kidde Relay Module SM120X

[mtnelectrical]

I was asked by a customer to install a couple of pull station in the common areas. He has hardwired smoke detectors in place already, so I was planning to get this relay module kidde sm120x and use it according to their drawing provided so when this PS is activated all the interconnected smoke detectors go off in the common areas. I went to the city building dept and filed an application for electrical and fire. Electrical Insp called me and said my application was denied because of the fire inspector. I talked to the fire inspector and he said that the wiring that I was going to do is illegal that I can not mix the line voltage with the pull station that he said that is not a ul approved way to use that relay. I have explained to the inspector that the module has a 9 vdc terminal that would be the one going though the pull station and not 120 volts, but he said that this way of wiring between these relays and pull stations have been classified as illegal wiring. Has any one heard about this before? Sorry for the long post.

 

[Sierrasparky]

Have not heard of a issue.
have the fire inspector cite a code refrence.
You should be able to use the device as instructed.

 

[GrayHair]

My first post, having just joined, so a little background on me. I am a retired, nearly 40-year low voltage installer, service tech and designer, including fire alarms.

Not being familiar with the Kidde SM120X Relay Module, I located the instruction sheet at http://dms.hvacpartners.com//docs/2001/Public/05/1201-7208-03_ART.PDF.PDF . The second paragraph states "The power supply portion can be used to connect spot type heat detectors (Rate of rise or combined rate of rise and fixed temperature only) and manual pull stations with interconnected multiple station alarms." The key phrase being "interconnected multiple station alarms". If the smoke detectors are the 120V interconnected type (as opposed to "system" detectors) and you follow Figure 4 on the instruction sheet, you would have a "legal" configuration (at least in my opinion).

However, the phrase "common areas" in your original post leads me to think this is not residential. I don't believe interconnected smoke detectors are listed for use other than residential and so, I feel there is probably a fire alarm system. If these are system detectors, then the relay module is a no-go

Also keep the following in mind:

1. On interconnected systems, NFPA 72 limits the number of initiating devices to 18 (maximum of 12 smokes and a maximum of 6 'other').​

2. The interconnected smoke detectors have to be approved to be used with that relay module.​

3. Per relay instructions and Figure 4, 120VAC will be present at the Pull Station.
​

4. The wiring between the Pull Station and the Relay Module will be unsupervised.​

5. The pull station will not activate the smoke detector sounders during a power failure.
​

6. There could be a local amendment that prohibit the mixing of manual and automatic initiating devices on the same zone.
​

And of course, there could be a local amendment that trumps everything and just simply can not do it.

Good Luck! :thumbsup:

 

[qcroanoke]

My first post, having just joined, so a little background on me. I am a retired, nearly 40-year low voltage installer, service tech and designer, including fire alarms.

Not being familiar with the Kidde SM120X Relay Module, I located the instruction sheet at http://dms.hvacpartners.com//docs/2001/Public/05/1201-7208-03_ART.PDF.PDF . The second paragraph states "The power supply portion can be used to connect spot type heat detectors (Rate of rise or combined rate of rise and fixed temperature only) and manual pull stations with interconnected multiple station alarms." The key phrase being "interconnected multiple station alarms". If the smoke detectors are the 120V interconnected type (as opposed to "system" detectors) and you follow Figure 4 on the instruction sheet, you would have a "legal" configuration (at least in my opinion).

However, the phrase "common areas" in your original post leads me to think this is not residential. I don't believe interconnected smoke detectors are listed for use other than residential and so, I feel there is probably a fire alarm system. If these are system detectors, then the relay module is a no-go

Also keep the following in mind:

1. On interconnected systems, NFPA 72 limits the number of initiating devices to 18 (maximum of 12 smokes and a maximum of 6 'other').​

2. The interconnected smoke detectors have to be approved to be used with that relay module.​

3. Per relay instructions and Figure 4, 120VAC will be present at the Pull Station.
​

4. The wiring between the Pull Station and the Relay Module will be unsupervised.​

5. The pull station will not activate the smoke detector sounders during a power failure.
​

6. There could be a local amendment that prohibit the mixing of manual and automatic initiating devices on the same zone.
​

And of course, there could be a local amendment that trumps everything and just simply can not do it.

