Multi-Family Unit Fire Alarm Issue

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tcoog

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To All,
I would like another opinion on this issue. According to the current IBC, Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, as well as other areas. The IBC states that Single and Multi-station Smoke Alarms cannot be part of a "system".
My problem is that although these alarms do have an aux. contact for supervising, if one of these alarms is removed from its base, the FA panel would never show an "Alarm".
I am designing a college dormatory, which is classified as a R-2 occupancy.
Is there a way to design a FA system that can monitor each smoke alarm, like you can with a system detector?
My client is concerned that if the kids remove the alarms, and there is a fire, then no notification will be sent to the FA panel.
Any thoughts?
 
I've never seen single station smoke alamrs used in dorm rooms. They have always been either smoke or heat detectors that are part of the building fire alarm system, with normal horn/strobe notification appliances. Furthermore, to prevent tampering they had a plastic or wire guard cover over them.
 
Would your FACP be addressable?if so there are fire alarm manufactures that can give you many options,ex:smoke detectors with sounder bases,there are also alot options that can be done thru the programming of the system.I dont understand how you can not install systems initiating devices in your situation,I/ve seen and have done it both ways.
 
Do you mean smoke detectors? A smoke alarm is a single/multi station system but does not have FACP interface. Fed usually 120 VAC with 9VDC back up battery.

If the system is addressable the removal of a detector would be a supervisory signal that gets sent to the FACP and to monitoring (barring AHJ requirements). Most dorm rooms are wired with a full fire alarm system, not as Peter pointed out, single station detectors.
 
tcoog said:
To All,
I would like another opinion on this issue. According to the current IBC, Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, as well as other areas. The IBC states that Single and Multi-station Smoke Alarms cannot be part of a "system".
My problem is that although these alarms do have an aux. contact for supervising, if one of these alarms is removed from its base, the FA panel would never show an "Alarm".
I am designing a college dormatory, which is classified as a R-2 occupancy.
Is there a way to design a FA system that can monitor each smoke alarm, like you can with a system detector?
My client is concerned that if the kids remove the alarms, and there is a fire, then no notification will be sent to the FA panel.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

We've addressed this problem in New York State by enhancing our Building Code to read "907.2.9.1 Student Housing. An approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed in all group R-2 occupancies used as dormitories, fraternities, sororities and similar student housing. Automatic fire detection shall be provided in common spaces outside of dwelling and sleeping units, including but not limited to recreation rooms, lounges, dining rooms, laundry rooms, mechanical equipment rooms and storage rooms; automatic fire detection shall not be required in corridors or exits. Required smoke alarms in dwelling and sleeping units shall be interconnected with the fire alarm system." :smile:
 
A couple of folks have mentioned that addressable systems can tell if a detector has

A couple of folks have mentioned that addressable systems can tell if a detector has

been removed from the system. Conventional (non-addressable) fire alarm panels also have this feature. You just can't tell which detector by standing in front of the panel, you have to go and look at the zone (area) showing the fault. Addressable panels tell you which detector.
 
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