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Archives for August 2020

New Chicago Fire Alarm Requirements, Part 2

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In a previous post, we went over the changes in fire alarm requirements in Chicago educational occupancies. Today we’ll discuss the changes for Group B and M occupancies in Chicago. To start, the Chicago Building Code (CBC) business occupancy designation has changed from Class E to Group B and mercantile occupancies have changed from Class [Read More]

Filed Under: City of Chicago Articles, Code Requirements, Fire Alarm Design, Installation Requirements, Life Safety Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

When Does CI Cable Need to be Used?

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Circuit Integrity (CI) cable is an expensive method to ensure life safety circuits continue to function during a fire. At a cost of about $6 a foot, compared to $1.50 a foot for plenum rated fire alarm cable, why would an installer use this type of cable? Well obviously because he has to, but why [Read More]

Filed Under: 2 Hour Cabling, Code Requirements, Electrical Installation, Fire Alarm Design, High Rise, Installation Requirements, Life Safety Articles, Notification Requirements, Voice Sysytems Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Are Fire Alarm Strobes Required in the City of Chicago?

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Update 8/1/20: With the adoption of the new Chicago Building Code effective August 1, 2020, as well as an update of the Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC) in October 2018, strobes are now required in fire alarm installations in Chicago. There are no longer Class I or Class II type fire alarm systems in Chicago. The [Read More]

Filed Under: Audibility, City of Chicago Articles, Code Requirements, Fire Alarm Testing Requirements, Health Care, Installation Requirements, Life Safety Articles, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,