Chapter 4Types of Fire Alarm and Detection Systems

Objectives• List and discuss the different fire alarm

system classifications.• List and discuss the interface capabilities

between fire alarm systems and other building fire protection and life safety systems.

Objectives• List and discuss the different conditions,

situations, and circumstances used to determine manual fire alarm and automatic detection system installation requirements.

• Describe the different acceptance and periodic inspections, tests, and maintenance activities required for fire alarm systems.

Introduction• The type of fire alarm system installed in a

particular building depends on many factors established by the model codes.

• Systems are classified according to the certain operational events that take place when the system activates.

• The party responsible for the activities associated with the alarm is determined by the type of system installed.

Classification of Fire AlarmSystems

• Overview– System classification is based on:

• Which operational events take place, and how• Whether the system serves more than one purpose

– NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, establishes:

• Two broad system classifications

• Five subcategories

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Classification of Fire AlarmSystems

• Alarm systems– Fire alarm systems

• Single-station• Multiple-station• Combination systems• Household fire alarm

systems• Protected premises fire

alarm system

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Classification of Fire AlarmSystems

• Alarm systems– Supervising station alarm

systems• Central station• Remote supervising station• Proprietary supervising

– Public emergency alarm reporting systems

• Local energy• Shunt auxiliary

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Classification of Fire AlarmSystems

• Emergency communication systems– One-way emergency communication systems

• EVACS• In-building mass notification• Wide area mass notification

– Two-way emergency communication systems

• Permit first responders/building occupants the opportunity to communicate between locations

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Interface with Other Systems• A fire alarm system can:

– Unlock exit doors– Close doors– Recall/shut down elevators– Turn on/shut down air

handling equipment– Start up smoke control

equipment– Close fire dampers– Monitor and activate fire suppression systems

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Required Installations• Overview

– NFPA or ICC model codes• Use and occupancy• Number of occupants• Levels above or below exit discharge• Types of products used or manufactured• Whether other fire protection systems will be

installed

Required Installations• Use-group and occupancy

– Installing a fire system can be especially important when a building is large or has a large number of occupants.

– Factors and considerations specific to the use or occupancy

• Occupant load• Occupant capability• Building height• Number of levels above or below exit discharge

Required Installations• Number of occupants

– The number of individuals and their location in the structure are important factors.

– There are differences in the occupant threshold limit between the NFPA model codes and the ICC’s IBC® for businesses.

– The occupancy load does not factor into requirements for automatic smoke detection in assembly or business occupancies.

Required Installations• Building height

– Dependent on the number of levels above or below exit discharge

– Neither of the model codes determines requirements for smoke detection based on building height.

Required Installations• Level of exit discharge

– The number of occupants who are above or below the discharge level will determine if a manual fire alarm is required.

– Neither of the model codes requires automatic smoke detection installation purely based on the level of exit discharge.

Required Installations• Manufacturing and use products

– Both model codes require manual fire alarm systems in semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

– Requirements for automatic detection systems• Highly toxic gases• Organic peroxides• Oxidizers stored or used exceeding the maximum

permitted amount

Required Installations• Special use and occupancy conditions

– IBC® requires a manual fire alarm system in deep underground buildings.

– IBC® requires automatic fire detection in certain areas of any building classified as a high-rise building.

• Office building• Hotel• Apartment• Condominium

Required Installations• Installation of other fire protection systems

– In some occupancies, automatic sprinkler systems permit the exclusion of manual fire alarm boxes.

– Automatic system installations permit omission of smoke detectors in a few situations.

Design and InstallationStandards

• NFPA 72– Provides application, design, installation, inspection,

testing, and maintenance requirements– Has information concerning components, hardware,

system types, power requirements, etc.– Establishes minimum requirements for installation– References other standards to deal with specific

issues relating to the installation of fire alarm and detection systems

Fire Alarm System Inspectionand Testing

• Overview– Operational integrity

• Initial acceptance test• Lifetime of periodic inspections and tests

Fire Alarm System Inspectionand Testing

• Acceptance test– Sound design– Thorough plan review– Solid documentation– Proper installation– Inspection oversight

throughout– Final acceptance test

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Fire Alarm System Inspectionand Testing

• Periodic inspection, testing, service, and maintenance– False alarms

• Lack of or improper inspection, testing, service, and maintenance

– NFPA 72 • Detailed inspection• Test intervals

Summary• NFPA 72 classifies fire alarm systems based on

the operational events of the system and how signal monitoring and reporting take place in the system. Some systems rely on a person to initiate an alarm and notify the fire department. Other systems automatically activate and report to an on-site location for investigation by staff. The most sophisticated systems automatically activate and report the exact location and type of device to on- and off-site personnel.

Summary• Installation requirements for fire alarm and

detection systems depend on the use and occupancy conditions, factors, and considerations, including occupant load, occupant capability, and the building height or number of levels above or below exit discharge.

Summary• Additional requirements for fire alarm and/or

detection system installation are determined by special use and occupancy conditions, the manufacturing of certain products, and the installation of other fire protection systems.

Summary• NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling

Code, has been and continues to be the standard for fire alarm and detection system design, installation, inspection, testing, and service. However, as comprehensive as NFPA 72 is, reference to other standards is needed to properly design and install fire alarm and detection systems.

Summary• The fire alarm system acceptance test

establishes the minimum system installation and operation characteristics. Periodic inspection, testing, service, and maintenance ensure system reliability.