Q. Tell us the first steps you take to design the fire- and life-safety system for a building that is going to be renovated for a completely different use.

A. I think the most important step is understanding what the impact of changing the use will be, especially when you are changing the building for healthcare use. There can be substantial code implications.

In other cases, if a building owner is making a lot of changes, the occupancy of a building could be altered. The owner might think of it as just tearing out a wall here or there, but you really have to consider the big picture and understand the overall scope and magnitude of the project.

The other thing that is really a key — and unfortunately, it is not done enough because it is very simple, especially related to fire-protection systems — is giving the local building department and fire department a call. Ask them not only what major codes they follow, but what ordinances they’ve adopted that might vary a little bit from major codes. That’s one of biggest stumbling blocks I see when engineers are not brought in for a job.

For example, the City of Chicago has things they like to have done in a certain way. City officials even wrote their own code about it. But outside of the city, every municipality has little variations of things that they require based on their ordinances.

Q. At what point in the project are your services required?

A. We’re normally brought in during the planning or pre-design stages when building owners are still brainstorming the big picture. I think that is the most important time in the project. During the planning stages when you’re trying to pull budgets together, before you get to a detailed design, you have to develop the right concepts and define the general scope. This way, everyone understands what the project is going to entail from the very beginning.

During the design phase, everything is just words and lines on a piece of paper. Changing the general scope can be very simple. You have the time to go to the authorities and review the plans with them. That’s when we can be influential by explaining to the code authorities what the plan is and how we will meet code.

As long as the plan and the code align, we have a project that should be successful. If there are gaps somewhere, or if there’s some point where the two aren’t on the same page, the design phase is the best time to make corrections. All it might cost is a few clicks on a computer to change things around.

If those errors continue and they are caught during construction, or worse, after the building has been built, a fix that could have been a few dollars in the beginning is now a very substantial change-order in the construction process.

Q. Does the emergence of more national players in the building industry present a problem in complying with local codes?

A. I think so. We’ll see property management companies come in and because they manage all these big buildings, they will have a good understanding of the national codes, but not the local code. Even if you did it that way in XYZ city, it doesn’t mean you can necessarily do those things the same way in the local area. This is true especially in large markets like Chicago or New York. While it may parallel the national code, there may be a lot of minor changes, mainly because that is what the local trades have seen and that is what they are comfortable with.

Q. How does the design-build process affect your work?

A. Design-build is advantageous, especially for building owners because what you are doing, then, is you are getting an engineer involved early. An engineer helps the building owner or property manager define the expectations of the project.

Obviously, you start with the code as a minimum. But a lot of times, there are elements that building owners want: small upgrades that could have big property impacts, but low dollar impacts if incorporated into the specifications.

From there, the design-builder takes the job and runs with it. They are able to create some efficiencies because they know the requirements of the project. They know what the code says, and they know what the owner is looking for beyond code. But how they get the end-result is really up to them and how they take advantage of the efficiencies. All the time, energy and money that a design-build contractor can save on a job while still meeting the requirements of the project is money in their pocket. That means they’re going to do the best they can to deliver the best product, but in the most efficient, cost-effective manner. Design-build is a good way to go. It gives the owner the most cost-effective solution.

Q. A functional, cost-effective building is always the goal, right?

A. It really is. It’s about maintaining that balance. The nice thing about being involved with the design is that sometimes there is a big wish list that owners want. There is sometimes a misconception about what fire protection systems can and cannot do. By working with the owner early, we can make sure there are no misunderstandings about what the final product will be. Again, when it’s words and lines on a piece of paper, changes are easy and cheap. But if the contractor installs the system, and then the owner says, “I thought this was going to happen, and that has to happen,” well, it’s a little late in the ball game to realize that.

Fire codes and standards are part of any commercial construction or renovation job, and the same is true for government work. While fire- and life-safety requirements differ slightly for government buildings, it is the process that can present the most challenges for a commercial fire-protection engineer who is unfamiliar with the ins and outs of working within the government system.

To date, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) owns, operates and manages more than 400 million square feet of space in 9,000 owned and leased buildings, which are occupied by a million federal employees in 2,000 communities across the country. GSA is the government’s civilian landlord, responsible for meeting office and other space requirements of the federal workforce.

As the demand for government-operated space rises, so will the demand for fire-protection engineers who are experienced in this type of work. “There’s definitely some different terminology in government jobs that you have to be aware of and know how to deal with,” explains Paul Hayes, F.P.E. and vice president of American Fire Technologies, based in Wilmington, N.C. American Fire Technologies specializes in the integration of fire-protection and detection management and design. “It’s hard to take a commercial engineer, roll him over into government work and expect the same results. You have to have someone who knows what he’s doing on the government side.”

According to GSA, a registered fire-protection engineer is required to be a full participant of the architect/engineer (A/E) design team for each phase of a government project, from concepts through design, construction, final acceptance and occupancy. The fire-protection engineer must also have at least six years experience of which at least three consecutive years are directly involved in the fire-protection engineering field.

Finding an engineer who meets these specific requirements is not too difficult, according to Hayes. “Some teams push for either a P.E. (professional engineer) or a N.I.C.E.T. (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies). NICET is the certification for fire system professionals. Basically, that’s what gives people credentials in this industry. If they are not an engineer, then NICET is what people shoot for.”

GSA requires the team’s fire-protection engineer to analyze and provide criteria for: building construction, occupancy classification, means of egress, fire-alarm systems, water-based fire-extinguishing systems, non-water-based fire-extinguishing systems and smoke-control systems. The fire-protection engineer must also perform calculations for: egress, water supply, smoke control (fire dynamics)/timed egress, audibility for fire alarm systems and design of all fire-protection and life-safety systems.

Qualifications aside, the fire-protection engineer must not only be able to work with the design team, but is also required by GSA to establish an ongoing dialog with the GSA regional fire-protection engineer, who is the Authority Having Jurisdiction for all technical requirements, fire-protection and life-safety code interpretations and code-enforcement requirements.

Commercial vs. Government Work

Once the A/E design team is established, the process — and challenges — begin. “It’s a different world dealing with government projects because you’re not there to please the individual; you’re there to honor the contract,” explains Hayes. “On the commercial side, a lot of times you’re there to make the client happy. But on the government side, it doesn’t matter whether the clients are happy; it matters whether you’ve met every letter of intent of the contract.”

Fire codes and standards are factors in any GSA contract and can vary from commercial requirements depending on the category. For example, in the Fire Protection & Life Safety section of GSA’s “Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service” guidelines (see www.gsa.gov),GSA states that smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 72, the International Fire Code (IFC) and the International Mechanical Code (IMC), except in the following instances:

• Area smoke detectors shall not be installed in the following areas: mechanical equipment room, electrical closet, telephone closet, emergency generator room, uninterruptible power service and battery rooms, and other similar rooms.
• Smoke detection appropriate for the application shall be installed in each of the following rooms: electrical switch gear, transformer vaults and telephone exchanges (PABX).

In regard to audible notification appliances, GSA requires that the performance, location and mounting of the devices shall be in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 72. However, the following requirements take precedence over NFPA 72 requirements:

• To ensure audible signals are clearly heard, the sound level shall be at least 70 dBA throughout all office space, general building areas and corridors measured 1524 mm (5 feet) above the floor. The sound level in other areas shall be at least 15 dBA above the average sound level or 5 dBA above any noise source lasting 60 seconds or longer.
• The design for achieving the required minimum dBA levels shall take into consideration all building construction materials, such as carpeting, hard surfaces, walls, doors and any other materials that can cause sound-level attenuation and/or clarity problems due to the placement and location of the audible notification appliances. The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering’s chapter on Design of  Detection Systems or other audio design guides should be used to provide guidance and methodology to achieve the required dBA levels.
• Where emergency voice/alarm communication systems are provided, fire alarm speakers shall be installed in elevator cars and exit stairways; however, they shall only be activated to broadcast live voice messages (e.g., manual announcements only). The automatic voice messages shall be broadcast through the fire alarm speakers on the appropriate floors, but not in stairs or elevator cars.

