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The information contained in this document has been developed to assist you
understand and implement Starwood Hotels & Resorts's requirements for fire
and life safety systems and practices at your location . The Fire and Life Safety
Standards contained in this document are based on existing Starwood
requirements and have been revised to reflect the most up-to-date changes
found in generally accepted codes and standards worldwide , such as VdS ,
AFNOR , LPC, NFPA, etc.
The focus of these standards is to ensure a reasonable level of safety for all
building occupants, including hotel guests and staff. Starwood's philosophy is
that a guest should not have to wonder as to which code or quality standard a
Starwood hotel has been built. Starwood guests should be reasonably assured
that, regardless of the hotel's size, height or its location in the world , a
reasonable level of fire safety, in accordance with Starwood standards, has been
established.
Fire and life safety standards have been developed by many countries , states
and provinces throughout the world . Many of these standards vary in content,
some establishing detailed requirements, others specifying more generalized,
non-specific requirements. This document has been created to provide
Starwood's employees, owners, architects, engineers , etc. with a reference to
consult when fire and life safety issues arise.
I am confident that you and your operations team will find this document useful
and informative to you in your day-to-day operations when questions on fire and
life safety arise.
If you should have any further questions about these standards, please contact
the Starwood Director of Environmental Health , Fire and Life Safety, April Berkol .
Important Assumptions ......... ........... ... .................. .................. ... .... .. ........ .. ................................. VIII
1 Fire Prevention ............... ..................... ,... .... .................. ......... .......... ..... ..... .. .. .. . " ........ ....... 1-1
1.3 Initial Fire Growth ·............................................. ..................... .. .......... ...... ..................... . 1-3
1.3.1 Fuel for Ign ition ........................ ....... ................................. ........... ... .... .......... .......... . 1-3
1.3.2 Interior Finish ••••••••• • •••••••••••••• •• •• •• •• •• •••• • • •••• •••••••••••••••••••••• •• • • ••••• •• •• ••••• ••••••• • • •• ••••••••••• 1-3
1.3.3 Decorations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1-4
1.3.4 Special Requ irements •••• •••• •••••••••• • ••• •• ••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••• • ••••••• •••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1-5
2.2 Structural Resistance to Fire ....... ....... ........ .. .. ........... .... .... .... .... .. ........... ........................ 2-1
2.2.1 Rating of Structural Elements ... .. .... .. .. .. .. ........ .... .... ....... ......................................... 2-1
23 Building Height and Area ............................ .... ................................. ..... ................. .. .. .... 2-2
2.4 Fire Barriers ••••• •• • • •••• ••••• •••••••• •••• ••••••••••••••••••••••• •• •• • •• •• • •• ••••• •••• ••••• • •• • • • •••••••••••••••••••••••• • •••• • 2-2
2.4.1 Floors ........... .. .................... .. .... ... ........ .. ....... ... .. ... ........ .......................................... 2-2
2.4.2 Walls ................. .... ............................................ .. ....... .......... ................................. .. 2-2
2.4.3 Partitions •• • •• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••• ••• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••• ••• • 2-2
2.4.4 Corrl·dor Walls •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • •••••••••••••••• •••• •••••••• ••• ••••• 2-2
2.4 .5 Exit Stair Enclosures .............................................................................................. 2-3
2.4 .6 Elevator Enclosures ............................................................................................... 2-3
2.4 .7 Other Shafts ·.. ....................................................................... , ...................... .... ..... . 2-3
2.4 .8 Escalators .... ,...................................................................................... ...... .. ... ...... .. . 2-3
2.4 .9 Atria .... .. ......................................................................... ... ............ .... .... ................. . 2-3
2.4 .10 Separation of Use Spaces .......................................................... .... ....................... . 2-4
2.4.11 Other Areas ....... .... ............. ... .. ..... ................. .. .... .......... ... ...................................... 2-4
"
3 Fire Detection and Alarm ...... .................................................. .. ...... ..... ..... ..... .... .. .......... .... 3-1
3.1 Fire Detection Principles and General Information ... .. .............. ... ....... .... .... .. .......... ....... 3-1
3.1 .1 General Requirements ................. ..... .......... ........................................................... 3-1
3.1.2 Human .... ................ .... ......... ... .......................................................................... ..... . 3-1
3.1.3 Heat ........................................................................................................................ 3-1
3.1.4 Smoke ....... ..... ...... ..... .......... .............................................................................. .. ... 3-1
3.1.5 Detection System Components .............................................................................. 3-2
3.1.6 Discussion/Classification of Hotel Types ................................................................ 3-8
3.3 Basic Detection and Alarm Application Concepts .................. ... ......... .. .................... .... 3-23
3.3.1 Fire Detection Systems ........................................................... ................ ... ...... .... 3-23
3.3.2 Nuisance Alarm Problem ........................................ ............... .............................. .3-25
3.3.3 Control Units and Terminals ................................................................................. 3-29
3.3.4 Multiplex Systems ........ .... ......... ........................................................................... 3-30
3.3.5 Auxiliary Control Outputs ................................................................................. .... .3-31
3.3.6 Alarm and Emergency Voice Alarm Communication Systems ............................. 3-33
3.3 .7 Selection Criteria for Evacuation Systems ........................................................... 3-39
3.3.8 Emergency Handling Procedures Using EVAC Systems ..................................... 3-39
3.3.9 Considerations for Alarm Organizations ... ............................................ .. ........ .. .... 3-41
3.3.10 Protection of Guests with Disabilities .. .. .. ...................... ... .. ....... .. ......... .......... .. ... .3-42
3.4 Planning for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems .......................................................... 3-44
3.4.1 Procedure for Planning a Fire Detection System ................................................. 3-44
3.7 Operation and Maintenance ...................... ,... ,....... ,.................................... ,............ ,.... 3-82
3.7.1 Responsibility ...................................... ,.................. ,.................. ,., ..................... ,., 3-82
3.7 .2 General Tasks .................. ,.............. " ................................................................... 3-82
3.7.3 System Maintenance ............................................................................................ 3-84
3.7.4 Protection of Installed System Components ....................... ..... ............................ 3-87
3.7.5 Documentation ........................................................................... ............ .............. 3-88
'"
3.8.1 General .............. .......... ... ... .,........... ....... .... ..... ... ... ............. , .... " ............................ 3-89
3.8.2 Smoke Detectors .......... ............... ............. ,.................................. ..... ........... ... ..... . 3-89
3.8.3 Guest Rooms .................................................................................................. " ... 3-89
3.8.4 Manual Pull Stations .............. ..................... .... ............ ........ .............. " .................. 3-90
3.8.5 Wiring .............. ..................... .......... ..................................................................... .3-90
3.8.6 Emergency Voice Alarm Communication (EVAC) Systems ................................. 3-90
3.8.7 Fire Alarm Control Panel .......................................................................... ... ......... 3-90
4.2 Classification of Hotel Types ...... ... .. ........... .... .............................................................. ..4-1
4.2.1 General Requirements ......... .... ....... ... ......... .................................................. .. ...... .4-1
4.7 Water Supplies .... ,', ...... ,', ... ". ,"" ,.. ,",.,""", ..... ,', ... , ....... ,.. ,""',. '. '. '. '." ' ........ " ........ ,", ... 4-50
4,7.1 General ........... ,.... ,.. ,",."., .. ," ,........ ,.. ,", ..... ,.......... ,""""""'" '."." .... ' .... ,....... ,.. ,., .. 4-50
4.7.2 Municipal Water Supplies .... ,........................ ".,""""', ............................ ,""', .. ,.. ,,4-52
4.7.3 Private Water Supplies ............ ,',.,', ...... ,"", .. ,"""", .. ,......................... " .. ,",." .. , .. ,.4-52
4.7.4 Water Storage Requirements .............. .. .................................................. ............ .4-53
