This document discusses fire alarm and detection systems. It describes the different classifications of fire alarm systems according to NFPA 72, including alarm systems, fire alarm systems, combination systems, and emergency communication systems. It also discusses the interface capabilities between fire alarm systems and other building systems, as well as the conditions and factors used to determine requirements for manual and automatic detection systems. The document outlines the design, installation, inspection, and testing standards required by NFPA 72 to ensure fire alarm systems operate properly.

1. Fire Protection Systems
Third Edition
Chapter 4 — Types of Fire Alarm and Detection Systems

2. Objectives
‣List and discuss the different fire alarm system classifications.
‣List and discuss the interface capabilities between fire alarm
systems and other building fire protection and life safety
systems.

3. Objectives
‣List and discuss the different conditions, situations, and
circumstances used to determine manual fire alarm and
automatic detection system installation requirements.
‣Describe the different acceptance and periodic inspections,
tests, and maintenance activities required for fire alarm and
detection systems.

4. Introduction
‣The type of fire alarm system installed in a particular building
depends on many factors established by the model codes.
‣Systems are classified according to the certain operational
events that take place when the system activates.
‣The party responsible for the activities associated with the alarm
is determined by the type of system installed.

5. Classification of Fire Alarm Systems
‣Overview
‣System classification is based
on:
‣Which operational events
take place and how
‣Whether the system serves
more than one purpose
‣NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm
and Signaling Code,
establishes:
‣Two broad system
classifications
‣Five subcategories
© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning.

6. Classification of Fire Alarm Systems
‣Alarm systems
‣Fire alarm systems
‣Single-station
‣Multiple-station
‣Combination systems
‣Household signaling systems
‣Protected premises fire alarm
system
© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning.

7. Classification of Fire Alarm Systems
‣Alarm systems
‣Supervising station alarm systems
‣Central station
‣Remote supervising station
‣Proprietary supervising
‣Public emergency alarm reporting
systems
‣Alarm Boxes
‣Publicly accessible alarm boxes
‣Auxiliary alarm boxes
‣Local energy
‣Shunt auxiliary
Courtesy of www.acimonitoring.com, Doug Beaulieu.

8. Classification of Fire Alarm Systems
© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning. © A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning.

9. Classification of Fire Alarm Systems
‣Emergency communication systems
‣One-way emergency communication
systems
‣EVACS
‣In-building mass notification
‣Wide area mass notification
‣Two-way emergency
communication systems
‣Permit first responders/building
occupants the opportunity to
communicate between locations
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10. Interface with Other Systems
‣ A fire alarm system can:
‣ Unlock exit doors
‣ Close doors
‣ Recall/shut down elevators
‣ Turn on/shut down air-
handling equipment
‣ Start up smoke control
equipment
‣ Close fire dampers
‣ Monitor and activate fire suppression systems
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11. Required Installations
‣Overview
‣NFPA or ICC model codes
‣Use and occupancy
‣Number of occupants
‣Levels above or below exit discharge
‣Types of products used or manufactured
‣Whether other fire protection systems will be installed

12. Required Installations
‣Use-group and occupancy
‣Installing a fire system can be especially important when a
building is large or has a large number of occupants.
‣Factors and considerations specific to the use or occupancy
‣Occupant load
‣Occupant capability
‣Building height
‣Number of levels above or below exit discharge

13. Required Installations
‣Number of occupants
‣The number of individuals and their location in the structure
are important factors.
‣There are differences in the occupant threshold limit
between the NFPA model codes and the ICC’s IBC® for
businesses.
‣The occupancy load does not factor into requirements for
automatic smoke detection in assembly or business
occupancies.

14. Required Installations
‣Building height
‣Dependent on the number of levels above or below exit
discharge
‣Neither of the model codes determines requirements for
smoke detection based on building height.

15. Required Installations
‣Level of exit discharge
‣The number of occupants who are above or below the
discharge level will determine if a manual fire alarm is
required.
‣Neither of the model codes requires automatic smoke
detection installation purely based on the level of exit
discharge.

16. Required Installations
‣Manufacturing and use products
‣Both model codes require manual fire alarm systems in
semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
‣Requirements for automatic detection systems
‣Highly toxic gases
‣Organic peroxides
‣Oxidizers stored or used exceeding the maximum
permitted amount

17. Required Installations
‣Special use and occupancy conditions
‣IBC® requires a manual fire alarm system in deep
underground buildings.
‣IBC® requires automatic fire detection in certain areas of any
building classified as a high-rise building.
‣Office building
‣Hotel
‣Apartment
‣Condominium
‣Telephone-switching center

18. Required Installations
‣Installation of other fire protection systems
‣In some occupancies, automatic sprinkler systems permit the
exclusion of manual fire alarm boxes.
‣Automatic system installations permit omission of smoke
detectors in a few situations.

19. Design and Installation Standards
‣NFPA 72®
‣Provides application, design, installation, inspection, testing,
and maintenance requirements.
‣Has information concerning components, hardware, system
types, power requirements, etc.
‣Establishes minimum requirements for installation.
‣References other standards to deal with specific issues
relating to the installation of fire alarm and detection
systems.

20. Fire Alarm System Inspection and Testing
‣Overview
‣Operational integrity
‣Initial acceptance test
‣Lifetime of periodic inspections and tests

21. Fire Alarm System Inspection and Testing
‣Acceptance test
‣Sound design
‣Thorough plan review
‣Solid documentation
‣Proper installation
‣Inspection oversight
throughout
‣Final acceptance test
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22. Fire Alarm System Inspection and Testing
‣Periodic inspection, testing, service, and maintenance
‣False alarms
‣Lack of or improper inspection, testing, service, and
maintenance
‣NFPA 72®
‣Detailed inspection
‣Test intervals