What is Considered "Automatic Fire Detection?"

4/20/2022

The 2019 Edition of NFPA 1221 (Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems) Section 4.5.2 requires that communication centers "be provided with an automatic fire detection, alarm and notification system in accordance with NFPA 72."

But what constitutes "automatic fire detection?"

I'm thinking this is alluding to wanting full smoke coverage of the area/space but the language of "fire detection" seems intentionally vague. A supervised automatic suppression system would meet this definition I think; its seems excessive to think a constantly attended room with fully sprinkler coverage would also require full smoke detection.

Is there some other guidance I need to consider here? Is this defined elsewhere?

Thanks in advance.

Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

7 Comments

Dan Wilder

4/20/2022 08:16:47 am

The Glossary of Terms NFPA puts out can be helpful (most times) in trying to define terms, especially across different documents. They tend to leave things vague enough to allow interpretation but provide enough information to give "Intent"...

Free download link:
https://www.nfpa.org/~/media/Files/Codes%20and%20standards/Glossary%20of%20terms/glossary_of_terms_2021.ashx

This specific wording is defined in NFPA 2 & NFPA 853 as:

A fire detection system that senses the presence of fire, smoke, or heat and activates a (Fire Suppression System-NFPA 2 / sprinkler system-NFPA 853) and/or an automatic alarm system.

franck

4/20/2022 09:15:36 am

you’re right : sprinkler protection that send an alarm to a constantly attended location is also considered as a fire detection.
But as this is a “heat” detection system (sufficient heat is needed to activate the sprinkler), there might be some occasions where an additional smoke detection system is required (as smoke detection may activate quicker than heat detection).
So, as you said, fire detection is intentionally vague to enable various possibilities, depending on the goal (from heat detection, to smoke detection, IR/UV flame detection, high sensitivity smoke detection and even.. sprinkler)

Jesse

4/20/2022 10:06:19 am

Dan and Franck are right. I always wondered why so many things in all of the NFPA standards were so vague. It would frustrate me to no end. But, shortly after my first committee meeting on my first technical committee I figured it out. Many times the standards are intentionally vague. A lot of times its to allow the AHJ to fill in the blanks.

In my case, its because I'm most times more lost than those on the outside seeking answers!

Jack G

4/20/2022 10:15:59 am

Dont look into the question.
Automatic " fire" detection.
Fire sprinklers have been used as detectors for years. In some occupancies, you were allowed to delete detectors if the zones of the sprinklers were small enough.
Deluge, preaction using sprinklers in half inch pilot lines, activating transformer systems.
A sprinkler cost / half inch pilot on a transformer system? Cheap cheap by comparison to the fancy detection systems.

Glenn Berger

4/20/2022 12:06:35 pm

While sprinklers are a valid form of automatic fire detection; you need to consider do you want water flow to be your first indication of a fire condition. You can use a step approach of smoke detection (air sampling then spot type), heat detection (rated at a temperature below sprinkler activation, and then sprinklers.

Doug link

4/20/2022 03:22:51 pm

A simple way of understanding it is to compare it to a Manual Fire Detection system.

"Manual" means someone is needed to activate it, like a Manual Pull Station.

"Automatic" means that no one is needed to activate it, like a smoke detector or a sprinkler head in a wet system.

shahzad Akhter

9/7/2023 06:00:05 am

Is there any standard that provide any guide lines that where we should have automatic detection and where there should be manual detection.

Leave a Reply.

Home
Our Cause

The Blog
The Forum

PE Exam Prep
The Toolkit
MeyerFire University

Pricing
Login
Support
Contact Us

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 © 2016-2024 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.

What is Considered "Automatic Fire Detection?"

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES