fire alarm installers manual

8/20/2019 Fire Alarm Installers Manual

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Fire Alarm Installer’s

Installation Guide

For consistent, reliable installations

c 2008 Daniel Larson


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Table of Contents

Section 1:

Wall Mounted Back Boxes for; - Flush mounted devices

Manual Pull StationsHorns and StrobesSpeakers and Strobes

ModulesDuct Detector Test/Reset Switches or Alarm LED

Annunciators

Section 2:

Back box conduit stub-ups for; - Flush mounted devices

Horns, Horn/Strobes, Speakers, Speaker/Strobes

Manual Pull Stations

Section 3:

Wall penetrations

Sheet rock extended to the hard deckSheet rock to just above ceiling

Fire rated walls

Sleeves

Section 4:

Fastening to steel

Steel beams, trusses, and columns

Section 5:

Ceiling Mounted Device Back Boxes

T-Bar mounted back boxes

Hard lid mounted back boxes

Section 6:

Fire Sprinkler Riser and OS&Y

Riser and OS&Y


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Section 7:

Cut-in Boxes

Sheet rock extend to just above ceiling

Sheet rock extends to deck

Section 8:

Wiring Methods (Securing to steel)

Horizontal wire run on split trussPerpendicular wire run to mounted box

90 degrees to horizontal wire run

Securing to steel shelf or lip

Section 9:

Wiring Methods (Securing to wood)Horizontal wire runs

Section 10:

Wire protection

Basic wire protection in metal raceway

Section 11:

Labeling circuits and terminations

Section 12:

Fire panel lay-outs

Large systems w/voice

Large systems Medium systems

Smaller systems

Section 13:

Do’s and Don’ts


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SECTION 1

Wall Mounted Back Boxes for; Flush mounted devices

Manual Pull Stations

Specifications:

Standard 4” X 4” - Steel Junction Box or 4” X 4” – Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket¾” knock-outs on boxesMount 48” to center A.F.F.

Single Gang Mud Ring – extension varies

Figure 1A - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or wood

studs.

Figure 1A

Figure 1B: Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2”X 4” studs.

The actual mounting height is 48” AFF to the center of the device, or the center of the

mechanism.

Figure 1B: CAD Symbols;

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Horns and Strobes

Specifications:Standard 4” X 4” - Steel Junction Box or 4” X 4” – Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket

¾” knock-outs on boxes

Mount 84” to center A.F.FDouble Gang Mud Ring – extension varies

Figure 1C - Illustrates the recommended hardware used to mount the Horns and Horn/Strobes.Both the Gentex and System Sensor products can also be mounted to 4” X 4” extension rings and

single gang mud rings however; the double gang mud ring is our standard.

Figure 1C:

. Figure 1D - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2”X 4”studs. The mounting height is 84” AFF to the center of the device. NFPA allows for some

variances depending on the notification appliance, for consistency we use 84” AFF as our

standard

Mount84” AFF Mount84” AFF

Figure 1D:CAD Symbols; H/S H S

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Speakers and Strobes

Specifications:

Standard 4” X 4” - Steel Junction Box or 4” X 4” – Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket

¾” knock-outs on boxesMount 84” to center A.F.F

Extension Ring – 1 ½ ”or 2 ½” extension

Figure 1E - Illustrates the hardware used to mount Speakers and Speaker/Strobes. The back of

the speakers on both; the Gentex and System Sensor product, have a portion of the speaker that

protrudes into the back box.

Figure 1E

Figure 1F - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2”X 4” studs.

The mounting height is 84” AFF to the center of the device. NFPA allows for some variances

depending on the notification appliance, for consistency we use 84” AFF as our standard

Figure 1F CAD Symbols; SP/S SPS S

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Modules

Specifications:

Standard 4” X 4” - Steel Junction Box or 4” X 4” – Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket¾” knock-outs on boxes

Mount 48” to center A.F.F (May vary – refer to plans)Extension Ring – 1 ½ ”or 2 ½” extension

Figure 1G - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or wood

studs.

Figure 1G

Figure 1H - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2”X 4”

studs. The actual mounting height is 48” AFF to the center of the device, this may vary, check

plans.

Figure 1H CAD Symbols; AIM ARMM C

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Duct Detector Test/Reset Switches or Alarm LED

Specifications:

Standard 4” X 4” - Steel Junction Box or 4” X 4” – Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket¾” knock-outs on boxes

Mount 48” to center A.F.F.Single Gang Mud Ring – extension varies

Figure 1J - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or wood

studs.

