The Essentials of Fire Alarm System Design

Commercial fire alarm systems are the most critical piece of protecting a company’s most important assets and saving lives. Fire alarm systems play the most significant role in how well your property and the building is protected in a fire emergency and can be the difference between life and death for occupants.  It is necessary to work with a licensed, professional fire alarm system designer to ensure that your commercial property is protected and compliant to all fire safety and building regulations.

Commercial business owners cannot go down to the nearest big box store and buy a couple of smoke detectors like you can for your home. Having a certified professional on board could mean the difference between saving your business or experiencing huge losses, including loss of life.

Commercial Fire Alarm Design is Complex

Many important considerations go into designing a commercial fire alarm system, which involves creating an elaborate system of wiring, equipment, and dozens of additional components.  Proper placement of detection devices, initiating and notification devices is required. Additional fire safety features such as communication devices, mass notification systems, and sprinkler systems may also be integrated with your total fire, life, and safety system. 

Additionally, fire alarm systems are governed by a rigid collection of codes and rules from local, state, and federal building and safety regulations designed to keep property and, most importantly, people safe. 

Commercial fire alarm system design should only be performed by an experienced fire alarm system designer with in-depth knowledge of all code regulations. A professional fire alarm system designer will also consider how many floors the facility has, its construction materials, its composition, the number of exits, and heat sources. A fire alarm design engineer will consider these many aspects and more.

Regulations Govern Commercial Fire Alarm System Design

Regulations governing fire alarm systems vary from state to state, however, many are modeled after NFPA 72, which details the performance, location, application, maintenance, testing, and inspection of fire alarm systems. The professional designer will also be able to interface with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), usually the fire department, to see what control they have over the process. 

In addition to codes and regulations, there are several other conditions that must be considered when designing a fire alarm system. These include insurance company requirements and unique building codes beyond the fire alarm codes. Additional considerations may apply to older buildings, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  An experienced fire alarm system designer will also consider your unique building architecture and business operations to go above and beyond code compliance to provide maximum safety and protection. 

Commercial Fire Alarm Design: Considerations Beyond Saving Lives

Keeping people safe is always the primary goal of a commercial fire alarm system, although additional considerations benefit business owners.  Business owners and building managers have other requirements that a professional fire alarm system designer can integrate into the final design. These goals could include: 

●        Ease of maintenance 

●        Fewer false alarms

●        Longevity of the system

●        Ability to accommodate future changes

 Fire Alarm Technology Continually Evolves

Building managers have many choices regarding modern technology that could help them meet their fire and life safety objectives. Wireless fire detection permits monitoring in areas that previously were prohibitively expensive or physically impractical to monitor. 

●        Remote monitoring and control methods now provide extremely early fire detection and the ability to locate where in the facility the fire is taking place so firefighters can arrive fast and at a pinpointed location. 

●        Sensors can tell smoke and fire from other obstructing indicators, such as dust and steam, which can trip a false alarm. 

●        Some detection systems now can give maintenance alerts concerning specific smoke detectors saving time and money hunting a problem down.

When dealing with a commercial building containing property and people, facility managers should cut no corners in selecting a professional to design a commercial fire alarm system. In case of an emergency, the money invested will be well worth it. 

HRSS is a top designer of commercial fire alarm systems, with engineers knowledgeable of proper placement of all detection, initiation, and notification devices for code compliance. Our experienced fire safety engineers utilize AutoCAD systems and work closely with all interested parties throughout the planning and design processes. Contact us to learn more and to ensure that your fire alarm system design addresses all essential considerations.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-detection-system-design/the-essentials-of-fire-alarm-system-design/

 

Space Age Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Ductwork

 

In commercial buildings, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors placed throughout ductwork are the best way to avoid CO poisoning, keep tenants or residents safe, and preserve lives. Carbon monoxide detectors are sensors that respond to CO and are attached to an alarm unit. These detectors and sensors generally comply with ANSI/UL 2075 Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors.

CO detectors can be used as a single unit system or integrated with a security or fire alarm system. This integrated system notifies first responders of a CO emergency. Some state codes mandate one detector should be placed every 100 feet of ductwork. 

What is CO?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is also known as a “silent killer” because it is an invisible, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and non-irritating gas that can cause significant health problems including death, quickly. When ingested, CO inhibits the body from absorbing oxygen. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 430 people die from accidental CO poisoning in the United States annually. In addition, more than 20,000 are injured or become ill from CO poisoning. 

Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and headache. These symptoms imitate flu symptoms or other illnesses, and that's why CO issues can be confused for different sicknesses. 

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

If a commercial HVAC system is inefficiently operating and deficient oxygen is in the air, and the CO level is too high, you will have problems. That's why it's crucial to ensure your commercial building has a carbon monoxide detector installed by a trained professional. A sensor can indicate rising CO levels and save employees, occupants, and visitors before permanent damage.

There are many potential sources of CO in a commercial building: 

●        Gas-fired dryers and washing machines 

●        Gas-fired ranges and ovens found in cafeterias, commissaries, and kitchens

●        Use of gas-fired power tools inside a facility 

●        Running vehicles inside a parking garage or loading dock 

●        Gas-fired boilers and water heaters

●        Heating systems

UL Listed, High-Tech CO Detectors 

Several carbon monoxide detectors for ductwork on the market today provide very early detection in the air circulating through a commercial HVAC system.  They are outfitted with a UL-Listed electrochemical sensor that alerts at certain PPM carbon monoxide levels mandated hazardous by OSHA and the NFPA. Most CO sensors have a life span of 6 to 10 years from the manufacturing date. But this number might vary depending on environmental conditions; low relative humidity and high temperatures can dry out sensors. Wet, humid conditions can also be problematic. Often, historical information can be recalled from the detector to help in identifying the source of a CO issue or leak.

Other features available from today’s commercial detectors:

●        "Snap-in" sensors that are easily removed at the end of life

●        Test mode for an aerosol test of CO 

●        Self-test initiated every day

●        Connectivity to other units

●        Internal dust filtering by sensors

●        Fire alarm system compatible

●        Wiring instructions affixed directly to the unit

Integrated CO Detectors Provide the Greatest Value

The cost of purchasing and installing a CO detector depends on the type of unit and warning system. CO detectors can be installed in single or multiple locations, and integrating them with your commercial fire alarm and life safety system provides the greatest value. Integrated detectors can send signals to an outside station ensuring constant monitoring, instantaneous notification, and immediate response. 

HRSS Offers High-Tech CO Detectors for Ductwork

High Rise Security Systems offers CO detectors for ductwork such as the Space Age SSU-SL-701 Duct Carbon Monoxide Detector.  The SSU-SL-701 contains an electromechanical sensor that notifies of CO detection when PPM reaches levels deemed hazardous by the NFPA and OSHA.  The Space Age CO Detector for Ductwork has many additional features such as:

●      Functional operation indicated by an LED light in solid green

●      Performs a self-test every 24 hours

●      It can be easily replaced with a “snap-in” sensor at end-of-life

●      Can connect to up to 30 additional units

●      Complete wiring details are attached to the unit

●      Stores historical data at the unit that is retrievable

Space Age CO Detectors for Ductwork contain these advanced features and more.

HRSS provides more than 30 years of experience designing complex fire and security systems for many commercial buildings, including high rises, hotels, and hospitals. Our commercial fire alarm design specialists will work closely with all interested parties to assist in integrating your alarm system with carbon monoxide detection systems. Contact us to learn more about protecting your people and property with CO duct detectors.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-and-life-safety/space-age-carbon-monoxide-detectors-for-ductwork/