Loading ...NFPA 720-2009 is a complete rewrite of the CO detection standard, which now covers commercial occupancies and impacts CO detector development, installation, testing and off-premise signal transmission.
Prior to 2005, NFPA 720, the carbon monoxide (CO) detection standard set by the National Fire Protection Association, was little more than a recommendation. In 2005, in reaction to greater public awareness of CO poisoning and local CO detection legislation, NFPA 720 was changed from a recommended practice to an installation standard with teeth.
The new edition, NFPA 720-2009, will be issued in October and will be the Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment. The standard has been completely rewritten to encompass more types of occupancies and to more specifically define CO detection system usage.
There are eight main changes and additions to NFPA 720 that will affect you:
1) NFPA 720 nationally standardizes CO detection for all buildings, not just residences. This includes schools, hotels, nursing homes and other commercial structures.
The 2005 edition of NFPA 720 addressed only dwelling units. Since then, the number of states requiring the installation of CO detection in residential, and in some cases commercial buildings, has more than doubled. Commercial occupancies where CO detection is required include hotels, rooming houses, dormitories, day care centers, schools, hospitals, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes.
In the absence of a national installation standard, each jurisdiction has developed its own requirements. This has resulted in considerable confusion in the industry. Several key areas of concern are installation, testing and off-premise signal transmission to the supervising station. NFPA 720-2009 is a huge step toward minimizing these concerns.
The new commercial installation requirements in NFPA 720-2009 contain extracts from NFPA 72®: National Fire Alarm Code®, and can be found in chapters 1 through 8. Chapter 9 covers households.
2) CO alarm signals need to be distinct from other signals and indicate sensor failure or end of life.
In the 2005 edition of NFPA 720, CO detectors were required to be connected to a control panel via a supervisory circuit only. NFPA 720-2009 requires CO alarm signals to be distinct and “descriptively annunciated” from fire alarm, CO supervisory and CO trouble signals. Furthermore, the CO alarm signal should take precedence over supervisory or trouble signals. The actuation of a CO detector or system should be distinctly indicated as a CO alarm signal.
CO detector trouble signals must be indicated visually and audibly at the control panel and supervising station. Therefore, the CO detector must have an integral trouble relay that will send trouble conditions to the control panel, such as a sensor failure or sensor end-of-life signal.
Tags: Carbon monoxide, Guidelines
Posted in Carbon Monoxide Detection, Commercial, Fall 2008, Guidelines, NFPA