4.7.5 Pumps " ... ,""', .. ,.. ,... ,., .................. ,.,', .. ,""', .... ,"""',., ........................ ,', .. ,""', ..... , .4-55
•
IV
4 .8 Private Service Mains ., ......... " ........... , ......................... , ............................................. ..4-60
4.8.1 General ...... .. ... ........................................ ............................. .. ...... .. ... .....•..... ..... .. ..4-60
4.8.2 Water Supply Requirements •• •• ••• • • ••• •• • •• •••• • •••• • • • •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••• .4-61
4.8.3 Valves .................................................... ............................................................. ..4-61
4.8.4 Hose Houses and Equipment. ...................................... ..... .................. ... .. ... ... .. ... .4-62
4.8.5 Hydrant Number and Locations ........................................................................... .4-62
4.8.6 Fire Department Vehicle Access .... , •••.•...•..•••••••..•...................•..•..• •••• .................. 4-63
4.8.7 Underground Piping .................................................... " ....... " .. " ........ ................. .4-64
4.8.8 Valve Pits ............................................................................................................ 4-64
4.8.9 Testing ....... .. .... ........ ... ..................................................... ................•.... ............... .4-65
4.8.10 Flushing ...................................................................................................... ,........ .4-65
4 .9 Fire Department ·....... .. ...... .... .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. ........... ..... .. .................................................. .4-65
4 .9.1 Hydrants ·................... ..... .......... .. .. .. ..... ....... ......................................................... .4-65
4 .9.2 Siamese - Sprinkler and Standpipe ..................................................................... 4-65
4.9.3 FI're Command Center ......................................................... " .. , .............. , ........ , .. ..4-66
4.9.4 Dedicated Elevators ............................................................................................. 4-66
4.9.5 Access .................... .................................................... " .................... , .................. .4 -66
4 .12 Summary of Technical Requirements ......... .............. ............ ........... ........ ........... ........ 4-71
4 .12.1 Automatic Fire Suppression - Sprinkler Systems .......... ........ .... .... ....................... 4-71
4 12.2 Automatic Fire Suppression - Special Fire Suppression Systems ....................... 4-71
4.12.3 Manual Fire Suppression - Standpipe Systems ................................................... 4-71
4 .12.4 Water Supplies ................................................................................................... ..4-71
4.12.5 Fire Pumps ·..........................................................................................................4-72
4.12.6 Private Fire Service Mains • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • .4-72
5 Life Safety (Emergency Egress) .. ........ ... .... ........ ....... .... ................... ................................. 5-1
5.5 Lighting, Marking & Emergency Power ........................... .. ............ ....•••....... ................. 5-11
5.5.1 Lighting ..................................................................................................... .... 5-11
5.5.2 Exit Signs/Marking ............................. ,....................................... ... ..... .................. .5-11
5.5.3 Emergency Power .................................................. ................... .......................... . 5-12
VI
General Introduction
Fire and life safety standards have been developed by many countries, states
and provinces throughout the world. Many of these standards vary in content, some
establishing detailed requirements, others specifying more generalized, non-specific
requirements. Starwood has developed this website, which contains its Fire and Life
Safety requirements for all Starwood properties worldwide. This website has been
created to provide Starwood's employees, owners, architects, engineers, etc. with a
reference to consult when fire and life safety issues arise.
The Starwood Fire and Life Safety Standards website has been developed for
utilization by two different use groups - (1) the general user, which includes hotel
owners, managers, employees, etc, and (2) the technical user, which includes
designers, architects, engineers, etc. The general user section of the website, provides
the user with a broad overview of important fire and life safety issues and definitions
applicable for hotel facilities . The technical user portion of the website goes beyond the
general user section, by providing detailed fire and life safety requirements important
when designing a new hotel or upgrading an existing facility.
The Fire and Life Safety Standards contained on this website were based on
existing Starwood requirements . These were supplemented by applicable NFPA
requirements. Overall, the most restrictive requirements (including Starwood, national
or local regulations) should be adopted .
• Fire Prevention - This section addresses the fire safety precautions, intended to
prevent fires or keep fires from rapidly developing. Additional topics covered in
this section include the control of ignition sources and limitations on interior finish
materials.
• Building Construction - This section addresses the building features (i.e.,
compartmentation), designed to limit fire and smoke spread. The various types
••
VII
of construction and limitations on building height and area (based on occupancy)
are also addressed in this section.
• Fire Detection and Alarm - This section covers the requirements for the detection
systems installed to provide advanced warning of potentially hazardous
conditions. Alarm system requirements designed to alert building occupants,
including staff and guests, are also addressed in this section. Early detection
and notification are essential as many occupants are not familiar with the layout
of the hotel.
• Fire Suppression - This section addresses the design of fire protection systems
provided to extinguish fires. Topics discussed in this section include automatic
and manual fire suppression, and fire department access. It should be noted that
all new hotels are required to be provided with automatic suppression systems
installed throughout the hotel.
• Life Safety - This section discusses exit systems provided for the purpose of
allowing building occupants a safe means of egress from the hotel. This section
discusses such topics as exits, exit discharge, emergency lighting and power,
and exit marking.
Important Assumptions
A list of critical assumptions for the protection of Starwood facilities has been
developed. These assumptions are summarized below:
Control of ignition is an important aspect of fire prevention . Hazards include those located
both inside and outside the facil ity. Adequate protection shall be provided for both
potential hazard classifications.
1. 2. 1 Extemallgnition Control
1. General Requirementsllnformation
• Hazard of ignition from a fire posed by conditions outside the hotel, such as
fires in adjacent structures or surrounding buildings.
2. Technical Requirements/Information
(a) A hotel can be threatened by a fire that starts at an adjacent property.
(b) Exposure protection is required to prevent ignition from an adjacent
building. May be accomplished by:
• Physical separation between buildings
• Increasing exposed building 's fire resistance.
(c) Where Required :
• Exposure protection is required where the nearest building is within 30 It
(9.1 m) of the fac ility.
• Figure 1-1 details where exposure protection is required .
(d) Degree of Protection
• Non-bearing exterior walls with 1 hour fire resistance rating : 1-hour fire
protection rating where used for vertical openings or exit enclosures, or
Y. hour fire protection rating where used elsewhere .
• Non-bearing exterior walls with 1 hour fire resistance rating: Y. hour
opening protectives required .
I- I •
EXPOSING BUll..DVIIG SAME HEIGHT OR HIGHER
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1-2
1.2.2 Internal Ignition Control
1. General Requirementsllnformation
• Hazard of ignition from a fire posed by conditions inside the building, such
as human acts (smoking, arson) and malfunction of electrical/mechanical
equipment.
2. Technical Requirements/Information
(a) Sources of internal ignition in a hotel may include:
• Electrical and Mechan ical systems
• Human acts - smoking , arson , etc.
(b) To prevent ignition , electrical systems shall be designed to accommodate
the maximum anticipated power load ings without causing electrical faults or
short circuits .
(c) Special use areas (kitchens, woodworking fa cilities, etc.) shall have
electrical/mechanical systems designed for the specific use.
(d) Design/installation of electrical systems shall meet NFPA 70 , National
Electric Code.
1.3.3 Decorations
1. Genera l Requirementsilnformation
• Include curtains, fabrics and other materials used for decorative purposes
in hotels. These materials are tested and rated in accordance with industry
standards.
2. Technical Requirements/Information
(a) Items such as curtains, fabrics and films must pass an approved test for
flame resistance (i.e ., N FPA 70 1 - Standard Me thods of Fire Tests for
F/ame Propagation of Textiles and Films, UL 2 14 - Fire Tests for Flame
Resistant Textiles and Films - see Appendix 1-8).
(b) For additional information on required fire tests of finishes and furnishings ,
contact the Director EHF & LS.
1-4
1.3.4 Special Requirements
1. Carpeting shall not be used on ceilings or walls.
2. Rubberized hair and felt padding shall be used for ca rpet padding. Use of
synthetic padding is discouraged. Foam padding is prohibited.