Modifying GSA Contracts

The design team must also be careful when making alterations to GSA contracts. Any modifications have to be made well in advance, with extensive documentation. This, according to Hayes, is one of the greatest differences between commercial and government work.

“You have to be on top of the paperwork. It is a paperwork shuffle that you have to be much more aware of than you would for a standard commercial building or a hotel,” says Hayes. “He who documents best, wins.”

GSA doesn’t necessarily discourage making modifications to the project, but doing so requires a lot more effort than simply brainstorming with the design team. “You can’t sit down with the design team and say, ‘Well, you know you’re right. This would make it a little bit better. We can make this modification,’” explains Hayes.

“You’ve got to do what the contract says unless a change is issued to that contract because somebody else will get a hold of it and call you on it. They’ll ask if you documented it, and if not, then it’s your problem. It doesn’t matter if it was better the way you did it. That’s not what the contract says, and you can get burned.”

The positive side is that a qualified fire-protection engineer who gains experience and learns to deal with the documentation can do well in government work, according to Hayes. “There’s a good opportunity if you know how to work the system within government.”

California

The enforcement process for school life-safety projects differs from the process required for private sector projects. Schools must still adhere to California Building Code Requirements; the difference is that several agencies, primarily the local school board, enforce code. The local fire department, for example, enforces fire flows, fire lanes and building fire-safety inspections. The Department of General Services, Division of the State Architect, reviews projects, in cooperation with the State Fire Marshal, for structural, ADA and general fire-and life-safety requirements of the codes.
(Source: www.cde.ca.gov)

Minnesota

The Minnesota State Fire Code does not require that all fire-alarm systems be monitored by a central station or that automatic fire department response be initiated. Buildings or situations that require monitoring and automatic fire department response include automatic sprinkler systems exceeding 100 sprinklers (20 sprinklers in new buildings) and certain schools that use an automatic fire-alarm system in lieu of fire-rated egress corridors. In addition, school districts are required to submit a fire-protection plan for any addition to, or major renovation of, an existing building, including the installation of buildings to be relocated. As a minimum, the fire-protection plan must cover the following issues:

• Maintenance of exits from occupied portions of the existing building;

• Fire department access to both existing and new buildings;

• Maintenance of existing fire-protection systems (fire alarm, standpipes, etc.);

• Fire department water supply;

• Whether any fire separations will be provided between the new construction/remodeling and the existing building.
(Source: www.dps.state.mn.us)

New York

All buildings that are owned, operated or leased by private schools, public school districts or Boards of Cooperative Educational Services must be inspected annually for compliance with applicable sections of 8NYCRR155 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and for compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. A Public School Fire Safety Report must be completed as part of this process. This includes inspections of fire sprinklers and connected fire alarms, fire-hydrant systems, fire drills and evacuation procedures. A fire- and life-safety history of the school must be provided by a school official to determine whether fire drills were held in accordance with section 807 of the Education Law and F405 of the Fire Code of New York State, as well as state the average evacuation time. The history also details whether employee fire prevention, evacuation and fire safety training was provided, and records were maintained in accordance with Section F406 of the New York State Fire Code. Section 808 of the Education Law requires every school in the state to provide a minimum of 45 minutes of instruction in arson and fire prevention for each month school is in session.
(Source: www.emsc.nysed.gov)

Note: For complete information, consult specific fire codes and board of education guidelines for each state.

