NFPA regulation on Fire Alarm device locations

[TinCanFury]

I'm trying to figure out if, by NFPA code (I know some state codes require this), offices in an educational building are required to have smoke detection and if they are required to have notification and if so what type (strobe, horn/speaker, combination).

Thanks!

 

[nhfire77]

I'm trying to figure out if, by NFPA code (I know some state codes require this), offices in an educational building are required to have smoke detection and if they are required to have notification and if so what type (strobe, horn/speaker, combination).

Thanks!

If they are required, the ADA the IBC and NFPA 101 all play a roll.

Depending on the occupancy classification a fire alarm system maybe be required. Also, depending on the occupancy, you may need a voice evacuation system. Strobes are required in all spaces, with few exceptions (think small closets, but check with the AHJ.). Also, the sound must penetrate all occupiEd spaces 15 dB above the ambient noise level. There a whole bunch of exceptions and things I have not covered. There is a lot of considerations to be made.

Start reading IBC chapter 907, if that applies to your state/municipality.

Also confer with 101.

Then, use NEC article 760 and 72 on how to install.

Again, this is a generalization.

 

[TinCanFury]

thanks for the quick response!

I've noticed it's a jumble of various codes and such, and at least what I've read through so far (NFPA 1, 72, 101, will need to read through 760 now) does not make it easy to determine what spaces need what.

It's good to know that all spaces require 15db above ambient audible level and that all spaces require strobes. This may explain why I've seen many individual offices that are attached to cubicle farm rooms only have strobes as they should be covered audibly from the main room horns.

I do know that I need a fire alarm system with voice evacuation.

Are there any good code summary's or books that cover fire alarm design that would clarify these requirements further?

thanks!

 

[skeshesh]

There's really no easy approach to this. The requirements vary greatly depending on location so an overview paper would not be very specific at all. Here's a start though:
1 - Determine your building type and see if the classification requires full coverage. As mentioned, you can usually find this requirement in your local adaptation of the IBC chapter 9.
2 - Read through NFPA 72 chapters covering detection and notification. The detection rules are mostly straight forward as long as you dont have a lot of sloped ceilings and exposed beams and weired ceiling/attic spaces. If you have full coverage sprinklers you may be able to get away with some spaces. Remember that your HVAC units will require detection if over 2000CFM (there's an exception to that under mechanical code 609, take a look). Notification appliance locations are spelled out in the chapter, it should be fairly easy to spot.
3 - Verify your requirements for pull stations, annunciation panels, etc.
4 - Voice evacuation is required by some codes but it's less defined when it comes to design standards. Consult with the manufacturer for their recommendations. Remember that the 2010 NFPA 72 has moved mass notification into the body of the code so if you are designing per that code cycle you may need to consider priorities in the sequence of operation. There are products that offer a combination of FA and voice evac/mass notification in one panel.

Honestly, depending on the scale of your building and the construction it may range from pretty easy to very complex in design. Perhaps start posting concerns or questions as you go through the design and we can help address them one by one.