Have a four-story project that is under 2015 IBC and NFPA 101. NFPA 101, for fully-sprinklered buildings with accessible floor levels (floors 2-4 included) - designates the entire floor level as accessible and an area of refuge. Reference NFPA 101 7.2.12 and NFPA 72 24.10.
Along with that designation includes a requirement for a two-way communication system generally next to the elevator bank for the building. There's not much detail out of NFPA 101, and I'm finding very few people are familiar with these systems. Who typically specifies and provides details/locations on these systems? It is not tied into the fire alarm system - yet is related to life safety - so we're getting some feedback that these systems should be shown on fire alarm plans. However, the fire alarm subcontractors have nothing to do with these systems. Low voltage / specialty consultants are stating that the systems are code mandated and aren't looking to coordinate these locations with fire marshals and plan review. It's not a cost item and no one is pointing fingers - but I am trying to understand going forward where these systems are typically shown on plans and who should be specifying them? Thanks in advance. Submitted anonymously and posted for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
11 Comments
Jeanne Tebera
10/6/2020 10:10:28 am
The area of rescue (or refuge) two-way communications system is typically specified in Division 28 (not 27) by the electrical engineer or the fire protection engineer. The best place to show the system is on the fire alarm plans. The two-way communications system must be monitored by the fire alarm system, so these monitoring points should be indicated as supervisory signals on the fire alarm matrix.
Reply
Will
10/6/2020 12:49:45 pm
Jeanne,
Reply
Rusty Scott
10/6/2020 10:22:46 am
This has been a hot topic for our firm as well. Since it is mentioned in NFPA 72 to provide emergency communication systems, our AHJs are now requiring them to be shown on our engineered FA drawings for permit yet we have to provide pricing notes stating that if two-way comm. type systems are not in FA contractor scope please notify G.C. & architect and indicate in pricing package that this is not included. That way the flag is waved that it needs to be priced and sent to the appropriate contractor for bid. It's unclear to use if low voltage/specialty type contractors know to look on fire alarm for these systems. In our region, FA contractors don't touch these systems yet in other parts of the country we've worked in they do.
Reply
DS
10/6/2020 11:07:38 am
NFPA 72 cannot require the installation of any system. It is only a standard for installation, testing, and maintenance. I would visit this with your AHJ.
Reply
Rusty Scott
10/8/2020 10:53:24 am
@DS - Correct poor terminology on my part, the IBC requires it and it's installation standards are in NFPA 72 which is why our AHJs requires it to be shown on our FA drawings.
Marc Vieno
10/6/2020 10:40:22 am
I know that the City of Portland requires location callouts on the life safety floor plans, and typically it's checked that it is mentioned in the code summary as well. After that we (I was a Commercial Plans Examiner there) just assumed that the next place we'd see it is during inspections.
Reply
Sean Kyer
10/6/2020 12:32:52 pm
In Colorado it is the fire alarm contractor that typically provides the systems. In Denver it is required for a fire alarm contractor to do so. But, I know of a company that only installs two way systems and I they are telecommunication contractors. As with anything it seems that if you are qualified that is all that matters. Check with Rath Communications or Kings III. They may know of a contractor in your area. As for plans, my company will often submit a separate set of engineered plans just for this special system.
Reply
Felipe Pedraza
10/6/2020 12:38:13 pm
DS, you are correct, NFPA 72 does not require the 2 way communication but it does talks on how and what equipment to use for the installation. This is found in section 24.10 of NFPA 72.
Reply
David Secoda
10/12/2020 02:50:47 pm
Hi All - In design, I've seen plans for two-way communication systems on fire alarm and on technology drawing sets.
Reply
8/26/2021 09:21:41 pm
I do agree that a fire system installation is important for us to have in our home as it protects us and our home. The other day my wife and I are were thinking of having a fire system installed in our home. I will definitely look for an experienced contractor to help us have it set up in our home.
Reply
Joseph R Cervantes
6/12/2023 08:45:39 am
Just want to update this forum in case you are finding this in todays code cycle.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
ALL-ACCESSSUBSCRIBESubscribe and learn something new each day:
COMMUNITYTop September '24 Contributors
YOUR POSTPE EXAMGet 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
FILTERS
All
ARCHIVES
November 2024
PE PREP SERIES |