Designing fire alarm systems for atriums, lobbies and other types of high-ceiling facilities can be tricky. This is especially true when considering potential challenges such as extreme temperatures, high air velocity and potential smoke stratification during a fire.

Beam smoke detectors are valuable components in these applications because they offer unique capabilities that can overcome many of the challenges associated with high-ceiling structures. It is important, therefore, that fire alarm designers gain an understanding of the technology and limitations of specific smoke detectors when selecting and applying them to fire alarm systems.

Projected beam smoke detectors consist of a transmitter that projects an infrared beam across the protected area to a receiver containing a photosensitive cell, which monitors the signal strength of the light beam. Some beam detectors consist of a transmitter and a receiver in one unit, with a reflector used on the other end to return the light. One of the advantages of units such as these is that wiring across the room (transmitter to receiver) is no longer required.

The detector works on the principle of light obscuration. The photosensitive element of the beam smoke detector sees light produced by the transmitter in a normal condition. The receiver is calibrated to a preset sensitivity level based on a percentage of total obscuration. The manufacturer determines this sensitivity level based on the length of the beam (the distance between the transmitter and receiver).

Typically, the installer can select from more than one setting based on the length of the beam used in a given application. For Underwriters Laboratories® (UL)-listed detectors, the sensitivity setting must comply with UL Standard 268, Smoke Detectors for Fire Protective Signaling Systems.

Operational Characteristics

Beam smoke detectors are sensitive to the cumulative obscuration (a measure of the percentage of light blockage) presented by a smoke field. This cumulative obscuration is created by a combination of smoke density and the linear distance of the smoke field across the projected light beam.

Because the sudden and total obscuration of the light beam is not a typical smoke signature, the detector will generally see this as a trouble condition, not an alarm. This threshold is typically set by the manufacturer at a sensitivity level that exceeds 90 percent total obscuration. This minimizes the possibility of an unwanted alarm due to the blockage of the beam by a solid object, such as a sign or ladder inadvertently placed in the beam path.

Very small, slow changes in the quality of the light source are also not typical of a smoke signature. These changes may occur because of environmental conditions, such as dust and dirt accumulation on the transmitter and/or receiver’s optical assemblies. An Automatic Gain Control (AGC) typically compensates for these changes.

When the detector is first turned on and put through its setup program, it assumes the light signal level at that time as a reference point for a normal condition. As the quality of the light signal degrades over time, perhaps due to dust, the AGC will compensate for this change. The rate of compensation is limited to ensure that the detector will be sensitive to slow or smoldering fires. When the AGC can no longer compensate for the loss of signal, such as with an excessive accumulation of dirt, the detector will signal a trouble condition.

Accessories to the beam smoke detector may include remote annunciators and remote test stations that allow for the periodic electronic and/or sensitivity testing of the detector. Intelligent fire alarm systems can give the beam smoke detector a discrete address to provide better annunciation of the fire location. Conventional systems may also remotely annunciate through the use of relays.

Spot-Type vs. Beam Detector Applications

Like spot-type smoke detectors, beam smoke detectors are inappropriate for outdoor applications. Environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, rain, snow, sleet, fog and dew, can interfere with the proper operation of the detector. Outdoor conditions make smoke behavior impossible to predict.

Spot-type smoke detectors are considered to have a maximum coverage of 900 square feet or 30 feet by 30 feet. The maximum length between detectors is 41 feet when the width of the area being protected does not exceed 10 feet, as in a hallway.

Beam smoke detectors generally have a maximum range of 330 feet and a maximum distance between detectors of 60 feet. This gives the beam smoke detector theoretical coverage of 19,800 square feet. Manufacturer’s recommendations and other factors, such as room geometry, may impose practical reductions of this maximum coverage.

Even with these reductions, a beam smoke detector can cover an area that would require a dozen or more spot-type detectors, which generally decrease in response as their distance from the fire increases. The advantage is that fewer devices mean lower installation and maintenance costs.

When fires start at or near floor level, the smoke produced will rise to or near the ceiling. Typically, the column of smoke begins to spread out as it travels from its point of origin, forming a smoke field in the shape of an inverted cone. The density of the smoke field can be affected by the rate of growth of the fire. Fast fires tend to produce more uniform density throughout the smoke field than slow-burning fires where there may be dilution at the upper elevations of the smoke field.

In many high-ceiling applications, such as retail space, beam smoke detectors may be more responsive to slow or smoldering fires than spot-type detectors because they are looking across the entire smoke field intersecting the beam. Spot-type detectors can only sample smoke at their particular “spot.” The smoke that enters the chamber may be diluted below the alarm threshold, which is the level of smoke needed for an alarm.

Detector of Choice

The major limitation of projected beam smoke detectors is that these units are line-of-sight devices and are, therefore, subject to interference from any object or person entering the beam path. This may make its use impractical in occupied areas with normal ceiling heights.

However, many facilities have areas where beam smoke detectors are the detector of choice. High-ceiling areas, such as atriums in multi-level facilities, lobbies, gymnasiums, sports arenas, museums, factories and warehouses might be candidates for beam smoke detectors.

Many of these applications present special problems for the installation of spot-type detectors (e.g., high air velocity, stratification, hostile environments, sensitivity, location, spacing and mounting) and even greater problems for their proper maintenance. The use of beam smoke detectors may reduce these problems because fewer devices are required and the devices can be mounted on walls, which are more accessible than ceilings.

Are You Installing the Right Carbon Monoxide Detector?

When security dealers, installers and distributors are evaluating which carbon monoxide (CO) detector to purchase, they should look for a product that is listed for the intended use and features that comply with the industry’s most recent product standards. Every alarm professional should understand the differences between American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards ANSI/UL 2034 and ANSI/UL 2075 and be aware of the new requirements of the third edition of ANSI/UL 2075 that become effective later in 2009.

The CO detection market has seen significant growth in the last few years driven by legislation requiring the installation of CO detectors in single/two-family dwellings and commercial occupancies such as hotels, child and adult day care and university dormitories. Currently, there are 21 states and many major municipalities that have CO regulations.

ANSI/UL 2034, Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, is the product standard for self-contained CO alarms. These alarms are not designed nor are they listed to be connected to an alarm control panel. They receive their primary operating power from: a battery in the unit, a plug-in unit that uses a two- or three-prong attachment plug or a unit that is wired into the dwelling’s AC power line with secondary power backup.

ANSI/UL 2075, Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors, is the product standard for CO detectors that are designed and listed to be connected to an alarm control panel (system-connected) via conductors extending from the detector to the control panel or low-power radio frequency signal. It is important to note that even though there are two standards for CO detection devices they both have the same alarm thresholds. ANSI/UL 2075 requires detectors to operate within the sensitivity parameters defined in ANSI/UL 2034. The alarm thresholds are:

• 70 ppm 1 to 4 hours (but not less than 1 hour)
• 150 ppm 10 to 50 minutes
• 400 ppm 4 to 15 minutes

All system-connected CO detectors manufactured after September 1, 2009, will be required to meet the new requirements of the Third edition ANSI/UL 2075. Therefore, hardwired CO detectors that have the UL 2075 mark and are manufactured prior to September 1, 2009, may not be compliant with the new product standard.

Several new requirements of ANSI/UL 2075 mandate critical life safety supervision features that will prevent a failed detector from going undetected. These new requirements are fundamental concepts of all life safety products, such as fire alarm system devices and central station service.

There are currently three different gas sensing technologies on the market: biomimetic, metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) and electrochemical. All three gas sensing technologies have a limited life, therefore, it is imperative that the gas sensing element be supervised in order to ensure continuous operation. The new ANSI/UL 2075 mandates the detector to electrically supervise the gas sensing element so that when the sensor reaches its end-of-life (EOL), the detector will send a trouble signal to the control panel. This new electrical supervision requirement of the carbon monoxide sensing element is vital for safe and effective performance of the detector. To be compliant with ANSI/UL 2075, life-safety professionals should ensure their chosen system-connected CO detectors incorporate an integral trouble relay that sends a trouble signal to the control panel when the CO sensor has reached its EOL.

