3 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 88-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 2.4 ] 2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2011 2014 edition. NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, 2011 2014 edition. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2012 2015 edition. NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, 2013 edition. NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment, 2012 2015 edition. NFPA 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems, 2013 2016 edition. NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, 2012 2015 edition. Submittal Date: Wed Sep 04 15:15:10 EDT 2013 : The extract references need to be updated to reflect the latest edition. Response Message:
First Revision No. 44-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 3.3.123 ] 3.3.122 Heat Alarm. A single- or multiple-station alarm responsive to heat. (SIG-IDS) 3.3.122.1 Mechanically Powered, Single-Station Heat Alarm. A single-station heat alarm employing a mechanical power source such as a spring wound mechanism. (SIG-HOU) Submittal Date: Wed Jun 26 18:11:06 EDT 2013 : The definition is provided for clarity for cases where the code uses this term. Response Message: 6 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM
47 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 51-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 14.4.5 ] 14.4.5 Single- and Multiple-Station Smoke Alarms. Smoke alarms and all connected appliances shall be inspected, tested and tested maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's published instructions at least monthly. The responsibility for inspection, testing and maintenance and testing shall be in accordance with 14.2.3. (SIG-HOU) 14.4.5.2 Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be replaced when they fail to respond to operability tests but shall not remain in service longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture, unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer s published instructions. (SIG-HOU) 14.4.5.3* Global FR-53 Hide Deleted Combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms shall be replaced when the end-of-life signal activates or 10 years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first. (SIG-HOU) 14.4.5.4 Where batteries are used as a source of energy for combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms or single- and multiple-station smoke alarms, the batteries shall be replaced in accordance with the alarm equipment manufacturer s published instructions. (SIG-HOU) Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 14:23:32 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Response Message: The revised text removes occupancy specific language and clarifies requirements for inspection, testing and maintenance. The revised language allows for equipment with different requirements for replacement intervals and is consistent with previous code editions in that compliance with manufacturers instructions has always been required. Manufacturer's instructions address replacement intervals, test methods and test frequencies.
First Revision No. 52-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 14.4.7 ] 14.4.7 Replacement of Smoke Alarms in One- and Two-Family Dwellings. 14.4.7.1 Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer's published instructions, single- and multiplestation smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall be replaced when they fail to respond to operability tests but shall not remain in service longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture. (SIG-HOU) 14.4.7.2 Combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms shall be replaced when the end-of-life signal activates or 10 years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first. (SIG-HOU) 14.4.7.3 Where batteries are used as a source of energy for combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms as well as single- and multiple-station smoke alarms, they shall be replaced in accordance with the alarm equipment manufacturer's published instructions. (SIG-HOU) Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 14:55:53 EDT 2013 : The requirements 14.4.7 and associate annex material have been moved to 14.4.5. Response Message: 48 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM
First Revision No. 43-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 29.3.5 ] 29.3.5* Fire-warning equipment to be installed in residential occupancies shall produce the audible emergency evacuation signal described in ANSI S3.41, American National Standard Emergency Evacuation Signal, whenever the intended response is to evacuate the building. Exception: Where mechanically powered single-station heat alarms are used as supplementary devices, unless required by applicable laws, codes, or standards, such devices shall not be required to produce the emergency evacuation signal described in ANSI S3.41. 29.3.5.1 The audible emergency evacuation signal shall be permitted to be used for other devices as long as the desired response is immediate evacuation. 