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
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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.
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]
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]
When Do Locked Doors in High Rises Have to Unlock?
High rise suites can take up a large portion of a floor & many times take up the entire floor. These large suites are usually divided in sections that may have electronically secured doors that partition them. Examples would be data server rooms and file rooms, as well as stairwells and suite entrances from 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]
New Chicago Building Code Fire Alarm Equipment Requirements
In our recent blogs, we discussed some of the the new Chicago Building Code (CBC) requirements that will take effect on August 1, 2020. Let’s now take a look at the effect the new code will have on fire alarm equipment requirements in Chicago. We’ll begin today with E-1 Educational occupancies, which are primarily K-12 [Read More]
New Chicago Building Code Educational Occupancy Fire Alarm Requirements
The fire alarm requirements in Chicago have always been somewhat unique from other large cities and definitely different than the suburban requirements. That’s expected, but the accumulation of requirements via policies, memorandums and rules rather than by municipal code made keeping track of specific requirements difficult. The implementation of the new Title 14B of the [Read More]
New Chicago Construction Code Impact on Fire Alarm Shop Drawings
A brief overview of the new City of Chicago shop drawing requirements.
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