Fire Alarm Power Supply at 277 volts

[ElectricPersonality]

Just curious if anyone knows why fire alarm manufacturers do not make power supplies that can be fed from a 277 volt circuit (just looked up Simplex and Honeywell online, and they are all 120 volt or 240 volt?) This seems illogical, given for larger commercial buildings, a generator is often present that feeds 277/280 volt life safety lighting panels that could provide the fire alarm system power in lieu of adding another step down transformer and a 120 volt panel. Is there a code section or UL requirement that dictates the power supply cannot be at the higher 277 volts?

 

[ron]

NFPA 72 Section 10.6.3 covers "Power Supply Sources". UL 1481 covers "Standard for Power Supplies for Fire-Protective Signaling Systems"
It doesn't have a specific requirement for 120/208, but just think of who is working on these systems. Generally a low voltage tech who would likely not feel comfortable at higher voltage. Also the system generaly don't need more than a 120V or 208V 20A circuit, so for building without 480V, it would be more troublesome than it is worth.

They could design it as a multivolt type, like a lighting ballast, but again, probably not worth it.