The City of Chicago has adopted the 2017 version of NFPA 70 (NEC) as its new electrical code, with amendments of course. The new code is set to become effective on March 1, 2018. I’ve got a copy of that new code and have begun going over the fire alarm/voice evacuation section to find variations between the existing CBC electrical code and the amended version. Much of the verbiage has remained the same in this section except for two points:
1. All fire alarm raceways must now be red. The entire pipe must be red, so designers of record may have to address this with clients where raceways are exposed. In addition, junction and splice boxes must also be red, as previously required.
UPDATE 2/21/19: The Chicago City Council passed an amendment to the Building & Fire codes, effective 2/1/19. Among other electrical code amendments, the requirement to use red conduit for fire alarm circuits was repealed. This includes projects that were permitted between 3/1/18 and 2/1/19. Fire alarm junction boxes and splice boxes still need to be red. Special thanks to Natalie Romeo of WMA Consulting Engineers in Chicago for bringing that to my attention.
2. References to the Bureau of Fire Prevention and the Fire Commissioner have been replaced with the term “Authority Having Jurisdiction”. The duties of these offices haven’t changed, but they may in the future, so this change allows that without needing a change in code.
Other than that, the amendments & exceptions in regard to section 760 of the 2017 NEC remain the same. I’ll review any differences in unaltered portions of section 760 in the 2017 NEC in and post what I see in the next few blogs.
Gene Rowe
Affiliated Fire Systems, Inc.
About Gene Rowe
Hello Gene. We’ve heard that POTS lines (provided by AT&T or a reseller of AT&T) are no longer a building owner’s only option for elevator alarm and fire alarm circuits. Can you direct us to where we might read this for ourselves in NEC or and/or city of chicago code book? Thanks for your Service! RLTW
Hi Shane,
Not only are there other options, but these other options will soon be the only options as the POTS lines are no longer being maintained by the phone companies. A newly installed, off site communication pathway using POTS lines is using a rapidly obsolete method. Off site communication methods for REQUIRED City of Chicago fire alarm systems are found in the Chicago Building Code Chapter 15-16-1430 & 1440. The elevator requirements are found in CBC Chapter 14C-3-2.0, which references ASME 17.1 (2016) Section 2.27.1.1.6 without exception. That’s cut & dried. For fire alarm systems, if you’re not connecting directly to the city, you can connect to a central station. Again, this is for required systems. If you have a required system where you’re allowed to use a central station for monitoring, you install per NFPA 72 Chapter 26.3. If it’s a non-required fire alarm system, you install per Chapter 26.6. Chapter 26.6 is divided into three sections: Performance Based methods (26.6.3), Digital Alarm Communication System (26.6.4) & Radio Communications (26.6.5). Chapter 26.6.4 utilizes what’s more commonly known as a DACT, which use POTS phone lines, so that’s eventually going away. Since most newly established communication methods will now either be by radio or be internet based, I’d advise mandating in the specifications that the off site communication for the fire alarm comply with NFPA 72 Chapter 26.6.3. The contractor can then submit an intended method that can be verified for compliance and that way you’re not dictating the method. There’s a good reason for that: for required fire alarm systems, the owner must enter into a separate contract with the monitoring agency prior to occupancy, so there’s a monthly cost to the submitted method. That method & cost can then be reviewed by the owner before approving it. There are a few different methods and many monitoring agencies that can be used. Some agencies include a monthly rental of transmitting equipment that would be removed if the contract is not maintained, so it’s best not to wait until the last minute to drop this on the owner in case you want to find a more suitable monitoring method/vendor.
Affiliated Fire Systems has all the off site monitoring equipment, expertise and installation personnel you need to make your installation a smooth one. Feel free to contact us at 630.434.7900 or email us at info@affiliatedinc.com if you have any questions or need more information.
Gene Rowe
Affiliated Fire Systems, Inc.