victor.cherkashi
Senior Member
- Location
- NYC, NY
Hello,
Recently, I received several comments/objections from the NYC fire department related to missing survivability wiring information on design drawings submitted for their review. Our spec states “wiring shall comply with NFPA 72, NEC, and all local code etc.”
In my 7 years in the design office, maybe a couple of times I got fire alarm wiring submittals for review from electricians, so I am not sure if “Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable” cable was used in high rise buildings.
The question below is for the electrician's community who did fire alarm wiring in high rise buildings.
1. Do you usually install “Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable”
2. If no to question #1. Did you provide other solution for “Pathway Survivability Level 2”?
3. Are you using exception 24.3.5.4.1 in NYC appendix Q “Exception - Pathway Survivability Level 1 is permitted when pathway is designated as Class A or Class X with redundant pathways separated by a minimum of 15 feet.
Below are code sections for reference.
Majority of high rise building is partial evacuation (fire floor and floor above).
NFPA 72 (2010) 24.3.5.4.1 For systems employing relocation or partial evacuation, a Level 2 or Level 3 pathway survivability shall be required.
NFPA 72 (2010) 12.4.3 Pathway Survivability Level 2. Pathway survivability Level 2 shall consist of one or more of the following:
(1) 2-hour fire-rated circuit integrity (CI) cable
(2) 2-hour fire-rated cable system [electrical circuit protective system(s)]
(3) 2-hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area
(4) 2-hour performance alternatives approved by the authority having jurisdiction
Recently, I received several comments/objections from the NYC fire department related to missing survivability wiring information on design drawings submitted for their review. Our spec states “wiring shall comply with NFPA 72, NEC, and all local code etc.”
In my 7 years in the design office, maybe a couple of times I got fire alarm wiring submittals for review from electricians, so I am not sure if “Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable” cable was used in high rise buildings.
The question below is for the electrician's community who did fire alarm wiring in high rise buildings.
1. Do you usually install “Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable”
2. If no to question #1. Did you provide other solution for “Pathway Survivability Level 2”?
3. Are you using exception 24.3.5.4.1 in NYC appendix Q “Exception - Pathway Survivability Level 1 is permitted when pathway is designated as Class A or Class X with redundant pathways separated by a minimum of 15 feet.
Below are code sections for reference.
Majority of high rise building is partial evacuation (fire floor and floor above).
NFPA 72 (2010) 24.3.5.4.1 For systems employing relocation or partial evacuation, a Level 2 or Level 3 pathway survivability shall be required.
NFPA 72 (2010) 12.4.3 Pathway Survivability Level 2. Pathway survivability Level 2 shall consist of one or more of the following:
(1) 2-hour fire-rated circuit integrity (CI) cable
(2) 2-hour fire-rated cable system [electrical circuit protective system(s)]
(3) 2-hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area
(4) 2-hour performance alternatives approved by the authority having jurisdiction
