circuits guide to survivable fire alarm · cable system / electrical circuit protective system(s):...

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Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Surviving Survivability – A User’s

Guide to Survivable Fire Alarm

CircuitsLarry D. Rietz, SET

23 May 2018

SURVIVING SURVIVABILITY -

A USER’S GUIDE TO SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITSLarry D. Rietz, SET

23 May 2018

Content is Copyright 2018 © Jensen Hughes, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Advancing the Science of Safety

� What is the Code history of circuit survivability?

� What effect does product listing have on survivable cable?

� What fire alarm circuits must be survivable and how can this be accomplished?

� How can a designer provide and an AHJ approve a survivable cable installation?

PRESENTATION LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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NFPA® and NFPA 72® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association®.

NFPA documents are copyrighted by the NFPA.

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Portions of this program are reprinted from NFPA 72 ® – 2016, National Fire Alarm

and Signaling Code, Copyright © 2015, National Fire Protection, Quincy, MA and

other previous editions of NFPA 72. This reprinted material is not the complete

and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented

only by the standard in its entirety.

NFPA 72 ® is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association,

Quincy, MA 02169.

This presentation does not reflect the official position of the National Fire

Protection Association.

Disclaimer

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The content, opinions, and conclusions contained in this presentation are solely those of the presenter and do

not necessarily represent the views of Underwriters Laboratories. UL makes no guarantee or warranty as to

the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein. UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL

LLC © 2017 All Rights Reserved.


CODE HISTORY OF CIRCUIT SURVIVABILITY

SURVIVING SURVIVABILITY

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Survivability is NOT new!

� 1993 National Fire Alarm Code

CODE HISTORY

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1996 National Fire Alarm Code

CODE HISTORY

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CODE HISTORY

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CODE HISTORY

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CODE HISTORY

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2010 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

� Most significant changes to circuit or pathway survivability

� 2 New Chapters:

� Chapter 12: Circuits and Pathways

� Chapter 24: Emergency Communications Systems (ECS)

CODE HISTORY

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2010 National Fire

Alarm and

Signaling Code

Chapter 12

CODE HISTORY

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Chapter 23

CODE HISTORY

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Chapter 24

EVACS – Fire Alarm Systems

CODE HISTORY

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Chapter 24 Requirements:

� In-Building MNS: Level 0 or greater per Risk Analysis

� Wide Area MNS: Level 0 or greater per Risk Analysis

� Two-way In-Building Wired ECS: Level 2 or 3

� Two-way Radio Communications Enhancement: Level 2 or 3, except antennae (2016 moved to NFPA 1221)

� Area of Refuge (Area of Rescue Assistance) Emergency Communications: Level 2 or 3, except off-premises communications

� Elevator Emergency Communications: Level 0, 1, 2, or 3

� Other ECS: Determined by Risk Analysis

CODE HISTORY

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Chapter 24 Further Requirements for Relocation or Partial Evac:

CODE HISTORY

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� Only a few minor changes to the above noted language

� Chapter 23 section changed to only refer to tone fire alarm system, but

the same “conflict” with Chapter 24 exists.

CODE HISTORY

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Chapter 12 and 23 remain basically unchanged regarding survivability.

Chapter 24 makes some changes.

CODE HISTORY

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Important Definitions

Pathway Survivability: The ability of any conductor, optic fiber, radio

carrier, or other means for transmitting system information to remain

operational during fire conditions. (NFPA 72-2016)

Pathway Class: Classification of a circuit (pathway) based on

performance characteristics. Code defines performance of Class A, B, C,

D, E, N, and X.

Redundant: A second, return, or alternate path; a backup. Mostly closely

associated with Class A, N, and X pathways.

CODE HISTORY

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Evacuation Zone: A signaling zone. (Term is not used in NFPA 72-2010 and later)

Signaling Zone: An area consisting of one or more notification zones where signals are actuated simultaneously. (NFPA 72-2016)

Notification Zone: A discrete area of a building, bounded by building outer walls, fire or smoke compartment boundaries, floor separations, or other fire safety sub-divisions, in which occupants are intended to receive common notification. (NFPA 72-2016)

CODE HISTORY

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Evacuation: The withdrawal of occupants from a building. (NFPA 72-

2016)

Partial Evacuation: The partial withdrawal of occupants from a building

(usually by floor, smoke zone, or area).

