Commercial Fire Alarm System Approval and Acceptance

Whether planning a new building or retrofitting an old one, a comprehensive design starts with a full review of the layout of your structure to determine which type of commercial fire alarm system and suppression devices should be incorporated. Proper placement and types of detection devices, alarms, and other warning equipment are essential to the safety of building occupants. Each element should be geared toward immediate detection and notification to implement the timely evacuation of occupants and quick response from the local fire department.

Local Code Requirements

Local authorities and municipalities impose somewhat different requirements for approval of a commercial fire alarm system. Moreover, the steps for approval may vary from place to place.

All designs should comply with local fire codes and NFPA-72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code). One requirement is to have the design work. Installation, and testing completed by someone who can prove experience and certification for these systems. Proof of the designer’s experience will be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) at the outset.

Shop Drawings

Before approval, shop drawings should show the detail of the plan. No work can begin without approved permits.

The shop drawings should clearly represent each device and connection within the proposed system. The drawings will show elements such as the owner and location of the building, installation contractor, and dates of issue. Detail will include floor plans, riser diagrams, plus control panel, circuitry, and point-to-point wiring diagrams marked according to the NFPA 170 protocol.

The location of windows and doors and placement of each fire detection and notification device, monitor and control interfaces must be shown. Types of equipment attached to each electrical circuit must be defined, and backup power sources must be depicted.

Installation

The installing personnel should be licensed by a state or local authority or a nationally recognized organization. Alternatively, they should have been certified in a formal training program at the manufacturer's location.

Final Approval

When the installation is complete, the contractor or building owner will usually issue a written statement that the installation followed the proposed plan and met all manufacturer specifications.

Working with a fully licensed and qualified fire safety company for the design, installation, and maintenance of your commercial fire alarm system is the best route. Experienced companies like High Rise Security Systems in Chicago can help with each step of the way.

Fire Detection Systems are More than just detection systems

Fire Detection Systems are More than Just Detection Systems

Fire detection systems have evolved considerably in recent decades. Sophisticated smoke and gas detection sensors, wireless connectivity, and a range of notification accessories create a unified network that detects trouble at the earliest instance while notifying building occupants instantly.

These systems also direct evacuations while contacting the local fire emergency agencies for immediate response.

Fire detection systems are not simply the old “break glass and run” mechanisms of the past.

Notifier Fire Detection Devices

One company, Notifier by Honeywell, draws upon Honeywell's long history of technological innovations in atmospheric monitoring. With integrated technology, systems include the most sophisticated smoke and gas detection devices, notification equipment that includes alarms, strobe lights and horns, and more designed to protect building occupants.

Central Fire Monitoring Systems

As soon as one sensor identifies a problem, the fire detection system transmits the information to a monitoring station. Security personnel can quickly determine the location of the emergency and direct people away from the danger. The system simultaneously notifies the local fire department. Loudspeakers and LED messages direct occupants to the appropriate areas for evacuation.

Connected annunciators placed near the entrances to large buildings provide information to arriving firefighters about the location and status of the emergency.

Versatility

Fire alert systems may combine with the building’s access control network to alert building occupants to the possibility of entry by an unauthorized individual. If entry security is breached, the notification systems can alert central control personnel who may then initiate evacuation or direct occupants to a secure area. Closed circuit TVs that are used to monitor fire emergencies can also work to monitor intruders.

High Rise Security Systems in Chicagoland

HRSS has teamed up with Notifier by Honeywell and others to provide the most comprehensive and technologically advanced fire detection systems available. For new design or retrofits, collaborate with the HRSS experts for support in building occupants and monitoring.

HRSS can provide ongoing preventative maintenance and testing to make sure your systems are in top working condition at all times.

Contact HRSS for your building's fire and personal security requirements.

Who to Call for Fire Alarm Inspections

Regular fire alarm inspections must be conducted annually to meet the requirements of agencies, including state and local building authorities and the National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA). The NFPA Fire Alarm Code (NFPA-72), requires building owners to commission certified fire alarm companies to test all devices regularly to maintain the safety of all occupants.

