When are Strobe Lights Required in Fire Alarm Systems?

Strobe lights provide valuable visual alert that something is wrong, alerting people and individuals with hearing impairment that an emergency situation exists.  Building owners and contractors must provide adequate protection to occupants through mandated fire alarm system requirements which are detailed in several regulatory manuals.  The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, outlines these requirements in NFPA72 and NFPA101 standards, the International Building Code, IBC, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, also provide direction as to when and where strobe lights are required in buildings as part of the emergency and fire alarm system.

All documents require that strobes be installed in public areas such as hallways, lobbies and restroom so that any hearing-impaired person would be alerts to a fire emergency when visiting public buildings.  Common areas such as classrooms, cafeterias, conference rooms, and employee break rooms which are not designated as employee work areas must also be equipped with strobes.  Individual employee work areas such as offices and workstations are not required to have visual strobes, unless accommodating hearing impaired employees and they must contain audible alarms and notifications.

The primary method of notification is typically audible with proper audio notification throughout an entire facility.  When employers and building owners are aware of a hearing-impaired employee or resident, they must make accommodations to provide visual alerts.

HRSS Offers Fire Alarm System Design to Meet all Code Requirements

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire and safety system specialists with decades of experience in providing safe and compliant fire alarm systems to all types of commercial buildings.  We offer skilled design with CAD to ensure proper placement of all sensors and notification devices including the proper type and location of portable fire extinguishers.  We are often called upon by electrical contractors and building owners for our expertise in fire alarm system design and knowledge of all local and federal safety regulations.

HRSS offers skilled fire alarm system design, UL listed equipment from the most well-known names in fire safety, inspections, maintenance, repair and system monitoring 24/7/365.  We are experienced in all regulations and code requirements assisting building owners with required data sheets for code approval.  Contact us today to learn more about your fire alarm system design requirements and placement of all audible and visual alerts including requirements for strobe lights with fire alarm systems.

Notifier by Honeywell Addressable Fire Alarm System

Notifier® by Honeywell is known for providing state-of-the-art fire alarm systems with installations on every continent.  Notifier offers high performance, reliable fire alarm system equipment with addressable control panels which provide total coverage and protection in large buildings.  Notifier’s fully integrated addressable fire alarm systems detect gas, smoke or fire with sensitive detection equipment right down to the exact location of the source, pinpointing the room and floor the fire started in. Visual and audible evacuation alerts simultaneously alert and dispatch first responders through networked monitoring services.

Notifier by Honeywell offers various models and types of addressable alarms for different building structures, offering a system to accommodate any type of structure including low-rise, high-rise, complexes and campuses.  The full line of Notifier fire alarm systems include:

• Onyx NFC 3030 – ideal in mid to large sized facilities
• Onyx NFS 640 – installed as a single network or as a stand-alone alarm in small to large installations
• AFP 100 Analog / Addressable compact fire alarm control panels which support up to 99 devices
• AFC 600 Intelligent Addressable fire control panel which supports up to 636 devices
• FireWarden series 100 and 102 include audible voice evacuation alerts with clear instruction to occupants.
• FireWarden 100-2 fire alarm control panel with digital alarm communicator
• FireWarden 100-2C for a compact addressable control panel with digital alarm communicator
• FireWarden 50 for an addressable control panel which supports up to 50 devices
• NFV 25/50 addressable voice evacuation fire alarm control panel

All of these Notifier alarm systems offer ancillary devices for additional detection and notification including annunciators, audible warning bells, visual strobe lights, speakers and LED back up lights to direct the calm and orderly evacuation of occupants.  Voice evacuation procedures are proven to reduce assist with orderly evacuation by preventing panic.

Notifier fire alarm systems may include closed circuit TV cameras for visual security in real-time and may assist with locating individuals who may be unconscious or trapped in a building.  All devices are connected through one central monitoring system to work together to provide total protection against smoke, gas or fire with early detection and alerts which save lives and property.

HRSS is a Premiere Distributor for Notifier® by Honeywell

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire alarm and safety provider offering comprehensive services including fire alarm system design, UL Listed equipment from the best names in fire protection including Notifier by Honeywell.  We are a Premiere distributor for Notifier products, offering experience to service and maintain all Notifier systems with skilled expertise.  

HRSS offers proven solutions for total fire protection and safety with UL listed equipment, skilled system design, fire alarm inspection, maintenance, repairs and monitoring 24/7/365.  Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive services to provide protection against smoke, gas and fire with systems designed to protect life and property.

When to Install Fire Alarm Wiring in Conduit

When to use conduit in fire alarm system installations is a common question, and one that a fire safety system specialist can assist with.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations and National Electric Code (NEC) articles, any wiring that exists in non-accessible areas or below seven feet must be installed in metallic conduit. Non-accessible areas would include behind hard ceilings or drywall.  

While this sounds simple enough, there are various codes and regulations related to varying circumstances and locations.  The City of Chicago has an established code that electricians and fire alarm installers must be aware of and may differ from national codes other companies may be familiar with.  According to Chicago fire code, any system that is deemed as required should have the entire system installed within conduit.

Design Considerations for Fire System Requirements

In some cases, even in a non-required building there may be areas which require installation in conduit.  In cases where both a smoke duct detector and fire panel exist both components must be connected with lines in conduit.  Other fire alarm system options such as carbon monoxide detectors, elevator recall function, escalators and visual alarms may also require installation in conduit.  When sprinkler systems are use, or electronic locking doors are included, conduit is also required to be used during installation.

HRSS Offers Guidance on Fire Alarm Installation Conduit Requirements

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire and safety specialist with vast experience in all local and federal fire safety code requirements.  We work with building owners and electrical contractors to design and develop the best fire detection and alarm system for all types of commercial properties.  We provide guidance on which installations require the use of conduit and where it must be used.

HRSS offers professional fire alarm system design, UL listed equipment, maintenance, testing and repair from licensed technicians.  Contact us today to learn more about our system design services and how we can keep your building within code regulations while providing protection to building occupants and property.