oven, oven and microwave oven. Microwave oven features available Microwave oven features available

Procedures for Construction Areas