Regular Fire Alarm System Maintenance and Testing

While various components of the systems should require more frequent testing, especially older units, local fire commissions require certification that each element of the fire alarm system has been tested for proper operation. The testing should be a natural part of an ongoing preventative maintenance program performed by your fire alarm monitoring service.

Regular maintenance of the system must be performed by an experienced, certified fire safety company that is recognized by your local authorities.

As systems age, environmental conditions can have a detrimental effect on the sensors and critical parts of a fire detection system. Regular maintenance and testing can identify loss of calibration and replace parts rendered defective because of accumulated dirt and grime.

Testing requires the technician to simulate conditions that activate the system. Once the systems are determined to be working properly, adjustments and recalibrations will ensure the system will react to emergency situations correctly. Also, the technician will make sure the system is communicating properly with local fire departments.

Why is Certified Testing Important?

The principal reason for testing and certifying the operation of the fire detection systems is that proper service saves lives.

Secondly, annual testing is a requirement of local authorities and the NFPA.

Third, insurance companies will reject claims without clear certification, thereby leaving you with substantial liability.

HRSS, a Chicagoland Certified Alarm Monitoring Service

Technicians from High Rise Security Systems in the Chicagoland region are trained and certified to inspect and maintain fire alarm systems throughout the area. HRSS services and verifies fire alarm networks in hospitals, universities, apartment buildings, and high-rise office buildings throughout the area. HRSS can provide a regular preventative maintenance program to provide peace of mind for you and all your occupants.

Fire Alarm Inspection is Not Optional

Regular fire alarm inspection is essential to the safety of building inhabitants. Systems are designed and installed to alert all occupants to potential danger from smoke and fire while facilitating prompt and safe evacuations. Systems also notify local fire and emergency departments to respond quickly.

A faulty, poorly maintained fire notification system could result in death and injury.

Legal Reasons for Regular Inspection

Maintaining all fire detection systems in proper working order is mandated by local fire authorities, National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The NFPA Fire Alarm Code (NFPA-72) addresses fire alarm inspection requirements in detail citing six reasons for doing so. These are:

1. Lives are at stake! Operational effectiveness can only be assured through regular inspection and testing.
2. Necessary to meet the requirements of local regulations and insurance carrier.
3. Insurance claims are non-supportable if annual inspections have been neglected.
4. Limit liability due to fire injuries.
5. Ensure against nuisance alarms.
6. Properly working alarms and inspections are required by law.

Review of Fire Alarm Systems

Regardless of the age of the system, regular inspection is necessary. Factors such as vandalism or environmental, can affect even the newest systems. As the equipment ages, dust and grime can impact the responsiveness of the equipment. Parts may begin to wear out.

Much older alarms require close attention and more frequent maintenance to ensure that they can sustain the level of responsiveness required.

Maintenance and Testing Procedures

A certified fire alarm monitoring service performs the mandated testing steps to attest that the testing has been performed. The company will test and calibrate sensors, simulate emergency conditions for testing, set or reset the sensitivity, coordinate with the local fire department to ensure automatic notification when a fire is detected, and check batteries for life and corrosion.

High Rise Security Systems in Chicago

High Rise Security Systems is an experienced and certified fire safety company that performs regular maintenance and inspection throughout the Chicagoland area. HRSS experts can perform periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance.

Preventative maintenance saves lives and ensures peace of mind.

Commercial Fire Alarm Installation: The Shop Drawing

Commercial Fire Alarm Installation: The Shop Drawings

Fire alarm system designs must comply with the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA-72. Also, in most jurisdictions, a building permit is required which should include the required fire alarm systems. These must be approved before any installation may begin.

For approval, complete specifications, system descriptions and drawings, must be submitted. The notification appliance circuit, input/output matrix and battery calculations must be included.

Shop Drawing Requirements

Shop drawings are the detailed drawings submitted to the authority having jurisdiction for the location involved before review and approval. These provide the details of the system and connections, such as the location of each device, appliances, wiring sequences and methods, and depictions of how the components are to be linked. Floor plan drawings, control panel wiring, riser diagrams, conduits and routing details must be included.