Good Luck! :thumbsup:

Very good response!
Welcome to the forum!

 

[Sierrasparky]

Thank you for the great response, Greyhair!
Sometimes you forget to look at those small clues. Hopefully the OP will return with some more details.

Oh , Welcome to the Forum :thumbsup:

 

[Curious nerd]

760.48 and 760.136 look relevant at first glance.

 

[goldstar]

However, the phrase "common areas" in your original post leads me to think this is not residential. I don't believe interconnected smoke detectors are listed for use other than residential and so, I feel there is probably a fire alarm system. If these are system detectors, then the relay module is a no-go

With respect to multi-family dwelling units (3 or more) you will need "common area" smoke alarms. That said, unless the inspector can cite some weird or abstract NJ Code, as long as you wire the manual pull stations in accordance with the diagram you should be good to go. I would contact the Code Assistance Unit at the DCA (609) 984-7609 to verify that what you want to do is acceptable before entering into an argument with the fire inspector. I can't see how they can compel you to install a complete fire alarm system (after the fact) just to add a couple of manual stations.

 

[mtnelectrical]

Thanks. I will do that this morning. I'll post what I find later

 

[mtnelectrical]

I did talk to a code expert from the DCA from electrical and then from the fire. We went through the relay module wiring instruction (kidde sm120X) and he agreed with the installation of this relay interconnected with pull stations, even sending 120 volts to the pull station. He recommended to write to this city inspector and provide him with a copy of the wiring instruction. I will do that soon. He just mentioned that for my case it is not necessary to add pull stations to a 3 family house because it is not required, only hardwired smoke detectors are needed there. He also said that building of 4 stories and up required pull stations. So now I will talk to the fire city inspector, let's see how this goes. Thank for all your replies.

 

[curt swartz]

Are they requiring Smoke Alarms or Smoke Detectors in the common areas? You keep talking about Smoke Detectors but the 120 volt devices you are referencing are Smoke Alarms. These 2 devices are very different. Smoke Alarms are self contained devices. Smoke Detectors require a fire alarm control panel.

I have never seen a requirement to install smoke alarms in any area other than inside a dwelling. Anytime smoke detection has been required in common areas it has required a UL listed fire alarm system. The system may or may not require manual pulls depending on building size. It will always require horns and strobes in the common areas and inside the dwellings.

I also don't see what purpose installing smoke alarms in the common areas would serve with or without manual pulls. The occupants of the units may never hear the alarms going off especially if the building is built with good insulation and good quality windows.

 

[goldstar]

Are they requiring Smoke Alarms or Smoke Detectors in the common areas? You keep talking about Smoke Detectors but the 120 volt devices you are referencing are Smoke Alarms. These 2 devices are very different. Smoke Alarms are self contained devices. Smoke Detectors require a fire alarm control panel.

You are correct with the terminology. It's a common mistake many of us have made over the years.

I have never seen a requirement to install smoke alarms in any area other than inside a dwelling. Anytime smoke detection has been required in common areas it has required a UL listed fire alarm system. The system may or may not require manual pulls depending on building size. It will always require horns and strobes in the common areas and inside the dwellings.

I also don't see what purpose installing smoke alarms in the common areas would serve with or without manual pulls. The occupants of the units may never hear the alarms going off especially if the building is built with good insulation and good quality windows.

Bear in mind this is not a commercial building we're talking about. This is a multi-unit dwelling. While the OP didn't mention how many units there are the fact is there are "common areas" of these units (or apartments or condos) that are accessible to all tenants (i.e common hallways, basements or storage areas, etc.). While each individual unit has their own 120V interconnected smoke alarms or combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms the common area devices, along with exit & emergency lights are wired to what is called a "house panel" and is separately metered. That way a landlord doesn't have to necessarily live in one of these units in order to rent it out.

FYI, this is not an NEC issue. It's controlled and regulated by each individual State and they have their own Codes and rules that apply (not sure what they do in CA). If smoke detection systems were required you would then have a situation where the entire system has to be monitored by a central monitoring station and fire trucks would be rolling out on a regular basis every time someone walked into a hallway smoking a cigarette.