Is there any code that requires that fire alarm coverage be provided in areas that are in the process of major modifications, including asbestos abatement work?
We have a project which will undergo major asbestos abatement and are getting pushback that the fire alarm system must remain operational in the space during the renovation work. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
12 Comments
Chad
5/7/2024 07:05:34 am
NFPA 241,Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, learn to use and love it.
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Chad
5/7/2024 07:07:23 am
Oh and that is a standard, depending on the building and fire codes adopted in that jurisdiction, that will determine if 241 is applicable. It is in a lot of states.
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Todd E Wyatt
5/7/2024 08:20:18 am
Most jurisdictions have adopted the International Fire Code (IFC) which references “NFPA 241 - 2019 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration and Demolition Operations” in Chapter 33 Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition :
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Donovan
5/7/2024 08:31:24 am
This is a conversation you need to have with the AHJ. Typically fire alarm systems are for public use. Being the fact that there is no public in this building, I would say you have a good argument to deactivate it. I have seen where the AHJ allowed the smokes in the building to be replaced with heat detectors and I have all so seen where they would only allow the covers put on.....and than we had to replace the smoked detectors at the end of the project. They have also allowed us to turn it off, but this is the AHJ's call.
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Donovan
5/7/2024 08:39:10 am
901.7 Systems out of service
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Glenn Berger
5/7/2024 08:49:30 am
A fire alarm system that has been installed and tested shall always remain active.
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Ricardo Gonzales Jr
5/7/2024 08:52:19 am
I would consult the AHJ. At a U.S. Major Airport, we pushed for only sprinklers stay active since there is a lot of dust in the area with active reduced notification. It worked well since the demolition was fairly harsh and the space covered about 20k sq ft at a phase.
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Jack G
5/7/2024 09:45:48 am
Agree. When we did major airport renovations, the fire sprinklers and standpipe always remained active.
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Chris H.
5/7/2024 10:08:33 am
If You're under the IFC...Chapter 33 deals with fire safety during construction and demolition and also references NFPA 241
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Pete D.
5/7/2024 01:22:02 pm
I don't think the standards do enough to address the situation. A full gut means the legacy devices risk being demolished while the circuits are hot, which could destroy the fire alarm panel for any remaining building occupants. Also, NFPA 72 says to keep the system maintained, but if the construction is 3,6,9 months, you will have all the missing devices in trouble for the whole length of the project. My opinion is Waterflow switches, tampers and pull stations should remain in service, along with a single combination auditory/visual notification appliance. Everything else should be tactfully demolished by the fire alarm vendor that is awarded the rebuild contract. Include that in a NFPA 241 plan that is submitted and approved by the AHJ, and you won't have to permit the modification to the system in the demo phase. All demolished devices should have the points deleted from the program after the demo phase, and the new points should be added after the fire alarm is reinstalled. For the duration of the project, you will have a clean and green machine and you will be able to rely on any signals from the monitoring company as new and authentic.
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Franck
5/7/2024 02:25:57 pm
Not if you are expecting spurious alarms.
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Jack G
5/7/2024 03:27:46 pm
100% agree. Imagine alarms going off all the time- buildings emptying because of dust.
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