EVAC PANEL FOR A RESTAURANT

[KHAALID_EL]

Urgent question: I am designing a Fire Alarm System for a restaurant that is using Speaker Strobes. The installer has told me that the only way to use Speakers is with an EVAC panel. I disagree because I never had to use an EVAC panel with speakers before in a restaurant, a school yes, but not with a restaurant. Am I right or wrong ? I would appreciate the groups expert advice! Thanks.

 

[MyCleveland]

Urgent question: I am designing a Fire Alarm System for a restaurant that is using Speaker Strobes. The installer has told me that the only way to use Speakers is with an EVAC panel. I disagree because I never had to use an EVAC panel with speakers before in a restaurant, a school yes, but not with a restaurant. Am I right or wrong ? I would appreciate the groups expert advice! Thanks.

When I hear speakers…I think large building.
Is this a stand alone building, or is your space a tenant in a large building?

If stand alone, why speakers?

 

[Strathead]

Urgent question: I am designing a Fire Alarm System for a restaurant that is using Speaker Strobes. The installer has told me that the only way to use Speakers is with an EVAC panel. I disagree because I never had to use an EVAC panel with speakers before in a restaurant, a school yes, but not with a restaurant. Am I right or wrong ? I would appreciate the groups expert advice! Thanks.

I just checked NFPA 72 and "EVAC Panel" is not a term or definition, so I am going to guess you are likely speaking past each other. A fire alarm system with speakers would require a control panel that includes support for voice and would be covered under a different section of NFPA 72 than a horn/chime/strobe system. Unless NFPA 101 requires one of these systems, why would you use one?

 

[gadfly56]

Urgent question: I am designing a Fire Alarm System for a restaurant that is using Speaker Strobes. The installer has told me that the only way to use Speakers is with an EVAC panel. I disagree because I never had to use an EVAC panel with speakers before in a restaurant, a school yes, but not with a restaurant. Am I right or wrong ? I would appreciate the groups expert advice! Thanks.

You appear to be talking about 2 separate issues. The first is whether a voice alarm/evacuation system is required in the restaurant, and the second is how that is accomplished.

If the restaurant is classified as an A-2 occupancy, which includes nightclubs and cabarets, you might very well need a voice system, but otherwise I don't see it being required. On the other issue, a "normal" fire alarm system will not activate the speaker portion of a speaker/strobe. You can get voice systems even in lower end panels. Silent Knight has a bunch of them.