CFAA NCR CHAPTER ANNUAL SENINAR. Commonly Overlooked Fire Alarm Requirements

Transcription

1 CFAA NCR CHAPTER ANNUAL SENINAR Commonly Overlooked Fire Alarm Requirements

2 Introduction of Who I Am And My Experience (aka: only legitimate chance to catch a quick nap) Definitions ( if you nap during this part you may miss out!) OBC: You May Not Know These Things 3.2.4: This Is Not The Only Fire Alarm Section ULC: You Just May Be Surprised INTRODUCTION

3 Alert signal means an audible signal to advise designated persons of a fire emergency. Alarm signal means an audible signal transmitted throughout one or more zones of a building or throughout a building to advise occupants that a fire emergency exists. Alternative solution means a substitute for an acceptable solution. Contained use area means a supervised area containing one or more rooms in which occupant movement is restricted to a single room by security measures not under the control of the occupant. Fire compartment means an enclosed space in a building, (a) that is separated from all other parts of the building by enclosing construction that provides a fire separation, and (b) that may be required to have a fire-resistance rating. DEFINITIONS

4 Impeded egress zone means a supervised area in which occupants have free movement but require the release, by security personnel, of security doors at the boundary before being able to leave the area, but does not include a contained use area.obc Smoke alarm means a combined smoke detector and audible alarm device designed to sound an alarm within the room orsuite in which it is located on the detection of smoke within that room or suite. Smoke detector means a fire detector designed to operate when the concentration of airborne combustion products exceeds a predetermined level. DEFINITIONS

5 Except as permitted by Sentence (6), if there are openings through a firewall, other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and totally enclosed noncombustible raceways, the requirements in this Subsection shall apply to the floor areas on both sides of the firewall as if they were in the same building. (6) Buildings interconnected by walkways permitted in Articles and or by vestibules provided in conformance with Article shall be treated as separate buildings for the purpose of fire alarm installation required by this Subsection TYPE: Single stage required in schools except in special needs facilities There is no definition of what a special needs facility is (2)(c) Appendix note: Alert signals are permitted to sound in designated areas. Permits use of a key or other similar device to activate alarm signals form a manual pull station OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

6 (3) coded 2 stage systems are permitted to sound the alert tone only in the zone of initiation. The code must be repeated 4 times then a continuous alert signal is to sound in the zone of activation The entire fire alarm system is to be commissioned as a whole and test records provided indicating the integrated test was conducted Automatic silence IS allowed: 1 minute in care and treatment (alert signal only); 5 minutes in buildings not required to have an annunciator; 20 minutes in all other cases. A manual silence switch is ok, but only if installed inside the control unit OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

7 Signals to FD. In a group C retirement home, regardless if monitoring is required, if there are sprinkler water flow switches, then you MUST connect them to the FD If a single stage system is provided in a building and the building is not sprinklered, then signs have to be installed above each manual pull station indicating that the fire department has to be called and indicating the phone number to call OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

8 Annunciator and Zoning: Separate zones for: fire extinguishing systems required by NFPA 96, contained use areas, impeded egress zones, 2 hour fire resistance rated fire compartments If no annunciator is required, a visual and audible trouble signal device is required at the main entrance. If a silence switch is provided, and it s in a hotel, then a trouble signal also has to be installed at the main reception or other continually staffed location OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

9 electrical supervision: standpipe water control valves only have to send a trouble signal to the annunciator and not a supervisory alarm. Heat tracing cable for sprinkler/standpipe or to keep an exit or means of egress free from ice to be monitored for loss of power; OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

10 fire detectors are required in hazardous classrooms and change rooms in elementary and secondary schools. BUT post secondary schools are not mentioned smoke detectors are required in contained use areas AND the corridors serving these rooms and areas. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

11 Smokes are required in each elevator machine room or machinery space ( this could include the interstitial space between the top of the elevator shaft and the elevator machine room. NOTE: it does not say that smokes are required at the top of the shaft, or in the pits. Heat detectors can be installed at the top of the shaft. The code is silent about any device in the pit of elevators and escalators. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

12 Hotel refrigerated areas do not require heat detectors but in all other occupancies refrigerated areas do require heat detectors and are considered storage spaces (unless the spaces are sprinklers) OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

