Reliability, Variety of Concealed FA Appliances?

10/25/2024

Concealed Fire Alarm Devices: I am looking into specifying concealed fire alarm devices for a project. I have two major questions:

1. Are concealed fire alarm devices reliable?

I have heard second-hand that concealed fire alarm devices do not always function.

2. Are there a variety of manufacturers? I did a quick Google search and have only been able to find one manufacturer.

Thanks in advance.

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11 Comments

Glenn Berger

10/25/2024 08:16:26 am

Concealed Fire Alarm Devices???

Are you looking to place smoke detectors above a suspended ceiling? Need to verify that proper air flow is around the detector for proper operation.

Wes

10/25/2024 08:20:25 am

They may mean appliances (notification only) and not devices (initiation devices).

I only know of concealed notification appliances (strobes and horn/strobes), but I don't know of any concealed initiation devices.

Michael Schwing

10/25/2024 10:57:18 am

Correct, concealed notification appliances (strobes and horn/strobes) only.

Michael Schwing

10/25/2024 10:57:58 am

clarification: concealed notification appliances (strobes and horn/strobes)

Glenn Berger

10/25/2024 03:18:37 pm

Concealed strobes are of no use.

Concealed horns / speakers need to be tested for audibility and intelligibility in the actual people space.

I would never recommend nor approve this configuration.

Daniel

10/25/2024 08:21:18 am

I would stray away from motor operated concealed devices. There are more components that can go wrong over a 20 year span that would be difficult to maintain. Even Disney would rather paint their notification appliances than go this route.

Adam

10/25/2024 08:31:55 am

I once had a project involving an enclosed pipe bridge spanning from one facility building to another. The AHJ was concerned about the potential for a fire, originating in one building, or the bridge itself, using the bridge to spread to the adjacent building.

We installed fire-rated assemblies at intervals along the bridge with access hatches for supervision and maintenance.

For fire alarm, we ran a length of Protectowire through the bridge. When this wire gets hot enough to melt the sheathing, the wires inside make contact, closing the loop, and activating an alarm. No moving parts, no sensors. Very simple. And the test module was located in one of the buildings, so no access to the bridge is required for testing.

https://protectowire.com/

Jesse

10/25/2024 09:01:33 am

I'm not sure what the OP is referring to with concealed devices.

Dave

10/25/2024 10:41:43 am

Anti-Lig? We run into that request a lot.

Michael Schwing

10/25/2024 11:03:23 am

Not anti-lig. Concealed notification appliances (horn, horn/strobe), which mechanically turn out of wall when activated, for architectural aesthetic purposes. Arch does not want to see fire alarm appliances unless they are activated.

Michael Schwing

10/25/2024 11:01:55 am

Concealed notification appliances (horn, horn/strobe)

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Reliability, Variety of Concealed FA Appliances?

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