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1-5
Appendix 1-A - Steiner Tunnel Test
• ASTM E84, NFPA 255, and UL 273 also known as the Steiner Tunnel Test was
developed by A. J. Steiner at the end of World War I. These standards should be
consulted for more detailed information.
• Sample - This test uses a 20 in. (50.8 cm) by 25 ft. (7.6 m) specimen, placed on a ledge
in the top of the furnace in a face down position. The removable lid is set in place and
sealed, exposing a 17 in (43.2 cm) by 25 ft (7.6 m) area .
• Exposing Elements - A double jet gas burner, located 1 ft (0.3 m) from the air intake end
of the tunnel, provides approximately 5000 Btu/min during the 10 minute test period. An
induced air now of 240 ftlmin (73.2 m/min) is drawn through a 3 in (7 .6 cm) by 17Y> in.
(44 .5 cm) intake opening . This draws the gas name approximately 4Y> ft (1.4 m) down
the tunnel, leaving 19Y> ft (5.9 m) for the name to propagate.
• The rating is determined by the distance the name advances down the material, and the
time combustion continues to take place.
• Flame spread ratings and smoke development ratings are developed based on cement-
asbestos board (arbitrarily assigned a rating of 0), and red oak nooring (arbitrarily
assigned a rating of 100).
1-6
Appendix 1-B - Fire Tests for Flame Resistant Textiles and Films
• Fire tests for flame res istant textiles and films are based on NFPA 701 and UL 214 .
These standards should be consulted for more detailed information .
• These tests are not applicable for materials used for clothing or applied to the surfaces
of building/backing materials as interior finish .
• Large scale and small scale tests are performed .
• Large Scale Test Specimens - Uses ten specimens measuring 7 in (17.8 cm) wide by 7
ft (2.1 m) long and four specimens measuring 25 in (63 .5 cm) wide by 7 ft (2.1 m) long.
• Small Scale Test Specimens - Uses ten specimens measuring 3)1, in. (8.9 cm) by 10 in .
(25.4 cm) - five in the direction of the warp and fire in the direction of the fill.
• In both tests, the material is exposed to an open flame , with the material in the vertical
position. For the small scale tests , the flame is removed after 12 seconds , while the
flame is removed after 2 minutes for the large scale tests.
• The material continues to burn and the test continues, until flaming and afterglow stop .
• Conditions for acceptance of the material are as follows:
(a) Both tests - Flaming stops with in 2 seconds of removal of ignition source .
(b) Both tests - Material which breaks/drops from the specimen does not continue to
flame after falling.
(c) Small scale test - Length of charring does not exceed values specified in the test.
(d) Large scale test - Length of charring does not exceed 10 in. (25.4 cm).
(e) Large scale test - Surface spread of flame in a folded specimen does not exceed 35
in. (88.9 cm), (afterglow may spread in the folds).
1-7
2 Construction
2.1 Introduction
In the event a fire occurs, it is important to limit fire and smoke spread throughout the
hotel. One way this can be accomplished is by dividing the hotel into fire resistive
compartments using fire rated barriers such as walls, floors , ceilings, etc. New hotel
facilities are required to be designed to prevent the disbursement of fire and smoke
throughout the building.
The type of construction for a building is determined based on the types of occupancies in
the building. Based on the specific occupancy, the building height and area can be
determined. The building height and area will impact the means of egress out of the
building and the ease of fire fighting operations.
The maximum building height and area allowed shall be based on the requirements of
NFPA 101 , Life Safety Code which references NFPA 220, Standard on Types of Building
Construction .
Fire barriers are an important method to limit fire and smoke spread within a building . The
following sections summarize the types of fire barriers and associated requirements :
2.4. 1 Floors
Typically first major barrier to be exposed to fire. The longer this system
withstands the fire, the longer people have to evacuate the building .
2.4.2 Walls
(a) Highly reliable barrier installed to limit fire spread . Commonly used to separate
different occupancies, to subd ivide floors of excessive area and as horizontal
exit barriers. Shall have sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to
allow collapse of construction on either side w ithout collapse of the wall.
(b) Must be constructed of non-combustible materials.
(c) All penetrations in fire rated walls must be properly protected .
(d) 3 hr or 4 hr walls : 3 hr rated doors andlor dampers
(e) 2 hr walls : 1Y, hr rated doors andlor dampers
(f) Doors, dampers and fire stopping materials must be listed by UL or other
nationally recognized testing laboratory.
2.4.3 Partitions
(a) Any wall with a fire rating of 2 hours or less, that is not a "fire wall". Used to
separate different use spaces within the same occupancy.
(b) Shall be continuous from top of floor surface below to the underside of the
floor/roof slab or deck above .
(c) Any penetrations must be sealed with non-combustible material for full
thickness and equal to the fire resistance rating of the barrier.
(d) Duct openings : Must be provided with fire dampers, if the wall being
penetrated has a fire resistance rating of 2 hours or more.
(e) 2 hour partition : 1Y, hour rated doors
(f) 1 hour partition : Y, or Y. hour rated doors
2.4.8 Escalators
(a) Must be enclosed with barriers if part of the exit system.
(b) If not enclosed as required for exit stairwells, the floor opening must be
protected to limit the possible spread of fire vertically.
(c) For additional information on ways to enclose escalators refer to Appendix 2-A,
Spray Nozzle Method.
2.4.9 Atria
(a) Large vertical opening that spans two or more floors.
(b) Must have a minimum horizontal dimension of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a min imum
area of 1000 ft2 (92.9 m 2).
(c) Floor openings that do not meet the dimensional requirements for atria shall be
limited to a total of three stories and shall be protected by the Spray Nozzle
Method, refer to Append ix 2-A.
(d) Atria are permitted in hotels provided the following requirements are met:
• Type 1A, 1B or 2A are the only types of construction in which atria are
permitted.
• The amount of combustible furnishings and decorations contained within
the atrium shall be limited .
• Smoke detectors are required to be installed on the underside of the floor
protruding into the atrium , at the atrium roof, and adjacent to each return air
intake from the atrium .
2-3
• Separation - The atrium must be separated from adjacent spaces with 1
hour fire rated walls and automatic/self-closing opening protectives.
Exception: A glass wall with closely spaced sprinklers may be used in lieu
of tire barriers, provided the sprinklers are spaced no more than 6 ft (1.8 m)
apart and are within 1 ft (0.3 m) of the glass wall. The glass shall be wired,
laminated or tempered glass in a steel frame held in place by the gasket
system, which permits the glass framing system to deflect without loading
the glass before the sprinklers operate.
• Smoke Exhaust Systems
o Atria with volumes less than 600,000 ft3 (17,003 m 3) shall be provided
with a smoke exhaust system at the ceiling capable of exhausting
40 ,000 CFM (1,134 m 3/min) or six air changes per hour, whichever is
greater. For volumes greater than 600,000 ft3 (17 ,003 m 3), the system
shall be capable of exhausting four air changes per hour.
o Gravity supply inlets shall be provided at the lowest level of the atrium
and shall be sized for 50% of the exhaust for atria 55 ft (16 .8 m) or less
in height. Atria greater than 55 ft (16.8 m) in height shall have supply
air mechanically introduced near the bottom of the atrium and directed
upward toward the top of the atrium at a rate equal to 50% of the
exhaust.
o An acceptable alternative to the smoke exhaust system requirements
detailed above can be found in NFPA 92B , Guide for Smoke
Management Systems in Malls, Atria, and Large Areas.
o The atrium smoke exhaust system shall be activated by the sprinkler
system, atrium smoke detectors, andlor manual controls provided for
use by the fire department.
• Up to three levels of the hotel may be open to the atrium, provided this
space is included in the total volume used for smoke management systems .
• Exits must be separately enclosed from the atrium .
