Apartment buildings that were constructed prior to the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 receive different treatment regarding compliance and enforcement of fire alarm system requirements and ADA legislations.  Apartments built after ADA took effect, however, must be fully compliant in terms of accessibility to public areas.  Any apartment building identified as an ADA apartment building, however, must meet special regulations regarding the type of fire alarm system installed and notification devices utilized.

Once apartment units are identified as housing the hearing impaired or any handicapped or disabled person, code requirements call for high candela strobes to be placed in all bed rooms, bathrooms and common areas.  Strobes must be activated from the local smoke detectors serving the apartment and the main building’s fire alarm systems. 

ADA apartment strobes cannot be wired to corridor notification devices as they have different sequences in operation, thus they require a dedicated 24VDC synchronized circuit from a dedicated addressable control module or a fire alarm distribution panel.  This ensures that the strobes will function under many programmable conditions such as corridor or apartment smoke detection, manual pull stations, elevator recall, water flow alarm, apartment carbon monoxide and other devices reporting to the base building fire alarm panel.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandates that smoke detectors be placed in all bedrooms and within 15 feet of bedroom doors in common areas, while carbon monoxide detectors are required within 15 feet of all bedroom doors but are not required inside sleeping rooms. Hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be equipped with dry contact relays for monitoring from the base building system.

HRSS Provides Compliant Fire Alarm Systems to ADA Apartments
High Rise Security Systems offers fire alarm system design and UL listed equipment from the most recognized names in fire safety.  We provide ongoing system maintenance, support, testing, inspections and monitoring 24/7/365.  When you have questions about requirements in your ADA apartment building or any commercial property, contact the fire and safety system specialists at High Rise Security Systems.

HRSS is a recognized leader in fire and safety system design in and around Chicago, IL.  We provide ongoing service and support to maintain reliable and code compliant fire alarm systems.  Contact us to learn more about the fire and safety requirements of your commercial property.

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.

Notifier by Honeywell Addressable Fire Alarm System

Notifier® by Honeywell is synonymous with fire safety, having installations on every continent in the world.  Notifier protects buildings of all shapes and sizes with a complete menu of fire safety equipment that can be programmed for each unique building structure.  Notifier’s addressable alarm system protects large buildings and complexes with the highest level of protection against gas, smoke and fire available today.

The control panel is the heart of any fire alarm system, and in an addressable system this is where information is gathered and where the location of the emergency is identified.  The control panel is integrated with the monitoring system to alert responding personnel of the problem, the location and the status of the emergency.  Monitoring stations may be an onsite location or an offsite monitoring service.

Notifier ONYX Series Fire Alarm Control Panels

The ONYX Series of control panels by Notifier have the capability to network up to 318 addressable devices with peripheral equipment such as voice evacuation annunciators.  Wireless networking is available, which is a great benefit in the instance of power loss.  The “First Vision” feature of the ONYX control panels is a valuable tool which helps firefighters by providing the current status of a fire with a graphic display.  This shows first responders just how quickly a fire is spreading and helps them determine where their best plan of attack should be to extinguish the fire. 

Linking additional devices such as closed-circuit TV, security and access control, and central locking or unlocking of doors can be networked together with the addressable ONYX series. This allows for the locking of specific doorways in cases of a security breach, identifying stranded occupants with motion sensors, and many other valuable features which quickly identify emergency situations for responding personnel.

High Rise Security Systems is a certified dealer of Notifier® by Honeywell fire alarm systems and control panels, providing UL listed equipment that meets and exceeds our client’s requirements. We are the recognized leading fire and safety firm in the Chicago area, protecting commercial properties of all shapes and sizes.  Contact us today to learn more about the Notifier addressable fire alarm system.

Difference Between Addressable and Conventional Fire Alarm Systems

Do you know the difference between addressable and conventional fire alarm system?  If you are involved in any way with building ownership, management or design, you owe it to yourself and your building occupants to learn the difference and choose the best fire protection system available for your property.

Conventional fire alarm systems consist of hardware and wiring installed to create individual zones, with no programming required.  These types of systems will provide warning to the presence of smoke, gas or fire but they provide a general location rather than an exact area of where the problem originated and exists.  This may be fine for smaller buildings or properties without numerous locations, but in large complexes or high-rise structures, this leaves too many unknowns to provide the proper response.  

Addressable fire alarm systems are programmed with communication capabilities that indicate the exact location of the origin of the fire, smoke or gas.  These systems can pinpoint the location of an emergency down to the exact room on a specific floor.  In a fire emergency, seconds count, utilizing an addressable fire alarm system may be the difference between life or death.

Testing and Programming Addressable Fire Alarm Systems

Testing addressable alarm systems is simplified as each device has its own “address”, which allows it to be tested independently of other devices.  Signals may correspond between the component and the control panel to verify all systems are operational.  Notifications are sent to the control unit whenever a break in the system is identified.

Programming is the key component to an addressable alarm system, and should be performed by a certified, fire safety technician.  Addressable systems allow for the user to program the system to provide an imminent danger alert to the area immediately affected while placing other areas on high alert.  This provides a more reliable understanding of the immediate danger and promotes a safe and orderly evacuation when necessary.

Addressable fire alarm systems increase the reliability of fire and smoke detection and reduce the instance of malfunctioning devices or false alarms. Immediate and accurate notification of the location of an emergency is vital to emergency personal and to evacuate occupants in a timely manner.

HRSS is recognized as a leading provider of fire and safety systems in the State of Illinois and throughout the Chicago area.  We are experienced in providing code compliant fire alarm systems to all types of commercial properties.  Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of addressable alarm systems.

Advantages of Addressable Fire Alarm Systems

The main goal of any fire alarm system to provide early warning to occupants so that they can evacuate safely without injury, and to provide a timely dispatch to emergency responders.  An addressable fire alarm system provides additional features such as accurately pinpointing the exact location of the origin of fire or smoke, quickly leading responders to the exact room on the correct floor of a building.   Addressable fire alarm systems are more efficient than conventional zone type fire detection systems, especially in high-rise buildings, campuses or mass complexes.

Components of an Addressable Fire Alarm System

Components of an addressable fire alarm system consist of detection sensors which alert occupants and responding personnel to the presence of fire, smoke or gas and also include notification of security breaches.   Notifications are received at a central control panel, with the identification and location of the detection sensor that was activated clearly identified.  This accurate location of each device that was activated allows personnel and responders to locate the source of the problem to generate the proper response.

This advanced notice can be the difference between life and death when seconds count, as responding personnel can immediately evacuate occupants from the dangerous areas.  Addressable alarm systems are wired with a loop design which consists of the various types of devices, each having it’s own “address”.  Addressable systems may include fire, smoke or gas detectors, alarms, visual alerts such as strobe lights, audible alerts such as evacuation speakers, suppression equipment such as sprinklers and auxiliary power supply.  Each device and piece of auxiliary equipment is connected to the control panels and central monitoring location.

With proper design and installation, and addressable fire alarm system provides the following benefits:

• Quick identification of the exact cause and location of the emergency
• Continual monitoring of the operational condition of sensors and devices
• Detection of contaminants which could affect performance
• Identification of breaks in the system wiring
• Reduction in false alarms

HRSS is a leading fire and safety systems service company, offering comprehensive services including fire system design, equipment, maintenance, repair and monitoring 24/7/365.  We are experienced with fire systems in a wide variety of commercial properties including high-rise, low-rise, campuses and complexes.  Contact us to learn more about the advantages of an addressable fire alarm system.