Relocation: The movement of occupants from a fire zone to a safe area

within the same building. (NFPA 72-2016)

CODE HISTORY

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Raceway: An enclosed channel of metal or nonmetallic materials designed

expressly for holding wires, cables or busbars. (NEC)

Cable: An assembly of one or more wires running side by side, which is used to

carry electric current.

Cable System / Electrical Circuit Protective System(s): An electrical circuit

integrity system consisting of components and materials intended for

installation as protection for specific electrical wiring systems, with respect to

the disruption of electrical circuit integrity upon exterior fire exposure. (UL)

CODE HISTORY

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PRODUCT LISTINGS OF SURVIVABLE CABLE


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Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable is listed to ANSI/UL 2196 Standard for Tests for Fire Resistive

Cables

Standard was issued on May 11, 2001 with Revisions issued:

• March 25, 2004

• December 7, 2006

• March 30, 2012

Referenced Standards:

• UL 1424 Standard for Cables for Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Circuits

• UL 1425 Standard for Cables for Non-Power-Limited Fire-Alarm Circuits

• UL 1724 Outline of Investigation for Fire Tests for Electrical Circuit Protective Systems

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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Products fall into two categories:

� Fire-Resistive Cable (FHJR)

� Electric Circuit Integrity Systems (FHIT)

Cable and System must survive a fire test of

approximately 1,800°F (982°C) for 2 hours and a hose

stream test, and still remain intact and the circuit

operational.

Depending on Listing, cable may be installed in “free

air” or “in conduit”.

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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PRODUCT LISTINGS

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12 September 2012

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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Northbrook, IL – September 12, 2012 – UL has recently conducted research on a wide array of current

products and systems originally certified under UL 2196, Tests for Fire Resistive Cables and ULC-

S139, Standard Method of Fire Test for Evaluation of Integrity of Electrical Cables and determined that they

no longer consistently achieve a two-hour fire-resistive rating when subjected to the standard Fire Endurance Test of UL2196 or ULC-S139. Consequently, UL and ULC will not be able to offer certification to

the currently existing program related to these standards.

As a result, manufacturers are no longer authorized to place the UL mark or ULC mark on the following products:

•UL Classified Fire Resistive Cable (FHJR)

•ULC Listed Fire Resistant Cable (FHJRC)•UL Listed cable with “-CI” suffix (Circuit Integrity)

Furthermore, UL has removed from its certification directory all Electrical Circuit Protective Systems (FHIT)

constructed with Fire Resistive Cable.

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This action left designers, contractors and AHJs with no cost effective way to meet

the Code requirements for survivability. Many struggled with:

� Performance-based Designs

� Building Construction Changes

� Use of alternate cables or systems, like Mineral Insulated (MI) Cable

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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Diagram Courtesy NFPA 72-2010 Handbook


The Situation Now…

� Several products are listed for fire alarm CI use

� At least two different manufacturers

� Both Conduit and Free Air models are available

� Cables are Listed with system components like conduit, enclosures, supports,

pulling lubricant, etc.

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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Currently Listed Products as of 4/10/2018:

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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Fire-Resistive Cable Listing

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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System Installation Requirements

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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The Listing now results in a “system” that must be installed to exacting standards!

PRODUCT LISTINGS

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SURVIVABILE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS


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For Proper Fire Alarm Design, Need to Answer:

� What Circuits Need Survivability?

� Where Do These Circuits Need Survivable Components?

� How Will Survivability be Achieved?

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS

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FIRST?


Before anything, must need to know the Emergency Response Plan for the

building!

� General Alarm?

� Selective Floor Evacuation?

� Relocation?

� Partial Evacuation?

� Selective Signaling?

What other systems may require survivability and how will that survivability be

achieved?


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If survivable cable is needed, you need a complete

copy of the architectural drawings.

� Wall and Floor Ratings

� Electrical and Communication Room Wall Ratings

� Coordinated Riser Locations

� Smoke Zone Boundaries


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What Circuits Need Survivability?

� Notification Appliance Circuits

� Loudspeaker circuits (audible textual notification appliance circuits)

� Audible tone circuits (horns, chimes, etc.)

� Visual notification appliance circuits (strobes, textual appliances, etc)


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� Network Circuit(s) or Remote Unit Communication

� When used to control/trigger remote control units, amplifiers, or power supplies.


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� Network Circuit(s) and Fiber Optic Media

� Is there 2-hour fiber optic cable?


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� Signaling Line Circuit (SLC)

� When used to trigger remote NAC power supplies or booster power supplies.

� When used to for control modules that trigger circuits or amplifiers


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� Certain Riser Circuits

� Audio riser circuits.

� Dual / Multiple channel audio

� Fire Fighter Telephone (two-way emergency

communications)

� 24VDC Power Circuits

� Sounder Base Power Circuits


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Where Do These Circuits Need Survivable Components?

Remember the Code requirement:

Survivable from Control Unit “until they enter the notification zone.”

� Suggest cable/conduit extend at least 12” into/beyond the fire rated wall.


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Where Do These Circuits Need

Survivable Components?

� For circuits feeding remote panels

(network, audio risers, etc.), suggest

continuing cable/conduit to the

remote panel.


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Where Do These Circuits Need Survivable Components?

� Termination Points

� Provide Through-Penetration Firestop Systems (XHEZ) when passing through

all fire rated floors and walls.


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How Will Survivability be Achieved?

� Use of Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable

� Conduit System

� Free Air


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How Will Survivability be Achieved?

� Use of 2-Hour Rooms

� Use of 2-Hour Enclosures

� Other Equivalent Means Acceptable to the AHJ


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DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL OF SURVIVABLE

CIRCUITS


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So how can you properly design a survivable cable system so that the AHJ can

provide a review (at shop drawing level) and approval (at acceptance test)?

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL

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Know the Code

� Understand Key Definitions, including Pathway Survivability, Pathway Class,

Signaling Zone, and Notification Zone.

� Chapter 12 contains your Pathway Survivability Levels, but does not dictate

which ones must be used.

� Chapter 23 requires any fire alarm system using partial evacuation or

relocation to be survivable.

� Chapter 24 contains the specific requirements (‘WHEN’) survivability levels

must be provided for EVACS and MNS.


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Know Your System

� Each Fire Alarm System is unique.

� Centralized amplifiers and power supplies vs. de-centralized (remote) equipment

� Networking communication schemes… Peer-to-Peer, Master-Subordinate, etc.

� Programming requirements for selective signaling

� NAC control options and capacity

� Understand Effect on Calculations

� Wire gage requirements and effect on voltage drop

� #12AWG FPLP Resistance of 1.930 ohms/1000 ft

� #12AWG CI Cable Resistance of 1.618 ohms/1000 ft


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Understand Your Options

� What advantages can the building construction provide for you?

� How long are your survivable cable or cable system runs?

� Length of vertical runs can require extra installation requirements.

� Will cable splices be required?

� Is free air cable an option?

� Need to follow maximum allowable support spacing (usually 24” – 72”)

� Is a performance-based alternative your best option?

� If so, how will you document that alternative?

� Cost? Fire Alarm Vendor vs. Installer?


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Explain Thoroughly Your Design

� How can you communicate with the installing contractor on the exact type of

cable, conduit and support system installation requirements?

� Floor Plan

� Riser

� Installation Details

� Calculations

� Your design can help the AHJ!


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Inspect the Installation

� Cable

� Conduit / System

� Conduit or Cable Supports

� Fire Stopping

� Variations from Design Documents?


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Help the AHJ to Understand

� The system’s infrastructure.

� The system’s dependencies.

� Clearly explain the evacuation sequence.

� Provide installation details that can be reviewed on shop drawing review and at

acceptance testing.


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ContactLarry D. Rietz, SET

+1 303-439-0485

[email protected]

For More Information Visit

jensenhughes.com

QUESTIONS?

56Content is Copyright 2018 © Jensen Hughes, Inc. All Rights Reserved

With grateful

acknowledgement, much of

this presentation was taken

from, and in direct

coordination with,

information published by

Wayne Moore.

Wayne Moore

604-242-0081

wmoore@jensenhughes

Warwick, RI