13 Care and treatment facilities: smoke detectors in rooms are to cause an audible and visual signal to activate outside the room if staff can see all rooms from their station if not then a signal has to go to the main nursing station. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

14 Only the elevators controlled by the machine room where the smoke detector activated are required to recall. Smoke detectors can be substituted for heat detectors in F occupancies where they are subject to false alarms due to activities in the building NOTE: Nowhere does it mention in the smoke detector section that smoke detectors are required to be installed in computer room subfloors. ULC standards require smoke detectors to be installed pendent as they are tested and listed in this manner OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

15 central vac required to shut down on fire alarm haven t seen a single one of these in 27 years yet the code doesn t regulate connection of sub panels for computer rooms which I see in every building elevator recall. Smokes required on unsprinklered recall levels in buildings provided with emergency recall feature. This should be in the smoke detector section OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

16 manual pull stations. Required in: Principal entrance to a building; near every REQUIRED exit (not every exit from a building only the required ones); main reception areas of hotels require a manual pull station. (6) in a C occupancy, if a MPS is not installed per 1 and 4, then a MPS is required in each dwelling unit near the egress; smoke detectors are required to be installed in floor areas, public corridors and stairwells, and fire detectors installed in the floor area common areas and in rooms not located within dwelling units. Why are there smoke detector requirements in the manual pull station section of 3.2.4? OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

17 If MPS are installed in dwelling units then signs are required to be installed above MPS in floor areas having them reading FIRE ALARM PULL STATION LOCATED IN APARTMENT UNITS Keyswitch MPS are permitted in contained use areas. Required to be listed. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

18 Alert and Alarm Signals (1) the same audible signal devices are permitted to sound alert and alarm signals (this is a permissive statement not a prescriptive statement) and implies different devices are permitted to sound alert and alarm signals (2) speakers are ok to use for other purposes but not allowed for background noise or music. Alert and alarm tones always have to take priority (3)(c) this has always confounded me: In a corridor used by the public and in a floor area or part of it where the public may congregate in a Group A occupancy. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

19 (5) The only exemption in the entire code that allows audible signalling devices to be deleted and replaced with visual signalling devices: in areas regulated by such as operating rooms, recovery rooms, delivery rooms, intensive care units and critical care units in special care and treatment facilities. So you can stop asking now. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

20 Audibility Alarm signal dbs to be attained throughout all floor areas. Alert signals are required to be audible in continually staffed locations. MUST USE AN INTEGRATING SOUND LEVEL METER FOR ANY TONE OTHER THAN TEMPORAL (this means for every alert signal tone in a two stage system). For temporal, a non-integrating sound level meter is to be used. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

21 : Alarm signals are regulated (temporal) but alert signals are not. The appendix note states that there must be a noticeable or a measurable difference between alert and alarm signals to reduce confusion. For some reason the slow whoop is used more often than not for alert signals. Exception for residential occupancies: Appendix note says if putting horns in corridors and the 100 bda wil be exceeded in an attempt to achieve 75 dba in sleeping areas then piezo electric devices similar to smoke alarm sounding devices can be installed if they are provided with the temporal pattern. This makes it sound like a smoke alarm and not a building audible signalling device. This clause appears to allow different sounding devices. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

22 Smoke alarms. Smoke detectors are allowed to replace smoke alarms and do not need to send a signal to the fire department and only sound within the suite of origin. Sound pressure levels: max of 100 but this can be exceeded if the max of 100 is never exceeded measured at 2 m above the finished floor. Measurements to be 3 m from the device. Minimum 65dbA, 3 m from device, AND 10 db above ambient noise. OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

23 The voice comm system can silence the alert signals: after 10 s in hospitals, 30 seconds in all other cases. 30 seconds for alarm signals in a single stage system (7) if the occupant load is over 1000, AND a two stage system is provided, then a voice communication system must be provided. This will reduce the use of two stage systems. (9) if trained staff are not present at all times then digital voice messages MUST be used OBC: THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

