Who Governs Commercial Fire Alarm Systems?

 

Commercial fire alarm systems are designed to protect the building and occupants with unique features specific to the building or business type, although every fire safety system shares commonalities. The fire safety code requirements vary depending on the building and business type. For example, a manufacturer will have different code regulations than a building that is used for large event gatherings to hold 300 people or more.

Local, State, Federal, and International Building and Fire Safety Regulations Apply

Fire and life safety code regulations dictate the functionality of commercial fire alarm systems such as the type and placement of components as well as the type of monitoring that must occur. In addition to federal and international regulations, businesses must abide by their local and state building and fire safety codes.

The International Code Council 

The International Code Council (ICC) is a nonprofit association that develops model standards and codes that are used worldwide for safe and resilient construction of various structures. The International Building Code, (IBC), was developed by the ICC and provides regulations for properties based on different property types and occupancy, as well as various components of a fire alarm system.

The various groups of Occupancy Use Groups are detailed in the 2021 International Building Code, Section 302, and includes: 

●        Assembly: Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, and A-5 (Section 303)

●        Business: Group B (Section 304)

●        Educational: Group E (Section 305)

●        Factory and industrial: Groups F-1 and F-2 (Section 306)

●        High hazard: Groups H-1, H2, H3, H4, and H5 (Section 307)

●        Institutional: Group I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-4 (Section 308)

●        Mercantile: Group M (Section 309)

●        Residential: Groups R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 (Section 310)

●        Storage: Groups S-1 and S-2 (Section 311)

●        Utility and miscellaneous: Group U (Section 312)

The various components of a fire system covered in IBC include:

●        Automatic sprinkler systems

●        Portable fire extinguishers

●        Alternative automatic fire extinguishing systems

●        Emergency alarm systems

●        Standpipe systems

●        Fire alarm and detection systems

●        Smoke and heat removal

●        Smoke control systems

●        Gas detection systems

●        Carbon monoxide detection

●        Mass notification systems

●        Explosion control

●        Fire pumps

●        Fire department connections

●        Fire safety based on use and occupancy requirements

There are many exceptions and nuances to fire safety system requirements. Consulting with an experienced fire safety system service provider is the best way to ensure that your building meets all IBC code regulations.

National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA), was established in 1896 and is a self-funded, global nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating injury, death, economic and property loss due to fire and electrical related hazards.  NFPA 101 is the Life Safety Code that is the most widely used source for strategies and standards that protect people and minimize the effects of fire related hazards based on building construction and occupancy features. 

NFPA 72 is the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code that provides the most recent safety provisions that meet society’s requirements for fire detection, signaling, and emergency communication demands, as well as requirements for mass notification systems including emergencies related to weather, terrorist threats and other emergencies.

In addition to IBC and NFPA standards and regulations, commercial buildings must also meet requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA), designed to ensure secure and safe working conditions for all employees. Commercial buildings must also meet the requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA), for ADA compliant entryways, walkways, elevators, in and around all premises.

Working with a licensed and experienced fire and life safety system provider is the best way to ensure that your commercial property is in compliance with all organizations that govern commercial fire and life safety systems.

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is a leading fire safety system provider in the Chicago area offering decades of expertise and comprehensive fire alarm system services. We ensure that your commercial property is fully compliant and partner with you to provide the best fire safety solutions including fire alarm system design customized to your unique property, structure, occupancy, and business use.

HRSS offers UL listed fire alarm system equipment from the leading fire alarm manufacturers as well as providing fire alarm inspection, testing, maintenance, repairs, and retrofits. We further protect commercial properties with reliable fire alarm system monitoring 24/7/365. Contact us to learn more about protecting your people and property with code compliant commercial fire alarm systems.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/commercial-fire-alarms/who-governs-commercial-fire-alarm-systems/

 

Why Band Signal Boosters are Important For Public Safety

A Public Safety signal booster, also called a Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA), boosts the radiofrequency of the portable radios of first responders including police and fire to ensure reliable communication without any dead spots inside buildings. A BDA enhances all public safety frequencies including 700, 800 and 900 MHz to improve the quality of communications of first responders including portable radios and cell phone signals.

Why a BDA is Critical

Busy office buildings, high-rise structures and buildings that host large events can pose risks if the radio frequency of first responders is hindered during an emergency. The building size, construction material and features can block the radio signal of emergency responders and hinder life-saving rescue. Reliable communication is critical during an emergency where first responders inside a building must be able to communicate with personnel outside the building.

Imagine a firefighter inside a building who cannot communicate the status of a fire or their location to a command post outside. Or a police officer who cannot communicate to authorities outside a building during an emergency like an active shooter event. Even the slightest hindrance of communication increases the threat and puts everyone at risk.

What Buildings Require a Signal Booster

A Public Safety signal booster is required in many different types of buildings to ensure reliable communication, save lives, and prevent an escalation of emergency situations. Fire and Public Safety codes require a band signal booster and many types of buildings including hotels, stadiums, universities, airports, shopping malls, parking garages, and elevators, for example.

Public Safety Communication Code Compliance Requirements

Originally, local authorities adopted their own regulations for Public Safety communications which created some confusion as to which parts of national fire safety code standards apply to various building types. Today, three main organizations have set national standards that regulate public safety compliance, those include the:

●       National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

●       International Fire Code (IFC)

●       International Building Code (IBC)

These organizations in addition to the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) govern the installation, maintenance and testing of two-way emergency responder radio enhancement systems in buildings.

NFPA 72 includes the standards for the installation, maintenance, and performance of fire detection systems as well as emergency communication and mass notification systems.  NFPA 1221 contains the standards for the installation, maintenance and use of Emergency Services Communication Systems.

 The IBC first introduced code requirements for Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) and IBC 2015 section 916 states that emergency responder radio coverage shall be provided in all new buildings in accordance with Section 510 of the International Fire Code.

First Responder Network Authority of the United States

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 created the First Responder Network Authority of the United States, FirstNet, as an independent authority within the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA). The mission of FirstNet is to build, operate, and maintain the first of its kind countrywide, high-speed network created solely for the purpose of serving Public Safety. Adequate cellular coverage and signal strength is now a requirement and no longer an option.

The Public Safety broadband network is the first unified public safety network to serve first responders including firefighters, police, EMS ambulance paramedics, U.S. marshals, and other public safety workers. This provides a nationwide umbrella for fire and building safety to thousands of organizations and Public Safety workers at local, state, and federal levels. FirstNet selected AT&T to build and manage the first nationwide Public Safety broadband network that is dedicated solely to first responders.

How To Choose The Right Public Safety Signal Booster

There are two types of Public Safety signal boosters:

●       Class A – have higher power for larger coverage areas

●       Class B – generally limited to 500 K square feet due to power limitations

Contact an experienced and licensed fire safety specialists like High Rise Security Systems, HRSS for assistance in choosing the right signal boost or for your business and building type.

HRSS offers quality, UL listed ERCES and BDAs from the leading fire alarm system manufacturers. We ensure that your entire system meets all fire safety and public safety signal code regulations. Contact HRSS for assistance in finding the fire alarm and life safety system including the Public Safety signal booster.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-and-life-safety/why-band-signal-boosters-are-important-for-public-safety/