11:00 to 12:00 secrets to achieving code-compliant strobe ... presentations/secrets to... · 100...

11:00 to 12:00

Secrets to achieving code-compliant strobe

installations. Ralph Coco, Potter Canada

Paul Jewett, Mircom Group of Companies

Visible Signals

Agenda

1. Physics

2. Installation Considerations

3. Application Specific Engineering

4. Technician Perspective

• We are going to analyze three different ways of measuring light intensity.

1. Peak Candlepower 2. Candela 3. Foot Candles or Lumens

Measures only

the “PEAK”

PEAK

AREA

100 200 300 400 500

Candlepower and Candela have an equal ratio 1:1

Peak Candlepower measures only the peak

•Candlepower (abbreviated as cp) is an obsolete scientific unit of luminous intensity based on the light emitted from a candle made to a specified formula.

•The candlepower as a scientific measure was replaced in 1948 by the international unit (SI) known as the candela.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminous_intensity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candela

100 200 300 400 500

Light

Intensity

Curve

CANDELA

Effective candela rating is calculated by the total area under the light intensity curve and includes all of its light energy.

CANDELA DEFINITION

USED TODAY

• The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.

• Measures the intensity in Candela and the

distance from the light source.

• This is called illumination and can be

calculated by the following formula.

INTENSITY

OF LIGHT

SOURCE

DIVIDED BY THE

DISTANCE SQUARED

1. Peak Candlepower measures only the peak and looks at

the performance over a short period of time.

2. Effective Candela measures the total light energy, but

does not take into consideration the distance from the light

source.

3. Illumination (Lumens or Foot-Candles) takes both factors

into consideration by measuring the power of the light and

the distance from the light source.

• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) required a minimum

light intensity of 75 candela, for use out to a distance of 50 feet

75

CANDELA

50 FEET

NFPA 72 & 101

ANSI 117.1

ADAAG

UL1971 • ADA requirements were incomplete • ADA did not look at different candela ratings; Polarity distribution

of light; Room size dimensions and Synchronization • The industry got together and expanded ADA’s requirements to

Harmonize with other standards. For Example (NFPA 72, UL 1971, ANSI 117.1 & ADAAG 2-2)

• Equivalent Facilitation was born and allowed for other designs and technologies to be used as long as they met or exceeded these other requirements

• CAN/ULC-S524-06 & CAN/ULC-S526-07 incorporates most of these standards (Emulated – Copied - Plagiarized)

• Now we will look at an example of how Equivalent Facilitation works

DISTANCE FROM STROBE

0’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’

Equivalent Facilitation

• Therefore, utilizing a visible signal less than 75 Candela in a smaller room is equivalent to a larger Candela strobe in a larger room; by providing greater luminance per square foot. (.0375)

• In the United States the minimum calculated illumination is required to be at least 0.0375 lumens or foot candles at any point within the covered area

• ULC-S524-06 Table 5 (Wall Mounting) meets or exceeds this requirement

• It is ironic that we do not follow Equivalent Facilitation in Canada, but we meet it in most cases

POLAR LIGHT

DISTRIBUTION

CAN/ULC-S526-07

HORIZONTAL DISPERSION (WALL)

Wall

Top View Degrees % Candela Rating

0 100%

5 – 25 90

30 – 45 75

50 55

55 45

60 40

65 – 70 35

75 – 80 30

85 – 90 25

Compound 45 24

0

45 45 0

0

90 0

0

90 0

Example is based on a 75 Candela Strobe – 15 Candela would

need to meet the following…

CAN/ULC-S526-07

VERTICAL DISPERSION (WALL)

Degrees % Candela Rating

0 100%

5 – 30 90

35 65

40 46

45 34

50 27

55 22

60 18

70 15

75 13

80 – 90 12

Side View

90 0

45 0

0 0

CAN/ULC-S526-07

VERTICAL DISPERSION (CEILING)

Degrees % Candela Rating

0 100%

5 – 25 90

30 - 45 75

50 55

55 45

60 40

65 - 70 35

75 - 80 30

85 – 90 25

Ceiling

90 0

45 0

0 0

45 0

90 0

• Intensity of light source?

• Distance from light source?

• Ambient lighting?

• Lens color?

• Size?

• Flashing or continuous output?

• Duration of output?

• Location in the visual field?

• Reflected light?

