Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

[dchin]

For a building with Occupancy B that is required to have a manual fire alarm system, to what extent is the system required to be installed, i.e. throughout the entire building or just in common areas such as corridors and lobbies and not in actual tenant spaces? Would there be any difference between a building with multiple tenants and one with a single tenant?

Thanks,

Donald

 

[Coug Dad]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

Donald

Welcome to the board. Glad you are here. In general, when a fire alarm system is required, it is provided throughout the building. More details of the building would give other members on the board a better chance to comment.

 

[FM William Burns]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

Yes, Donald....welcome and agree more bait would be better. I do agree with Coug Dad where as if it's required in the B use it's throughout including all occupied areas.

 

[cda]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

dchin

would you by chance be asking about audio / visual devices???

 

[dchin]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

Thanks for all your replies, this is a great site.

Perhaps my question is a basic one, and that is does a manual fire alarm system include smoke detectors, or is it just the pull boxes and annunciating devices?

I am working on a small TI (dental office @800 sf) in a two story office building (40,000 sf.) in New Jersey. The building is not sprinklered and is equipped with a manual fire alarm system (pull boxes, strobe lights, and smoke detectors in the public areas). In the suite for my project, there is a strobe siren next to the exit door. There were not any smoke detectors for the previous tenant. My main question was whether smoke detectors would be required, and I was told by the DCA official that because the building has a manual fire alarm it meets code, and that smoke detectors are not required for Occupancy B as the occupants will be awake and familiar with their environment.

Thanks for your help,

Donald

 

[FM William Burns]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

does a manual fire alarm system include smoke detectors, or is it just the pull boxes and annunciating devices?

Smoke detection is "automatic" and "manual" pull stations are manual. The "notification" devices are the alarm and "annunciation" is a means for letting someone know where the alarm initiating device was activated. A manual fire alarm typically consists of manual pull stations, alarm notification appliances, and a fire alarm control panel. When smoke detection is part of the system the system is defined as automatic since it eliminated the need for human activation.

 

[dchin]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

Hello FM William Burns,

Thank you so much for your clear and concise answer. It really helped me clear up my confusion.

Donald

 

[cda]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

dchin

forgot what building/ fire code are you designing under and what edition??

We would require the audio visuals to meet nfpa 72 on a remodel, so more may need to be added because of adding walls, or because they were lacking to begin with.

 

[FM William Burns]

Re: Occupancy B Extent of Fire Alarm Systems

No problem, glad you found the site and were able to get some information. There is a wealth of opportunities to get information here some bad and most good and pretty civil too. The discussions are really good also since many have alternative ways of looking at things. Have fun