Question:
I normally don't do commercial fire alarms. Last one I did was about 7/8 years ago. I'll preface this post by saying that I'll be ordering the latest NFPA manuals shortly, as I'm sure mine are outdated, but thought I'd ask a few questions here and at the same time, maybe perk up the website a little with something interesting I have a customer that I have had for about 15 years as a burglar alarm client. I also did his home for burg and fire. However, he is presently building a 15, 000 sq ft building as a venture and now the State of NY wants to rent it for it's local parole office. He has agreed to install and pay for the monitoring of the burglar alarm system during the term of the lease. He is just installing a basic system with contacts on 9 doors and one keypad. If they want more eleaborate system after they move in, it'll be their responsibility. I said I'd do the basic system because I figured, if I'm already in there with the basic system, they'd probably have me do the up grade. BUT>>>>>> now my client wants to put in a fire alarm system be cause he doesn't want to get right down to the closing and then have it fall through or cause a delay if the building doesn't have a fire alarm system..... even though the local building code doesn't require one. I probably would have turned it down but my client added that now the State wants him to to the video surveillance system for which they'll pay him for. Tough for me to turn that down cause I know they'll pay and pay and pay for that kind of stuff. And, in addition, the electrician will pull all the alarm wires. I'll just have to spec the job, submint the plans and do final hook up and test and I get all the monitoring and service. Anyway ..... I've got the plans and told my client I'd look them over and try to give him an estimate so he can decide if he wants to install the fire system with out them asking for it or it being required. I realize that the AHJ has their preferences but I just need a little refresher before I begin to talk with the client and the AHJ. I'm sure that there will be some special considerations because some of the areas will be detaining cells for prisoners. AHJ is going to have to make some tough decisions about a locked room that has a 14 foot high ceiling, no windows, reinforced walls, locked door with people inside. (heh heh heh) ):-] Taking into consideration the ADA and to revive my fuzzy memory regarding quantities and distances, my questions are: How far off the floor are pull stations? There will be 9 foot drop ceilings with a plenum return.( I know I'll have to use plenum wire) How far down from the ceiling should the strobes be? Do they still make plenum apporoved tie wraps? (haven't seen them for years!) In a commercial install, do all offices need smoke detectors? Or is it ok to just put heat sensors in the offices and smokes only in the passageways? The ceilings are 9 feet and the roof is 14 feet from the ground. The HVAC feeds will have duct detectors but if it's a plenum return, is it required to put? Heat? Smoke? Both? between the drop ceiling and the roof? ( I seem to remember that this was a AHJ call) In an open area, what is the prescribed line of sight distance for strobes? Is this the same distance as in hallways? Does anyone know if the schedule of testing and replacment of sensors, after the system is installed, is publised on a web site somewhere? Can you think of anything else I should be asking?

Answer: . I used to work for Siemens Cerberus Division, they are the largest fire protection manufacturers in the world. www.cerbpyro.com I was involved with several fire alarm installations in secure type buildings, from the sales end. If the facility is being used to hold inmates the codes for fire alarm are very strict. I would advise calling the local fire department for assistance, they usually are very good in assisting any problems before they become an issue of occupancy. I would not advise going into this project without very clear instruction from the authority having jurisdiction By the way I work for a company that manufactures and imports video surveillance equipment. Our web page is www.videocomplex.com please pass this onto your mate as our prices are very aggressive for video surveillance.