White 100%

Amber 70 - 100%

Blue 35 - 70%

Red 25 - 40%

• The recommended light source for visual

appliances is clear unless another colour

is required for the application or by AHJ.

Example: Chemical Agent Release may

require a different colored lens

Visible Signals

Agenda

1. Physics




• Bell cct

• Signal cct

• Notification cct

• NAC cct

• Output cct

• Indicating cct

What do panel manufacturers print on the control panel circuit board where you would normally connect a strobe to?

They all mean the same thing!!

Strobe/Horn Panel

Connections Before Sync Most Fire Alarm Panels would have two circuits

for signaling, one for strobes which would be a constant voltage and one for Horn/Bell which would pulse a code such as temporal for EVAC, or Alert at 20 spm.

FACPFACPFACP

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

The problem is the strobes will flash at

different rates

FACPFACPFACP

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

FIRE

Synchronization ADAAG (American with Disabilities Act Accessibility

Guidelines) Technical Bulletin #2, states that 5 flashes per second or more is the trigger point for photosensitive epileptic seizures.

This means if 4 strobes in a room are flashing 2 times per second, the combined flash rate could exceed the 5 flashes per second; potentially causing a seizure.

ADA recommends that a composite flash rate of 5 Hz be avoided for multiple strobes.

The strobe flash rate must be a minimum of 1 Hz across the listed voltage range. (Increasing or lowering the operating voltage will affect the flash rate).

Synchronization Requirements In Canada

Two or more visible signaling devices in corridors or rooms in the same field of view shall flash in synchronization.

Performance tests to verify flash rate between 1 and 2 flashes per second.

Synchronization feature to flash within 0.01 sec for 2 hours.

Strobe/Horn Panel

Connections With Sync Synchronization can be accomplished in two ways

The first is using an external sync module (this is for

both strobes and horns)

FACPFACPFACP Nac circuit 1

Nac circuit 2

Sync

Module

Strobe/Horn Panel

Connections With Sync

Some Fire Alarm Panels use two NAC circuits in

order for the horns to be silenced and strobes to have

continuous operation.

FACPFACPFACP Nac circuit 1

Nac circuit 2

Strobe/Horn Panel

Connections With Sync

The second method is the panel having the

sync protocol built into the panel. The external

module is not required.

FACPFACPFACP

Visible Signals

Agenda

1. Physics




Visible Signals

Codes & Standards

CANADA ULC-S526-07 VISIBLE SIGNAL DEVICES FOR FIRE

ALARM SYSTEMS, INCLUDING ACCESSORIES ULC S 524-06 provides installation requirements for

strobes in Canada NBC 2005 (National Building Code) OBC 2006 (Ontario Building Code) Other Provincial Building Codes

UNITED STATES NFPA 72 &101 provides additional guidance for strobe

applications in large volume open spaces ADA has its own guidelines UL 1971 AADAG ANSI 117.1

Where are Strobes

Required?

• OBC & NBC require strobes in the following areas….

Where are Strobes

Required?

Where Ambient Sound Levels Exceed 87dB

Example - Noisy manufacturing plants or diesel generator areas

Where are Strobes

Required?

Where ear protection is worn

Where are Strobes

Required?

Sound insulated or audiometric booths

(Recording Studios or Sound Testing Rooms)

Where are Strobes

Required?

Entertainment areas where sound levels may exceed 100dB

(Night Clubs & Concert Halls)

Where are Strobes

Required?

Building or portions of a building for persons with hearing impairment

Where are Strobes

Required?

Minimum 10% of rooms in Hotel (NEW)

OBC NEW

REQUIREMENTS

Based on Occupancy Class

New Requirements Based on

Occupancy Class (OBC) Installation of strobes in public

corridors for…

B Occupancy (Health Care)

OBC New Requirements Based on

Occupancy Class

- Strobes in public corridors…

D Occupancy (Office)


Occupancy Class

- Strobes in public corridors…

E Occupancy (Mercantile)


Occupancy Class

Strobes permitted in lieu of audible signals in compartments including operating rooms and recovery areas such as ICU and CCU


Occupancy Class A Occupancy (Assembly Areas)

Strobes are required in corridors used by the public, and also floor areas where public may congregate

OBC EXCEPTIONS FOR USE

OF STROBES

Not Required…

In classrooms (A Occupancy)