Point-to-point wiring diagrams must depict exactly how the electrical network will be connected.

Formatting the Shop Drawing for Commercial Fire Alarm Installation

Using uniformly sized paper, the drawing detail should include:

1. Identification of the building, deed holder, and occupants
2. Name of installer or contractor
3. Location of protected premises
4. Citation that the design is in accordance with NFPA®70 (Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols)
5. Date of issue and any revisions

Moreover, drawn according to scale, shop drawings for fire alarm systems should clearly identify the floor, compass direction, walls and doors, partitions, descriptions and device locations, primary power location, monitor and control interface locations. All components of the fire alarm system, conductor, conduits, and site of air diffusers located near smoke detectors should also be depicted.

System Representation

Shop drawings must represent:

1. Location of control equipment
2. Field wiring terminals
3. Circuit identification
4. Indicators and controls
5. Connections to supervising stations and safety control interfaces
6. Risers with wiring diagrams included

Notifier Fire Alarm Panels

Notifier Fire Alarm Panels are the most capable control panels available. This state of the art emergency management system can be configured to control a few interconnected detection devices for small buildings, to monitor a large campus, or a complicated high-rise block wirelessly.

In simplest terms, fire alarm control panels consist of connected detection elements that sense the presence of fire and smoke, output devices like alarms to notify occupants of a potential emergency, a power source, and a secondary power supply.

Notifier by Honeywell Fire Alarm Control Panels are designed with industry leading smoke detection capability to provide the earliest possible warning in case of emergency.

The Notifier Fire Alarm Panels can be equipped with a variety of accessories to accommodate facility types and unique requirements. The system communicates with a central monitoring location and can transmit emergency information from fire detection devices to remote fire departments.

Evacuation Assistance

Notifier Fire Alarm Panels may be integrated with Onyx Digital Voice Command, an emergency voice communication system that can provide live paging or digital voice commands to direct evacuation. Also, Notifier offers their LED Sign Gateway to display predetermined graphic instructions to assist further in an emergency evacuation situation.

Connectivity

For large hospitals, high-rise buildings and campuses, the Notifier High-Speed NOTI-FIRE-NET will link multiple Notifier intelligent fire alarm control panels into a single system. Each panel may be programmed differently, while NOTI-FIRE-NET maintains integration among all units. To monitor existing conditions from a remote location, Notifier offers a choice of Gateways to access the control panel from any remote location. Each Gateway protocol may be programmed for a range of circumstances.

Installation

Contact a certified Notifier representative to design the best system for your facility. Early detection and notification are the most important elements of occupant safety.

Fire Alarm Design- The Retrofit

Fire Alarm Design – The Retrofit

As buildings age, so do their components. After 20 years or more, much of the electrical, heating, and plumbing equipment requires upgrades or replacement. More importantly, fire detection and alarm systems become antiquated and may not perform when needed. Grime accumulates, parts wear out, and older systems become obsolete compared to many of today’s state-of-the-art sensing devices.

The primary responsibility of a building owner is to protect the safety of the occupants. A closer review of the existing system may signal that your building is due for a fire alarm design retrofit.

Newer, more sensitive devices can detect smoke and other dangerous emissions far sooner than older ones could. Alarms and other notifications today can be transmitted wirelessly to central locations for rapid response.

Retrofitting Building Fire Alarm Designs

When retrofitting an existing building with a new fire alarm design, the first course of action is to consult with an expert who is licensed and experienced in mapping systems that will meet local requirements as well as the National Fire Alarm Code (NFA-72). Working with the consultant and local fire authorities during the design phase can prevent problems later.

Working with the blueprints or CAD-computerized replication of the building, the consultant can determine the number and placement of sensing and suppression devices, as needed.

Additional Functions of the Fire Alarm Retrofit

Besides smoke and fire detection, and alarm notification, modern devices can be wirelessly connected to a central monitoring location. Also, programmed voice and LED devices can be installed to guide evacuations. Other features of a fire alarm design retrofit could include the automatic unlocking of all stairwell and exit doors, self-illuminated lighting, emergency shut-off of hazardous gas, HVAC control to retard smoke, and evacuation route charting.