Fire-Lite’s Wireless Fire Detection System

Installing fire alarm equipment and wiring in new building installations or retrofits can be costly and complex.  Building aesthetics, hazardous materials and construction all pose a challenge to fire alarm system and electrical wiring installers.  Applications where a wireless fire detection system would be ideal are locations with concrete walls, buried wires, parking garages, warehouses, historical buildings and any place where aesthetics matters.

The SWIFT wireless fire detection system by Fire-Lite, solves these problems with wireless technology incorporated into commercial fire alarm systems.  Fire-Lite’s SWIFT wireless fire alarm system stands for Smart Wireless Integrated Fire Technology and detects fires with the same reliability as wired systems with added flexibility for installation without accommodating for wires.  The SWIFT wireless system supports many devices such as fixed heat, rate-of-rise heat, photoelectric and photo/thermal detectors, AV bases, pull stations, relay, sync and monitor modules. 

Flexibility with Fire-Lite’s SWIFT Wireless Fire Detection System

SWIFT provides the option to install fire alarm systems without wiring which is beneficial in many structures as well as the flexibility to have both wireless and wired devices on the same fire alarm control panel.  SWIFT differs from other wireless systems as it is based on a true mesh network which delivers multiple communication paths with each device. This provides added reliability and survivability within the overall system design. 

SWIFT wireless detection systems are designed to work with Fire-Lite’s Endurance series of fire alarm control panels and can also work with MS series of fire alarm control panels although may require a separate annunciator for proper functionality. 

High Rise Security Systems if familiar with the Fire-Lite by Honeywell fire alarm system and components, including the SWIFT wireless fire detection system.  We offer expert fire alarm system design, UL listed equipment, maintenance, service and exceptional customer support.  Contact us today to learn more about the right fire alarm system for your property and the benefits of Fire-Lite’s wireless fire alarm system.  

NFPA 72 Requirements for High Ceiling Smoke Detection Spacing

The National Fire Alarm Protection Association, NFPA, sets the standards and guidelines for fire and safety system regulation.  NFPA 72 is the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code which outlines the regulations for the installation, application, inspection, performance, maintenance and testing of fire alarm and emergency communications systems and components. NFPA 72 outlines the spacing and location requirements of smoke detectors and heat detectors. 

While spacing reduction is required for heat detectors in high ceilings, there are no specified considerations for the placement of smoke detectors on high ceilings.  There is inconsistency and confusion with regard to smoke detectors where high ceilings are defined as more than ten feet high.  Clarification is needed on the application of smoke detector spacing requirements in these applications. 

Code requirements currently state that the maximum distance between smoke detectors be a nominal 30 feet and cannot exceed half of the spacing measured from the wall, with the location on the ceiling required to be .7 times the nominal spacing.  There is, however, no mention of ceiling height although NFPA 72 does state that the effect of stratification below the ceiling to be taken into consideration. An appendix to chapter 17 also states that consideration should be given to installing aspirating smoke detectors at various levels and using beam type of smoke detectors. 

For greater clarification and to ensure compliance, talk with your fire alarm and life safety systems specialists at High Rise Security Systems.  We are recognized as an authority on fire alarm system design, installation and maintenance, providing fire safety systems to commercial properties in and around Chicago.

HRSS is a leading commercial fire alarm systems consultant with vast knowledge in system design.  We provide detailed fire alarm system design in AutoCAD software, prepare datasheets for approval from your local AHJ and guarantee code compliance.  Contact us today to learn more about NFPA 72 and the requirements for smoke detectors on high ceilings.

Fire Protection: How One University Did It

Designing a fire alarm system for colleges and sprawling university campuses poses many challenges consisting of protecting multiple buildings with effective detection and notification systems, covering new construction and renovations maintaining testing and inspections to ensure good working order.  In addition to all safety considerations, budgeting for fire and life safety systems with all stakeholders on board is another challenge facing safety and electrical technicians. 

Here’s how one university, the University of North Georgia, rehauled their fire alarm system throughout the entire campus, incorporated additional properties when expanding, eliminated false alarms and got all stakeholders on board.  

The Challenge of College Campus Fire Alarm Systems

The challenge facing most college campuses when designing fire alarm systems is providing a single fire alarm solution throughout multiple buildings, one that is simple to use, monitor and maintain. College campuses include dorm rooms, academic buildings, student centers, dining halls and recreational areas.  Educating administrative personnel and all stakeholders of the value an integrated fire and life safety system provides is important. 

When the University of North Georgia decided to provide one fire alarm solution, they experienced all of these challenges in addition to the disarray of the current system. Different systems were installed in different buildings, inspections, maintenance and testing had not been performed, and false alarms were a regular nuisance averaging 2 to 3 per week.

In addition to this challenge, the campus merged with Gainesville State College to create the University of North Georgia and another layer of complexity in providing fire alarm monitoring and protection. The University of Georgia faced monitoring approximately 5,000 points on their original campus and over 10,000 points after a merger in 2013. 

College Campus Fire Alarm Solution

Once the decision had been made to improve the fire and life safety systems, Fire-Lite by Honeywell was chosen as the optimum system to meet all safety and budgeted goals. A combination of fire alarm control panels, detectors, evacuation equipment and all other required equipment consisted of the following:

●       (35) 9200UDLS, 9600UD and 9050UD Fire-Lite fire alarm control panels on the main campus

●       (73) FCPS248 and FCPS246 fire alarm power supplies

●       (15) ACC-25/50 and ECC-50/100 voice evacuation panels

●       (575) H355 heat detectors

●       (90) H355 heat detectors with B501 intelligent sounder bases

●       (437) BG-12LX manual pull stations

●       (1,466) SD355 smoke detectors

●       (1082) SD355 smoke detectors with B501 intelligent sounder bases

All equipment had to be installed for functionality with the historic beauty of the buildings taken into consideration during installation.  This integrated fire alarm solution has significantly improved the emergency response time of the University and has all but eliminated false alarms.  In fact, after a major lightning strike hit a dorm damaging a fire alarm control panel and peripheral devices, the University’s electronic systems technician was able to install a new panel and upload everything to begin troubleshooting within an hour.

To learn more about designing fire alarm and life safety systems for college campuses, contact your fire and safety system specialist.

High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire and life safety system specialist protecting commercial properties, colleges and campuses in and around Chicago. We provide fire alarm system design, UL listed equipment, testing, maintenance, inspections and monitoring 24/7/365. Contact us to learn more about integrated and addressable fire alarm systems and learn which system meets your goals for campus safety.