29.3.5.2* Fire-warning equipment producing the audible emergency evacuation signal shall be permitted to incorporate voice notification under either or both of the following conditions: (1) Where the voice message is contained completely within the 1.5-second pause period of the audible emergency evacuation signal (2) Where the voice message complies with 29.3.5.2(2)(a) and 29.3.5.2 (2) (b) as follows: (a) (b) The voice message is first preceded by a minimum of eight cycles of the audible emergency evacuation signal. The voice message periodically interrupts the signal for no longer than 10 seconds, followed by a minimum of two cycles of the audible emergency evacuation signal between each voice message. The initial eight-cycle period shall not be required to be repeated. Submittal Date: Wed Jun 26 17:46:56 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Response Message: Revisions are needed to allow for the use of mechanically operated heat alarms to be consistent with the allowance in 29.5.2.1.1. Public Input No. 9-NFPA 72-2012 [Section No. 29.3.5] Public Input No. 451-NFPA 72-2013 [Section No. 29.3.5 [Excluding any Sub-Sections]] 71 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM
72 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 49-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 29.6.1 ] 29.6.1 Smoke and Heat Alarms. Smoke and heat alarms shall meet the requirements of 29.5.2.1.1 and be powered by one of the following means: (1) A commercial light and power source along with a secondary power source that is capable of operating the device for at least 7 days in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm (2) If a commercial light and power source is not normally available, a noncommercial ac power source along with a secondary power source that is capable of operating the device for at least 7 days in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm (3) A nonrechargeable, nonreplaceable primary battery that is capable of operating the device for at least 10 years in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm, followed by 7 days of trouble (4) If a battery primary power supply is specifically permitted, a battery meeting the requirements of 29.6.6 (nonrechargeable primary battery) or the requirements of 29.6.7 (rechargeable primary battery) (5) A suitable spring-wound mechanism for the nonelectrical portion of a listed single-station alarm with a visible indication to show that sufficient operating power is not available Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 11:33:32 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Response Message: The revised text clarifies that interconnection is required regardless of the type of power supply used.
73 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 47-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 29.6.3 ] 29.6.3 AC Primary Power Source. The ac power source specified in 29.6.1 and 29.6.2 shall comply with the following conditions: (1) A visible power on indicator shall be provided. (2) All electrical systems designed to be installed by other than a qualified electrician shall be powered from a source not in excess of 30 volts that meets the requirements for power-limited fire alarm circuits as defined in NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 760. (3) A restraining means shall be used at the plug-in of any cord-connected installation. (4) AC primary (main) power shall be supplied either from a dedicated branch circuit or the unswitched portion of a branch circuit also used for power and lighting. (5) Operation of a switch (other than a circuit breaker) shall not cause loss of primary (main) power. Operation of a ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) receptacle shall not cause loss of primary (main) power. Smoke alarms powered by branch circuits protected by arc-fault circuit-interrupters (AFCI) or GFCI circuit breakers shall have a secondary power source. (6) Neither loss nor restoration of primary (main) power shall cause an alarm signal. Exception: An alarm signal shall be permitted but shall not exceed 2 seconds. (7) Where a secondary (standby) battery is provided, the primary (main) power supply shall be of sufficient capacity to operate the system under all conditions of loading with any secondary (standby) battery disconnected or fully discharged. Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 10:44:13 EDT 2013 : Revisions are provided to add clarity. Response Message:
First Revision No. 42-NFPA 72-2013 [ New Section after 29.7.6 ] 29.7.6.8 Any data exchange between the fire alarm system and separate independent devices via remote access shall not compromise the integrity of the fire alarm system. 29.7.6.9 Remote resetting and silencing of a fire alarm control unit from other than the protected premises shall be inhibited for a minimum of 4 minutes from the initial activation of the fire alarm signal. Submittal Date: Wed Jun 26 17:31:17 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: With the advent of smart phones and internet access to almost any device, remote access to residential security equipment is prevalent. Ability to establish remote access to fire alarm systems, if not here already, is on the horizon. This proposal seeks to establish minimum requirements for remote control access to household fire alarm systems. The proposed changes are considered and a work in progress to be further developed in the second draft stage. While the committee continues to work on this, addition comments are welcome. Response Message: Public Input No. 454-NFPA 72-2013 [New Section after 29.7.6] 74 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM
First Revision No. 58-NFPA 72-2013 [ New Section after 29.7.8.2.5 ] 29.7.8.3 Mesh Networks. 29.7.8.3.1 Wireless household fire alarm system networks shall meet the requirements of 29.7.8.1. 29.7.8.3.2 Devices used in any critical fire alarm signaling path of a mesh network shall be listed for fire alarm service. 29.7.8.3.3 Shared communications equipment used in supplementary (noncritical) signaling path(s) is permitted to be listed for communications or information technology use. 29.7.8.3.4 All devices and appliances used in the critical fire alarm signaling path of a mesh network shall be listed for use together. 29.7.8.3.5 Where the mesh network is shared by other premise operating systems, its operation shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Network bandwidth shall be monitored to confirm that all communications between devices critical to the operation of the fire alarm system take place within 20 seconds; failure shall be indicated within 200 seconds. (2) All programming accepted by devices in the network shall ensure a fire alarm system alarm response time of 20 seconds. (3) All specified configurations of the network shall ensure a fire alarm system alarm response time of 20 seconds. (4) Failure of any equipment that is critical to the operation of the fire alarm system shall be indicated at the operator interface of the fire alarm control unit by the annunciation of a trouble signal. (5) The occurrence of any single fault that disables a transceiver shall not prevent other transceivers in the system from operating (formerly 29.7.8.2.5 ). Submittal Date: Fri Jul 12 16:16:16 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Mesh networks are becoming prevalent in homes. These networks typically integrate energy management, security and entertainment equipment. Some of the networks are based upon industry standard network layer protocols, such as zigbee or z-wave. It is anticipated that at some point fire alarm signaling will either be included in the network or will utilize similar technologies. This proposal seeks to establish minimum requirements for these networks relative to fire alarm signaling. The proposed changes are considered and a work in progress to be further developed in the second draft stage. While the committee continues to work on this, addition comments are welcome. 75 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM
76 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM Response Message: Public Input No. 453-NFPA 72-2013 [New Section after 29.7.7]
First Revision No. 54-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 29.7.9.1.3 ] 29.7.9.1.3 Other Than DACT. Where a communication or transmission means other than DACT is used, only a single communication technology and path is required to serve the protected premises. 29.7.9.1.3.1 Where a communication or transmission means other than DACT is used, only a single communication technology and path shall be required to serve the protected premises. 29.7.9.1.3.2 Where a communication or transmission means other than DACT is used, all equipment necessary to transmit an alarm signal shall be provided with a minimum of 24 hours of secondary power capacity and shall report a trouble condition indicating loss of primary power. Submittal Date: Fri Jun 28 09:03:17 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Household systems today are becoming more reliant on the home network equipment. Home network equipment does not have the ability to transmit critical events when there is a loss of primary power. The installation of a power inverter to supply ac in the event of a power loss is one method however there is a need to provide both local and remote notification of a trouble condition. The requirement for 24 hours is consistent with power supply requirements in Chapter 10 and 26. Response Message: Public Input No. 577-NFPA 72-2013 [Section No. 29.7.9.1.3] 77 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM
First Revision No. 48-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 29.8.2 ] 29.8.2 Interconnection of Detectors or Multiple-Station Alarms. 29.8.2.1 Smoke detectors shall be connected to central controls for power, signal processing, and activation of notification appliances. 29.8.2.1* The interconnection of smoke or heat alarms shall comply with the following: (1) Smoke or heat alarms shall not be interconnected in numbers that exceed the manufacturer s published instructions. (2) In no case shall more than 18 initiating devices be interconnected (of which 12 can be smoke alarms) where the interconnecting means is not supervised. (3) In no case shall more than 64 initiating devices be interconnected (of which 42 can be smoke alarms) where the interconnecting means is supervised. (4) Smoke or heat alarms shall not be interconnected with alarms from other manufacturers unless listed as being compatible with the specific model. (5) When alarms of different types are interconnected, all interconnected alarms shall produce the appropriate audible response for the phenomena being detected or remain silent. 29.8.2.2 A single fault on the interconnecting means between multiple-station alarms shall not prevent singlestation operation of any of the interconnected alarms. 29.8.2.3 Remote notification appliance circuits of multiple-station alarms shall be capable of being tested for integrity by activation of the test feature on any interconnected alarm. Activation of the test feature shall result in the operation of all interconnected notification appliances. Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 10:59:30 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Response Message: Section 29.8.2 is intended to address just the interconnection of alarms. The language involving smoke detectors is not needed and adds confusion. 78 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM
79 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 50-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. 29.8.3.4 ] 29.8.3.4 Specific Location Requirements. The installation of smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall comply with the following requirements: (1) Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be located where ambient conditions, including humidity and temperature, are outside the limits specified by the manufacturer's published instructions. (2) Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be located within unfinished attics or garages or in other spaces where temperatures can fall below 40ºF (4ºC) or exceed 100ºF (38ºC). (3) (4) * Where the mounting surface could become considerably warmer or cooler than the room, such as a poorly insulated ceiling below an unfinished attic or an exterior wall, smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall be mounted on an inside wall. * Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within an area of exclusion determined by a 10 ft (3.0 m) radial distance along a horizontal flow path from a stationary or fixed cooking appliance, unless listed for installation in close proximity to cooking appliances. Smoke alarms and smoke detectors installed between 10 ft (3.0 m) and 20 ft (6.1 m) along a horizontal flow path from a stationary or fixed cooking appliance shall be equipped with an alarm-silencing means or use photoelectric detection. Exception: Smoke alarms or smoke detectors that use photoelectric detection shall be permitted for installation at a radial distance greater than 6 ft (1.8 m) from any stationary or fixed cooking appliance when the following conditions are met: (a) (b) The kitchen or cooking area and adjacent spaces have no clear interior partitions or headers and The 10 ft (3.0 m) area of exclusion would prohibit the placement of a smoke alarm or smoke detector required by other sections of this code. (5) Effective January 1, 2016 2019, smoke alarms and smoke detectors used in household fire alarm systems installed between 6 ft (1.8 m) and 20 ft (6.1 m) along a horizontal flow path from a stationary or fixed cooking appliance shall be listed for resistance to common nuisance sources from cooking. (6) * Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within a 36 in. (910 mm) horizontal path from a door to a bathroom containing a shower or tub unless listed for installation in close proximity to such locations. (7) Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within a 36 in. (910 mm) horizontal path from the supply registers of a forced air heating or cooling system and shall be installed outside of the direct airflow from those registers. (8) Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within a 36 in. (910 mm) horizontal path from the tip of the blade of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan. (9) Where stairs lead to other occupiable levels, a smoke alarm or smoke detector shall be located so that smoke rising in the stairway cannot be prevented from reaching the smoke alarm or smoke detector by an intervening door or obstruction. (10) For stairways leading up from a basement, smoke alarms or smoke detectors shall be located on the basement ceiling near the entry to the stairs. (11) * For tray-shaped ceilings (coffered ceilings), smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall be installed on the highest portion of the ceiling or on the sloped portion of the ceiling within 12 in. (300 mm) vertically down from the highest point. (12) Smoke alarms and detectors installed in rooms with joists or beams shall comply with the requirements of 17.7.3.2.4. (13) Heat alarms and detectors installed in rooms with joists or beams shall comply with the requirements of 17.6.3.
80 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 12:01:49 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Response Message: Due to the lack of data that can be used to formulate repeatable product performance tests, more testing is needed to develop nuisance immunity criteria. We are still waiting on the final publication of the NIST Nuisance Alarm Study. There is a project in the planning stages through the FPRF that is aimed at providing data that can be used as testing criteria. Meeting the existing date of January 1, 2016 is not realistic. Changing the effective date for common cooking nuisance sources to January 1, 2019 also correlates this requirement with the effective date for 29.7.3 Resistance to Nuisance Source.
