A COMPARISON OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS IN THE US AND UK. James R. Lugar Jr., P.E. Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc. SFPE 2012 Savannah, GA

Transcription

1 A COMPARISON OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS IN THE US AND UK James R. Lugar Jr., P.E. Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc. SFPE 2012 Savannah, GA

2 Presentation Objective Compare fire alarm system design methods and products commonly used in North America and Europe This discussion will focus on requirements in the United States and the United Kingdom US discussion limited to model codes, current editions as published UK discussion limited to the scope of the Building Regulations for England and Wales (for buildings other than dwellings)

3 Presentation Overview This presentation will answer the following questions: How does legislation impact fire alarm design? What are common fire alarm design practices? What are common fire alarm system components? How is the fire service summoned?

4 Terminology Differences United States Fire alarm control unit (FACU) Manual fire alarm box Horn or speaker; strobe) Central Station United Kingdom Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE) Manual call point Bell, sounder or speaker; beacon Alarm receiving centre Note: Some are also functional differences, which will be discussed later

5 Legislation - US Law State or local law adopts building and fire codes Int l Code Council and Natl. Fire Prot. Assoc. (NFPA) Code Int l Bldg. Code or NFPA 101 define level NFPA 72, Natl. Fire Alarm & Signaling Code Std. NFPA 72 ref. other standards for products Ex.: UL 864 control units, UL 1971 visible signals

6 Legislation - UK Law Building Regulations England and Wales Provide appropriate provisions for early warning of fire Guide BS 5839 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Bldgs. Part 1: Code of Practice Provides Recommendations Implement BAFE Compliance / LPS 1014 Company BS EN 54 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems

7 Differences in Approach, Generalized Generally favors active fire protection, and provides mostly prescriptive requirements to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare. Generally favors passive fire protection and provides recommended practices to comply with requirements. For Means of warning and escape, The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety outside the building capable of being safely and effectively used at all material times. Neither document is intended to restrict alternate methods that provide a level of safety that is equivalent to the minimum requirements.

8 What Level of System? - US Level of alarm is prescriptive based on inherent hazards of occupancy classification, building height, contents, etc. In general detectors are used sparingly fire detection is primarily via sprinkler water flow signals Fire alarm system is designed, installed, inspected, tested, and maintained per NFPA 72.

9 What Level of System? - UK Type L: Protection of Life Type P: Property Protection Type M: Manual BS Fire Detection Levels L1: Installed throughout the protected building L2: Installed only in defined parts of the building L3: Designed for early warning to permit occupant escape L4: Installed for protection of escape routes L5: Installed in specific areas per fire safety objectives P1: Installed throughout the protected building P2: Installed only in defined parts of the building Manual alarms only no detection provided

10 Product Approvals United States Regulations and model codes require compliance with NFPA 72 and applicable standards, with ANSI/UL standards usually cited as examples Conformity can be demonstrated by listing of the product by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) as complying with that standard Some states require State Fire Marshal approval (based on NRTL report) in order to permit products to be disallowed should local problems emerge (ex California) United Kingdom Regulations require compliance with ISO, CEN, or national standards (in that order) Example BS EN 54 Conformity can be demonstrated by the CE mark authorized by any Notified Body within the EU CE mark must be accepted in any EU member country regardless of the testing organization National testing lab marks signifying compliance with national standards may only be recognized in that country (ex VdS in Germany)

11 Manual Alarm Initiation United States Manual fire alarm box (pull station) Usually required but can be omitted in some sprinklered occupancies (with one at an attended location) United Kingdom Manual Call Point (break glass) Primary component of fire alarm system required in Type L and M installations (optional Type P)

12 Detection Zones BS Detectors (and call points) are required to be zoned to direct responders to the fire Zone indication provided at the CIE Also applicable to addressable systems Recommendations provided for: General zoning Maximum floor area Search distance No similar requirements provided in US codes.

13 Alarm Notification - US Minimum and maximum audibility levels throughout per NFPA 72 Intelligible speech (voice alarm systems) Accessibility guidelines require visible notification via strobes in all public or common use areas

14 Visible Notification - US NFPA 72 provides specific requirements for: Flash rates and synchronization Mounting locations and heights Spacing based on strobe intensity in candelas (cd) Wall mounted Ceiling mounted Wall-mounted Ceiling-mounted

15 Alarm Notification - UK Audible sounders Provided for Types L and M, optional Type P Typical 65dBA min or 5dBA above ambient; limited areas 60dBA; 75dBA sleeping areas Voice can be used, esp. for staged evacuations Above: Examples of sounders from Tyco

16 Visual Alarm Signals - UK Used to supplement audible where deemed ineffective Red color preferred; mount above 2.1m (82.7 in.) Can be used for hearing impaired tactile devices more common Tyco beacon Tyco beacon integral with sensor (for sleeping area)

17 Fire Alarm System Wiring Both NFPA 72 and BS include provisions for protection of circuits and redundancy based on the inherent hazard, such as: Separation of circuit types and routing for redundancy Fire-resistance of wiring for staged evacuations Adequate support of system wiring

18 System Wiring, Continued United States Wire types can include plenum, riser, or circuit integrity (rated) Protection is part prescriptive and part designer s discretion. NFPA 72 defines: Circuit classes based on redundancy 3 levels of survivability Ex.: 2 hr. fire resistance required for selective evacuations United Kingdom Fire alarm wiring is standard fire resistance or enhanced fire resistance Enhanced fire resistance is recommended for multiple conditions including unsprinklered buildings with staged evacuations or unsprinklered high-rise buildings

19 Summoning the Fire Service United States The fire alarm system is required to automatically transmit signals: common methods include Central Station Proprietary Station NFPA 72 includes specific transmission requirements Occupants can also call, but monitoring is generally mandatory United Kingdom The primary method is by public emergency call system Alarm receiving centres (ARCs) can be used for Type L and M when warranted ARCs are used for Type P (property protection)

20 Any Questions? Thanks for your participation! Contact Information: James R. Lugar Jr., P.E. Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc Peachtree Rd. NE Suite 550 Atlanta, GA (404)