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Can I Run Fire Alarm Circuits in an Elevator Shaft?

When can fire alarm circuits be run in an elevator shaft?

Systems and Inspection Sales Positions

Join a team that is backed by the most experienced operation staff in the Chicago area. Our area of coverage stretches from the northern 1/3 of Illinois, northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin from Milwaukee to the Mississippi so there’s a lot of room for you to earn your potential. AFFILIATED is the largest authorized distributor [Read More]

Chicago High Rise Office Space Fire Alarm Speaker Requirements

Like other major metropolitan areas, the city of Chicago requires emergency voice and communication systems in its high rise buildings (over eighty feet in height).  Rather than sound a general alarm when a detection device activates, the fire department is notified without any audible warning provided to the high rise occupants until the fire department [Read More]

Fire Alarm Signals For Sleeping Areas vs. Sleeping Units

Awaking to a smoke detector or fire alarm activation can be a jarring experience. It’s supposed to be. The point is to be awakened as quickly as possible.

Do fire alarm horns have to be synchronized?

Since 1996, NFPA 72 has required the use of the temporal 3 pattern for the audible fire alarm signal. NFPA 72 Chapter 18.4.2.3 requires the standard temporal 3 evacuation signal to be synchronized within a notification zone. As an example, a zone would be the devices in an apartment corridor. Each apartment would also be [Read More]

When are 2 Hour Rated Circuit Protection for Fire Alarm Systems Required?

An electrical circuit’s survivability in harsh conditions is defined by the method of its installation. Some circuits that are relied upon to supply power to critical functions related to life safety need extra protection from fire, water and physical damage. Those of us in the fire alarm industry know circuit integrity (CI) cable enhances survivability [Read More]

Are Smoke Detectors Required in Elevator Shafts?

Top of Shaft Per ASME A17.1 Section 2.27.3.2.1(c), smoke detectors are only allowed in elevator shafts if there are sprinklers installed in the shaft. In Chicago, sprinklers are prohibited at the top of the shaft in non-CMS regulated facilities, so consequently no detection is allowed. If the elevator controller is located in the shaft in [Read More]

Illinois Accessibility Code Strobe Requirements

The Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC) is the state version of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It’s not just amendments to the ADA. For lack of a better term, it is the ADA for Illinois. The Illinois Capitol Development Board (CDB) issued a new version in late 2018 to be applied to contracts for planning [Read More]

What Are My Residential Smoke Detection Options? (Part 2)

In our last blog, we defined and pointed out some differences between single station and system smoke detection devices. Now let’s turn our attention to what’s involved with the installation of these devices. Labor is usually the biggest cost in installation, so how much labor does it take to install smoke alarms and smoke detectors? [Read More]

What Are My Residential Smoke Detection Options? (Part 1)

When an apartment building or condominium is built or renovated, an option overlooked by many designers of record is using a system detector instead of a single station smoke alarm in the dwelling units. As with many choices, cost is usually a primary concern. However, the overall cost of the choice is only one consideration [Read More]