paul renshaw
Senior Member
- Location
- Cordova, Maryland
Does 760.21(NEC 2005) include 120 volt smoke detectors such as the ones installed in dwelling unit bedrooms?
smoke detectors
- Thread starter paul renshaw
- Start date
- Status
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: smoke detectors
My first thought is that this is only for a total security/fire alarm system but I have changed my mind. I think the answer is that it does include the dwelling unit smoke detectors.
II. Non?Power-Limited Fire Alarm (NPLFA) Circuits
760.21 NPLFA Circuit Power Source Requirements. The power source of non?power-limited fire alarm circuits shall comply with Chapters 1 through 4, and the output voltage shall not be more than 600 volts, nominal. These circuits shall not be supplied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit interrupters.
FPN: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception No. 3, for receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply power for fire alarm systems.
My first thought is that this is only for a total security/fire alarm system but I have changed my mind. I think the answer is that it does include the dwelling unit smoke detectors.
II. Non?Power-Limited Fire Alarm (NPLFA) Circuits
760.21 NPLFA Circuit Power Source Requirements. The power source of non?power-limited fire alarm circuits shall comply with Chapters 1 through 4, and the output voltage shall not be more than 600 volts, nominal. These circuits shall not be supplied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit interrupters.
FPN: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception No. 3, for receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply power for fire alarm systems.
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
Re: smoke detectors
Charlie, I'm not sure I can agree with you. To me the outlet in an unfinished basement usually supplies a control panel that monitors the detectors throughout the house as well as security. IMO if the 120V smoke detectors are supplied through a breaker, then the AFCI REQ
Charlie, I'm not sure I can agree with you. To me the outlet in an unfinished basement usually supplies a control panel that monitors the detectors throughout the house as well as security. IMO if the 120V smoke detectors are supplied through a breaker, then the AFCI REQ
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
Re: smoke detectors
Sorry, finger slipped, I would say if the smoke detectors are supplied by a breaker & home run then the AFCI requirement would apply. Ron
Sorry, finger slipped, I would say if the smoke detectors are supplied by a breaker & home run then the AFCI requirement would apply. Ron
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
Re: smoke detectors
I have reviewed the 2005 NEC ROP and ROC, the intent is for dwelling unit bedroom smoke detectors to be supllied from the AFCI. A dwelling unit smoke detector is a single station unit and not a fire alarm system.
I have reviewed the 2005 NEC ROP and ROC, the intent is for dwelling unit bedroom smoke detectors to be supllied from the AFCI. A dwelling unit smoke detector is a single station unit and not a fire alarm system.
websparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: smoke detectors
I couldn't agree more!
paul renshaw
Senior Member
- Location
- Cordova, Maryland
Re: smoke detectors
760.21 NPLFA Circuit Power Source Requirements. The power source of non?power-limited fire alarm circuits shall comply with Chapters 1 through 4, and the output voltage shall not be more than 600 volts, nominal. These circuits shall not be supplied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit interrupters.
FPN: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception No. 3, for receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply power for fire alarm systems
The text in the first paragraph says fire alarm circuits, not systems.
760.21 NPLFA Circuit Power Source Requirements. The power source of non?power-limited fire alarm circuits shall comply with Chapters 1 through 4, and the output voltage shall not be more than 600 volts, nominal. These circuits shall not be supplied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit interrupters.
FPN: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception No. 3, for receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply power for fire alarm systems
The text in the first paragraph says fire alarm circuits, not systems.
websparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: smoke detectors
The smoke detectors installed in dwelling units are not fire alarms!
websparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: smoke detectors
Here is the 2000 NFPA 72 for Households
Here is the 2000 NFPA 72 for Households
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: smoke detectors
Paul,
Don
Paul,
No matter what the wording says in the various sections of Article 760, the scope limits the application of these rules to "fire alarm systems".
Don
paul renshaw
Senior Member
- Location
- Cordova, Maryland
Re: smoke detectors
I guess all the smoke detectors in a house, even though interconnected, do not meet the definition a "fire alarm system" as far as the NEC is concerned.
I guess all the smoke detectors in a house, even though interconnected, do not meet the definition a "fire alarm system" as far as the NEC is concerned.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: smoke detectors
Don
That is my understanding of NFPA 72.
Don
Re: smoke detectors
Paul,
In a recent conversation with the NFPA electrical engineering support Richard Roux, he explained the difference of interpreting Article 760 that pertains to Fire Alarm Systems and circuits controlled and powered by fire alarm systems.
In residential, 760 "no AFCI or GFCI" only applies if there is a fire alarm system that is a 12V fed circuit to the detector-alarms. This is common for custom security intrusion and fire safety systems that are not AFCI, GFCI powered. [760.21]
Note that 210.12 specifies 125V (2002) and 120 V (2005) line supply as the AFCI requirement in bedrooms.
The AFCI does not apply to the controlled fire alarm system that is 12 VAC and sometimes located in an unfinished basement that requires a GFCI receptacle, hence the FPN: reference to 210.8(A)(5)Exception No.3*
*Added
rbj, Seattle
[ December 14, 2004, 06:41 AM: Message edited by: gndrod ]
Paul,
In a recent conversation with the NFPA electrical engineering support Richard Roux, he explained the difference of interpreting Article 760 that pertains to Fire Alarm Systems and circuits controlled and powered by fire alarm systems.
In residential, 760 "no AFCI or GFCI" only applies if there is a fire alarm system that is a 12V fed circuit to the detector-alarms. This is common for custom security intrusion and fire safety systems that are not AFCI, GFCI powered. [760.21]
Note that 210.12 specifies 125V (2002) and 120 V (2005) line supply as the AFCI requirement in bedrooms.
The AFCI does not apply to the controlled fire alarm system that is 12 VAC and sometimes located in an unfinished basement that requires a GFCI receptacle, hence the FPN: reference to 210.8(A)(5)Exception No.3*
*Added
rbj, Seattle
[ December 14, 2004, 06:41 AM: Message edited by: gndrod ]
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