After September 1, 2009, the terminal screws of a system-connected CO detector must facilitate the required wiring supervision provisions of the UL standard. ANSI/UL 2075 requires the terminal screws to consist of binding screws with terminal plates having upturned lugs (see diagram). This method prevents the conductor from being wrapped around the terminal screw and requires the interruption of the wiring continuity when connection to the detector is lost. CO detectors that have pigtails are not acceptable.

The new requirements will benefit the alarm industry by improving the performance of detectors but more importantly will enhance life safety for the public in the years to come.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) encourages public participation in its code and standards development. Codes and standards are revised every three to five years in a systematic and inclusive process that provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to submit input through key points in the development cycle.

Responding to the Call

The cycle begins with a call for input from a wide range of stakeholders.

NFPA will publicize calls for proposal submissions through NFPA Journal magazine and the NFPA Web site, as well as other standards-related media. The NFPA Web site also has links (see Table) to all the forms needed for drafting and submitting a proposal, such as the Online Submission Form for revisions to existing codes or standards.

A completed proposal must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST of the proposal closing date to be considered. When drafting a code revision, remember: Don’t propose a revision simply because it will mandate one of your products or services. Biased, special interest group proposals will be rejected.

Report on Proposals: The First Review

Once submitted, the proposal will be routed for review by a Technical Committee. An NFPA Technical Committee is a group of technical individuals, selected and appointed by the NFPA Standards Council, who comprise a cross section of the stakeholders for the particular standard. Individual members are appointed on the basis of technical knowledge as well as to maintain a balance of interest groups. For example, members might be drawn from such diverse areas as installing companies, product manufacturers and suppliers, trade associations and government agencies.

The product of this initial review is a report that is published and made available to the general public, called the Report on Proposals (ROP). This initial report represents the findings and decisions of the Technical Committee on each proposal.

Committee findings can be in agreement or disagreement — or anything in between — for each proposal. At this point, the findings of the committee are far from the final word. In fact, the ROP is circulated for a 60-day public review and comment period, which enables stakeholders to review the findings of the Technical Committee and submit comments on those findings; again, with proposed language and technical justification.

The International Code Council (ICC) has published new requirements for carbon monoxide (CO) detection and revised requirements for smoke detectors. These provisions are covered in the ICC’s International Residential Code (IRC) for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses and occurred when the ICC membership overturned two recommendations of the IRC committee.

The ICC implements the IRC as a model code regulation, which is proposed, debated and created for adoption and implementation in municipalities, counties and states that enforce building code regulations. The ICC codes are rapidly becoming the “code of choice” for state and local governments that adopt and enforce building code standards.

What types of smoke and other detection devices are on your campus?

Nearly 100 percent of all Mercyhurst’s buildings are protected by automatic fire alarm systems installed in compliance with NFPA 72, ICC/IFC occupancy requirements. Certain student residences (townhouses) are equipped with interconnected single/multi-station smoke detection in accordance with applicable sections of NFPA 72, ICC/IFC for household warning equipment. We use primarily photoelectric smoke detectors that are comprised of several manufacturers of FACP devices. We are currently streamlining the process and focusing on solitary manufacturers for compatibility and integrating multiple systems from various manufacturers to operate as a single unit.

How often are devices inspected?

Our automatic fire alarm systems and associated smoke, heat, initiation and notification devices are continuously monitored. Single- and multi-station detectors are used locally. All of our installed fire detection systems and equipment are periodically inspected and maintained for proper working order in accordance with chapter 7 of NFPA 72. In addition, all systems are tested annually by an approved independent agency.

