MeyerFire
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • TOOLKIT
    • ALL TOOLS
    • BUY THE TOOLKIT
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ALL COURSES
    • JOIN THE UNIVERSITY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE PREP SERIES
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
    • TOOLKIT-ONLY LOGIN
    • UNIVERSITY LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • OUR CAUSE
    • ABOUT MEYERFIRE
    • JOB OPENINGS
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT
Picture

Use Fire Alarm Notification for Gas Leaks?

4/18/2023

10 Comments

 
I'm currently looking at a water treatment plant.

Electrical design wanted to coordinate using the same horn/strobes to notify for a chlorine gas leak, as it would avoid being redundant and putting up their own horn/strobes to go off during a leak.

This would require hooking up a non-fire related notification appliance to the fire alarm panel.

What are thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
10 Comments
Glenn Berger
4/18/2023 08:11:17 am

IMO, since you want to evacuate the building, in the case of a hazardous material release, it should be acceptable to use the fire alarm notification devices.

With that, I would want a discrete message / input to the FACP and if possible a discrete message sent to the emergency responders.

Reply
Fire Guy
4/18/2023 08:37:36 am

You can achieve different things depending on the system used. If budget is not a worry, use a voice evacuation system and program a message that it’s a chlorine gas leak. Provides urgency but also lets people know it’s not a fire. If just using an addressable panel with horns/strobes and with an AIM on the gas detector, you can program the point reporting to the fire department/central station that it’s a chlorine gas detector. That way the FD is not rolling up expecting a fire but know that it is a gas leak and will have their Hazmat plan ready to go (or at least they should if they have a plant working with chlorine gas in their jurisdiction)

Reply
Small Change
4/18/2023 08:51:28 am

It cant be a voice system, it would have be Mass Notification. Voice is only programed to say fire.

FIRE GUY
4/18/2023 09:06:17 am

@SMALL CHANGE, provided it still rings temporal 3 and doesn’t override a fire event it is still classified as voice evacuation. MNS comes into play when you prioritize non-fire alarm events over fire alarm events. See NFPA 72 24.4.1 “fire alarm or other emergency”

I.e. if it sounds temporal 3 and says there is a gas leak, it is voice evacuation, provided the voice message switches to “there is a fire” if a WF, SD, etc. activates during the evacuation.

P
4/18/2023 09:19:53 am

With that being said, there is a section in NFPA 72 (29.7.7.3) that says [signals shall be distinctive so that a fire signal can be distinguished from "signals that require different actions" by the occupant.]

Although I agree, in practice the signals should be distinct, for the sake of argument,

can one argue that this signal does not require a different action as it is still an evacuation by the occupants? Therefore, forgoing requirements of a distinctive signal?

Reply
Todd E Wyatt
4/18/2023 08:38:01 am

SUMMARY
Audible alarm notification for fire alarms shall “emit a DISTINCTIVE SOUND that is not to be used for any other purpose than that of a fire alarm.”
Visible alarm notification for fire alarms do not have the same “distinctive” requirements.

EXPLANATION
Fire alarms are required per the scoping Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) based on the Occupancy Classifications (OC) of the building and/or on special conditions (e.g. Special Amusement Buildings, High-Rise Buildings).

Fire alarms can include audible and visible notifications appliances. Per 907.5.2.1 Audible alarms, “Audible alarm notification appliances shall be provided and emit a DISTINCTIVE SOUND that is not to be used for any other purpose than that of a fire alarm.”

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (2019) is the “referenced standard” per the scoping Code.

REFERENCES
2021 IFC
ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE. A fire alarm system component such as a bell, horn, speaker, light or text display that provides audible, tactile or visible outputs, or any combination thereof. See also "Audible alarm notification appliance" or "Visible alarm notification appliance."
AUDIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE. A notification appliance that alerts by the sense of hearing.

Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
907.5.2 Alarm Notification Appliances
Alarm notification appliances shall be provided and shall be listed for their purpose.
907.5.2.1 Audible Alarms
Audible alarm notification appliances shall be provided and emit a distinctive sound that is not to be used for any purpose other than that of a fire alarm.
Exceptions:
1. Audible alarm notification appliances are not required in critical care areas of Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies that are in compliance with Section 907.2.6, Exception 2.
2. A visible alarm notification appliance installed in a nurses' control station or other continuously attended staff location in a Group I-2, Condition 2 suite shall be an acceptable alternative to the installation of audible alarm notification appliances throughout a suite or unit in Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies that are in compliance with Section 907.2.6, Exception 2.
3. Where provided, audible notification appliances located in each enclosed occupant evacuation elevator lobby in accordance with Section 3008.9.1 of the International Building Code shall be connected to a separate notification zone for manual paging only.