Figure 1J

Figure 1K - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2”X 4”

studs. The actual mounting height is 48” AFF to the center of the device, this may vary, check

plans.

Figure 1K CAD Symbols; DT DLDuct Test Duct LED

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Annunciators Specifications:

Standard 4” X 4” - Steel Junction Box or 4” X 4” – Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket

¾” knock-outs on boxesMount 50” to center A.F.F.

Single Gang Mud Ring – extension varies(Note: The annuciators’ back box is supplied by the manufacture and can be flush or surfacemounted, using the manufactures trim-ring we surface mount to the flush assembly specified

below.)

Figure 1L - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or woodstuds.

Figure 1L

Figure 1M - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2”X 4”

studs. The actual mounting height is 50” AFF to the center of the device; this may vary, and

check plans for special ADA regulations.

Figure 1M CAD Symbols; FAA Annunciator

50

50

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SECTION 2

Back box conduit stub-up assemblies

Back boxes mounted at 84” AFF

Specifications: Non- Fire Rated Walls, dropped ceiling (sheet rock does not extend to deck)Back box assemblies mounted at 84” AFF

¾” insulated box connectors

¾” EMT stubbed up no less than 4” above top of sheet rock¾” EMT bushing on end of stub-up

Types of devices; Horns, Horn/Strobes, Strobes, Speakers, and Speaker/Strobes

(Note: In some cases additional brackets may be required to secure the conduit.)

Figure 2A – Illustrates the EMT stub-up assembly from the mounted device box to above the

ceiling line. We established this standard for three main reasons; to protect our conductors and

prevent ground faults caused by careless sheet-rockers, ease of replacing or adding conductors,we can still install our conductors after the sheetrock is in place.

Above Ceiling

EMT Bushing

84” To Center AFF

3/4” EMT Conduit

3/4” EMT Insulated Connector 3/4” EMT Insulated Connector

secure w/ 3/4” single screw strapBracket mounted 1’ above JBox

Finished Floor


3/4” EMT Conduit

EMT Bushing

Figure 2A

(The type of mud rings will vary for the type of device being installed; a double gang is used in

this illustration.)

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Back boxes mounted at 48” AFF

Specifications: Non- Fire Rated Walls, dropped ceiling (sheet rock does not extend to deck)

Back box assemblies mounted at 48” AFF¾” insulated box connectors¾” EMT stubbed up no less than 4” above top of sheet rock

¾” EMT bushing on end of stub-up

Types of devices; Manual Pull Stations, Modules, and Duct Test Switches

(Note: In some cases additional brackets may be required to secure the conduit.)

Figure 2B – Illustrates the EMT stub-up assembly from the mounted device box to above the

ceiling line. Again we established this standard for three main reasons; to protect our conductorsand prevent ground faults caused by careless sheet-rockers, ease of replacing or adding

conductors, we can still install our conductors after the sheetrock is in place.

Above Ceiling

EMT Bushing

48” To Center AFF

3/4” EMT Conduit

3/4” EMT Insulated Connector 3/4” EMT Insulated Connector


Finished Floor


3/4” EMT Conduit

EMT Bushing

Figure 2B

(The type of mud rings will vary for the type of device being installed; a double gang is used inthis illustration.)

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Perimeter Door Back boxes mounted at 48”and 84” AFF

Specifications:

Non- Fire Rated Walls, dropped ceiling (sheet rock does not extend to deck)Back box assemblies mounted at 48” and 84” AFF

¾” insulated box connectors¾” EMT stubbed up no less than 4” above top of sheet rock¾” EMT bushing on end of stub-up

Types of devices; Manual Pull Stations, and Notification devices

Figure 2C – Illustrates the EMT stub-up assembly from the mounted device box to above theceiling line. This configuration is usually used at perimeter door locations, where we have a

Notification appliance mounted above a Manual Pull Station.

Above Ceiling

48” To Center AFF

Finished Floor

84” To Center AFF

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SECTION 3

Wall Penetrations

Sheet rocked to deck:

Drawing 99A

5/8 ” Sheetrock

Penetration

In this illustration the sheet rock extends to the deck or roof, the penetration will be just abovethe ceiling. A 90 degree bend in the conduit will penetrate the sheet rock just above the ceiling.A conduit cap is place on the end of the conduit to protect the wire.

