Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Wayne D. Moore, P.E., CFPS Vice President, Jensen Hughes October 8, 2018

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Private Mode Signaling Class Of Circuits Survivability of Circuits Using a Risk Analysis Approach to Address These Issues 2

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Notification When A fire Alarm System is Actuated, Who Should Be Notified? NFPA 72-2016 states that the purpose of notification appliances is to provide stimuli for initiating emergency action and provide information to users, emergency response personnel, and occupants. And there are two modes of signaling allowed by the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code: Public Mode (the most common) and Private Mode. 3

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Public Mode Who Gets Notified? 4

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Although the definition of Public Mode is obvious in that it means we must notify everyone in the area or building of the alarm, the Code also requires that the notification appliances meet a specific sound level to be clearly heard throughout a building. To do that the Code requires sound levels of at least 15 db above the average ambient or 5 db above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds, whichever is greater, with additional special requirements for how to measure those levels. 5

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Contrasted with Public Mode is the less well known, and much less understood, Private Mode, which provides notification only to those persons directly concerned with the implementation of emergency action or procedures in the building or area protected by the fire alarm system. Who Gets Notified? 6

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Based on this definition it should be clear that when using Private Mode signaling, we are not notifying everyone in the area or building of the alarm. Additionally, the Code allows reduced sound levels for Private Mode signaling with the same sound level measurement techniques. 7

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Private Mode NOT Public Mode! Don t wake the babies!! 8

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification How is a PATIENT supposed to respond to a Public Mode Alarm? In most cases they cannot respond without assistance from staff. Again, this is why we have PRIVATE MODE SIGNALING! 9

Advantages of Private Mode Staff only is alerted. Patients and guests are part of the defend in place strategy. Only the affected area and personnel are involved. Audible and visual alarms can be omitted in critical care areas such as OR s. Less disruption to non-affected areas of the facility.

Areas for Private Mode Use Operating Rooms Procedures cannot stop for fire emergencies remote from the OR. Emergency procedures within the OR s are well defined. Patients are not capable of responding and are fully dependent on staff. Patient sleeping rooms Staff is present at all times. Notification of the staff from the public areas is possible. Patient room fire alarm tone or visuals are not required to alert the staff. Guests are best instructed by the staff.

Unusual Fire Alarm Requirements Based on Patient Care Needs Normal fire alarm signals arguably are detrimental to patient s (neonate s) well being. Life support equipment utilizing muted alarm sounds of the same frequencies as fire alarm sounds.

Identification of Potential Patient Reaction to Fire Alarm Signals Flash rate and intensity of standard strobe lights could cause retinal burns to the infants because they cannot blink their eyes fast enough. Harsh fire alarm alerting sounds could cause a Vaso-Vagal response which could lead to seizures.

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification As you already know, health care occupancies have persons directly concerned with the implementation of emergency action or procedures in the building or area protected by the fire alarm system, which is the reason why the Technical Committee on Notification Appliances developed the Private Mode signaling requirements. It was never the intent to notify everyone in the area or building of the alarm in a health care occupancy. Quite the contrary, the goal is to only notify staff who are trained to respond to the alarm. It makes no sense to make the notification system so loud, or visual notification so pervasive, that the patients will hear and see the alarm, and not being able to move from their beds, cause them to become fearful or agitated. 14

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Just imagine patients in a hospital with heart conditions or in weakened conditions after serious surgery having the notification appliance sounding in their room at close to 85 decibels or a high-candela strobe flashing. This could only lead to additional issues with these patients. Imagine patients who are ambulatory and, not knowing what else to do, try to leave the floor/area without the knowledge that the staff has of where the alarm occurred. Such patients could easily be moving from a safer location to a less safe location based on the life safety features of the facility. And what about the nursery with newborns or operating rooms with active surgery taking place? You can readily see the misapplication of too many notification appliances in a health care occupancy could be life threatening rather than life saving! 15

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Yet, we still find engineers designing fire alarm systems with notification appliances not only throughout the corridors but in every patient room! And when questioned why they are designing such an inappropriate system, they respond that if they don t have the notification appliances everywhere as shown, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will not approve the installation! 16

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Notification "A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking." -- Steven Wright, comedian 17

