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ADAAG and ceiling mounted visual applicances

M

mshields

Silver Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
105
Location
Plymouth, MA
Until today I was still under the impression that the ADAAG and NFPA 72 were in conflict on the subject of ceiling mounted visual appliances. I heard today from a reliable source (although he couldn't be specific on the spot) that not too long ago the ADAAG changed its requirement of a strict 80 inches (no more no less) to making their requirement match NFPA 72. The latter has always allowed ceiling mounted appliances and with this change, so too, according to my source does the ADAAG.

I'm trying to verify this and would like to see it in black and white. Can anybody help?
 
Welcome to the site

2010 ADAAG 105.2 Referenced Standards, Indicates the following as the differences between 2010 ADAAG and the NFPA 72-1999 and NFPA 72-2002

105.2.5 NFPA. NFPA 72-1999 and NFPA 72-2002 address the application, installation, performance, and maintenance of protective signaling systems and their components. The NFPA 72 incorporates Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 1971 by reference. The standard specifies the characteristics of audible alarms, such as placement and sound levels.

ADAAG Section 702 limits the volume of an audible alarm to 110 dBA, rather than the maximum 120 dBA permitted by NFPA 72-1999.

NFPA 72 specifies characteristics for visible alarms, such as flash frequency, color, intensity, placement, and synchronization.

ADAAG Section 702 requires that visual alarm appliances be permanently installed.

UL 1971 specifies intensity dispersion requirements for visible alarms. In particular, NFPA 72 requires visible alarms to have a light source that is clear or white and has polar dispersion complying with UL 1971.

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAstandards.htm
 
Very well said Mark

I have heard, and not how many years now, that 72 was accepted for Ada
 
thank you

Yes - evidently the change came in 2010 when ADAAG added or changed 702.1 which now reads:

702.1 General. Fire alarm systems shall have permanently installed audible and visible alarms complying with NFPA 72 (1999 or 2002 edition) (incorporated by reference, see "Referenced Standards" in Chapter 1), except that the maximum allowable sound level of audible notification appliances complying with section 4-3.2.1 of NFPA 72 (1999 edition) shall have a sound level no more than 110 dB at the minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance. In addition, alarms in guest rooms required to provide communication features shall comply with sections 4-3 and 4-4 of NFPA 72 (1999 edition) or sections 7.4 and 7.5 of NFPA 72 (2002 edition).

There the 72 rule of 80 to 96 now applies without conflict as well as 72's allowance for ceiling mounted devices when approved for that use.

Thanks for all the great input. This is my first experience with this site. I'll be back for sure.
 
how I found you

I did a goodle search on the question that is the subject of this string. The forum came up as source.

I'm very impressed at the quick response. The other forum I use a lot is the Mike Holt forum but that is limited, at least it's supposed to be, to the NEC.
 
We have always allowed ceiling appliances (when proposed) because they are permitted by NFPA 72. Sounds like we have been vindicated.
 
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