Fire Alarm 2- Hour Rated CI Cable (Level 2 Survivability)

[Npstewart]

If a fire alarm system requires level 2 survivability and CI cable is to be used, is this cabling required for the entire fire alarm system (or) only certain and specific portions of the system? (ie. certain notification circuits)

Any opinions welcome and any NFPA 72 references are especially welcome.

 

[gadfly56]

If a fire alarm system requires level 2 survivability and CI cable is to be used, is this cabling required for the entire fire alarm system (or) only certain and specific portions of the system? (ie. certain notification circuits)

Any opinions welcome and any NFPA 72 references are especially welcome.

Per NFPA 72-2013:

24.3.6.3* The pathway survivability requirements in 24.3.6.4
through 24.3.6.12 shall apply to notification and communications
circuits and other circuits necessary to ensure the continued
operation of the emergency communications system.

So, anything that supports the communication circuits has to be protected. If you have transponder panels and the voice message travels over a voice riser, that riser cable has to be protected. Any auxiliary power supporting remote microphones and whatnot would need to be protected. If voice message propagation depends on the types of alarm signals received and remote panel logic, the SLC and/or data channels would need protection. Everything that is critical to get the notification signal to occupants at 01:59:59 needs to be protected.

 

[Npstewart]

Per NFPA 72-2013:

24.3.6.3* The pathway survivability requirements in 24.3.6.4
through 24.3.6.12 shall apply to notification and communications
circuits and other circuits necessary to ensure the continued
operation of the emergency communications system.

So, anything that supports the communication circuits has to be protected. If you have transponder panels and the voice message travels over a voice riser, that riser cable has to be protected. Any auxiliary power supporting remote microphones and whatnot would need to be protected. If voice message propagation depends on the types of alarm signals received and remote panel logic, the SLC and/or data channels would need protection. Everything that is critical to get the notification signal to occupants at 01:59:59 needs to be protected.

So when it says “Pathway”, this is not generally referring to all circuits, conductors, fibers, etc connecting two points associated with the fire alarm system which is inclusive of all signaling devices, initiating devices, or notification devices?

This particular building does not have or require a voice evac system.

I appreciate your quick & comprehensive reply by the way.

 

[gadfly56]

So when it says “Pathway”, this is not generally referring to all circuits, conductors, fibers, etc connecting two points associated with the fire alarm system which is inclusive of all signaling devices, initiating devices, or notification devices?

This particular building does not have or require a voice evac system.

I appreciate your quick & comprehensive reply by the way.

Well, that there is real interesting. Let's roll it back a little.

Is the building:

doing partial evacuation?
doing occupant relocation?
doing defend-in-place?​

If the answer to all of these questions is "no", why is Pathway Survivability level 2 or 3 under consideration?

 

[Npstewart]

This is an assisted living facility. During the event of a fire, the operator of the building does not plan to immediately evacuate the occupants but instead relocate them to another area of the building, away from any fire or smoke, until the fire department arrives.

The operator does not plan to employ a "Defend in place" strategy, and there is no specific place in the building where the occupants will be moved to.

I was hoping to use a performance alternative as this building is fully sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13. CI Cable is obviously expensive, and as of now, the current (preliminary) design is calling for every inch of wiring to be 2-hour protected CI Wiring.