Waterflow Switches
Audible Notification Appliances
General. Waterflow switch(es) shall be installed in
General. Performance, location, and mounting of audible
accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, NFPA 72
notification appliances shall be in accordance with the
and the IFC.
requirements in NFPA 72.
Special Requirements. The following requirements take
Special Requirements. The following requirements take
precedence over the requirements in NFPA 13, NFPA 72
precedence over the requirements in NFPA 72:
and the IFC:
To ensure audible signals are clearly heard, the sound
A waterflow switch(es) shall be provided for each floor
level shall be at least 70 dBA throughout the office space,
or fire area protected by sprinkler systems.
general building areas and corridors measured 1524 mm
(5 feet) above the floor. The sound level in other areas shall
Each waterflow switch shall be separately annunciated
be at least 15 dBA above the average sound level or 5
at the main fire alarm control unit and all required
dBA above any noise source lasting 60 seconds or longer.
annunciators.
The design for achieving the required minimum dBA levels
shall take into consideration all building construction
Smoke Detectors
materials such as carpeting, hard surfaces, walls, doors,
General. Smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance
etc., and any other materials that can cause sound level
with the requirements in NFPA 72, the IFC, and the
attenuation and/or clarity problems in the placement and
location of all audible notification appliances. The SFPE
International Mechanical Code (IMC).
Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, Chapter
Special Requirements. The following requirements take
on Design of Detection Systems or other audio design
precedence over the requirements in NFPA 72, the IFC
guides should be used to provide guidance and
and the IMC:
methodology to achieve the required dBA levels.
Area smoke detectors shall not be installed in each of
Where emergency voice/alarm communication systems
the following rooms: mechanical equipment, electrical
are provided, fire alarm speakers shall be installed in
closet, telephone closet, emergency generator room,
elevator cars and exit stairways; however they shall only
uninterruptible power service and battery rooms, and
be activated to broadcast live voice messages (e.g., manual
other similar rooms.
announcements only). The automatic voice messages
Smoke detection appropriate for the application shall be
shall be broadcast through the fire alarm speakers on the
installed in each of the following rooms: electrical switch
appropriate floors, but not in stairs or elevator cars.
gear, transformer vaults and telephone exchanges (PABX).
Visible Notification Appliances
Duct smoke detectors shall meet the requirements in the
IFC and IMC.
General. Placement and spacing of visible notification
appliances shall be in accordance with the requirements in
NFPA 72.
220 F A C I L I T I E S S T A N D A R D S
FOR THE
PUBLIC
BUILDINGS
SERVICE
7.9 Fire Alarm Systems
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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