• Existing atriums shall be reviewed by a fire protection engineer to
determine what systems need to be added or upgraded .
• 1-HOUR
o Kitchens
o Computer Rooms
• 2-HOUR
o Boiler Rooms
o Transformer Rooms
o Switchgear and Emergency Switchgear Rooms
2-4
o Laundry Rooms
o Combustible or Flammable Liquid Storage/Use Rooms
o Carpenter Shops
o Furniture Refinish ing Rooms
o Dry Cleaning Rooms
o Projection Booths
o Fire Pump Room
o Transformer Switch Room
o Generator Room
o Combined Computer/PBXlPABX Room
• For new construction and where practical in existing facilities, the following
shall be constructed as wholly separate spaces:
o Fire Pump Room
o Electrical Switchgear Room
o Emergency Generator Room
o Emergency Switchgear Room
o Emergency Power Transfer Switch Room
There are many ways to restrict the movement of smoke, including physical barriers and
smoke management systems.
2-5
showing the areas serviced by each fan shall be mounted near the manual
controls.
(f) For detailed requirements for smoke management systems refer to NFPA 92A,
Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Systems.
2.5.3 Other Features
Stairwell pressurization is not required by Starwood; however, many jurisdictions
require these systems if the building is classified as a high-rise.
2-6
Appendix 2-A - Spray Nozzle Method
• Closely spaced sprinklers (creating a water curtain) are recommended for the
protection of large floor openings, such as those created by escalators or atria.
• Sprinklers shall be spaced no more than 6 ft (1.8 m) apart and 6-12 in. (15.2-
30.5 cm) from the opening. Cross baffles shall be installed for sprinklers spaced
closer than 6 ft apart.
• Sprinklers shall be hydraulically designed to discharge 3 gpm per lineal foot (38
Umin per lineal meter), with no sprinklers discharging less than 15 gpm (58.6
Umin).
• The number of sprinklers calculated shall be the number in length, corresponding
to the length parallel to the branch lines in the design area.
• The demand of the system shall be added to the demand of the hydraulically
calculated system for the area of operation.
2-7
3 Fire Detection and Alarm
3.1 Fire Detection Principles and General Information
3.1 .2 Human
(a) If a fire is detected by a person, information regarding the fire should be
transmitted as quickly as possible .
(b) Means to activate/send alarms include manual alarm stations .
(c) Manual alarm stations shall be located near exits, assembly areas
(restaurants, dining rooms, etc.) and at the hotel desk or other
continuously supervised locations.
(d) The travel distance to a manual alarm station shall not exceed 150 ft .
(46 m).
(e) Manual alarm devices shall be connected to the bui lding alarm system .
(f) Activation of the device shall be received at the Fire Command Center
and the local fire department.
(g) For areas where nu isance alarm problems are anticipated , a double-
action alarm station (requires two actions to be performed in sequence
in order to activate an alarm) may be used .
3. 1.3 Heat
(a) The automatic sprinkler system serves as the automatic heat detection
system . Sprinkler systems are heat activated and are requ ired to be
installed in all Starwood hotels.
(b) Generally sprinklers are required throughout the building , however there
are a few locations where sprinklers may be omitted, such as
transformer rooms, elevator machine rooms, etc. In these areas
combination heat/smoke detectors are required .
3. 1.4 Smoke
(a) Smoke detectors are required in all areas of the building .
(b) Type of smoke detector shall be selected based on the specific
application .
(c) Where nuisance alarm problems are anticipated, nuisance alarm
reduction methods can be applied . Appendix 3-A contains add itional
information on nuisance alarm reduction methods .
(d) Interconnected smoke detectors shall be installed in every guestroom ,
for new construction and major renovations . These detectors shall
sound a local alarm in the room and shall be annunciated at the Fire
Command Center. In addition, the detectors shall be fully supervised ,
such that a trouble ind ication is activated if the detector is removed or
not reporting .
3-1
(e) Single station smoke detectors, receiving primary power from non-
switchable bu ilding AC circuit may remain in use in existing hotels.
(f) If the guestroom/suite contains more than one bedroom, a detector
shall be installed in the access to each sleeping area .
(g) In rooms designed for accessibility for the hearing impaired , the
smoke detectors shall be equipped with a visua l strobe light.
3-2
o Optical Smoke Detectors respond to visible products of
combustion , especially light-reflecting smoke. Suitable for the
protection of general areas in hotels and for electrical
installations. Figure 3-2 shows typical optical smoke
detectors.
3-3
Figure 3-4 - Typical Linear Beam Type Smoke Detector Set
3-4
is made between the two conductors and an alarm is initiated.
All line-type detectors respond to heat applied which does not
have to be the result of an open flame .
o Rate Compensated Heat Detector - responds when the
tempera ture of air reaches a pre-determined level,
independent of the rate of temperature rise . Typically not used
in hotels.
o A combination rate-of-rise/fixed temperature heat detector is
shown in Figure 3-5 .
o Heat detectors are not required in most areas of fully
sprinklered buildings .
3-5
o Should be mounted so they are highly visible, yet accessible to
persons with disabilities.
o Should be on separate annunciation zones from automatic
detection devices.
o The location and spacing of these devices shall meet the
requirements of NFPA 72.
o Examples of types of manual alarm stations are shown in Figure
3-7.
3-6
(d) Optional Monitoring Devices
• In general, devices not related to fires should not initiate an alarm,
but should indicate trouble or supervisory condition.
• It may be advisable to monitor devices related to the building's life
safety equipment, such as standpipes/hose systems, water
supplies , valves, etc.
• Hose Reel Monitoring - Useful where unwarranted removal of fire
hoses may occur. Monitoring points could include a switch which
signals opening of a hose cabinet or removal of hose, and a flow
switch which indicates that water is being discharged.
• Manual Fire Extinguisher Monitoring - Removal of fire
extinguisher can be signaled, indicating use or theft.
(e) Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) Un it
• Information center of the fire alarm system .
• Evaluates incoming signals from detection devices, manual alarm
stations, etc.
• Initiates alarms and fire control measures (door closure , fan
control)
• Must be equipped with backup power supply.
• May be combined with operator's terminal to form operational
center of the fire alarm system.
• In larger installations, several control units may report to a single
operator's terminal.
• Main functions of the FACP include:
1. Electronic monitoring of all connected activation devices
(detectors, manual alarm stations, water flow/tamper switches,
etc.)
2. Provision of electrical supply to the detectors
3. Control of operator's terminal, local or remote
4. Activation of internal alarms
5. Automatic alarm transmission to the fire brigade
6. Activation of control outputs
• The control unit consists of an enclosure with printed circuit
boards, uninterruptible power supply, and wiring terminals for
input/output connections.
• The operator's terminal consists of the operation and indication
panel, which allows full operation of the system in all situations.
• Typical control units are subdivided into the following sections :
1. Annunciation Section - provides alarm, trouble and active
lights per zone and displays the overall conditions of the
system .
2. Operation/Control Section - consists of a set of push buttons
and switches which allow alarm/trouble acknowledgement,
zone and system reset. Other commands may be given to the
control unit depending on the complexity of the installation .
3-7
3.1 .6 Discussion/ Classification of Hotel Types
(a) Type A - Roadside Hotels/Motels
II
II
3-8
(b) Type B - Regional Hotels
3-9
(e) Type C - Metropolitan Hotels
3-10
(d) Type 0 - High-Rise Hotel Buildings
3-11
4. Give clear directions to escaping persons via live voice
communication .
• Elevators for use by fire-fighters shall be automatically recalled to
designated floor.
• The status of all elevators shall be provided on an elevator status
panel located in the Fire Command Center.
• A display panel for the HVAC systems should also be provided in
the Fire Command Center.
• The fire officer in charge should remain in the Fire Command Center
during an emergency. This person can inform and direct escaping
persons and communicate with the fire fighters via the emergency
telephone system.
• The emergency telephone system is an important means of
communication in high-rise hotels. This system is required for
Starwood high-rise hotels.
2. Technical Requirements/Information
(a) Shall be located in a portion of the facility near the main entrance.
This should be coordinated with local AHJs.
(b) The command center is the base of fire department operations, and
is used to house the communication and fire system control panels .
(c) Information displayed at the Fire Command Center shall also be
displayed at satellite panels located in the telephone operators'
area, near the front desk and in the facility engineering offices of a
large complex .
3-12
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3-13
3.2.3 Emergency Voice Alarm Communication (EVAC) Systems
(a) Every Starwood property shall be provided with a complete detection
and emergency voice alarm communication system .
(b) Shall consist of an aud io control panel and speaker circuits located
throughout the building .
(c) From the Fire Command Center, the speakers can be fed from a variety
of signals including
• Alert tone
• Evacuation message
• Taped , digitized , or live voice
• Evacuation tone
(d) Shall be able to communicate with the entire hotel as well as selected
areas such as lobbies, elevator cars, hotel guestroomlsuites , etc.
(e) The EVAC system shall be independent of the day to day publ ic
address system .
(f) Inputs from Fire Detection System
• In automatic mode , the EVAC uses control signals from the fire
detection system's control outputs for automatic selection of the
appropriate speaker zones .
• EVAC systems should be located in the Fire Command Center.
• Manual operation of the alarm and voice communication system will
override the automatic control signals .
• The highest priority is given to the master microphone's talk switch,
allowing live messages to override all other signals.
• The EVAC shall be wired to override the publ ic address system .
• Control inputs from the fire detection system shall be fed to the
following modules :
1. Speaker zone selection matrix to allow automatic selection of
zones to be alerted ; minimum one zone per floor.
2. Alarm tone generator. In cases where coded messages are
desired , the control signals select the codes to be broadcast.
3. Aud io amplifier increases sound level to minimum requirements
in each zone.
4. Selection switch , in cases where an automatic selection
between prerecorded messages and alarm tones is desired .
• Figure 3-12 displays a block diagram of an automatically activated
EVAC system.
(g) Speaker Zone Circuits
• Fire alarm and EVAC speakers are supervised by the fire alarm
system .
• The circu its must be Class A wired .
• If a malfunction is detected, TROUBLE ind ications must be given .
• The system's internal modules, such as amplifiers , must be
supervised . Redundant modules are required in special cases .
When the primary module exhibits a fault condition , the system
automatically switches over to the secondary module .
3-14
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3-15
• Designated area of refuge
(g) When an emergency telephone is lifted off the hook or a portable
handset is plugged in, an audible signal is given at the master station
and a display identifies the location.
(h) Figure 3-13 displays a block diagram of a Fire Fighter's Telephone
System.
r----------------.
D-EotCAT£O SUSSTATIONS OA JACtcS
l I-IROUGHOl.,tl Tl-IE BUll OJ-lG
2. Technical Requirements/Information
(a) Transponder Systems
• Rather than wiring all zones directly to the main control
cabinet, the zones within a given area are connected to
Remotely Located Control Panels (RLCPs). RLCPs (often
called transponders, data-gathering panels, etc.) are typically
connected to the central controller over a 4-wire multiplex
communication network. A multiplexed system shall be
capable of:
1. Relaying local fire, hold-up, or burglar alarm information
with satellite and zone location from the transponders to
the central controller.
3-16
2. Transmitting switching commands for loudspeaker or
telephone zones from the central controller to the
transponder units.
3. Providing continuous supervision of the multiplexed
communication network, the zone wiring and the
transponder units themselves.
• In addition to the multiplexed communication network cable ,
common lines for audio signals, emergency telephone, and
control power are used. Instead of using hundreds of wires in
heavy multi-core cable, this method allows as few as 10 to 12
wires to carry all information for a large building .
3-17
3.2.6 System Integration
1. General Requirements/Information
• This section covers basic principles/concepts of combining the fire
detection and alarm systems and fire suppression and smoke
venting systems .
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3-18
(b) Signal Inputs to Fire Detection/Alarm Systems
• In addition to the input signals from the automatic detectors and
manual stations, the following signals should be fed into the fire
detection control panel:
1. Sprinkler flow switches (A)
2. Sprinkler tamper switches (S)
3. Fire extinguishing and hose reel monitoring (S) (if indicated)
4 . Smoke damper actuation (S)
• It is important that the alarm signals (A) and the supervisory
signals (S) are treated differently, i.e., indicated and transmitted
accordingly.
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3-19
• Deluge Systems
1. Deluge systems spray water over an entire area, as open
nozzles are installed.
2. As shown in Figure 3-16, water from an existing supply is fed
via an alarm valve to the open nozzles. In this case, these
nozzles merely represent a means of distributing water,
whereas fire detection is performed by the fire detection
system .
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3-20
(d) Detector Activated Extinguishing Systems
• Hotels may contain specific hazards that are unusual when
compared with the overall fire potential in the facility. Such
"special areas" would include, but are not limited to:
1. Kitchen cooking equipment, exhaust hoods and ducts
2. Major computer rooms
3. Transformer switchgear and elevator equipment rooms
• When considering these special areas from a design standpoint,
the unique nature of the hazards will often indicate that a "multi-
level protection" approach is required to achieve the highest
possible probability that a fire in one of these areas would be
detected and suppressed .
• The first level of protection should be aimed at assuring that the
special hazard area is designed to have as much inherent safety
as possible, regardless of the presence of an automatic
suppression system .
• The basic automatic fire sprinkler system installed throughout
the building will generally serve as an effective fire extinguishing
medium for most of these special hazard areas. Beyond that,
certain special hazard extinguishing systems which are better
suited to the hazard can be considered as an extra level of
protection . Such special hazard systems would often be
expected to respond faster than automatic sprinklers and be
more effective in extinguishing the fire more quickly.
• Water spray mist and other special hazard extinguishing
systems are now available for application in areas previously
protected by dry chemical or gas systems. It is anticipated that
other effective , less harmless gaseous systems will soon
become available. Halon 1301 is no longer permitted for use in
new or renovated Starwood hotels.
• Where Special Hazard Systems Are Installed:
1. The system should have a readily accessible means of
manual activation, and be clearly identified so it cannot be
confused with other systems .
2. The system should be coordinated with other systems that
are expected to function in case of fires or emergencies .
3. The system should be designed to automatically disconnect
energy sources .
4 . The electronic supervision of the protected areas and the
special extinguishing systems should be an integral part of
the central Detection/Alarm/Emergency Communication
System.
• Planning
1. The planning and designing of dry extinguishing systems is a
very specialized task and should only be attempted by
companies competent in th is field . The system must be in
compliance with national , reg ional , and local codes and
regulations .
3-21
2. Dry extinguishing systems which operate on the principle of
oxygen exclusion such as CO 2 , are not permitted in
Starwood properties.
• Two Zone Detector Arrangements (Cross Zoning)
In order to prevent accidental discharge, the activating detectors
are typically arranged to form two separate zone circuits within
the area to be protected . This means that, unless both detector
zones are in alarm, the gas is not released. If only one detector
zone responds, a warning is given locally and at the fire
detection system terminal.
• Extinguishing Event Sequence
In case of a two-zone response, or if a manual alarm station in
the area is activated, the following sequence of events is
automatically initiated by the control unit:
o The in-house intervention force is alerted.
o Warning panels light up in the endangered area and audible
signals are given to evacuate the area.
1. The public fire department is automatically alerted .
2. Pre-selected electrical installations and air conditioning
systems are shut down.
