Question:
We have a customer who wanted his sprinkler riser monitored. We went out and installed a silent knight 5104 control/communicator on it like we have done for many other customers. When the fire Marshall showed up for his test he said it needed horn strobes. Our customer had his electrician wire for the new strobes but when reviewed by the fire marshal was told he needed more. He also wanted audible horn strobes in the bathrooms. We don't design fire systems but we do install them after they have been designed. I have never heard of audible going in a bathroom. Does this sound right? I know the fire marshalls word is the way it will be, just thought it was a little strange. Also can anyone tell me what determines if a system needs a "fire system" or "sprinkler system" or both? This building is an indoor soccer arena with seating for about 300-500 people. It is constructed out of metal and has a concession area, and 2 bathrooms that are constructed out of metal studs, and sheetrock.

Answer: Q: We have a customer who wanted his sprinkler riser monitored. We went out and installed a silent knight 5104 control/communicator on it like we have done for many other customers. When the fire Marshall showed up for his test he said it needed horn strobes. Our customer had his electrician wire for the new strobes but when reviewed by the fire marshal was told he needed more.

A: You might want to make a policy concerning fire alarms of filing submittals with the fire marshal or other local AHJ. Get them to sign off on your plan before you start work. That will save you a lot of grief and occasional embarassment. Q: He also wanted audible horn strobes in the bathrooms. We don't design fire systems but we do install them after they have been designed. I have never heard of audible going in a bathroom. Does this sound right?

A: Yep. I've seen them in plenty of washrooms and even installed some there. Q: I know the fire marshalls word is the way it will be, just thought it was a little strange. Also can anyone tell me what determines if a system needs a "fire system" or "sprinkler system" or both? This building is an indoor soccer arena with seating for about 300-500 people.

A: That's a place of public assembly. Requirements tend to get pretty stringent in places where large numbers of people will congregate. Do you have access to the various code books -- NFPA72, NEC, etc? If not, you can order them on CD-ROM from NFPA.org. In addition to the actual code books they have some excellent instructional material. I have links in my FAQ website to a number of places within their site that are of interest to people doing security alarms and home automation systems.