Fire Alarm Design

alixenos

alixenos

Member
Location
Florida
Occupation
Electrical Design Engineer
Happy Holidays,

Can someone guide me as to what codes to look for to design a fire alarm system?

I'm currently looking at NFPA 72, and 101. Does 72 give you most info that you need to design a fire alarm system?

Thank you
 
You could look at the expanded commentary in the NFPA 72 Handbook. That will give you more information on the "why's" of the code. Not cheap; about $250 if you aren't a member of NFPA. Member discounted price is $219. Membership is $225 and you get full on-line access to all the NFPA codes. See if your company will spring for it.

Another resource some people like is the National Training Center's (NTC) Brown Book, Fire Alarm Systems Handbook. Don't let the word "National" fool you; it's a commercial operation.

Between these two, you should have a very good background for fire alarm system design. Even more useful is to take system specific training. The big guys (Honeywell, Siemens, Simplex) offer various opportunities for you to get more information/training on their products, especially for engineers and architects.
 
gadfly56 said:
You could look at the expanded commentary in the NFPA 72 Handbook. That will give you more information on the "why's" of the code. Not cheap; about $250 if you aren't a member of NFPA. Member discounted price is $219. Membership is $225 and you get full on-line access to all the NFPA codes. See if your company will spring for it.

Another resource some people like is the National Training Center's (NTC) Brown Book, Fire Alarm Systems Handbook. Don't let the word "National" fool you; it's a commercial operation.

Between these two, you should have a very good background for fire alarm system design. Even more useful is to take system specific training. The big guys (Honeywell, Siemens, Simplex) offer various opportunities for you to get more information/training on their products, especially for engineers and architects.
Click to expand...
Thank you, this book you recommended from NTC is great.
 
Yes, NFPA 72 gives you the requirements. You can also look at UL 864 to see how listed systems are tested.
 
MrTomas said:
Yes, NFPA 72 gives you the requirements. You can also look at UL 864 to see how listed systems are tested.
Click to expand...
Ha! I'd love to, but since I'm not independently wealthy, that's not gonna happen. The hard copy is $631. Save money on the PDF; $505 :rolleyes:. Only for those who are addicted to how the sausage is made.
 
The adopted building code tells you when and what kind of fire alarm is required. For example, the IBC Section 907 is adopted by most jurisdictions, just check which edition. Then NFPA 72 tells you how to install it. All ICC codes and NFPA standards are available to see for free on their websites.

CHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS - 2024 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC)

ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
codes.iccsafe.org codes.iccsafe.org
 
gadfly56 said:
Ha! I'd love to, but since I'm not independently wealthy, that's not gonna happen. The hard copy is $631. Save money on the PDF; $505 :rolleyes:. Only for those who are addicted to how the sausage is made.
Click to expand...
You can read all of the UL standards for free. However they use the same non-user friendly viewing system that the NFPA uses.
Just click on digital view on the UL page where you would purchase the document.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top