Fool-proof fire alarm notification?

[Simonsays]

Okay, it's been a week for fish stories and whoppers ....

Outside, on a blank wall no where near a fire department connection, situated at the rear of a large mercantile building, is a wall mounted horn/strobe fire alarm notification device.

What's this for, I inquire.

That's for when an alarm sounds at say 2 am and the interior automatic dialers have FAILED. This device will annoy and irritate the neighbors who will call it in to the proper authorities and save the store. It's in the code, I was told.

Anybody out there familiar with that "section of code?"

 

[FM William Burns]

The codes will not mandate the location of the (if sprinkled >20 heads) local alarm notification for water flow (NFPA 13 Alarm Attachments). It's great when we we can have the device near the FDC however the important thing is to have it (the potential) recognized in the event of emergency. Typically these attachments will be near the street view and in one case I've seen it was right outside the bedroom of a neighboring dwelling to give the best chance of recognition.

Personally, we require weather proof H/S on the visible street side where our pumper will respond since the intent of the requirement is to indicate "water flow" (fire) and to provide notification for water damage reduction in the event of accidential discharge. Our on-board pre-plans give us the FDC location.