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Conclusions: More education is needed regarding the application and notification intent of Private Mode signaling. In a Private Mode design, there should only be notification appliances placed in staff areas. (Staff areas would include the normal staff positions and areas where staff circulate. The staff have methods of communicating with each other and again the intent is to only notify persons (hospital or nursing home staff) directly concerned with the implementation of emergency action or procedures in the building or area protected by the fire alarm system. ) There should never be notification appliances, whether audible, visual, or combination appliances throughout a health care institution, and never in patient rooms, patient treatment areas or operating/procedure rooms. 18

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification It is our responsibility to ensure those involved in both design and enforcement of fire alarm system installations better understand the intent and goals of Private Mode signaling. Follow the Code! 19

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Far too many systems are designed or specified by people well outside of their area of expertise! Simply quoting a bunch of standards and codes that a system has to meet is not a system design Peter Mapp, Acoustical Engineer 20

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Questions? 21

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements - Notification Circuits and Pathways 1. What the Code Says and Does Not Say 2. Who is Responsible for Choosing? 22

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits Chapter 12 Circuits and Pathways 12.1 Application. 12.1.1 Pathways (interconnections) shall be designated based on the performance characteristics defined in this chapter. 12.1.2 The requirements of Chapter 14 shall apply. 12.2 General. 12.2.1* Performance and survivability characteristics of signaling pathways (interconnections) shall comply with the defined designations of this chapter. 23

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits 12.2.2 A pathway (interconnection) class designation shall be dependent on the pathway (interconnection) capability to continue to operate during abnormal conditions. 12.2.3 The designation of the pathways shall be permitted to also include the performance of the pathway (interconnection) to survivability from attack by fire. 12.2.4 The installation of all pathway wiring, cable, and equipment shall be in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, and the applicable requirements of 12.2.4.1 through 12.2.4.4. 24

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits 12.3* Pathway Class Designations. Pathways shall be designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, or Class X, depending on their performance. 12.3.1* Class A. A pathway shall be designated as Class A when it performs as follows: (1) It includes a redundant path. (2) Operational capability continues past a single open, and the single open fault shall result in the annunciation of a trouble signal. (3) Conditions that affect the intended operation of the path are annunciated as a trouble signal. (4) Operational capability is maintained during the application of a single ground fault. (5) A single ground condition shall result in the annunciation of a trouble signal. 25

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits 12.3.2* Class B. A pathway shall be designated as Class B when it performs as follows: (1) It does not include a redundant path. (2) Operational capability stops at a single open. (3) Conditions that affect the intended operation of the path are annunciated as a trouble signal. (4) Operational capability is maintained during the application of a single ground fault. (5) A single ground condition 26

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits 12.3.3* Class C. A pathway shall be designated as Class C when it performs as follows: (1) It includes one or more pathways where operational capability is verified via end-to-end communication, but the integrity of individual paths is not monitored. (2) A loss of end-to-end communication is annunciated. 12.3.4* Class D. A pathway shall be designated as Class D when it has fail-safe operation, where no fault is annunciated, but the intended operation is performed in the event of a pathway failure. 12.3.5* Class E. A pathway shall be designated as Class E when it is not monitored for integrity. 27

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits 12.3.6* Class X. A pathway shall be designated as Class X when it performs as follows: (1) It includes a redundant path. (2) Operational capability continues past a single open, and the single open fault shall result in the annunciation of a trouble signal. (3) Operational capability continues past a single short-circuit, and the single short-circuit fault shall result in the annunciation of a trouble signal. (4) Operational capability continues past a combination open fault and ground fault. (5) Conditions that affect the intended operation of the path are annunciated as a trouble signal. (6) Operational capability is maintained during the application of a single ground fault. (7) A single ground condition shall result in the annunciation of a trouble signal. 28

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits Understanding the Class of Circuits as They Relate to System Reliability The definition of system reliability does not appear in NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. BusinessDictionary.com defines Reliability as The ability of an apparatus, machine, or system to consistently perform its intended or required function or mission, on demand and without degradation or failure. 29