Group B Div 3 care occupancy for up to 10 persons

In C Occupancies - Residential

Key Installation Requirements

in ULC-S524-06

•ULC Table 7 - Corridor

•ULC Table 5 - Wall

•ULC Table 6 - Ceiling

a) ULC Tables will specify the strobe intensity and the number

of strobes required for each specific room size

b) Now we will look at installation examples using all of the tables

CORRIDOR SPACING

CORRIDOR SPACING FOR CEILING OR WALL

MOUNTED VISIBLE SIGNAL DEVICES (ULC-

(ULC-S524-06 TABLE 7)

Corridor Length (m)

6m less in width

Minimum # of 15

Candela Strobes

0 - 9 1

10 - 40 2

41 – 70 3

71 – 100 4

101 - 130 5

131 - 160 6

MOUNTING HEIGHT

Wall mounted (Room Area and Corridor)

Entire lens is not less than 2m and not more than 2.4m above the finished floor

INSTALLATION EXAMPLES

CORRIDORS

4.6

15 Candela Strobe for corridor installations

Strobe must be located no more than 4.6m from end of corridor

30 m

39.2 meter corridor

4.6 m 4.6 m

Additional strobes placed not more than 30m apart


CORRIDORS

4.6

Strobe must be located no more than 4.6m from end of corridor

40.8m

50 meter corridor

4.6 m 4.6 m

20.4m

Additional strobes placed not more than 30m apart

40.8 m

20.4m


CORRIDORS

4.6 22m

22m

4.6m

4.6m

4.6m

Where there is an interruption of the concentrated viewing path, such as a fire door, an elevation change, or any other obstruction, the area shall be treated as a separate corridor

38m

4.6m

WALL MOUNTED

VARIOUS ROOM SIZES

CAN/ULC-S524-06 (Table 5) LIGHT OUTPUT FOR WALL-MOUNTED VISIBLE

SIGNAL DEVICES FOR VARIOUS ROOM SIZES

Maximum Area

Coverage in (m) 1 Strobe per area 2 Strobes per area 4 Strobes per area

6.10 X 6.10 15 N/A N/A

8.53 X 8.53 30 15 N/A

9.14 X 9.14 34 15 N/A

12.2 X 12.2 60 30 15

13.7 X 13.7 75 60 30

15.2 X 15.2 94 60 30

16.5 X 16.5 110 60 30

18.3 X 18.3 135 95 60

21.3 X 21.3 185 95 60

24.4 X 24.4 240 135 60

27.4 X 27.4 304 185 95

30.5 X 30.5 375 240 95

33.5 X 33.5 455 240 135

Room Spacing Example

6 m

5 m

? Intensity


• Application: 6m X 5m Room • ULC-S524-06 Table 5 for wall mounted devices

requires a 15 Candela strobe for a maximum room size of (6.10m X 6.10m)

• Since our room size falls below 6.10m X 6.10m; a 15 Candela Strobe will meet this application

Maximum Room size

in (m) 1 Strobe per area 2 Strobes per area 4 Strobes per area

6.10 X 6.10 15 N/A N/A

8.53 X 8.53 30 15 N/A


6 m

5 m 15

Candela

Installation Tip -

Spacing allocation for

wall mounted strobes

are to be located (at

the mid-point of the

longest side of the area

served) NFPA 72

Do we mount the strobe on the short or long side of the wall?

Long Side

Coverage?

Short Side

Coverage?

The mid-point of the

longest side is the

preferred method

Correct & Incorrect

Allocation Methods

• Application - Four 15 Candela Strobes in a 12.2m X 12.2m Room

12.2 m

12.2 m In this example, we are meeting minimum Candela rating (illumination) but the strobe allocation is incorrect

Area Coverage of each appliance is not maximized

Moreover, if these were (Horn/Strobe or Speaker Strobe) combination units the result may be conflicting sound waves or sound cancellation

Correct & Incorrect

Allocation Methods • The correct method is by following clause 5.4.5.8 in CAN/ULC-S524-06

• Subdivide the room into multiple squares (6.1m x 4)

12.2 m

12.2 m

6.1m

6.1m

6.1m

6.1m

• ULC-S524-06 Table 5 - room size of 6.1m X 6.1m requires a 15 candela strobe • Install four 15 candela strobes (one for each 6.1m area)

Utilize Maximum

Area Coverage

Correct & Incorrect

Allocation Methods • Application – Room size is 14m X 28m

• Solution is to divide the room into two 14m X 14m rooms

28 m

14 m

14 m

14 m

• Using ULC –S524-06 Table 5 (wall mounting) requires a 94 Candela strobe in a 15.2m X 15.2m room (One in each subdivided room)

• Two 60 Candela or four 30 Candela strobes can be substituted • Please note that the two visible signal devices are located on opposite walls • If they were located on the same wall and both were within the same field of view

then synchronization would be required

Wall Mount Not Centered

In rooms with visible signal devices not centered on a wall, the effective intensity (candela) from one wall-mounted visible signal device shall be determined by maximum room size dimensions obtained either by measuring the distance to the furthest wall or by doubling the distance to the furthest adjacent wall, whichever is greater

5m

7m

In this scenario, the greater distance is obtained by doubling the distance to the farthest adjacent wall (6m x 2 = 12m) In table 5, a 12m X 12m room requires a 60 candela strobe.

6m

• Application 7m X 5m Room

• Wall Appliance Not Centered

In rooms with visible signal devices not centered on a wall, the effective intensity (candela) from one wall-mounted visible signal device shall be determined by maximum room size dimensions obtained either by measuring the distance to the furthest wall or by doubling the distance to the furthest adjacent wall, whichever is greater

6m

One 60 Candela

Two 30 Candela

Four 15 Candela

Wall Mount Not Centered

The Intent

5m

7m

Since we cannot centre the appliance, we create an imaginary room size to centre the device (12m x 12m) Then we select the appropriate strobe intensity to cover those dimensions - ensure full room area coverage

6 m

6 m

12m

12m

5m

7m

CEILING MOUNTED

Room Spacing for Ceiling Mounted

Visible Devices CAN/ULC-S524-06 (Table 6)

6.10 X 6.10 3 15

9.14 X 9.14 3 30

12.2 X 12.2 3 60

15.2 x 15.2 3 95

6.10 X 6.10 6 30

9.14 X 9.14 6 45

12.2 X 12.2 6 80

15.2 x 15.2 6 115

6.10 X 6.10 9 55

9.14 X 9.14 9 75

12.2 X 12.2 9 115

15.2 x 15.2 9 150

Maximum Area Size Maximum Mounting

Height

One Strobe Light

(Rated Candela)

Ceiling mounted strobes have a different polar distribution than wall mounted versions.

The strobe’s reflector has to be designed to disperse the light 180 degrees.

Most Manufacturers now offer separate models for ceiling mounted applications.

180 Degrees

Distribution

Ceiling Mounted Example • Application 9.14 X 9.14 Room @ 3 meter Ceiling Height

• Ceiling Appliance Centered

• ULC-S524-06 Ceiling Mount Table 6 requires a 30 Candela Strobe for room size 9.14m X 9.14m

9.14 m

9.14 m

30 Candela

Strobe @ 3m

height

• At 6m ceiling height, a 45 Candela is required • At 9m ceiling height, a 75 Candela is required • Please refer to Table 6 Ceiling Height Data

Ceiling Mounted

Not Centered • Application 9m X 4.5m Room @ 3 meter Ceiling Height • Ceiling Appliance Not Centered

4.5 m

9 m

One 95 or 2

60 Candela

Strobes can

be used

Where the ceiling-mounted visible signal device is not located at the centre of the room, the effective intensity (candela) shall be determined by doubling the distance from the device to the farthest wall to obtain the maximum room size.

7m

We have a 7m distance from device to the furthest wall - Doubling the distance gives us 14m. The next closest room size is 15.2m X 15.2m. The table shows that a 95 candela strobe is required

Visible Signals

Agenda

1. Physics




Compatibility

• Most people in the fire industry are aware devices like smoke detectors are required to be compatible with the Fire Alarm Panel but now we must ensure the signaling devices are as well.

• Each manufacturer has a unique sync protocol.

Compatibility

So what if?

• What if you install a new sync type horn/strobe on a non sync circuit?

• In most cases the devices are designed to work, but not always!!

• At least once when I tested a horn/strobe the horn did not operate.

Compatibility

So what if?

• What if you install a horn/strobe on a different manufacturers sync module or protocol?

• It may work but probably won’t!!!