Reply
Todd E Wyatt
4/18/2023 09:21:35 am

Additional Standard references requiring audible alarms are to be "distinctively and descriptively annunciated".

Additionally, there are “mass notification systems” that work in parallel with other audible alarms.

REFERENCES
2019 NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
Chapter 10 Fundamentals
10.10 Distinctive Signals.
10.10.1
Priority alarm signals, fire alarm signals, carbon monoxide alarm signals, supervisory signals, pre-alarm signals, and trouble signals shall be distinctively and descriptively annunciated.

ENHANCED CONTENT
All alarm, pre-alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals must be distinctively annunciated. The typical means of accomplishing this is on the display at the control unit. It could also be accomplished with a separate annunciator panel. It is critical that signal descriptions are sufficiently detailed, providing a clear indication of the condition being annunciated. Where possible, abbreviations should be kept to a minimum or standardized. These features are especially important when both mass notification system signals and fire alarm system signals are included in the system design. Refer to 10.10.4 and A.10.10.4 for additional requirements for, and an explanation of, control unit signals.

10.10.2
Audible alarm notification appliances for a fire alarm system shall produce signals that are distinctive from other similar appliances used for other purposes in the same area that are not part of the fire alarm or emergency communications system.
10.10.3
Audible alarm notification appliances for a carbon monoxide alarm system shall produce signals that are distinctive from other similar appliances used for other purposes in the same area that are not part of the carbon monoxide, fire alarm, or emergency communications system.
10.10.4*
An audible notification appliance on a control unit, on multiple control units that are interconnected to form a system, or at a remote location, shall be permitted to have the same audible characteristics for all alerting functions including, but not limited to, alarm, trouble, and supervisory, provided that the distinction between signals shall be by other means.

24.5* In-Building Mass Notification Systems.
The requirements of Section 24.5 shall apply to mass notification systems installed in buildings or structures for the purpose of notifying and instructing occupants in an emergency.

A.24.5
This section covers the application, installation, location, performance, and maintenance of mass notification systems used for emergency purposes.
An in-building mass notification system is considered to be a system used to provide information and instructions to people in a building(s) or other space using intelligible voice communications and including visual signals, text, graphics, tactile, or other communication methods.
Mass notification systems can consist of fully independent systems with minimal or no interface with the building fire alarm system, systems that report trouble and supervisory signals through the fire alarm system, systems that share audible and visual notification circuits and appliances with the fire alarm system, or combination mass notification and fire alarm systems.

24.5.1* General Performance.
The performance, selection, installation, operation, and use of a mass notification system shall comply with the requirements of Section 24.5.
A.24.5.1
Although some minimum criteria are outlined for a particular feature, the feature might not be applicable for every project.

The information and instructions delivered by a mass notification system could be initiated manually by an operator or automatically by sensors or other systems and might be delivered to the target audience using prerecorded messages or live messages, or both, tailored to the situation and the audience.

Each mass notification system could be different, depending on the anticipated threat and the level of protection intended. As an example, a particular project might not require secure radio transmissions. As such, criteria for such would not apply. However, if the authority having jurisdiction or design professional has specified secure radio transmissions, the minimum applicable criteria within this document would be required. Deviation from these minimum criteria would require approval of the stakeholders.

Mass notification systems can consist of fully independent systems with minimal or no interface with the building fire alarm system, systems that report trouble and supervisory signals through the fire alarm system, systems that share audible and visual notification circuits and appliances with the fire alarm system, or combination mass notification and fire alarm systems.

Reply
Chad
4/18/2023 08:43:36 am

I’m not in front of a code book but the AHJ can allow the FA to Evac for that as long as you treat it like any other fire alarm condition in that zone/area.


If you want to connect strobes to a gas panel only or there is no FA, they cannot say fire is all. They make ones with different words and colors that are UL listed that will work with most manufacturers.

