Location of monitor modules for fire alarm tamper switches

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bbaumer

bbaumer

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Indiana
Hi all.

Due to past experience with ground faults due to moisture or downright flooding in the fire/water service pits I have been locating the monitor modules inside the building and not inside the pit to monitor the supervisory switches for the sprinkler valves in the pit and/or PIV. I pretty much deal with addressable systems anymore, very few hard-wired systems.

Anyhow, someone told me today that you must install the modules within 3 feet of the device being monitored and that locating the addressable monitor modules remotely is a code violation.

I could not find anything in NFPA 72 re: this. I thought maybe some/all manufacturers likely have a distance limitation on wire from the module to the supervisory switch (or flow switch or whatever) but I was unaware of the 3' rule. The person who told me this said he read it in a trade mag.

Anyone?
 
I don't believe that to be true.

Many (most / all) addressable devices have a low end operating temp that prohibits them from being used in unheated areas.

For example in my area MA, CT , RI all the pull stations located near the gates at a Lowe's garden center are old style and are wired class A back to monitor modules inside the store.

The same can be said of heats / smokes in the top of unheated elevator shafts.
 
I believe you can put the module anywhere you want unless the manufacturer states otherwise. As long as the EOLR is wired through the device to be monitored and not at the module I don't see a problem.

Side note; Bob, what system are you using up there? Why the loop back to the module not just an EOLR? manufacturer request or just design spec?
 
LLSolutions said:
Side note; Bob, what system are you using up there? Why the loop back to the module not just an EOLR? manufacturer request or just design spec?
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All kinds of manufacturers and I have not installed EOLs in ages, all the systems we do are engineered as Class A (Yeah I know it is 'style' now I just can not remember which style replaced Class A)
 
I meant from the addressable module on a class A loop to the non addressable device, IE simplex IAM to a weather proof heat detector? Are going from addressable module to N/A device-1 then to N/A device-2 then back to the module?
 
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iwire said:
All kinds of manufacturers and I have not installed EOLs in ages, all the systems we do are engineered as Class A (Yeah I know it is 'style' now I just can not remember which style replaced Class A)
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A modern multiplex/addressable system is more than likely wired and configured as a Style 7.

And I owe that answer to my trusty copy of NFPA 72, which I ordered from the NFPA catalog. :D
 
nakulak said:
would you happen to know the code section for that ?


thx
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NFPA 72 (2002) 6.15.2.2

A listed relay or other listed appliance connected to the fire alarm system used to initiate control of protected premises fire safety functions shall be located within 1 m (3 ft) of the controlled circuit or appliance.​

This, of course is in relation to a relay module, not a monitoring module. Siemens monitoring modules (TRI's or HTRI's) have a limit of 200 ft to the end of the monitored switch loop.
 
iwire said:
All kinds of manufacturers and I have not installed EOLs in ages, all the systems we do are engineered as Class A (Yeah I know it is 'style' now I just can not remember which style replaced Class A)
Click to expand...

You can't be putting in many monitoring modules, then. The module itself may be wired Class A (or Style 7 for Signaling Line Circuits), but the loop out to the "dumb" device (pull, heat, other relay device) is 2 wires. Or at least, all the ones I've seen are. I'm willing to be educated.
 
gadfly56 said:
You can't be putting in many monitoring modules, then. The module itself may be wired Class A (or Style 7 for Signaling Line Circuits), but the loop out to the "dumb" device (pull, heat, other relay device) is 2 wires. Or at least, all the ones I've seen are. I'm willing to be educated.
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All the monitor modules we use are capable of two wire with an EOL or four wire with a loop back to the module on the monitored circuit.
 
iwire said:
All the monitor modules we use are capable of two wire with an EOL or four wire with a loop back to the module on the monitored circuit.
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Interesting. Learn something new every day. Brand name?
 
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