24 (8) In a Group B, Division 3 occupancy that contains sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons and not more than six occupants require assistance in evacuation in case of an emergency and which is equipped with a fire-alarm system, a duct need not be provided with a fire damper at a fire separation provided duct-type smoke detectors have been installed to control smoke circulation as described in Article (2) Except as required by Sentences (3), (5), (6) and (7), a hold-open device permitted by Sentence (1) shall be designed to release by a signal from, (a) an automatic sprinkler system, (b) a heat-actuated device, (c) fusible link, or (d) a smoke detector located as described in CAN/ULC-S524, Installation of Fire Alarm Systems : THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

25 (3) Except as required by Sentences (4), (5), (6) and (7), a holdopen device permitted by Sentence (1) shall be designed to release upon a signal from a smoke detector located as described in CAN/ULC-S524, Installation of Fire Alarm Systems, if used on, (e) a door required to function as part of a smoke control system. (5) Sentences (2) and (3) do not apply in a hospital or long-term care home to, (a) a door located between a corridor used by the public and an adjacent sleeping room, or (b) paired doors described in Sentence (4) : THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

26 Fire stopping is not required for sprinkler pipes that are provided with escutcheon plates per NFPA : THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

27 In buildings not required to be sprinklered, the basements shall be sprinklered or subdivided into 600 m 2 fire compartments that are required to be rated per the floor above. This can mean that they will be required to be separately zoned requires smoke barrier doors in underground walkways but if held open, they would be regulated and require smoke detectors for release 3.2.4: THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

28 (5) in an unsprinkered building with the recall feature, smokes are required in each elevator lobby on each level smokes required on the ceiling of each storey in the vicinity of the openings through floor assemblies. Smokes are also to be provided where required for the activation of the smoke control system. ( system activated when two smokes in a single zone in a floor area having an interconnected floor space are activated.) 3.2.4: THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

29 (14)(e) : Aisles fire detectors are to shut down projection systems and turn on normal lighting in seating areas (14)(g) Smoke detectors in seating areas are to activate smoke evacuation system for seating areas 3.2.4: THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

30 (4) fire curtains are to close on activation of the FAS and heat actuated devices (5) smoke vents are to activate automatically upon operation of the sprinkler system. This is only done via the FAS maglocks are permitted to release on second stage only in care/treatment/detention occupancies 3.2.4: THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

31 maglocks are permitted to release on second stage only in care/treatment/detention occupancies (7) gaming premises are to have smoke detectors in each room and corridor accessible by the public when maglocks are installed in the building. This applies even if it s a single maglock : THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

32 (2) smoke detectors are required in an electrical vault if the building is required to be sprinklered and sprinklers were omitted from the vault : THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

33 Rapid transit stations: (1) MPS are not required. Audible signal devices are not required. (3) fire detectors are required in service rooms, ancillary spaces, leased spaces, booths and kiosks. (5) an annunciator is required in a designated collection booth or within viewing distance of the booth (6) all fire detectors are to be annunciated. This means system must be addressable. If a RTS exit is through another building, then the bulding above must be annunciated on the RTS annunciator and a flashing warning sign is required at the entrance to the building 3.2.4: THIS IS NOT THE ONLY FIRE ALARM SECTION

34 ULC S524 Applies to voluntary and required fire alarm systems What is a fire alarm system: An interconnected control unit, manual station and audible signal device ULC S524 AND S537

35 cannot use a voice communication system in lieu of alert and alarm signals, only supplement those signals s response time for single stage systems, alarm signals, auxiliary function operation but 90 seconds for trouble input response time Special note: 3: manual control of paging and alarm selection to confirm output operation with sensory indication to the operator within 1 second that the function has been requested. ULC S524 AND S537

36 (m). only need to connect genset for common trouble to FAS when the genset is the sole source of emergency power. ULC S524 AND S537

37 Class A system: can have a single conduit for feed and return run when serving a single device or when serving multiple devices in a room not exceeding 100 sq m wiring between control units and transponders within the same room are not required to be supervised if in EMT and less than 18m apart 3.5 Plan and specs : input output schedule; sew of op; zoning, device addresses, fault isolation module locations, ancilliary device connection, block wiring diagram showing all interconnections of control equipment and devices ULC S524 AND S537