Reply
Doug link
4/18/2023 11:30:18 pm

I have programmed a fire alarm system that was specifically accepted by the local fire marshal, state fire marshal, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), and Joint Commission for a large downtown hospital that had over 200 separate discrete voice Code Red and Fire Alarm messages.

Remember, it's the various AHJs that approve fire alarm systems, not the NFPA. (Look up the definition and appendix for the word "Acceptance" in the NFPA Code.)

There are listed-for-use systems that are capable of all that.

Reply
Peter Howard
4/18/2023 08:46:51 am

I like it. I think it's a good idea to cut down on wasted material and labor (provided as Glenn states, some notification can be made on the FACP to emergency responders as to make sure they know what type of emergency they're responding to.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    SUBMIT A QUESTION
    Picture
    Why Sponsor?

    ALL-ACCESS

    Picture
    GET ALL OUR TOOLS

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe and learn something new each day:
    I'm Interested In:

    COMMUNITY

    Top May '25 Contributors
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    SEE LEADERBOARD

    YOUR POST

    SUBMIT A QUESTION

    PE EXAM

    Get 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
    SIGN ME UP!

    FILTERS

    All
    A1171
    ABA
    ADA
    ASCE 7
    ASME A17.1
    ASTM E1354
    Blog Thread
    Daily Discussion
    Design-documents
    EN 12845
    Explosion Protection
    Explosion-protection-prevention
    Fire Detection And Alarm Systems
    Fire Dynamics
    Flammable And Combustible Liquids
    Flammable-combustible-liquids
    FM Global
    Human-behavior
    IBC
    ICC 500
    IEBC
    IFC
    IMC
    IPC
    IRC
    ISO
    Means Of Egress
    NBC
    NFPA 1
    NFPA 10
    NFPA 101
    NFPA 11
    NFPA 110
    NFPA 1142
    NFPA 1221
    NFPA 13
    NFPA 13D
    NFPA 13R
    NFPA 14
    NFPA 15
    NFPA 16
    NFPA 17A
    NFPA 20
    NFPA 2001
    NFPA 214
    NFPA 22
    NFPA 220
    NFPA 24
    NFPA 241
    NFPA 25
    NFPA 291
    NFPA 30
    NFPA 307
    NFPA 30B
    NFPA 31
    NFPA 33
    NFPA 37
    NFPA 400
    NFPA 409
    NFPA 415
    NFPA 45
    NFPA 495
    NFPA 497
    NFPA 5000
    NFPA 502
    NFPA 54
    NFPA 55
    NFPA 654
    NFPA 68
    NFPA 70
    NFPA 701
    NFPA 72
    NFPA 75
    NFPA 770
    NFPA 82
    NFPA 855
    NFPA 90A
    NFPA 92
    NFPA 96
    NICET
    OBC
    OSHA
    Passive Building Systems
    PE Prep Guide
    PE Prep Series
    PE Sample Problems
    Poll
    Smoke Management
    Special Hazard Systems
    UFC 3-600-01
    UFC 4-021-01
    UFC 4-211-01
    UPC
    Updates
    Water Based Fire Suppression
    Weekly Exams


    ARCHIVES

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016


    PE PREP SERIES

    SEE LEADERBOARD

    RSS Feed

Picture
​Home
Our Cause
The Blog
The Forum
PE Exam Prep
The Toolkit

MeyerFire University
​Pricing
Login
​Support
Contact Us
Picture

MeyerFire.com is a startup community built to help fire protection professionals shine.
Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise.

​MeyerFire, LLC is a NICET Recognized Training Provider and International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.

All text, images, and media ​Copyright © 2016-2025 MeyerFire, LLC

We respect your privacy and personal data. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence.

Discussions are solely for the purpose of peer review and the exchange of ideas. All comments are reviewed. Comments which do not contribute, are not relevant, are spam, or are disrespectful in nature may be removed. Information presented and opinions expressed should not be relied upon as a replacement for consulting services. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a small commission for orders placed elsewhere.

  • Blog
  • Forum
  • TOOLKIT
    • ALL TOOLS
    • BUY THE TOOLKIT
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ALL COURSES
    • JOIN THE UNIVERSITY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE PREP SERIES
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
    • TOOLKIT-ONLY LOGIN
    • UNIVERSITY LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • OUR CAUSE
    • ABOUT MEYERFIRE
    • JOB OPENINGS
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT