Fire alarm circuit 760.41(b)

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

Hv&Lv

Senior Member
Location
-
Occupation
Engineer/Technician
How are you guys addressing this?
Do the red fire alarm lockout kits “obscure the manufacturers markings”?
 
Here are two instances of it at this site:

1638567736356.jpeg
1638567743087.jpeg

Based on the wording of that section, the second instance clearly fails since not a word of the manufacturer's markings is visible. Not sure why they'd even sell something like that... Anyways, I'll need to fix that.
 
EC Dan said:
Here are two instances of it at this site:

View attachment 2558585
View attachment 2558586

Based on the wording of that section, the second instance clearly fails since not a word of the manufacturer's markings is visible. Not sure why they'd even sell something like that... Anyways, I'll need to fix that.
Click to expand...
That’s second one is what I’m getting hit for…
I’ll try the red sticker. It’s cheaper anyway.
 
infinity said:
Can't you just remove the lockon kit to read it? It's still accessible the way that it is.
Click to expand...
If they had added the word "permanently" before "obscure", you'd have a case. Sounds like a proposal for the next code cycle.
 
infinity said:
Can't you just remove the lockon kit to read it? It's still accessible the way that it is.
Click to expand...
I wish…
“not damage…or obscure the manufacturer’s markings.”

Technically he is right since obscure means to hide or keep from being seen…
But still, c’mon man!


F62523B2-8F52-4A2E-9454-ADED1D15304A.jpeg
 
Hv&Lv said:
I wish…
“not damage…or obscure the manufacturer’s markings.”

Technically he is right since obscure means to hide or keep from being seen…
But still, c’mon man!


View attachment 2558592
Click to expand...
It is pretty unlikely that you are working with a fire alarm system that is covered by that section. Much more likely that 760.121(B) applies, but there is little difference.

Note that NFPA 72, and not the NEC, has purview over these requirements.
10.6.5.1.2* The branch circuit supplying the equipment shall supply no other loads.

10.6.5.2 Circuit Identification and Accessibility.

10.6.5.2.1 The location of the branch circuit disconnecting means shall be permanently identified at the control unit.

10.6.5.2.2* The system circuit disconnecting means shall be marked to identify the system or equipment that it serves.

10.6.5.2.3 For fire alarm and/or signaling systems, the circuit disconnecting means shall have a red marking.

10.6.5.2.4 The red marking shall not damage the overcurrent protective devices or obscure the manufacturer’s markings.

10.6.5.2.5 The circuit disconnecting means shall be accessible only to authorized personnel.

10.6.5.3 Mechanical Protection.
The branch circuit(s) and connections shall be protected against physical damage.

10.6.5.4 Circuit Breaker Lock.
Where a circuit breaker is the disconnecting means, an approved breaker locking device shall be installed.

10.6.5.5 Overcurrent Protection.
An overcurrent protective device shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 70.
Click to expand...

Only the red marking is prohibited from obscuring the breaker markings....the red lock-on device is not prohibited from doing that. As long as there is a red marking that does not obscure the breaker markings you are good to go.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
It is pretty unlikely that you are working with a fire alarm system that is covered by that section. Much more likely that 760.121(B) applies, but there is little difference.

Note that NFPA 72, and not the NEC, has purview over these requirements.


Only the red marking is prohibited from obscuring the breaker markings....the red lock-on device is not prohibited from doing that. As long as there is a red marking that does not obscure the breaker markings you are good to go.
Click to expand...
I’m just going by the letter..
1.
Verify the electrical breaker for the fire alarm control panel is marked red. [2013 NFPA 72 12.2.4.3
and 2017 NPFA 70 760.41(B)7
The project cannot be approved until we receive acceptable
 
I can understand why you would want to prevent someone from turning off the fire alarm circuit. But wouldn't the second device (in picture above) prevent it from opening in a ground fault situation? If that's the case, why even have over current protection? Second question, if this is for non power, only fire alarm, do you really need a 20 amp breaker? I'm new, please don't bite my head off if these are dumb questions.
 
Sea Nile said:
I can understand why you would want to prevent someone from turning off the fire alarm circuit. But wouldn't the second device (in picture above) prevent it from opening in a ground fault situation? If that's the case, why even have over current protection? Second question, if this is for non power, only fire alarm, do you really need a 20 amp breaker? I'm new, please don't bite my head off if these are dumb questions.
Click to expand...
There are no dumb questions, a circuit breaker will trip even if locked in the closed or ON position.
 
Hv&Lv said:
I’m just going by the letter..
1.
Verify the electrical breaker for the fire alarm control panel is marked red. [2013 NFPA 72 12.2.4.3
and 2017 NPFA 70 760.41(B)7
The project cannot be approved until we receive acceptable
Click to expand...
I just have not seen a new fire alarm panel that is covered by 760.41 in the last 30+ years.
 
electrofelon said:
Interesting....."the branch circuit shall not be supplied through AFCI or GFCI".....what about the " if the GFCI/AFCI trips there is something wrong with the circuit" argument?
Click to expand...
well, I guess if there’s a fire, don’t trip for any reason…
 
electrofelon said:
In America, shouldn't I have the freedom do decide that the meat in my chest freezer is subject to the same criteria?
Click to expand...
Agree wholeheartedly..
My refrigerator in the kitchen is not afci or GFCI,
Nor are the refrigerator or freezer in the garage.
There’s a half a cow in the freezer. Don’t want a garage GFCI to trip during a lightning storm and ruin the contents.
 
I agree with don I think they cited the wrong code unless your updating a building keeping a old 120V simplex system?
I would ask them if they meant to cite 760.124
I would be interested to see a new fire alarm circuit that is non-power limited.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
I just have not seen a new fire alarm panel that is covered by 760.41 in the last 30+ years.
Click to expand...

760.41 should apply to hard-wired smoke detectors in most dwelling, supplied by building line voltages, as clarified by OCP requirements in 760.43.
 
ramsy said:
760.41 should apply to hard-wired smoke detectors in most dwelling, supplied by building line voltages, as clarified by OCP requirements in 760.43.
Click to expand...
Nothing in Article 760 applies to hard wired smoke alarms in a dwelling. Article 760 only applies if you have a fire alarm control panel.
 
Hv&Lv said:
How are you guys addressing this?
Do the red fire alarm lockout kits “obscure the manufacturers markings”?
Click to expand...
That seems really strict, especially when you can still see the trip rating, and there are multiple other breakers in the same panel with the exact same markings.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top