3. Fire doors, dampers, and windows are closed .
o After a brief delay period, during which the extinguishing
process may be manually aborted:
1. The extinguishing valve opens automatically.
2. The room is flooded with extinguishing agent.
(e) Connection to Smoke Venting or Smoke Control Systems
• Dedicated systems to extract smoke and hot combustion gases
from a building are used , and may be required by national or
local codes. These systems basically serve two purposes:
1. To remove smoke and toxic fumes in order to reduce the
hazard for both occupants and fire fighting personnel.
2. To let hot combustion gases escape in order to reduce the
pressure resulting from open flame fires, and to delay or
inhibit flashover. Flashover occurs when certain materials
such as decorations or furniture, emit combustible gases due
to the heat of fire. Should this gas concentration reach a
certain level and mix with oxygen, it can ignite an explosion-
like flashover.
• Smoke venting systems typically consist of dampers located
near the roof of a building. These dampers are often driven by
pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms which the fire department
will manually activate . Other models are spring loaded and
need maintenance action after they have been actuated .
Activation or opening of any damper should always be
annunciated at the central fire detection system display.
• Smoke control systems use electrically driven fans activated
manually or by signals from the fire detection system. Upon
receipt of an alarm at the control panel, all fans are shut off or air
is supplied to or exhausted from parts of the building . Where
fans may be exposed to high temperatures in case of fire, the
fans must be constructed to withstand the extreme heat.
3-22
• The application of smoke control concepts is extremely
dependent on the building construction, the air condition ing
systems, and other factors . It is strongly recommended to
consult the fire department and local codes and regulations
before concepts are applied .
3-23
"maintenance required " signals from the detector to the control
panel.
(d) Analog Reporting Detector Systems
o In addition to having the features of intelligent detector systems,
have the ability to transmit changes in the conditions sensed in the
detectors sensing chamber.
o Transmit the actual signal they sense to the control panel , which
contains the decision making ability. This allows the sensitivity to be
varied based on location , time of day, etc., and provides a means to
monitor dirt accumulation over time .
o Some devices look at fire signatures, such as temperature changes,
in addition to sensing the presence of smoke. This is another
method used to reduce nuisance alarms .
o Some analog detector systems have the ability to automatically
compensate for environmental conditions, including dirt
accumulation.
o Although the alarm thresholds are adjustable, they must still meet
the limits specified by the regulatory agencies.
(e) Single Station Smoke Detector Systems
o Completely self-contained , with their own buzzer, indicator and reset
mechanism .
o System connected smoke detectors are required in guestrooms .
o Existing single station smoke detectors may remain in use, provided
they meet the following :
1. Single station smoke detectors for guestrooms must be
approved by recognized listing agencies
2. Use of single station smoke detectors without a centralized fire
alarm system are not permitted .
3. The power supply to single station smoke detectors must be
from centralized electrical panel with non-switchable building AC
circuits connected to the emergency generator.
4. Battery operated single station smoke detectors are not
permitted .
(I) Special Considerations for Existing Hotels
o Existing hotels sometimes carry a higher fire risk than modern
structures, due to low fire resistance (compartmentation) and
materials used .
o Installation of "Regular" Fire Detection Systems
1. Installation of new fire detection systems in existing hotels
requires a lot of work .
2. It may be necessary to shutdown portions of the hotel.
3. Costs can be minimized if careful coordination of work is
planned for renovations .
o Radio (Wireless) Transmission Fire Detection Systems
1. Detector/transmitter stations are battery powered only.
2. If these systems are used , must have approval of Starwood and
local authorities .
3. Reliability of these systems has not yet been proven.
3-24
3.3.2 Nuisance A/arm Problem
1. General Requirementsllnformation
Nuisance alarms are a major issue for fire alarm systems. Unwanted
alarms should be reduced as soon as possible.
3-25
o When the detector responds a second time (within a
particular time period), an alarm is immediately issued.
o The time limit varies based on the manufacturer, however
usually limited by local or national codes. NFPA 72 limits the
time delay to 60 seconds.
o Th is concept is not applicable for heat detectors, manual
alarm stations or water flow switches. An alarm from any of
these devices cause a general alarm signal without delay.
• Positive Alarm Sequencing
o Utilizes a dual timing principle for delaying a general alarm .
o Similar in concept to cross-zoning , however requires only a
single device in alarm.
o This method can only be used when a system operator is
present at all times.
o The operating sequence requ ires two levels of device priority
and two system timers (T1 and T2) .
1. Priority 1 - Immediate general alarm/fire department
notification (manual alarm station, water flow device)
2. Priority 2 - Delayable alarm (smoke detector)
• When there is a response by a priority '2' detector,
delay T1 is started . When T1 time runs out without a
response by an operator, the fire department is called
and a general alarm signal is activated. If the alarm
is acknowledged while T1 is running , the system
interprets this as a sign that an operator is present.
In this case, timer T2 is started, allowing time for
investigation.
• Time periods T1 and T2 are often regulated by local
or national codes. NFPA 72 limits T1 to 15 seconds
and T2 to 180 seconds.
• If the investigation verifies the existence of a fire or if
time T2 runs out, the fire department can be
summoned by initiating any manual alarm station.
• However, if the investigation determines that only a
minor fire exists that can be extinguished easily, or
that it is not an actual alarm, the fire alarm control
panel can be reset while T2 is still running without
sounding a general alarm .
• Sensitivity Compensation
o Detector feature that maintains a constant sensitivity over
time, compensating for componen t aging and dirt
accumulation.
o Useful in areas of high dirt bu ild-up or where detectors are
difficult to access.
o This detector feature does not eliminate the need for regular
detector maintenance.
o Helpful in reducing long-term maintenance costs by
identifying which detectors need to be cleaned or replaced .
• Variable Sensitivity Settings
o Similar in concept to sensitivity compensating detector.
Several systems have the ability to automatically or manually
3-26
change between fixed sensitivity levels either at the detector
or at the control panel.
o For intelligent detector systems, a detector may have two or
more preset sensitivity levels. The control panel can be
programmed to shift between the various sensitivities at
specific time intervals. It is also possible to program different
sensitivity levels based on the location of the devices.
o For analog reporting detector systems, the sensitivity
adjustments are often made at the control panel. The
sensitivity levels can be adjusted by device, groups of
devices and by time of day.
o Sensitivity levels must remain in the range specified by the
regulatory agencies such as UL or VdS.
o These systems are useful in facilities where various
environmental cond itions exist.
• Signals Indicative of Dirty Detectors
o In many of the intelligent detector systems, a signal is
provided which indicates the need to clean the detector.
o Waiting for a dirty detector signal should not be used as an
alternative to scheduled maintenance.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
o Many control units contain built-in interference protection ,
intended to minimize the effects of electromagnetic
interference, rad io frequency interference (RFI), and
electrical transients (induced voltage and current spikes).
o Level of protection is dependent on the requirements of
various regulatory agencies.
o Additional protection may be required to reduce the
occurrence of nuisance alarms resulting from these
phenomenon .
o Refer to Appendix 3-8 for additional information on
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
o Interference Factors which influence EMC include:
1. Lightning
2. High frequency or radio interference
3. Interference pulses
4. Electrical or magnetic interference fields
5. Transmission of electrical interference currents via
resistive coupling
6. Electrostatic Charging/Discharging
o Interference Protection Measures
1. All fire detection and alarm equipment must meet the
current revision of applicable standards , which require
equipment to be designed with adequate EMI and RFI
protection features .
2. However, some equipment may be exposed to
abnormally high levels of interference.
3. Typically, the use of shielded cable or cable installed in
properly grounded metallic conduit will negate a majority
of the interference. In some cases , additional protection
may be required .