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits Understanding the Class of Circuits as They Relate to System Reliability In fairness, the 2016 edition of the Code mentions reliability several times, beginning is Chapter 1, Section 1.2.1: The purpose of this Code is to define the means of signal initiation, transmission, notification, and annunciation; the levels of performance; and the reliability [emphasis added] of the various types of fire alarm systems, supervising station alarm systems, public emergency alarm reporting systems, fire warning equipment, emergency communications systems, and their components. 30

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits Understanding the Class of Circuits as They Relate to System Reliability Nevertheless the Code does not define reliability. We must rely on the purpose statement above to infer the meaning of reliability, which in my opinion serves us well. Chapter 14, Inspection Testing and Maintenance, in Section 14.2.1.4 states that the purpose of periodic testing intends to statistically assure operational reliability. However, the Annex A commentary for that section reminds us: Periodic testing contributes to the assurance of operational and mission reliability but does not ensure either. That said, ensuring compliance with design documents through acceptance testing helps to assure both operational reliability and mission reliability. 31

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits Four Factors affect Mission Effectiveness (Operational Reliability): Design; Equipment; Installation; and Maintenance. 32

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits In actual installations, the recurring misapplications and misused requirements revolve around wiring methods, and poor installations. 33

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits 23.4.3.1 The class of pathways shall be determined from an evaluation based on the path performance as required by governing laws, codes, standards, and a site-specific engineering analysis. Who s Responsible for Determining Class Selection? 34

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits In determining the Class of a circuit used, we must consider the seven influences on the integrity and reliability of the circuits found in NFPA 72-2013, Section 23.4.3.2: (1) Transmission media used (2) Length of the circuit conductors (3) Total building area covered by, and the quantity of initiating devices and notification appliances connected to, a single circuit (4) Effect of a fault in the fire alarm system that would hinder the performance objectives of the system that protects the occupants, mission, and property of the protected premises (5) Nature of hazards present within the protected premises (6) Functional requirements of the system necessary to provide the level of protection required for the system (7) Size and nature of the population of the protected premises 35

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits Specifying the performance of a circuit, therefore, becomes most important to help all concerned ensure an acceptable level of system reliability. For example, after considering the seven influences outlined above, we determine that we must use Class X wiring. However, our premises consists of a small grocery store. We cannot really use Class X wiring. It would serve as a financial overkill. 36

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits That same analysis would serve for a hospital. In this case, using Class X wiring would likely prove more reliable and the occupancy would certainly warrant its use. Class X or Class A wiring provides a different performance and level of operation than a Class B wiring installation. But, requiring a Class X or Class A for the wiring performance when the physical size of the facility, its complexity, or the nature of the hazards do not warrant such use simply raises the cost of the installation. 37

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits The key to the reliability discussion of fire alarm systems also revolves around the installation. Class A or Class X wiring, improperly installed, would significantly reduce the reliability of the installation. As stated in the Annex A for Section 23.6.1 in part: Designers should carefully consider the potential that a single SLC short or open caused by a fire or inadvertent damage to the SLC could disable an entire SLC prior to the activation of an alarm condition along with the subsequent alarm signaling and emergency control functions. 38

Hospital Fire Alarm Systems Recurring Misapplications and Misused Requirements Class of Circuits QUESTIONS? 39

What is Pathway Survivability? The ability of any conductor, optic fiber, radio carrier, or other means for transmitting system information to remain operational during fire conditions. 40

Survivability is NOT new! NFPA 72F-1985 (33 years ago!) 2-4.2 Survivability 2-4.2.1 The System The system shall be so designed and installed that attack by fire in a paging zone, causing loss of communications to this paging zone, shall not result in loss of communications to any other paging zone. The system shall be so designed and installed that attack by fire causing failure of equipment or a fault on one or more installation wiring conductors of one communications path shall not result in total loss of communications to any paging zone. 41

Survivability is NOT new! NFPA 72F-1985 (33 years ago!) 2-4.2 Survivability 2-4.2.1 The System Exception No. 1.The fire command station and the central control equipment. Exception No. 2. Where there is a separate means acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction for voice communications to each floor or paging zone. Exception No. 3. Where the installation wiring is enclosed in a 2-hour rated enclosure, other than a stairwell. Exception No. 4. Where 2-hour rated stairwells are fully sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Exception No. 5. When the paging zone is directly attacked by fire within the paging zone. 42

SURVIVABILTY 23.10.2* Fire alarm systems used for partial evacuation and relocation shall be designed and installed such that attack by fire within an evacuation signaling zone shall not impair control and operation of the notification appliances outside the evacuation signaling zone. Performance features provided to ensure survivability shall be described and technical justification provided in the documentation submitted to the authority having jurisdiction with the evaluation required in 23.4.3.1. 43

SURVIVABILTY LEVELS 12.4 Pathway Survivability. All pathways shall comply with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. 12.4.1 Pathway Survivability Level 0. Level 0 pathways shall not be required to have any provisions for pathway survivability. 12.4.2 Pathway Survivability Level 1. Pathway survivability Level 1 shall consist of pathways in buildings that are fully protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, with any interconnecting conductors, cables, or other physical pathways installed in metal raceways. 44

SURVIVABILTY LEVELS 12.4.3 Pathway Survivability Level 2. Pathway survivability Level 2 shall consist of one or more of the following: (1) 2-hour fire-rated circuit integrity (CI) cable (2) 2-hour fire-rated cable system [electrical circuit protective system(s)] (3) 2-hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area (4) 2-hour performance alternatives approved by the authority having jurisdiction 45

SURVIVABILTY LEVELS 12.4.4 Pathway Survivability Level 3. Pathway survivability Level 3 shall consist of pathways in buildings that are fully protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and one or more of the following: (1) 2-hour fire-rated circuit integrity (CI) cable (2) 2-hour fire-rated cable system [electrical circuit protective system(s)] (3) 2-hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area (4) 2-hour performance alternatives approved by the authority having jurisdiction 46

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS For Proper Fire Alarm Design, Need to Answer: What Circuits Need Survivability? Where Do These Circuits Need Survivable Components? How Will Survivability be Achieved? FIRST? 47

Risk Analysis 3.3.243 Risk Analysis. A process to characterize the likelihood, vulnerability, and magnitude of incidents associated with natural, technological, and manmade disasters and other emergencies that address scenarios of concern, their probability, and their potential consequences. 48

Risk Analysis [NFPA 72-2016] 24.3.11.3 The detail and complexity of the risk analysis shall be commensurate with the complexity of the facility for which the mass notification system is designed. 24.3.11.4 The risk analysis shall be permitted to be limited in scope to address the communication requirements of an existing emergency response plan. 24.3.11.5 The risk analysis shall consider the number of persons, type of occupancy, and perceived peril to occupants. 49

Risk Analysis [NFPA 72-2016] 24.3.11.6 The analysis shall be based on the maximum occupant load calculation for every occupiable room, building, area, space, campus, or region is expected to contain. 24.3.11.7 Occupancy characteristics shall comply with 24.3.11.7.1 and 24.3.11.7.2. 24.3.11.7.1 The risk analysis shall consider characteristics of the buildings, areas, spaces, campuses or regions, equipment, and operations that are not inherent in the design specifications. 50

Risk Analysis [NFPA 72-2016] 24.3.11.7.2 Those elements that are not inherent in the design specifications, but that affect occupant behavior or the rate of hazard development, shall be explicitly identified and included in the risk analysis. 51

Risk Analysis The Risk Analysis is the Basis for the Emergency Response Plan and Will Guide the Designer for any of the Following: 1. Public Mode vs. Private Mode Signaling. 2. Class of Circuits 3. Survivability Requirements 52

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS Before anything, you need to know the Emergency Response Plan for the building! General Alarm? Selective Floor Evacuation? Relocation? Partial Evacuation? Selective Signaling? What other systems may require survivability and how will that survivability be achieved? 53

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS If survivable cable is needed, you need a complete copy of the architectural drawings. Wall and Floor Ratings Electrical and Communication Room Wall Ratings Coordinated Riser Locations Smoke Zone Boundaries 54

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS What Circuits Need Survivability? Notification Appliance Circuits Loudspeaker circuits (audible textual notification appliance circuits) Audible tone circuits (horns, chimes, etc.) Visual notification appliance circuits (strobes, textual appliances, etc) 55

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS What Circuits Need Survivability? Network Circuit(s) or Remote Unit Communication When used to control/trigger remote control units, amplifiers, or power supplies. 56

