How does the NFPA Fire Alarm Code 72 interface with the NEC?

Does the FA alarm installer have to comply with the NEC, other that Article 760?

I will appreciate some feed back please.

I see and have always approached these systems as emergency systems, and find many areas that are often overlooked.

In Massachusetts we have a C and D license classification for these installers, contractor and journeyman.

Here's a site that includes a test for the FA installer:
http://www.ieisa.com/

Unfortunately the information relationship is a bit muddy between NFPA 70 and 72. Usually some building or life safety code tells you where detection is required and other aspects of the big picture, then 72 gives more application information of where and how to's, then 70 tells you about cable/wire, raceway, boxes, etc. The information in 70 is not only in 760 but in the multiple references to articles in Chapters 1-4. There is even a new smoke detector related requirement that shows up beginning in 2002, that is hiding in 645, if you frequent that part of the code.

Thanks for the information Ron:

I find it interesting that the smoke detector only has to interrupt the air flow. It isn't required to initiate any audible or visual signals. Kinda drives home ther difference between a smoke detector and a smoke alarm.

If a FACP is required by the building code, then detectors installed in the building need to be connected to it and sound the notification devices. See IBC-2003 907

Is it possible tp install smoke detectors without installing a FACP? In other words, can I use a smoke detector to control a relay and thus break a set of contacts and drop out the fan and stop the air circulation in the "Computer room"?

Joe I install a fair amount of fire alarm systems and have not looked at NFPA 72 more than a couple of times.

The reason is this, I install the systems per engineered prints.

Even when we do a design build job the fire alarm prints are drawn up by an engineer. After that they go to the FD for approval.

Out at the job I get a stamped set of drawings that I can not deviate from.

The placement of devices, the number of them, how they interact with other building systems like HVAC, elevators etc. is all laid out for me.

All the issues I have input in are contained in the NEC.

Sadly that makes me just an installer and not a technician in my mind.

To be honest I do not feel qualified to design a life safety system like a fire alarm.

Bob

Thanks for the feedback, I was involved in a Basic Fire Alarm Class and most of the students were electricians, some journeymen one master and a few apprentices. They too did not use NFPA 72, and when I mentioned the NEC Article 760, 300.21, 22, and 23 and other rules as they're aware, their face's all dropped.

Am I missing something, or is our trade going downhill?

I don't know if I would characterize it as going down hill, although they should be following the NEC sections you quoted.

In my mind the design of modern fire alarm systems is so complex at this point that it needs to be handled by specialists in that field.

The risk are to great and the issues can be complex.

Once you get into larger buildings with smoke evac, elevators, building automation systems, rooms in buildings with separate pre action systems, the list is endless you need someone who really knows their stuff.

The energy codes are forcing the lighting systems to shut down all the lighting when not in use so now we need a tie from the fire alarm to the lighting controls.

Elevators, you have primary and alternate floor recalls which has to be properly programed into the panel.

When we have banks of elevators the emergency generator may only be sized to run one at a time now recall must be coordinated with the specialized elevator power transfer switch.

I am happy to work of a detailed set of prints, I still have to know and follow the NEC and it still takes a craftsman to make it look good and operate correctly.


Bob

From a business perspective, an electrician should have a copy of NFPA 72, and be somewhat familiar with it in order to get extras! For some reason there might be 900 smoke detector on the project, and if I missed one on the Contract Drawing, that is picked up by the EC, the one extra detector always costs $2,000! I'm being funny , but there is lots on $$$ in change orders if you can pickup on missing stuff.
Of course I'm glad that not to many folks know 72, so that when I screw up on a design, it doesn't get thrown in my face.
That concept applies to many areas of NFPA 70 too!

The $2000.00 smoke detector still happens when the FD walks through and starts asking for this, that and the other.

A local amendment required 'double' action pull stations, on a walk through the FD said the ones we had where 'dual' action??????

Anyway with the certificate of occupancy needed the only choice was to change them all out, luckily this building only had 20 or 30 pull stations.

We had approved submittals we did not end up eating the cost, I do not know who did.

On a side note this FD also had requested me to solder the end of line resistors for the radio master box onto the field wiring.

"Those fall off and cause troubles, solder them in place"

"Is it possible tp install smoke detectors without installing a FACP? In other words, can I use a smoke detector to control a relay and thus break a set of contacts and drop out the fan and stop the air circulation in the "Computer room"?"

Yes,
My current project is a small commercial building. No fire alarm system. Two RTUs serve the entire building. We are installing a duct detector in each supply. This was specified by the engineer.

IWIRE is quite right about the speciality of Fire Alarm Systems. I say leave most of that stuff to the specialist. I would much rather inspect behind a Fire alarm specialest who is certified by N.I.C.E.T. (National Institute for Certification of Engineering Technology) than meet a person on the job who doesn't have a clue about the system. In all due respect to the pipe benders, they should leave some of this technology to the specialist who use NFPA 72.

Now answer my question: Do the smoke detectors under the raised floor of the computer room need to sound an alarm or just shut down the air flow?

George,
IMHO, the smokes below the floor require activation of the notification devices per the building code (assuming you use the building code that I'm familiar with).

Ron- I'll check with my Building Inspector and find out what his code says. He uses the Michigan Building Code which is the same as the International Building Code only with minor Michigan amendments. Which code were you referencing?

IBC-2003 907

The computer room smokes I have seen sound an alarm (aoooga ..dive, dive sort of thing)immediately and some time later all of the exciting stuff happens (Halon dumps, power drops etc). It gives you time to run, either to save yourself or to save the Halon.
A hint on how I know ... a 60a 3p Russell Stoll makes big sparks, fire and smoke when it shorts out ;-)

Ron- I'll check out the MBC tomorrow and let you know what it says. I think about the detection system under the hoods in kitchen. They are not designed to sound any audible alarm or visual alarm. I know the HVAC people have a requirement in their code for smoke detectors in the duct work to sound an alarm both visual and audible if the unit is of a certian size. The mechanical people need to have their own alarm system or it has to be tied to the fire alarm system if there is one in the building.

Joe,

As you know,, here in NJ we have Fire Sub Code officials which enforce the location of all fire alarm equipment. As an AHJ I will check the wiring methods of any and all wiring going on in the building butdesign and location and even if the smokes,horns,strobes,etc work or not falls with the Fire AHJ. The same goes for us and elevators. NJ has their own elevator inspectors. I have very little to do with them.