05 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 53-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. A.14.4.7.2 ] A.14.4.5.3 Carbon monoxide alarm replacement is covered under NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment. Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 14:59:35 EDT 2013 : The paragraph is renumbered to correlate with the changes in FR 51. Response Message:
20 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 57-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. A.29.2 ]
21 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM A.29.2 Fire Danger in the Home. In 2005 2009, fire was the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the home, and the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury deaths overall. (Injury Facts, 2007 edition 2011, National Safety Council). Eighty-four five (84.4 84.8 ) percent of the fire fatalities in 2007 2011 resulted from residential fires 68.5 82.5 percent resulted from fires in one- and two-family dwellings, including manufactured homes, homes; 15.0 16 percent were caused by apartment fires, fires; and 0.9 0.98 percent resulted from fires in other residential occupancies. ( Fire Loss in the United States during 2007 2011, Michael J. Karter, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division). Approximately half (53 54 percent) of the home (dwellings and apartments) fire fatalities resulted from fires reported between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the common sleeping hours. ( Home Structure Fires, Marty Ahrens, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division, February 2007 2012 ). Over three-quarters (76.9 82 percent) of all reported fire injuries occurred in the home, with more than one-half (54.6 66 percent) in one- and two-family dwellings dwelling units (including manufactured housing), and more than one-fifth (22.3 30 percent) in apartments ( Fire Loss in the United States during 2007 During 2011, Michael J. Karter, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division). It is estimated that each household will experience three five (usually unreported) fires per decade and two fires lifetime and one in four fires serious enough to report to a fire department per lifetime. ( A Few Fire Facts at the Household Level, NFPA Fire Analysis Division, Fire Journal, May 1986). July 2009.) Fire Safety in the Home. NFPA 72 is intended to provide reasonable fire safety for persons in family living units. Reasonable fire safety can be produced through the following three-point program: (1) Minimizing fire hazards (2) Providing fire-warning equipment (3) Having and practicing an escape plan Minimizing Fire Hazards. This Code cannot protect all persons at all times. For instance, the application of this Code might not provide protection against the following three traditional fatal fire scenarios: (1) Smoking in bed (2) Leaving children home alone (3) Cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline However, Chapter 29 can lead to reasonable safety from fire when the three-point program is observed. Fire-Warning Equipment. There are two types of fire to which household fire-warning equipment needs to respond. One is a rapidly developing, high-heat fire. The other is a slow, smoldering fire. Either can produce smoke and toxic gases. Family Escape Plan. There is often is very little time between the detection of a fire and the time it becomes deadly. This interval can be as little as 1 or 2 minutes. Thus, this Code requires detection means to give a family some advance warning of the development of conditions that become dangerous to life within a short period of time. Such warning, however, could be wasted unless the family has planned in advance for rapid exit from their residence. Therefore, in addition to the fire-warning equipment, this Code assumes that the residents have developed and practiced an exit plan. Planning and practicing for fire conditions with a focus on rapid exit from the residence are important. Drills should be held so that all family members know the action to be taken. Each person should plan for the possibility that exit out of a bedroom window could be necessary. An exit out of the residence without the need to open a bedroom door is essential. Household fires are especially dangerous at night when the occupants are asleep. Fires produce smoke and deadly gases that can overcome occupants while they are asleep. Furthermore, dense smoke reduces visibility. Most fire casualties are victims of smoke and gas inhalation rather than burns. To warn against a fire, Chapter 29 provides smoke detector (alarm) requirements in accordance with 29.5.1, and the associated annex recommends heat or smoke detectors (alarms) in all other major areas. Supplemental Information File Name Description
22 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM 2013_CH29_Annex_Revisions_ec_edits.docx Submittal Date: Fri Jun 28 10:45:59 EDT 2013 : References in A.29.2 are updated. Response Message:
Revisions to CH 29 Annex References A.29.2 Fire Danger in the Home. In 2009, fire was the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the home and the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury deaths overall. (Injury Facts, 2011, National Safety Council Eighty five (84.8) percent of the fire fatalities in 2011 resulted from residential fires 82.5 percent resulted from fires in one and two family dwellings, including manufactured homes; 16 percent were caused by apartment fires; and 0.98 percent resulted from fires in other residential occupancies. ( Fire Loss in the United States During 2011, Michael J. Karter, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division.) Approximately half (54 percent) of the home (dwellings and apartments) fire fatalities resulted from fires reported between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the common sleeping hours. ( Home Structure Fires, Marty Ahrens, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division, February 2012.) Over three quarters (82 percent) of all reported fire injuries occurred in the home, with more than onehalf (66 percent) in one and two family dwelling units (including manufactured housing), and more than one fifth (30 percent) apartments. ( Fire Loss in the United States During 2011, Michael J. Karter, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division). It is estimated that each household will experience five (usually unreported) fires per lifetime and one in four fire serious enough to report to a fire department per lifetime. ( A Few Fire Facts at the Household Level, NFPA Fire Analysis Division, July 2009.) Fire Safety in the Home. NFPA 72 is intended to provide reasonable safety for persons in family living units. Reasonable fire safety can be produced through the following three point program: (1) Minimizing fire hazards (2) Providing fire warming equipment (3) Having and practicing an escape plan Minimizing Fire Hazards. This Code cannot protect all persons at all times. For instance, the application of this Code might not provide protection against the following three traditional common fatal scenarios: (1) Smoking in bed (2) Leaving children home alone (3) Cleaning with flammable liquids such as gasoline. However, Chapter 29 can lead to reasonable safety from fire when the three point program is observed. Fire Warning Equipment. There are two types of fires to which household fire warning equipment needs to respond. One is a rapidly developing, high heat fire. The other is a slow, smoldering fire. Either can produce smoke and toxic gases. Family Escape Plan. There is often very little time between the detection of a fire and the time it becomes deadly. This interval can be as little as 1 or 2 minutes. Thus, this Code requires detection
Revisions to CH 29 Annex References means to give a family some advance warning of the development of conditions that become dangerous to life within a short period of time. Such warning, however, can be wasted unless the family has planned in advance for the rapid exit from their residence. Therefore, in addition to the fire warning equipment, this Code assumes that the residents have developed and practiced an exit plan. Planning and practicing fir fire conditions with a focus on rapid exit from the residence are important. Drills should be held so that all family members know the action to be taken. Each person should plan for the possibility that an exit out of a bedroom window could be necessary. An exit out of the residence without the need to open a bedroom door is essential. Household fires are especially dangerous at night when the occupants are asleep. Fires produce smoke and deadly gases that can overcome occupants while they are asleep. Furthermore, dense smoke reduces visibility. Most fire casualties are victims of smoke and gas inhalation rather than burns. To warn against a fire, Chapter 29 provides smoke detector (alarm) requirements in accordance with 29.5.1, and the associated annex recommends heat or smoke detectors (alarms) in all other major areas.
23 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 46-NFPA 72-2013 [ Section No. A.29.5.2.1.1 ] A.29.5.2.1.1 Fire-warning performance is improved when all alarms are interconnected so that alarm notification is achieved throughout the occupiable areas. In some cases for existing construction, interconnection of alarms is specifically exempted by jurisdictional requirements. This allowance takes into consideration the cost of hard-wired interconnection. As of the 2007 edition of NFPA 72, the code required the interconnection of alarms for both new and existing construction. The introduction of wireless interconnect smoke alarms allows installation of interconnect devices in existing construction without the need for ac wiring modifications that once were required to retrofit interconnected alarms. Work by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has concluded that interconnection of alarms is an important factor that can affect proper notification and life safety [1,2]. The CPSC study shows that interconnected smoke alarms alerted residents to the fire more than twice as often as noninterconnected alarms. A Victoria University study [3] also emphasizes the need for interconnected alarms. The study indicates that interconnected smoke alarms in every room in every dwelling would lead to about 50 percent fewer fatalities. A study by Underwriters Laboratories shows the benefit of interconnection [4]. (1) Green, M. A., and Andres, C. 2004-2005 National Sample Survey of Unreported Residential Fires. CPSC, 2009. (2) Ahrens, M. Factors in Smoke Alarm Performance. National Fire Protection Association. December 2009. (3) Thomas, I., and Bruck, D. Smoke Alarms in Dwellings: Timely Activation and Effective Notification. Victoria University. June 2010. (4) Fabian, T. Report in preparation. Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 10:04:49 EDT 2013 : Revisions are made to emphasize the importance of interconnection. Response Message:
24 of 326 11/21/2013 1:03 PM First Revision No. 45-NFPA 72-2013 [ New Section after A.29.7.4.2 ] A.29.7.6.2 Listed household fire alarm systems have a means to allow users to cancel or abort an activated fire alarm signal when they know it is an unwanted alarm. Submittal Date: Thu Jun 27 09:28:20 EDT 2013 Committee Statement: Response Message: The added annex material clarifies that household fire alarm systems include a feature that allows users to abort unwanted alarm signals.