3-27
4, Protection is available in the form of filters or other
suppression devices, which can be installed on the
detection devices, on the installation wiring or at the
control panel. The manufacturer should be consulted
when additional protective devices are to be installed ,
5, The use of fiber optic cable instead of cable using
metallic conductors provides for an alternate means of
protection, Fiber optic cable are immune to EMI and RFI
as they use light signals to transmit data instead of
electronic signals,
o Additional Transient Protection Measures
1, All fire alarm equipment must meet the current revision of
applicable standards, By meeting these standards, the
equipment is designed with adequate transient voltage
protection for systems used within a single building,
2, For any circuits extended outside the building, ex1ra
precautions must be taken to protect the equipment from
damage caused by high voltage transients being induced
on the circuits from nearby lightning strikes or other
outside sources, These circuits should be run in metallic
conduit that is properly bonded to a good earth ground,
and external trans ient protection must be installed on
each of those circuits,
3, The ex1ernal transient protection required for each circuit
depends on the characteristics of the circuit and, where
lightning is a concern, the degree of lightning activity
expected at the geographical location of the installation,
4, If it is apparent that there will be a high degree of
lightning activity at the installation, it is recommended
that additional transient protection be installed on
equipment to prevent damage ,
5, Additional transient protection is needed on multiplex
communication network lines (signaling line circuits) and
audio communications lines are routed underground from
building to building in PVC conduit. Twisted shielded
pairs with the shield earth grounded should be used
within the PVC conduit, or twisted pairs in metal conduit.
Audio circuits should be shielded independently from
each other and from signal circuits ,
6, When shielded cable is used, it is important that the
equipment manufacturer be contacted for specific
requirements regarding termination of the shield,
7, In all cases, it is extremely important that all ground
connections be made to an 8 It (2,5m) driven ground rod
or equivalent water pipe connection ,
8, The equipment manufacturer should be consulted when
additional transient and interference protection is
required to ensure compatibility with the installed
equipment.
3-28
9. If high voltage trans ients are anticipated in advance , the
installation of fiber optic cable instead of cable using
metall ic conductors is an option .
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3-29
(c) Displays
• Each indicator should be clearly labeled and easily understood by
hotel management and fire department personnel. Text used on the
displays should be discussed with representatives of hotel
management and the local fire department and agreed upon prior to
system installation.
• Lamp Type Indicators and Annunciators
o Indicators include alarm, trouble, supervisory, acknowledge,
reset, etc.
o In many cases the flashing of the lamps indicates the status of
the panel or action to be performed .
o It is important that the operator understand the mean ing of the
indicators so they system can be correctly operated .
• Graphic Annunciator
o Common display used in many buildings .
o Graph ic ind ication of the building is provided showing a floor
plan or build ing elevation with lamps provided indicating the area
of the fire.
o The build ing graphic should be identical to the bu ilding layout.
As modifications are made to the building is modified, the
grapbic annunciator should be updated to reflect these changes .
• Alphanumeric Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD)
o Displays provide text information concerning the type of device
and location of the device and alarm .
o Are often provided with a selector switch for scrolling through
messages.
o This type of display typically provides more information than the
lamp-type annunciators .
o Text should be clear, concise and accurate as to the type of
device and location of the device sending the signal.
• Video (CRT) Displays
o Typically use computer monitors to display 40+ lines of text.
o Able to provide much more detailed information as to the
location of the alarm, type of device in alarm and steps to be
taken in the event of an alarm.
• ColorlGraphic Display
o Sim ilar to the video display, this type of system uses mon itors to
display graphics of the building.
o Can be used to display the bu ilding, floor plan and room of alarm
on the video monitor.
o Graphics must be updated as the building is modified .
• Printers
o Can be used to display alarms in emergency situations and are
also good for logging system alarms , troubles, etc.
3-30
• The hotel is retrofitted
• The hotel contains more than approximately five control units
• User friendly interfacing is desired
• Large distances exist between the control units
• Other functions (i.e., security, gas detection, building services) are
to be integrated into the central control unit.
(c) Protocols and Event Logs
• Allow for supervision of operators and can lead to more responsible
action and maintenance.
• Allow for verification and reconstruction of events after an
emergency or drill.
• Typically contain the times and dates when the following events
occurred:
1. All alarms
2. All acknowledging actions
3. All resetting actions
4. All fault and trouble alarms
5. Corrected faults
• Installation of at least one printer is recommended for multiplex
systems.
(d) Arrangement in High-Rise Buildings
• Multiplex systems are suitable for high-rise hotel buildings.
• Typically economical for hotels more than 15 stories (control unit
installed on every third floor, 5 or more control units - multiplex is
usually economical)
• Fire detection on the floors is achieved by detectors and manual
alarm stations.
• In many cases, intelligent detector systems are preferable because
they allow high zone capabilities and provide precise indication of
the alarm source.
3-31
2. Zone number(s)
3. Zone Status (AlarmlTrouble/Normal)
4 . Alarm Status (Acknowledged/Unacknowledged)
5. Operating Mode (Day or Night)
6. Alarm type (Fire, Security, Gas , Building Services ,
Extinguishing)
• Interconnection to HVAC System
o One of the major uses for control outputs is to activate the
HVAC system supply and exhaust fans for smoke management.
o In most cases, these devices are simply used to turn off all fans
when an alarm signal is initiated.
o These devices may also be used for smoke control or
engineered smoke management systems, as discussed in NFPA
92A, Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Systems.
o Smoke management systems are used to inhibit the flow of
smoke into any means of egress, exit passageways, etc.
o Two basic types of smoke management systems - shaft
protection and floor protection . The selection of which system to
se is based on the building, occupancy, life safety requirements,
and other national and local codes.
o Shaft protection - Stair tower is pressurized to prevent or
minimize smoke into the stairwell during egress and fire fighting
operations . In th is type of system , the pressurization fan is
activated by a control output from the fire alarm system .
o Floor protection (zoned smoke control system) - the intent is to
have negative pressure within the area of alarm and positive
pressure in surrounding areas . The negative pressure in the
area of the fire serves to aid in the exhaust of smoke , wh ile the
positive pressure in the surround ing area minimizes the
migration of smoke from the fire area into other zones.
o Indicators should be provided at the Fire Command Center to
show the status of the fans .
• Elevator Recall
o Each elevator having a travel of 25 ft (7 .6 m) or more above or
below the designated level of fire fighter access and occupant
egress should be provided with both manual and automatic
elevator recall devices.
o Manual devices consist of a key activated control that recalls the
elevators to the level of fire fighter access . At this point, the
elevators can only be controlled manually with a ded icated key.
o Automatic elevator recall is also recommended upon activation
of any manual alarm station , sprinkler system water now switch
or elevator lobby smoke detectors.
o All local and national codes and regulations should be followed .
If no such code is available , the recommended method for
elevator recall and firefighter's service can be found in American
National Standards Institute's Standard A 17.1 - Safety Code for
Elevators and Escalators .
3-32
3.3.6 Alarm and Emergency Voice Alarm Communication Systems
(a) General
• Additional emergency planning is important for high-rise bu ildings
where exiting is difficult and conventional fire fighting methods
cannot be applied .
• Buildings with active and passive fire protection measures may be
able to provide a reasonable time period between the detection of a
fire and the initiation of the evacuation process.
(b) Planning Considerations - The following factors should be considered :
• Construction of bu ilding, its fire resistance and protection
• Height of the building , number of floors and area of floors
• Maximum number of occupants
• Complexity, capacity and safety of egress routes
• Efficiency of active measures
• Effectiveness of in-house fire brigade
• Efficiency and response of local fire department
(c) Staff Notification
• Alarms from detection systems , waterflow sensors and manual fire
alarm systems shall be arranged to notify the hotel staff without any
delay.
• Any required investigation should start immediately upon in-house
staff notification .
• May be alerted by:
1. Sounding of buzzers/horns in staff areas on ly (i .e., control room,
plant room , front desk, etc.)
2. Use of paging systems
3. Pre-signal (discrete) messages over the hotel's PA system ,
directed to selected personnel.
• Responsibilities of Personnel - must be clearly identified , so each
person is aware of his/her duties in case of an alarm . Goals should
include:
1. Investigate and report back to central point.
2. Initiate general alarm and alarm to fire department. Th is can be
done by activating the nearest fire alarm station .
