A brief overview of the new City of Chicago shop drawing requirements.
New Chicago Construction Code Occupancy Types
In a previous blog, we discussed which Chicago Construction Codes have already been updated, which are going to be updated on 8/1/20 and which are going to be updated in 2021. We’ve also reviewed one of the upcoming changes to fire alarm requirements in Chicago. In this blog, we’ll continue to identify changes to required [Read More]
What Are The Changes In The New Chicago Fire Code?
We’ve been asked by many design firms and installers whether the adoption of the new Chicago Building Code (CBC) will affect the existing requirements for fire alarm systems. The actual changes to the Chicago Fire Code won’t be adopted until 2021, but there are changes in the new CBC that can affect fire alarms systems [Read More]
What Are the Changes In The New Chicago Construction Code?
The Chicago Construction Codes are about to undergo a major update on August 1, 2020. At this time, they are generally grouped together under Titles 13, 15 and 18 of the Chicago Municipal Code, but will be broken out into their own sub-titles in Title 14. A letter designation will title the sub-tile to reflect [Read More]
Is it appropriate to put a fire alarm panel in an unconditioned space?
It can be hard to find a good home for the fire alarm panel. If the owner doesn’t want the panel in the entrance and there isn’t space in an electrical room, it tends to be put in a ‘back of the house’ location. What if the best choice is an unconditioned space (no temperature [Read More]
New Electrical Code for the City of Chicago
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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 [Read More]
If I Have Sprinklers, Do I Also Need Smoke Detectors? Part 2
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In our previous blog on this subject, we addressed whether smoke detectors are required in business, healthcare and assembly occupancies if they have sprinklers installed. In this edition, we’ll look at general requirements for educational and residential occupancies, based on the IBC/IFC and NFPA 101. As mentioned in Part 1, it’s important to remember that sprinklers are [Read More]
Can Fire Alarm System Smoke Detectors Replace 120 VAC Smoke Detectors?
When it comes to renovations of multi-residential buildings or transient occupancies (hotels, SROs, etc.), one of the considerations that designers of record has is long term costs to the owner. An item the often gets overlooked are the living unit smoke detectors. Most assume that local, 120 vac powered (AKA ‘single station’) smoke detectors [Read More]
Can Elevators Still Be Used During a Fire Alarm?
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We’ve all seen the signage in elevator lobbies to use the stairs in event of fire. Some signs even say the elevators are out of service in event of fire, but that’s not always true. People may become unsure of what to do when they see an elevator door open on the 30th floor during a fire [Read More]
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