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS What Circuits Need Survivability? Network Circuit(s) and Fiber Optic Media Is there 2-hour fiber optic cable? 57

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS What Circuits Need Survivability? Signaling Line Circuit (SLC) When used to trigger remote NAC power supplies or booster power supplies. When used to for control modules that trigger circuits or amplifiers 58

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS What Circuits Need Survivability? Certain Riser Circuits Audio riser circuits. Dual / Multiple channel audio Fire Fighter Telephone (two-way emergency communications) 24VDC Power Circuits Sounder Base Power Circuits 59

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS What Circuits Need Survivability? Building Code may require other circuits to be survivable. Example from 2018 IBC: Smoke Control All wiring in raceway (mechanical protection) Smokeproof Enclosures, 3 Options (909.20.6): Wiring located exterior to the building Wiring located within the enclosure Wiring separated by 2-hour barriers 60

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS Where Do These Circuits Need Survivable Components? Remember the Code requirement: Survivable from Control Unit until they enter the notification zone. Suggest cable/conduit extend at least 12 into/beyond the fire rated wall. 61

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS Where Do These Circuits Need Survivable Components? For circuits feeding remote panels (network, audio risers, etc.), suggest continuing cable/conduit to the remote panel. 62

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS Where Do These Circuits Need Survivable Components? Termination Points Provide Through-Penetration Firestop Systems (XHEZ) when passing through all fire rated floors and walls. 63

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS How Will Survivability be Achieved? Use of Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable Conduit System Free Air Diagram Courtesy NFPA 72-2016 Handbook 64

SURVIVABLE FIRE ALARM CIRCUITS How Will Survivability be Achieved? Use of 2-Hour Rooms Use of 2-Hour Enclosures Other Equivalent Means Acceptable to the AHJ Diagram Courtesy NFPA 72-2016 Handbook 65

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL So how can you properly design a survivable cable system so that the AHJ can provide a review (at shop drawing level) and approval (at acceptance test)? 66

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL Know the Code Understand Key Definitions, including Pathway Survivability, Pathway Class, Signaling Zone, and Notification Zone. Chapter 12 contains your Pathway Survivability Levels, but does not dictate which ones must be used. Chapter 23 requires any fire alarm system using partial evacuation or relocation to be survivable. Chapter 24 contains the specific requirements ( WHEN ) survivability levels must be provided for EVACS and MNS. 67

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL Know Your System Each Fire Alarm System is unique. Centralized amplifiers and power supplies vs. de-centralized (remote) equipment Networking communication schemes Peer-to-Peer, Master-Subordinate, etc. Programming requirements for selective signaling NAC control options and capacity Understand Effect on Calculations Wire gage requirements and effect on voltage drop #12AWG FPLP Resistance of 1.930 ohms/1000 ft #12AWG CI Cable Resistance of 1.618 ohms/1000 ft 68

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL Understand Your Options What advantages can the building construction provide for you? How long are your survivable cable or cable system runs? Length of vertical runs can require extra installation requirements. Will cable splices be required? Is free air cable an option? Need to follow maximum allowable support spacing (usually 24 72 ) Is a performance-based alternative your best option? If so, how will you document that alternative? Cost? Fire Alarm Vendor vs. Installer? 69

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL Explain Thoroughly Your Design How can you communicate with the installing contractor on the exact type of cable, conduit and support system installation requirements? Floor Plan Riser Installation Details Calculations Your design can help the AHJ! 70

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL Inspect the Installation Cable Conduit / System Conduit or Cable Supports Fire Stopping Variations from Design Documents? 71

DESIGN AND AHJ APPROVAL Help the AHJ to Understand The system s infrastructure. The system s dependencies. Clearly explain the evacuation sequence. Provide installation details that can be reviewed on shop drawing review and at acceptance testing. 72

Walking the Tightrope of Compliance!

QUESTIONS? Contact Wayne Moore wmoore@jensenhughes.com 401-736-8992 117 Metro Center Blvd., Ste. 1002 Warwick, RI For More Information Visit www.jensenhughes.com Content is Copyright 2018 Jensen Hughes, Inc. All Rights Reserved 74