2-9 Waterflow Alarms.
2-9.1
Waterflow alarm apparatus shall be listed for the service and so constructed and installed that any flow of water from a sprinkler system equal to or greater than that from a single automatic sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed on the system will result in an audible alarm on the premises within 5 min after such flow begins and until such flow stops.
2-9.2 Waterflow Detecting Devices.
2-9.2.1 Wet Pipe Systems. The alarm apparatus for a wet pipe system shall consist of a listed alarm check valve or other listed waterflow detecting alarm device with the necessary attachments required to give an alarm.
2-9.2.2 Dry Pipe Systems. The alarm apparatus for a dry pipe system shall consist of listed alarm attachments to the dry pipe valve. When a dry pipe valve is located on the system side of an alarm valve, connection of the actuating device of the alarms for the dry pipe valve to the alarms on the wet pipe system is permitted.
2-9.2.3 Preaction and Deluge Systems. The alarm apparatus for deluge and preaction systems shall consist of alarms actuated independently by the detection system and the flow of water.
2-9.2.4* Paddle-type waterflow alarm indicators shall be installed in wet systems only.
2-9.3 Attachments ? General.
2-9.3.1* An alarm unit shall include a listed mechanical alarm, horn, or siren or a listed electric gong, bell, speaker, horn, or siren.
2-9.3.2* Outdoor water motor operated or electrically operated bells shall be weatherroofed and guarded.
2-9.4
All piping to water motor operated devices shall be galvanized or brass or other corrosion-resistant material acceptable under this standard and of a size not less than 3/4 in. (19 mm).
2-9.5* Attachments ? Electrically Operated.
2-9.5.1 Electrically operated alarm attachments forming part of an auxiliary, central station, local protective, proprietary, or remote station signaling system shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code.
Exception: Sprinkler waterflow alarm systems that are not part of a required protective signaling system need not be supervised and shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code?, Article 760.
2-9.5.2 Outdoor electric alarm devices shall be listed for outdoor use.
2-9.6
Drains from alarm devices shall be so arranged that there will be no overflowing at the alarm apparatus, at domestic connections, or elsewhere with the sprinkler drains wide open and under system pressure. (See 4-14.3.6.1.)
4-15.1 Sprinkler Alarms.
4-15.1.1* Waterflow Alarms.
4-15.1.1.1 Local waterflow alarms shall be provided on all sprinkler systems having more than 20 sprinklers.
4-15.1.1.2 On each alarm check valve used under conditions of variable water pressure, a retarding device shall be installed. Valves shall be provided in the connections to retarding devices to permit repair or removal without shutting off sprinklers; these valves shall be so arranged that they may be locked or sealed in the open position.
4-15.1.1.3 Alarm, dry pipe, preaction, and deluge valves shall be fitted with an alarm bypass test connection for an electric alarm switch, water motor gong, or both. This pipe connection shall be made on the water supply side of the system and provided with a control valve and drain for the alarm piping. A check valve shall be installed in the pipe connection from the intermediate chamber of a dry pipe valve.
Exception: The alarm test connection at the riser shall be permitted to be made on the system side of an alarm valve.
4-15.1.1.4 An indicating control valve shall be installed in the connection to pressure-type contactors or water-motor-operated alarm devices. Such valves shall be locked or sealed in the open position. The control valve for the retarding chamber on alarm check valves shall be accepted as complying with this paragraph.
4-15.1.1.5* Attachments ? Mechanically Operated. For all types of sprinkler systems employing water-motor-operated alarms, a listed 3/4-in. (19-mm) strainer shall be installed at the alarm outlet of the waterflow detecting device.
Exception: Where a retarding chamber is used in connection with an alarm valve, the strainer shall be located at the outlet of the retarding chamber unless the retarding chamber is provided with an approved integral strainer in its outlet.
4-15.1.1.6* Alarm Attachments ? High-Rise Buildings. When a fire must be fought internally due to the height of a building, the following additional alarm apparatus shall be provided:
(a) Where each sprinkler system on each floor is equipped with a separate waterflow device, it shall be connected to an alarm system in such a manner that operation of one sprinkler will actuate the alarm system and the location of the operated flow device shall be indicated on an annunciator and/or register. The annunciator or register shall be located at grade level at the normal point of fire department access, at a constantly attended building security control center, or at both locations.
Exception: Where the location within the protected buildings where supervisory or alarm signals are received is not under constant supervision by qualified personnel in the employ of the owner, a connection shall be provided to transmit a signal to a remote central station.
(b) A distinct trouble signal shall be provided to indicate a condition that will impair the satisfactory operation of the sprinkler system.