• I tested three different manufacturers devices on each others sync modules with the following results.

Compatibility

Test Results (Note: this was a very unscientific test) • Using Manufacturer A’s Sync Module

– To Manufacturer B device - No Strobe or Horn sync – To Manufacturer C device -Strobe sync but Horn no sync

• Using Manufacture B Sync Module – To Manufacturer A device- No Strobe or Horn sync – To Manufacturer C device- Strobe and Horn sync

• Using Manufacture C Sync Module – To Manufacturer A device - Strobe Sync but no Horn sync – To Manufacturer B device - No Strobe or Horn sync

Note in almost all cases silencing the horn cct and keeping the strobe operational did not work.

Compatibility

Conclusions

• Depending on the type of sync protocol, mixing devices from difference manufacturers may or may not work.

• Odds are they won’t work!!

APPLICATION

CONSIDERATIONS

• When designing systems requiring strobes, you need to consider the following…

• Current draws • NAC output • Additional Power Supplies • Larger batteries • Appropriate wire sizes • Synchronization if two or more are in the

field of view

Strobe Current Requirements • Traditional signaling devices such bells

and horns require relatively small amount of current compared to strobe. A typical bell is 20 ma vs. a 75 cd strobe at 190 ma.

• Manufacturers offer strobe products with multi-candela settings. Before installation please confirm current draws for selected products. This can made a big difference! A 15 cd strobe may only require 60ma but a 110 cd can require 220 ma.

• When designing or installing a system check the maximum current specification of the control equipment. Anticipate the requirement for additional Power Supply Boosters.

Strobe Current Requirements

Example

• A system requires 14 strobes set at 75 cd. The strobe selected at this setting requires .19 amps.

• The alarm current required is .19 x 14 = 2.66 amps.

• Note: Most panels on the market today have NAC circuits with a max between 1.5 and 2 amps. Therefore at least two circuits will be required.

• If we use 2 NAC circuits each circuit would have a load of 1.33 meaning that number 12 or 14 gauge wire will be required, depending on the distance required.

Voltage Drops • All wire has internal resistance. Distance will

reduce the voltage available to power the appliance.

• All appliances have a minimum voltage rating that will affect their operation. (Stop functioning)

• System designers need to look at how distance, wire size and battery will affect the operation of the appliance. (This should include their minimum operating voltage.)

Voltage Drops

• Batteries should be sized to meet the appliance’s minimum voltage.

• In other words; making sure the battery will deliver the appropriate number of amps down to its end voltage. (Example: Appliance has a minimum operating voltage of 18 volts: In this case the battery should be sized to deliver the appropriate number of amps before its voltage drops to 18 volts. (The battery’s voltage decreases during discharge.)

(Audible & Visual

Signals) Wiring Chart Total Signal

Load Maximum Wiring Run To Last Device (ELR)

Max Loop Resistance

18 AWG 16 AWG 14 AWG 12 AWG

Amps ft m ft m ft m ft m Ohms

0.06 2350 716 3750 1143 6000 1829 8500 2591 30

0.12 1180 360 1850 567 3000 915 4250 1269 15

0.3 470 143 750 229 1200 366 1900 579 6

0.6 235 71 375 114 600 183 850 259 3

0.9 156 47 250 76 400 122 570 174 2

1.2 118 36 185 56 300 91 425 129 1.5

1.5 94 29 150 46 240 73 343 105 1.2

Maximum voltage drop should not exceed 1.8 volts and this table assumes total

load at end of line

Verification Requirements

• So what are we required to do for strobes?

• Do we measure the output with a meter to ensure that it meets Building code requirements?

Strobe Verification

Requirements

Currently we are required to do the following

• Inspect and test each device to correct field terminations and wire size.

• Test for operation, supervision and ensure that it is clearly visible from all points throughout the area served by the device. Note: It is not required to make any test measurements using a meter.

• Test the device at the electrically furthest point of each circuit to ensure it receives the rated power (voltage) as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Strobe Verification

Requirements

• Ensure the strobe is compatible with the control panel or the sync module.

• Ensure that the device is correctly located and its output settings match the engineering design for the area. This requires the tech to have a copy of the approved drawings with the correct candela settings indicated.

Visible Signals

Agenda

1. Physics




• Helping to provide a brighter future. • Improving Life Safety Through Education

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