Fire Alarm 3 Unit Multifamily

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Nicholas Lanciani

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Location
Massachusetts
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Electrical Contractor
I'm currently bidding out a renovation project involving a complete rewire of the 2nd and 3rd floor levels of a 3-level multifamily. There are 2 common areas, one in the front of the building and one in the back (the first levels have a small hallway leading to the 1st floor unit and a flight of stairs up to the 2nd floor hallway. Access to the 2nd and 3rd floor unit are in the 2nd floor hallways). There are existing 120v smokes in 3/4 of the common area hallways, with one 120v bell located only in the rear common area on the 2nd floor level. My experience with F/A is commercial/industrial fire alarm systems and single/two family homes.

Each until has/will have an individual 120v detector loop.

My question is: What type of F/A protection is required in a 3 family home with common areas? After installing commercial systems it seems ridiculous to have F/A monitoring in the common areas with no means of alert to the tenants residing in the units themselves. And I'm currently at a loss about the line voltage bell only in one location.

Thank you.
 
in my area, NYC, what and where required located in chapter 9 of building code. There is also requirement for existing building based on percent of renovation.
 
Would ask the AHJ what they want . Each town is different some near me require 3 families to be sprinkled if they are being rebuilt due to fire. Most 3 families I deal with in the Worcester area require 120volt smokes in the hall and basement and heats on the open back porches. Or smokes if enclosed heated rear hall. Each apartment will need smokes in the bedroom smoke co combo with in 15' of bedroom. Also depending on heating system and location you will need CO detector in that area.
Be sure to check wire prices for your bid $160 this morning for a 250' coil of 14/3. :oops:
 
Sparkey1981 said:
Would ask the AHJ what they want . Each town is different some near me require 3 families to be sprinkled if they are being rebuilt due to fire. Most 3 families I deal with in the Worcester area require 120volt smokes in the hall and basement and heats on the open back porches. Or smokes if enclosed heated rear hall. Each apartment will need smokes in the bedroom smoke co combo with in 15' of bedroom. Also depending on heating system and location you will need CO detector in that area.
Be sure to check wire prices for your bid $160 this morning for a 250' coil of 14/3. :oops:
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input. This is a project in north Worcester, so I'm assuming the inspector would be the AHJ.

And boy do I know it, the Depot hasn't even had 14-2 250's in stock for over 3 weeks.
 
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