3. Attempt to extinguish small fires using extingu ishers , hose reels,
etc.
4. Direct fire fighters to control room and location of fire .
5. Start emergency equipment where needed .
6. Assist in evacuation.
7. When th e fire department arriv es, they are in chargel
(d) Fire Department Notification
• Typically the local fire department is located remote from the hotel.
• All hotels shall have automatic alarm transmission capability to
avoid delays in notifying the fire department.
• Automatic transmission of alarms shall occur upon activation of
smoke/heat detectors (excluding guestroom detectors), water flow
sensors or manual pull station devices.
• Complete as-built drawings, technical service instructions, and
concise operator instructions shall be readily available in the Fire
Command Center. The Fire Command Center shall be located in
3-33
the same room as the telephone switchboard and should be
constantly attended by hotel staff.
• Staff members should have the ability to communicate directly with
the fire department to verify alarms have been received and to
provide additional information. This manual method of notification
can be accomplished using the public telephone system .
• Alarm transmission methods vary. The following methods are often
applied (listed in order of suggested preference):
1. Dedicated cable between the hotel and fire department, or the
central station of the alarm company, fully supervised.
2. Ded icated, DC-coupled telephone line, supervised .
3. Normal telephone line connection to the fire department,
supervised .
4. Overlay transmission over existing telephone lines for regular
use, supervised
5. Using automatic dialing equipment to dial the fire department's
dedicated telephone number in case of an alarm.
• Alarm signals can be automatically transmitted to the fire
department by one of the following three methods
1. Central Station Signaling System - Operated by private alarm
companies , wh ich contract with the hotel to receive fire alarm
and supervisory signals and take appropriate action.
2. Auxiliary Signaling System - Use municipal fire alarm circuits to
send alarms from the hotel to the municipal communications
center.
3. Remote Station Signaling System - Use electrically supervised
circuits to send alarm signals from the hotel to alarm signal
receiving equipment in a remote station such as a municipal fire
alarm headquarters or a fire station . (NFPA 72)
• For areas using a central station at an alarm company, it may be
preferable to transmit the alarm to the alarm company, who will
notify the fire department.
(e) Occupant Notification
• Hotel occupants shall be notified via audible/visual fire alarm signals
or the emergency voice alarm communication system , upon
actuation of heat/smoke detectors (excluding guestroom detectors),
water flow sensors or manual pull stations.
• Smoke detectors used for elevator recall and heat detectors used
for elevator power shutdown , shall not be required to activate the
hotel evacuation alarm, provided these detectors are monitored by
the fire alarm system and activation of these detectors results in an
audible/visible alarm in a constantly attended location.
• Detectors used for releasing devices (i.e ., door or damper closing
and fan shutdown) shall not be requ ired to activate the hotel
evacuation alarm .
• Design of occupant alarm must take into account the type of
bu ilding and number of escape routes .
• For buildings over 3 stories in height - the floor of alarm (or fire area)
and the floors (or fire areas) immediately above and below the floor
of alarm shall be notified by the emergency voice communication
3-34
system. The AHJ and local fire department shall determine if
additional areas need to be notified.
• For buildings 3 stories in height or less - activation of any device
shall sound the hotel evacuation system.
• Audible alarm devices shall be a minimum of 15 dBA above the
ambient noise level. A slow whoop siren or other electronic tone
sounded over the fire alarm rated speakers capable of supporting
voice communication is required.
• Aud ible devices in guestrooms near the bed shall be 72 dBA.
• Choice of Alarm Signal - Visual and audible alarm devices are
required in all Starwood hotels.
1. Uncoded (Tone) Signals
o For an uncoded alarm system, there are a number of bells,
electronic sounders or other signaling devices, which provide
audible signals in parts of the hotel.
o This method can only provide very limited information. A
hotel guest hearing the sound is only aware that something
is happening, but the location and severity of the incident is
not evident.
o Not permitted in new or renovated hotels, except those less
than 3 stories in height above grade, with direct exits from
each guestroom to the outside.
2. Coded Signals
o This method uses bells, chimes or horns to create alarm
signals by coding the signal to either indicate the location of
the alarm source or alert particular staff members.
o Not permitted in new or renovated hotels, except hotels less
than 3 stories in height above grade, with direct exits from
each guestroom to the outside.
3. Prerecorded or Synthesized Voice Messages
o Able to direct occupants to safe areas.
o In international hotels, it may be necessary to repeat the
message in different languages.
o Loudspeakers must be installed throughout the building and
should be zoned with other systems - to provide different
messages based on the different zones.
4. Live Voice Communication
o Provides an optimal means of minimizing panic, provided
that the speaker is properly trained.
o Using zoned loudspeaker networks, occupants can be
directed to safety, using up-to-date information provided by
the fire detection system and fire fighters in the area .
5. Evacuation Message Examples
o General Alarm Condition Requiring Total Building
Evacuation
"May I have your attention please. May I have your attention
please. A fire alarm has been reported in the building .
While this report is being verified, you are asked to proceed
to the nearest stairway and walk to the ground floor. Please
do not use the elevators, but proceed to the nearest
3-35
stairways . Please walk to the ground floor and leave the
building ."
o Evacuation of Fire Floor, Floor Above and Floor Below
Fire Floor
"May I have your attention please . May I have your attention
please. A fire alarm has been reported in your area. While
this report is being verified , you are asked to proceed to the
nearest stairways and walk to the ground floor. Please do
not use the elevators, but proceed to the nearest stairways.
Please walk to the ground floor and leave the build ing .
o Message to the Occupants of Elevators
"May I have your attention please. May I have your attention
please . A fire alarm has been reported in the building and
has directed all elevators to the lobby or an alternate safe
floor. Once the elevator stops, leave the elevator and walk
to the nearest exit and leave the bu ilding. "
OR
"May I have your attention please . May I have your attention
please . The signal tone (alarm signal) which you just heard
indicates a report of a fire in the building. If your floor
evacuation signal sounds after this message , proceed to the
nearest sta irway exits and leave the floor. While th is report
is being verified , occupants on other floors should await
further instructions."
• Zoning Considerations
1. The formation of meaningful zones impacts the effectiveness of
the alarm and emergency voice communication system .
2. General Alarm Methods
o Alarm signal sounded throughout the entire building by
means of defined aud ible signal.
o Automatically activated by the fire detection system or
manually in the control room .
o The total build ing alarm is not recommended for large hotels.
However, general alarm signaling may be required by local
codes or regulations .
3. Selective Alarm Methods
o Th is method allows selective alerting and evacuation of
occupants both by zone or throughout the bu ilding as
requ ired .
o In high-rise bu ildings, usually the floor where the alarm
originated and adjacent floors are alerted and evacuated .
o The choice of zones to be alarmed may be pre-selected and
automatically performed once the control outputs of the fire
alarm system have been programmed .
(I) Emergency Voice Alarm Communication Systems
• Can transmit audible tones of varying types and intensity and
spoken messages and directions.
• Voice communication can be on a general (entire build ing) or, as
recommended , on a selective basis.
3-36
• In case of simultaneous transmission of alarms and voice
communications, spoken messages have priority and should
override any alarm signals.
• Audio modules in an EVAC system will:
1. Drive all loudspeakers - used for both alarm signals and voice
communication
2. Synthetically generate alarm tones upon automatic initiation by
the fire direction system or manual actuation
3. Play pre-recorded messages or transmit live voice messages.
4. The entire loudspeaker network shall be supervised . The
existence of faults will result in a trouble condition.
• The system can be programmed to perform the following tasks
automatically after the fire detection system is activated:
1. Transmit coded and uncoded alert signals
2. Transmit pre-arranged evacuation signals upon manual
activation
3. Transmit pre-recorded messages on a selective basis
4. Transmit live voice messages which will override other signals
• