FSCI Winter 2017 Third-party plan review newsletter

President’s Message

An FSCI update from Keith S. Frangiamore, FSCI President

On behalf of our team, Fire Safety Consultants Inc. (FSCI) would like to thank you, our clients and customers, for a great 2016. Whether you joined us as a new client or continue as a long-term customer, FSCI is committed to providing you with the best customer service, from promptly responding to code questions to tackling challenging consulting projects.

Here are a few of our 2016 highlights:
– Completed a 75% increase in fire protection, building, and life safety plan reviews
– Expanded by 50% the number of client seminars
– Delivered consulting and training projects in Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia

As part of our commitment to excellent customer service, FSCI developed several internal development programs. For example, plan reviewers expanded their technical skills, gained additional certifications and took on more plan review responsibilities. Additionally, senior staff implemented an on-going mentoring program that shares code knowledge and practical insights which seeks to expand the skills of our plan reviewers.

As the year continues, we are committed to on-going internal training and seamlessly integrating our communication technology between offices to ensure timely and responsive customer service.

The Mystery of Communications Technologies for Fire Alarm Systems


As chairman of Chapter 26 of NFPA 72, I routinely receive communication technology questions from Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) regarding Chapter 26, Supervising Station Alarm Systems, in the NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Recently, Craig Trapp, Fire Marshal in the City of Helena, Montana proposed to Fire Safety Consultant Inc. to elaborate on the technical and complex communication technologies requirements found within Chapter 26.

There are three groups of communications technologies found within Section 26.6.2.4 of the 2016 edition (26.6.3 in the 2013 edition) of NFPA 72, which are available to fire alarm system designers, installers, and system owners. Editions of the code prior to 2013 also include these same groups, but the use of the term “performance-based technologies” for technologies, other than digital alarm communicator systems (DACS) and radio systems, changed a few times before stabilizing in the 2013 edition of the code.

Section 26.6.2.4, Communications Technologies permits the transmission of communication signals to a supervising station by three methods which can be found in Sections 26.6.3, 26.6.4 and 26.6.5. Section 26.6.3 addresses performance-based technologies while 26.6.4 and 26.6.5 cover prescriptive-based technologies. It should be noted that Section 7.2, Minimum Required Documentation, requires that whichever method is used it must be a part of the minimum documentation required for fire alarm system submittals; “Pathway diagrams between the control unit and the supervising station and shared communications equipment.”

Let’s take a look at each of the three permitted methods:

26.6.3, Performance-Based Technologies, are any transmission method that is not covered by the rules applicable to Digital Alarm Communicator Systems or Radio Systems. As stated earlier in this article, the requirements for Section 26.6.3 are, as the name implies, performance-based. The technical committee of Chapter 26, in the 2010 edition of NFPA 72, eliminated references to legacy transmission types (Directly-Connected, McCulloh, Active Multiplex). These technologies, and another 2007 grouping titled Other Transmission Technologies, were lumped together as General (72-2010 edition, 26.6.3.1) requirements which served as the precursor in the code to what is currently classified as Performance-Based Technologies in the 2013, 2016, and the 2019 editions (currently in cycle) of NFPA 72. Performance-based technologies would include commonly found communications pathways created by cellular, IP, or GSM transmitters.

Two of these differing technologies (or two of the same technologies) are often used to provide multiple pathways as can be found in an IP/GSM transmitter. Where multiple communications paths are employed each path must be supervised within not more than 6 hours and the loss of either path must be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 6 hours. Where multiple paths are provided they must be arranged so that a single point of failure shall not cause more than a single path to fail.

It should be noted that 26.6.3 covering performance-based technologies does not require multiple communications pathways. Section 26.6.3.3 speaks to the requirements for a permitted single communications path which requires the path to be supervised at an interval of not more than 60 minutes. Failure of the single path must be annunciated at the supervising station within not more than 60 minutes. Failure to complete a signal transmission must be annunciated at the protected premises in accordance with Section 10.14.

Additional performance-based technology requirements include the ability for the technology used to have an end-to-end communication time not to exceed 90 seconds which starts at the initiation of the alarm signal at the protected premises and ends with the signal being displayed and recorded at the supervising station. Where a transmitter shares a transmission or communications pathway or channel with other transmitters, each must have their own unique transmitter identifier.

Certain communication paths (e.g. IP communicators and their signals as an example) share equipment, such as routers and modems. Section 26.6.3.12 requires that when this situation occurs the shared equipment must be:
• Listed as communications or information technology equipment
• Provided with secondary power of 24 hours or as permitted by Section 10.6.7.3.1(2)

The shared equipment, and secondary power, can often become issues since the equipment and secondary power is not provided by the fire alarm system contractor. IT personnel, who provide the shared equipment, are often protective of their equipment and its security, and rarely have to provide secondary power to the equipment to the extent required by NFPA 72. These are issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later when the final inspection is requested. They are also why Chapter 7 requires that the communications path to the supervising station be identified as a part of the minimum submittal documentation.

26.6.4 Digital Alarm Communicator Systems (DACS), is a prescriptive form of communications signal transmission method. DACS, and the Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter (DACT), have been found in the code for more than 20 years when, after several code cycles, requirements found their way into the NFPA 72. Traditionally, two telephone numbers were required to provide two communications paths between the protected premises and the supervising station; and, supervision of the transmission path was required through a test signal transmitted at 24 hour intervals. Recently, major requirement changes related to DACS have been placed into the code:
• In the 2013 edition of NFPA 72, only one of the two transmission channels from a DACT are permitted to be a telephone line (exceptions apply). The second transmission means may be a performance-based method, a Two-way RF multiplex system, or a One-way private radio alarm system.
• Also in the 2013 edition, the test signal transmission sequence requirement was reduced to at least once every six hours from twenty-four hours.
• Remember that the requirements in NFPA 72 are not retroactive so the above changes would not apply to supervising station alarm systems installed under editions of NFPA 72 prior to 2013.

26.6.5 Radio Systems, and the more commonly found One-way Private Radio Alarm Systems (OPRAS), are also prescriptive communications pathways. Networks typically using AES, Keltron, and other listed OPRAS transmission and receiving equipment, provide a radio mesh system that allows for multiple signal pathways between the protected premises to the supervising station. Even though the radio alarm transmitter (RAT) at the protected premises actually transmits and receives signals to/from other RATs and the receiving equipment at the supervising station, the system is still listed as a one-way radio system.

In closing, it is important for the AHJ to know what type of communications transmitter and pathway is being proposed for a supervising station alarm system. The model building, fire and life safety codes permit any of the methods allowed by NFPA 72. An excellent additional source of information on the different signal transmitting equipment and the requirements found in Chapter 26 can be found in the NFPA 72 Handbook published by the National Fire Protection Association.

Warren E. Olsen, CFPS CBO. FSCI Vice President of Building and Life Safety, and Chairperson of NFPA 72, Chapter 26 (SIG-SSS), Supervising Station Alarm Systems

Employee Spotlight

 

Angie Dayfield

angie_dayfield_employee_photoAngie joined FSCI as a part-time employee in February of 2012 and over her 5 years with us, has progressed to a full time Fire Protection Consultant II and inspector for our Michigan office. Angie’s current duties include plan review, field inspection and acceptance testing for fire suppression, sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Some of Angie’s other duties include fire life safety reviews, consulting and working with clients, municipalities, contractors and coworkers to provide them with superior customer service.

Angie came to us with a background in the fire service industry where she served for 25 years with the Lincoln Park, MI Fire Department as a full time fire fighter. Previously, she spent 8 years with the Brownstown Fire Department as a Volunteer Fire Fighter and Fire Cadet. Angie has a passion for the fire service and enjoys the broad spectrum of responsibilities that she has with FSCI.

Angie and her husband have four sons. Angie enjoys spending time with her family camping or fishing and when she has the time, Angie enjoys spending quiet time quilting and practicing her hobby of photography. Angie and her husband enjoy watching two of her sons playing college baseball.

Harrison Bradstreet

harrison_bradstreet_employee_photoHarrison joined FSCI as a Plan Reviewer in August of 2013. He came to us from the fire alarm industry, working with a local alarm contractor, where he started out as an assistant inspector and after 8 years worked his way up to performing service calls and worked as a lead inspector. Harrison knew it was time for a change, as he is a big self-starter, and that is what lead him to FSCI.

Harrison started out reviewing fire alarm plans for code compliance and municipality ordinance structure, and in the 3 plus years that he has been with FSCI, has earned the accolade of being our Fire Alarm guru. When people call with alarm questions, Harrison is our “go to” guy! If you have submitted a Fire Alarm plan review, odds are pretty high that Harrison has handled it. Most recently, Harrison has started to learn more about sprinkler plans as well. Every now and then, some of our municipalities will also see Harrison out at an inspection for our larger projects to ensure that things are going well and staying on target.

Harrison has most recently been appointed the alternate to the sitting chair for NFPA 72 Sig-SSS and is enjoying the experience and learning more about the structure of NFPA.

Little Known Facts

 

2015 – International Building Code

Religious facilities, such as churches and other places of worship, are not covered under the American with Disabilities Act and its access regulations. These facilities, though, are covered by the IBC. An exemption to the full access provisions for a religious facility was added to the 2015 edition of the Code. Raised, or lowered, areas of less than 300 square feet, which are 7 inches or more above, or below, the adjoining finished grade are exempt from the requirements of Chapter 11, Accessibility. These smaller areas must be used for the performance of religious ceremonies. Some examples of these areas would be pulpits or high alters which are found within buildings used by differing types of religious affiliations. An additional example would be a full-immersion baptistery where everyone using the feature would be assisted if needed. The IBC Commentary explains that access exceptions for religious facilities were already being given by jurisdictions in an inconsistent manner. Section 1103.2.8 was added to the code to provide guidance and create consistency.
Totie Leonardo, Senior Plan Reviewer

2016 – NFPA 13

Obstructions to sprinkler system discharge is always a concern to a fire protection plan reviewer or inspector. One of the more common obstructions we see are cloud ceilings. Cloud ceilings are defined in Section 3.3.5.1 of the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 as “any ceiling system installed in the same plane with horizontal openings to the structure above on all sides.” Depending on the location and size of these cloud ceilings, sprinkler protection located at the higher ceiling level could be obstructed from spraying the floor area below the cloud. In the past, NFPA did not address cloud ceilings and as a result sprinkler protection was expected above and below all ceiling clouds that were located more than 12″ below the higher ceiling. New Section 8.15.24 now allows for sprinkler protection to be omitted above some cloud ceilings. In order to omit sprinklers many different requirements need to be met including the size of the openings around the cloud, limitations on sprinkler protection areas, sprinkler types and spacing, and cloud ceiling height, construction and dimensions. As a fire protection plan reviewer and inspector the sooner we can identify these types of obstructions the less impact they have on the progress of the project.
Brent Gooden – Fire Protection Consultant

2016 – NFPA 13R

NFPA 13R, Section 9.6 requires that domestic water demand be accounted for in the sprinkler system hydraulic calculations where both the fire sprinkler system and domestic water is supplied to the building via a common underground lead-in. The inclusion of the domestic demand is not required where a means is provided for the domestic supply to be shut off automatically when the sprinkler system is activated. One acceptable method is a solenoid valve that closes upon activation of the sprinkler flow switch. If the domestic demand is required to be calculated, Tables A9.6(a) and A9.6(b) can be referenced by the designer to determine the necessary additional demand.
Fred Hoegler – Vice President Fire Protection District

SEMINARS

Stay up to date on the latest Fire, Building and Life Safety code changes and equipment by attending one of our seminars. FSCI is teaching seminars throughout the United States, led by our experienced staff of Matt Davis, Keith Frangiamore, Brent Gooden, George Michehl & Warren Olsen.

Whether you are a Contractor, Architect, Technician, Engineer or an Authority Having Jurisdiction, each seminar is full of practical insights and first-hand experiences to help you comply with applicable codes and standards. FSCI can also provide custom seminars at your location. Be sure to check out our schedule of upcoming seminars on our website. Contact us to learn more by emailing [email protected] or by calling our office at (847) 697-1300.

Upcoming Seminars:
March 14, 2017 – IFIA – Inspector I – George Michehl

Stay up to date on the full schedule