Question:
I've been reading in this website that when you add a fire / smoke detector to an alarm system it adds some additional building (/ fire) code requirements. I've read that the wire you use needs to change (to the panel anyway) - can someone summarize or point me to an existing summary? fyi I just called my local inspector (Greenwich, CT) and as the home owner I need to file a permit to pre-wire my new room for network, HA, burgular, and fire. He said it was ok to install PVC tubing between low voltage outlets and the basement so I can pull the appropriate cable through later. Looks like I'll be filing my first permit next week! Regarding PVC tubing I'd like to run this into enclosed boxes (rather than the back-less steel rings) as I'd like to attach the PVC tube to the box so it doesn't fall away in the wall. Any ideas? I couldn't find anything at my local home depot.

Answer: You are correct that adding fire alarm to the mix changes the cabling requirements. You will need to wire all smoke, heat or other fire alarm devices using cable that is rated for use with power limited fire alarm circuits -- what alarm installers refer to as "fire wire." It usually has a red jacket and it is labeled for the purpose. I have it listed on the web site. If you need it, let me know early today and I'll have a box of the stuff out to you by Monday. If you *really* need it now I can arrange for a pickup in Milford. Either way, that would be superior to running conduit. In addition to the smoke detectors and such, some AHJ's (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) require that the keypads and sirens be wired using the same type of cable when fire detection is part of the system. This is based on the idea that the keypad becomes a fire alarm "annunciator" and that the siren cables are now NAC's (Notification Appliance Circuits). It's up to the local inspector so you might want to chat with him. To be safe, the simplest thing with a Napco Gemini installation is to just go ahead and use fire cable for these devices anyway. It won't hurt anything. Interestingly, there is also a part of the governing code which says that you must wire the system in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Those instructions don't insist on fire wire for the keypads and sirens; nor do they prohibit it. In fact, a growing number of installers have been using CAT5 for the keypads (though also not required, it may be very handy if you upgrade some years from now). You can definitely get back boxes and fittings for NMC (non-metallic conduit), as well as the conduit itself in the electrical department at Home Depot. Did you go to the store off Route 1 up in Norwalk? I think that's one of the larger ones. If you're unsure of anything, bring a cell phone with you to the store and ring me up from the aisle. I'll talk to the HD guy directly if you want, but they usually know a lot about their individual departments. Use 1/2" or 3/4" NMC to individual alarm device boxes. However, I would really suggest that you don't need it for the alarm. It's far easier to just pull the appropriate cable, staple it to the studs leaving a 1-2' service loop of extra wire in the wall and then bang a nail in at an angle to "flag" the wire so the sheet rock installers know to pull the wire out where your devices will go. If you look on a construction site in the garage where the overhead door operator is to be installed, you'll see a wire wrapped around a nail driven at a 135є angle into one of the rafters. The other end of the wire will be similarly mounted next to the door leading to the house. That is the standard method of telling a sheet rock installer to pull the wire through rather than bury it. For smoke detectors, nail up a small, metallic "octo box" with a Romex clamp (both also readily available at HD) where the wire enters the box. If you want to use NMC, the same fittings that work with gang boxes work with octo boxes.