Fire Alarm and Low-Voltage Wiring

[cwestbrooks]

Where is a code reference for how low-voltage cabling should be pulled in a Hospital? In specific, I have a Cysto room with hard ceilings and I need a reference to tell the contractor to either pull plenum rated wire in J hooks or put it in conduit to accessible ceilings. The fire alarm contractor is asking if it needs to be in conduit.

 

[gadfly56]

Where is a code reference for how low-voltage cabling should be pulled in a Hospital? In specific, I have a Cysto room with hard ceilings and I need a reference to tell the contractor to either pull plenum rated wire in J hooks or put it in conduit to accessible ceilings. The fire alarm contractor is asking if it needs to be in conduit.

The first place to look are the project specifications. The national codes (NFPA, IBC, etc) do not require conduit for fire alarm cable. However, if the cable is part of the notification system and the hospital will perform partial evacuation or defend in place as part of its operational plan then that cable will need to meet the requirements for Pathway Survivability Level 2. In addition, there may be other requirements from the organization that inspects and certifies the facility. In NJ, it's The Joint Commission that has that responsibility. You will need to look at these issues and others that may be unique to your location.

 

[cwestbrooks]

Smoke Detector in an OR Room inside the hospital

Smoke Detector in an OR Room inside the hospital

Where can I find a code reference that speaks about the need for a smoke detector in a Hospital Cysto OR room?

 

[gadfly56]

Where can I find a code reference that speaks about the need for a smoke detector in a Hospital Cysto OR room?

I refer you to post #2. If this is new construction and the area is fully sprinklered it is most unlikely that smoke detection is required in this or any other operating room. Certainly not under the IBC or NFPA 72 or 99. Again, check the job specifications and drawings. Where these documents require more than the code minimum that's what you have to provide.