38 4.1 operating and controls not more than 1.8 m above finished floor 4.2 data communication links: Style C DCL does not require detection of a single ground. (input circuit transmits ground and second ground doesn t disable the DCL loop loading: conventional field devices monitored by a supporting field device do not count against DCL capacity ULC S524 AND S537

39 area of coverage for inputs and outputs to be the same for transponders but only in large scale networks. ULC S524 AND S537

40 4.3 Large scale networks when multiple faults cause the network to be severed, it is intended for each portion of the network to function as intended within the capabilities of each section 4.3.6: at least one field control panel or transponder, in addition to the CACF/DCC/ANN required by the NBC, requires a paging microphone, an NBC conforming ANN, and an All call switch. ULC S524 AND S537

41 Transponders required to be located in a 1 hour rated room (this is above the NBC requirements and should be regulated by the NBC) conductors to interconnect transponders/control equipment to be fire rated for 1 hour or installed in 2 physically separated 1 hour rated compartments Voice communication busses don t require supervision during use but do during times when the bus is being used for non fire safety purposes (ie. General paging). Single ground detection not required on the voice communication buss ULC S524 AND S537

42 manual pull stations should be on the latch side but nevertheless within 1500 mm max lateral distance from the opening top of audible signalling devices not less than 2.3 m above the finished floor and 150mm below the ceiling Audible signalling devices shall generate similar sounds and sound patterns when activated. ULC S524 AND S537

43 mm clear space required around all fire detectors unless detectors obstructions are less than 100mm deep and 450 mm away from air diffusers. If partitions extend within 450 mm of ceiling then special spacing requirements are applicable if fire detectors are subjected to positive and negative air flow, a special plate is required or conduits/entry points have to be sealed. ULC S524 AND S537

44 Heat detector spacing requirements are NOT applicable to smoke detectors. heat detectors do not get installed on ceilings higher than 9 m. smoke detectors on ceilings above 3.6 m, require engineering judgement Smoke detectors on every 3 rd floor if building is over 18m. This should be in the OBC. ULC S524 AND S537

45 Smoke detectors can be substituted with fixed temperature heat detectors due to low ambient temperatures, below 0 degrees C, 5.14 fault isolation modules see standards bulletin : fault isolation modules not required on both sides of fire separations unless they are required zones under the NBC. ULC S524 AND S537

46 A2.1: special spacing requirements for thermal stratification (skylights and large glass areas) A5: check it out for smoke detector use for door release. One smoke required if any area above the door is 600 mm or less (swing side of door). Greater than 600mm both sides then one smoke on each side. Door frame mounting requires one smoke detector. Install centre line and not closer than 300 mm when corridors less than 1500mm, and 600 mm in all other cases. ULC S524 AND S537

47 ULC S537 Bulletin : all devices need to be re-verified after a program/software change if a LISTED compare program is not used. No manufacturers currently have a listed compare program. Bulletin when a 4 th party is required to conduct the verification ULC S524 AND S537

48 3.1.3 each device to be tested. This means that line isolators have to be tested and documented. 3.2 Documentation: seq of op and operating instructions to be documented in test documents field devices at the electrically furthest point from the power source to be tested that it receives rated power. This I have never seen documented in any verification records I have ever seen. ULC S524 AND S537

49 and 4,2,1,4 a printout of active field device software correlation report is to be provided as part of the verification. If the report can t be printed, EVERY device has to be tested to confirm the correct output circuit operation. Again, I have never seen this done system response times to be tested and recorded NOT JUST sprinkler device delay times ULC S524 AND S537

50 If multiple annunciators or sequential displays, each must be checked for alarm and supervisory operation and zone annunciation, unless proven with a software compare program (must be listed) or manufacturers technical documentation. Has anyone ever seen this submitted with a verification? 4.6 Every printer has to be tested to ensure it printed correctly 5.10.(c) Audibility of alert and alarm signals to be tested. ULC S524 AND S537

51 6.4 If wiring extended form a junction box, every device on the circuit has to be reverified. ULC S524 AND S537

52 Raise your hand if you re still awake THANK YOU.

53 THANK YOU.

54 Paul Latreille, CET QUESTIONS?

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