Red f/a j.b's

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ray tieman

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We have a Fire alarm system going into a comm. bldg. w/emt and boxes, and have been told by the I.O.R. we "by code " have to paint all 4square boxes "RED". i couldn't find this , however at other jobs it was in the spec. book not on this job.
 
This is a 3 story bldg. w/ approx. 100 boxes allready installed,not painted ! i do not have labor in the budget to go back!! is there a code section that requiers these to be painted ?? they do have an F/A sharpied on the cover!!
 
maybe there so used to seeing the red boxes they just take it for granted that it is code and not just a spec. requirement. I had a job that speced out the conduit to be red . Maybe he will meet you half way and just paint the covers red .
 
ray tieman said:
This is a 3 story bldg. w/ approx. 100 boxes allready installed,not painted ! i do not have labor in the budget to go back!! is there a code section that requiers these to be painted ?? they do have an F/A sharpied on the cover!!
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Color coding the boxes is not required by NFPA 72. I frequently see it in the specs. It may be a local amendment; ask to see a copy of the enabling ordinance. If it's going to cost you that much money it might be prudent to push back a little (politely!).

Try Space Age Electronics here for the boxes. They also sell the cover plates separately ($0.98 each at my local branch of ADI); maybe the inspector will meet you half way.
 
Although I may be mistaken I think NFPA 72 requires fire alarm junction boxes to be 'identified'.

Spray painting covers red is cheaper and faster than labels that say "Fire"
 
iwire said:
Although I may be mistaken I think NFPA 72 requires fire alarm junction boxes to be 'identified'.

Spray painting covers red is cheaper and faster than labels that say "Fire"
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Yes, in chapter 9.7 dealing with Public Cable Plant

"Cabling systems and interconnections between alarm transmission equipment and alarm-receiving equipment shall comply with the requirements of Section 9.7." It appears to be aimed more at a municipal system than anything else.

I couldn't find it anywhere else in NFPA 72. There is this from NFPA 70 760.10:

"Fire alarm circuits shall be identified at terminal and junction locations in a manner that will prevent unintentional interference with the signaling circuit during testing and servicing."

Note that it doesn't specify the manner of identification. A tag inside the JB might be sufficient.
 
gadfly56 said:
760.10:

"Fire alarm circuits shall be identified at terminal and junction locations in a manner that will prevent unintentional interference with the signaling circuit during testing and servicing."
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That is what I was thinking of.

Note that it doesn't specify the manner of identification. A tag inside the JB might be sufficient.
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It could be but IMPO it would be entirely within the AHJs authority to say no it is not sufficient.
 
iwire said:
It could be but IMPO it would be entirely within the AHJs authority to say no it is not sufficient.
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At this point I'm probablly not interested in running to the Construction Board of Appeals.

Hmmm, I suppose this is where I turn on the Irish charm for the AHJ:

"Say, you know these pre-painted covers are all you really need, right?" :grin::grin:
 
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