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Sheet rocked to just above ceiling:

Drawing 99B

5/8” Sheet rock

In this illustration the sheet rock extends to just above the ceiling, the conduit will extend to just

above the sheet rock. A conduit cap is placed on the end of the conduit to protect the wire.

Always check the plans or check with the GC to make certain that the sheet rock will not extendto the deck.

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2 hr. rated fire wall- sheet rock to deck:

2X 5/8” Sheet rock

5/8” Sheet rock

Drawing 99C

In this illustration one side of the wall is a 2 hr. rated fire wall, the sheet rock is 1 ¼” thick which

extents to the deck. It also has a hard lid drop ceiling. The other side of the wall has 5/8” sheet

rock to the deck, and has a T-bar drop ceiling. You will want to have the conduit penetrate on the

T-bar ceiling side of the wall. This allow to easy access for the wire run.

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Horizontal wall penetrations:

Drawing 99D

This illustration shows a couple of different wall penetrations, always use a sleeve. A sleeve is a

short piece of conduit.

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SECTION 4

Securing Back Boxes to Steel

Fastening to steel

Split Truss - Use 4” X 1/4”

or #20 Toggle BoltsSteel Beams - Use Appropriate

Beam Clamps

“I” Column Round ColumnSecure channel-strut to column, secure boxes to channel-strut.

These illustrations show different ways to secure your boxes to steel columns, trusses, and

beams.

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SECTION 5

Ceiling Mounted Back Boxes

Horn/strobes, smoke and heat detectors, duct detector indicator LEDs.

12 ga. support wire

T-Bar Grid

T-Bar Bracket

4” X 4” Jbox

3” O Mud ring

4” X 4” Jbox3” O Mud ring

2” X 4”Steel Studs

24” Adjustable Bracket

Drawing 112

Note: This procedure is the same for wood studs.

These illustrations show how to secure your boxes to either T-bar or studs for the appropriateceiling type. As noted the studs can be either steel or wood.

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SECTION 6

Fire Sprinkler Device Boxes

Drawing 130

Fire Sprinkler Riser

Outside Stem and Yolk

Weatherproof doublegang box

Liquid tight 3/4”flex conduit

Butterfly Valve

Single gang box Aluminum flex

Water flow switch

3/4” EMT

Box Offset

Box Offset

Note: If the Fire sprinkler riser is outside, use weatherproof boxes and flex.

These illustration show the basic raceway configurations for monitoring the fire sprinklersystem. Always make sure you flex to the device is positioned at the bottom of your box.

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SECTION 7

Cut-in boxesSheet rock to just above ceiling:

Drawing 200

In many cases it will be necessary to install a device in a finished wall; in this situation we willuse a “cut-in” box or “old work” box. We will use aluminum flex for our raceway. In the

illustration above the sheet rock only extends above the ceiling line, making it easy to secure theflex to an adjustable bracket.

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Drawing 201

When the box is installed and secured in the wall we will trim and secure the flex to theadjustable bracket above the ceiling as shown in this illustration.

Sheet rock up to deck:

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Drawing 202

In many cases the sheet rock will extend to the hard deck or ceiling, in this case we will need to

use two cut-in boxes. The tricky part here is that we do not want to leave a large loop of flex in

the wall. This means when we trim the flex for the second box we will be working very close tothe wall. Ideally we should not leave more than a 4” to 6” loop in the wall. The excess flex in the

wall makes it tricky to pull the wire, but it can be done.

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Drawing 203

In this illustration we have trimmed our flex and installed our cut-in boxes in the wall.

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SECTION 8

Wiring Methods (Securing to Steel)

This section illustrates how to use tie wraps to secure your wire. These methods will eliminate

ground faults caused by the insulation being worn or damaged on the metal beams, trusses, andcross members.

In this illustration the fire cable is tie-wrapped to the tie-wrap going around the beam.

Drawing 182

Truss Tie Wrap

Split Steel Truss

Fire CableTie Wrap

Never tie wrap the cable directly to any metal object, metal expand and constricts with the

changes in temperature, this will eventually wear through the jacket of you cable creating groundfaults.

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The illustration below shows the wire run being directed down through the split truss where adevice box will be mounted. The wire is tied in such a manner as to be up off the metal edge.

Drawing 183

Ground faults are very labor intensive and can be very costly, secure your wire runs properly.

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This illustration show how to create a 90 degree turn in your wire run. Notice that the wire doesnot touch the metal edge of the split beam.

Fire Cable

90 degree

Beam Tie Wraps

Cable Tie Wraps

Drawing 184

The simple procedures shown in this section for tie wrapping your wire runs will save you time

and ensure a quality installation.

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In this illustration we have a metal tray usually found in a building to support the walls and a perfect place to run your wire. Here we a showing how to secure your wire with clips, notice that

we use two tie wraps, one around the clip and then one around the wire. The wire is not tied

directly to the metal.

Drawing 187

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SECTION 9

Wiring Methods (Securing to Wood)

Large, Insulated

Romex Staple

J-Hook

These illustrations show two acceptable ways of securing you wire runs to wood.

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SECTION 10

Wire Protection

Knock-out Bushing

Knock-out Bushing

Insulated Connector

EMT Cap

Connector Cap

Non-insulated Connector

Drawing 300

It is always important to protect you wire from sharp edges, in these example we are protectingour wire from our raceway. Each of the devices shown are inexpensive, easy to install, and will

always be used.

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SECTION 11

Labeling Circuits and TerminationsShrink wrapped labels

Shrink-wrap

In this illustration we are labeling the circuits. See table on page 32 for labeling codes.

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Nylon Labels

Nylon Label

O - S

L C

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- 2

In this illustration we are labeling the circuits. See table on page 32 for labeling codes.

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These tables are to establish consistency.

Label Identification Codes:

Code Code Code

PNL Panel IDC Indicating Circuit H/S Horn and Strobe CombinationPS Power Booster SBS S Bus S Strobe Only

VIP Voice Amplifier VBS Voice Bus SP/S Speaker and Strobe Combination

NAC Notification Circuit XPNL Expander Panel SP Speaker Only

SLC Signal Line Circuit Node Networked Panel ANN Annunciator

I IN O Out

Device Labeling

Sample: Device Label

Circuit Device No.

PS1-1-1 PS 1 1 1

The sample above indicates a notification device on "Power Booster 1", "Circuit 1", and it is "Device 1".

Sample: Device Label Circuit Device No.

SLC-1-1 SLC 1 1

The sample above indicates "Single Line Circuit 1", "Device 1". The Circuit ID. Is not used.

Circuit Labeling

Sample: Circuit Label

Source Code Circuit

I-NAC-1-PNL NAC 1

O-NAC-1-2 NAC 1

The sample above indicates the in and out circuits at a notification device. The "In" pair is from the Panel, Notification Circuit 1. The "Out" pair goes

to Device 2.

"I" In

"O" Out

In-Orgin / Out-Destination

PNL

2

Output Orgin

Output Orgin

Description

Input or Output

Description

Description Description Description

BLACK BROWN DK. BLUE DK.PURPLE RED ORANGE LT. BLUE LT. PURPLE YELLOW WHITE

The darker wire ina pair is the "Negative" ( - ), The lighter wire ina pair is the "Positive" ( + )

Example: In a normal cable pair wehave a Black conductor ( - ) and a Red conductor ( + )

DARK---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LIGHT

( - ) ( + )

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SECTION 12

Fire Alarm Panel Layouts

Fire Alarm w/ Voice Evacuation

Foot print - 8’ h X 6-1/2’w

Gutter- 24” X 4” X 4”

Drawing 80

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Large Fire Alarm System

Foot print - 8’ h X 4-1/2’w

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Medium Fire Alarm System

Foot print- 8’ h X 4-1/2”w

Drawing 82

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Drawing 83

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SECTION 13

Don’ts

1. Never secure our wire runs to other trades hanging supports or conduit.

2. Never penetrate a wall with out a sleeve.

3.

Never mount a device without a back box.4. Never secure your wire runs directly to metal.5. Never pull your wire into a box without the appropriate protection.

6. Never splice your wire runs in the field.

7. Never pull your wire runs on a diagonal.

Do’s

1. For surface mounted devices, always run your conduit stub-up to above the ceiling or to

the height of you horizontal run.

2.

Always check the plans or with the GC for the thickness of the sheet rock being used.3. Always use the appropriate mud rings on your boxes.

4. Always refer to the Fire plans before starting your project.

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