What are Mercyhurst’s procedures for dealing with false alarms and fire drills?

All systems and equipment are maintained to function as designed. We have an annual average of less than six false alarm activities by manual means. These incidents are followed up and addressed by the college. In areas subject to impact, the manual fire pull stations are protected by approved covers to prevent accidental activations. Transmitted active fire alarms by initiation device, which were a result of system trouble, are identified and corrected in a timely manner. We conduct monthly fire exit drills in all freshmen housing.

How has Mercyhurst responded to the need for mass notification?

Mercyhurst launched a text message emergency notification system in 2007 called e2Campus to extend the reach of existing emergency notification measures. It includes campus wide e-mails and Web page updates to alert students anywhere, any time. Also, the college has both radio and television stations, and these media outlets are included in our emergency preparedness planning.

What is your relationship with the local fire department?

We have an excellent relationship with the City of Erie Fire Department as I am a retiree after a 31-year career. Unfortunately, in this and many areas of the country, economic conditions are affecting the function of public safety. To compensate, proper and expanded fire protection systems and structures are becoming a more important strategy to ensure life safety and protect property.

How do you accommodate physically challenged students and staff?

A percentage of our student housing units contain ADA-compliant alarm system notification and activation devices to accommodate persons with disabilities. General building protection systems are compliant with ADA where required and are periodically upgraded when necessary. Directional sounders are a new technology that I highly recommend for new construction and addition/expansions to existing systems.

Pennsylvania has carbon monoxide (CO) legislation pending. How will that affect Mercyhurst?

Addressable CO detection should become a standard for fire alarm systems, including retrofitting of existing systems. One of the questions I would ask is: Will the CO detection legislation be directed to meet code compliance?

What is your role in renovations or new construction?

Life safety is a critical component of the plans review process. My participation is for the review of the fire protection systems and structures of the building. My role is to ensure all life safety requirements are met and suggest additions, expansions and compliance.

How does Mercyhurst handle fire-related accident investigation and documentation?

All received fire alarm activations are followed up. When there is an actual smoke or fire associated with the event, a complete investigation is conducted and a report is generated. In the case that an injury is associated with the event, a detailed investigation is conducted and documented, including all outside resources by requirement or request.

How do you respond to student inquiries about careers in fire service?

Periodically, students will inquire about a career in fire service and we enthusiastically provide information on all areas of fire service. Also, my credentials in fire investigation and fire code/inspection experience provide me with the opportunity to conduct lectures for several majors. This class instruction usually generates student interest in the area of fire scene investigation and code and inspection applications.

What do you see for the future of fire and life safety on college campuses?

Fire safety professionals across America agree that the direction of the fire service is changing. As we become more proactive, it is becoming more focused on prevention and protection. This includes modern fire detection systems and the fire sprinklering of buildings. Today’s new buildings are better protected with detection devices, noncombustible and fire-resistant materials and sprinkler systems as opposed to 50 or 60 years ago.

Life on college campuses and in off-campus housing is a real concern and has made tragic headlines. Fire safety and prevention information delivery has made significant gains with the emergence of organizations that specifically target schools, colleges and universities.

There are approximately 17 million students enrolled in colleges and universities across the U.S. Reaching out to these students and making them more aware of fire safety is becoming a national trend and is changing the pattern and delivery of fire safety. These informed college students will be the decision-makers of tomorrow and will create a safer and better informed world.

This is the first of a three-part series introducing the new publication, Fire Sprinkler Systems Monitoring Application Guide. Supervisory switches are the focus of this article. Subsequent articles will feature waterflow detectors and pressure switches.

Supervision Assures Operation

Sprinkler systems are one of the most important fire protection tools in use today. Monitoring these systems is not only wise, but in most cases, it is required by code. Supervisory switches fill this requirement by monitoring the open position of valves in a fire sprinkler system and prevent tampering with sprinkler system valves.

Installing supervisory devices in sprinkler systems requires familiarity with applicable codes and standards, including, the National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72; the Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA13; and the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection. Other applicable codes include NPFA 101, NFPA 5000, and the International Building Code. If a valve is closed one-fifth of its total travel distance, the supervisory switches are required to send a signal to the control panel. Hence, any valve that can affect the flow of water in a fire sprinkler system must be monitored.

The Basics

There are three main types of valves used in fire sprinkler systems: 1. outside screw and yoke (OS&Y), 2. butterfly (BFV), and 3. post indicator valves (PIV). In turn, there are corresponding supervisory switches available for monitoring the open position of these valves. System Sensor supervisory switches, OSY2, and PIBV2, are typically equipped with dual SPDT (Form C) synchronized switches for activation of a supervisory signal at a panel or auxiliary device.

OS&Y type supervisory switches are designed to monitor the open position of outside screw and yoke gate valves. A large hand wheel with a threaded shaft controls the position of the valve. The shaft moves when the valve’s position changes. The switch is equipped with an actuator rod, which sits in a groove filed into the shaft or provided by the valve manufacturer.

As the turning of the hand wheel closes the valve, the actuator rod slides out of the groove in the shaft. This causes the switches to operate and sends a supervisory/trouble signal. A signal also sounds if the tamper switch is removed from the valve.

OS&Y supervisory switches, suitable for indoor or outdoor use, can be mounted vertically or horizontally.

PIBV type supervisory switches monitor the open position of butterfly, pressure reducing, wall post indicator, and yard post indicator valves.

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Of assisted living facilities built after 1995:

• 97 percent have sprinklers and smoke detectors in all common areas.
• 90 percent of resident rooms have sprinklers.
• 91 percent of resident rooms have smoke detectors.
• Approximately 6.5 million people require assistance with daily activities.
• By 2020, 13 million people are expected to require assistance with daily activities.

ALR marketing efforts recognize the value of life safety and refer to it in their promotional literature. Many ALRs tout “Smoke Detectors and Sprinklers” among their amenities, even though only one state requires disclosure of facilities without sprinklers to prospective residents.

Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities may not be subject to federal fire safety standards. That leaves state and local authorities to set the rules. Some states leave the fire safety checks to trained adult care specialists who are not professional inspectors. Another state’s licensing rules allow assisted living providers to schedule their own fire safety inspections with local fire marshals. In yet another state, residents have suffered because the facility was not licensed and did not have working smoke alarms or sprinklers.

Currently, there is no federal oversight of assisted living facilities. In most states, assisted living facilities require a license. In others, facilities need only provide room and board to be licensed. Some states refer to assisted living facilities as boarding homes or residential care facilities or may have different levels of licensing requirements, depending on the care the facility provides.

In Illinois, for example, the Fire Department requires annual inspections by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

One Illinois Town Takes That Extra Step

Crystal Lake, Ill., a city of 40,000 residents, is one such city that goes the extra step in assuring the safety and well being of its residents in ALRs.

Paul DeRaedt, Crystal Lake’s Deputy Fire Chief, says,“We get involved in the planning stages of any new
project or renovation, like the two assisted living facilities that are currently under construction. We review the plans, blueprints, and approvals. Then we have discussions with consultants on any codes and regulations regarding smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, or any other life safety requirement before construction begins.”

DeRaedt states, “During the various stages of completion, we inspect the structure, including the plenums, sprinklers and smoke detectors. We review emergency plans and anything else that is necessary for life safety. We more than meet the state regulations.

“It is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. Residents depend on us to make sure their facilities meet appropriate codes,” says DeRaedt.“It is unusual for an ALR resident to contact our fire prevention bureau to ask whether a place has sprinklers or smoke detectors.” After the structure is complete, each detector and panel is physically checked by the installers. Any corrections are made immediately, according to DeRaedt.

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