UL864 Fire Alarm printers

[nietzj]

Does the current fire alarm code require a printer connected to the FACP carry the UL 864 Rating? They are much more expensive than a normal printer, if possible I would like to save some money here.

 

[PaulMmn]

A quick search found this printer: https://www.autocall.com/uploads/resources/Datasheets/AC4190-0011.pdf?t=1694354251
Specs include "Serial RS-232, USB, or parallel communications interface RS-232 communications and AC input are transient protected UL listed to Standard 864"
Picture is of a standard-looking 24 pin dot matrix printer...
However-
An important line in their (and other) ads is that the printer is "listed" for use with fire alarm systems... which, to my way of thinking, adds a few hundred dollars to the price of an otherwise fairly standard printer!

 

[gadfly56]

A quick search found this printer: https://www.autocall.com/uploads/resources/Datasheets/AC4190-0011.pdf?t=1694354251
Specs include "Serial RS-232, USB, or parallel communications interface RS-232 communications and AC input are transient protected UL listed to Standard 864"
Picture is of a standard-looking 24 pin dot matrix printer...
However-
An important line in their (and other) ads is that the printer is "listed" for use with fire alarm systems... which, to my way of thinking, adds a few hundred dollars to the price of an otherwise fairly standard printer!

Is that a surprise to anyone? You're spending what, $100,000 or so to get your UL approval and how many units are you selling per year? We've sold 2 since 2021. Nationally, that's not a lot of units to amortize the added costs.

 

[tortuga]

Does the current fire alarm code require a printer connected to the FACP carry the UL 864 Rating? They are much more expensive than a normal printer, if possible I would like to save some money here.

Good question, I am no expert check with your AHJ.
taking a quick look at NFPA 72 a printer would fall under "Textual Visible Notification Appliance". I think an argument could be made that a "Textual Visible Notification Appliance" is not a necessarily "Control Units for Fire Protective Signaling Systems", however a product could be both.
Just becasue someone sells one thats listed does not mean its required to be listed in every application.

 

[Lupaman]

Fire alarm printers may be UL listed as a consumer electronic product or listed as a Fire Alarm Accessory under UL 864. A general UL listing indicates they have met certain electrical safety and performance requirements. These printers support one-way communication (outbound) and are unsupervised. UL 864 printers and are supervised by the respective FACP. These printers provide two-way communication inbound and outbound). They report loss of power, out of paper, as well as kind of wiring-fault conditions. UL-864 printers have been specifically tested with certain fire panels for reliability and integrity under extreme conditions to ensure they will continue to perform properly during emergency events. Project specifications or AHJ requirements dictate whether supervision is required.