On the other hand the mini-state of RI has an amendment requiring terminal strips where they allow splices. In general RI prohibits spicing fire alarm wires unless you install a terminal cabinet painted red with a lockable door.
Dumbest rule ever.
Not sure, its a toss up between that rule, the compression fitting rule or the special UL listed Rhode Island Fire alarm MC
True, I was going to mention that but figured why heap more shame upon RI? You might as well add the other rules though - the special color code, no low energy cable, steel fittings only for EMT, etc etc.
Seriously.
(Add) 9.6.9.8
The color code for all newly installed fire alarm system conductors shall be as follows:
(1) INITIATING DEVICE CIRCUIT shall be red and black. Red shall be positive and black shall be negative [IDC/SLC].
(2) NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE CIRCUIT shall be blue and white. Blue shall be positive and white shall be negative. When speakers, bells, chimes or other audible/visual devices are used in lieu of horns, this color code shall be followed [NAC].
(3) STROBE CIRCUIT, if a separate feed is required, shall be blue and white. Blue shall be positive and white shall be negative.
(4) SMOKE DETECTOR CIRCUITS, if a separate power feed is required, shall be brown and violet. Violet shall be positive and brown shall be negative.
(5) “LOCAL” SMOKE DETECTOR CIRCUITS, if an interconnect wire between sounder bases is required, shall be violet.
(6) AUXILIARY REMOTE POWER SUPPLY CIRCUITS shall be brown and violet.
Violet shall be positive and brown shall be negative.
(7) ELECTRO-MAGNETIC DOOR HOLDBACK CIRCUITS shall be gray and gray if powered by 24 vDC or black and white if powered by 120 vAC.
(8) MUNICIPAL MASTER BOX TRIPPING CIRCUITS shall be orange and orange.
Conductors for this circuit shall be installed in a separate raceway. (9) ELEVATOR CAPTURE CIRCUITS shall be brown and yellow.
(10) HVAC SHUTDOWN CIRCUITS and AUDIO/VISUAL SYSTEMS SHUTDOWN CIRCUITS shall be orange and yellow.
(11) REMOTE ANNUNCIATOR CIRCUITS shall be violet and numbered at each end or as required by the control unit manufacturer.
(12) MUNICIPAL FIRE ALARM LOOP from the master box to the municipal loop shall be black and white.
Central Station Fire Alarm company I worked for only allowed soldered western union splices. PITA to do on multi-conductor cable but there were NO problems from them.
The only acceptable fittings for RI fire alarm work are steel compression fittings.
Do you know where that is stated/have a link? I see setscrew there all the time
True, I was going to mention that but figured why heap more shame upon RI? You might as well add the other rules though - the special color code, no low energy cable, steel fittings only for EMT, etc etc.
I just finished up an edition on a school where the job spec called for red jacket (fire alarm mc) in all concealed ceilings. If I never have to work with that stuff again it will be too soon.
JMO, but a typical fire alarm system has "supervised" external circuits for good reason. So if a poorly done connection fails, or if something just plain gets physically damaged, it should give you a trouble alarm, and focus on connection methods should get some relaxation. Still makes good sense to connect to four terminals on sensing devices so that the circuit depends on the device to complete the circuit - this will help ensure the device is part of what is being supervised.
JMO, but a typical fire alarm system has "supervised" external circuits for good reason.
Truthfully I agree with you but I do not agree with Peter that they are make work rules.
I think that if we traced them back we would find they go back to folks thinking they are adding to safety without any real thought or study going into it.
As far as having to use fire alarm MC on a job that is otherwise all metal raceways or cables makes sense to me. Low energy cable is cheap crap prone to ground faults .... Using it is 'make future work' planning.
, the issue I have with red jacket is its bending radius and how tight the spiral is wound around the conductors. A quick moving insulator could easily push down or up on a line running laterally between studs and break the armor, greatly increasing the likelihood of short. .