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]
Illinois Accessibility Code Strobe Requirements
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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]
When Are Low Frequency Sounders Required?
As mentioned in our last post, per NFPA 72 Chap. 18.4.6, the sound level of in-unit alarm notification in sleeping areas has to be either 15 dB over ambient, 5 dB over the highest measured sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds or 75 dB at the pillow, whichever is greater. 75 [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]
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]
What is the Difference between ADA & Section 504 Requirements?
Everyone knows about ADA requirements. They may not know what the requirements are, but they know there are requirements. However, most designers and installers are unfamiliar with Section 504 requirements. Section 504 refers to a section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As the date suggests, it’s actually the precursor to the ADA. This section [Read More]
Can I Install an Emergency Voice System Without a Microphone?
I was recently asked whether a designer that wanted to use a voice message as a general alarm announcement for a fire alarm system that would not by code require an emergency voice system, be required to have a microphone installed as well. I hadn’t run into that situation before, but it makes sense to [Read More]
Are fire alarm notification devices required in all areas of a hospital?
As hospitals upgrade their existing life safety systems to include newer technology, designers of record may not be sure of where notification devices should be placed, given the need for quiet areas in a hospital. Since this is a non-evacuation occupancy, private mode signaling can be used for fire alarm announcements, as allowed by NFPA [Read More]
Do single station smoke alarms have low frequency sounders?
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NFPA 72 now requires a 520 hz square wave fire alarm signal in smoke detector sounder bases provided for publicly available sleeping areas. The 520 hz tone has been shown as more effective in waking people of a certain age (ahem), deep sleepers or those that may have had a few too many the night [Read More]
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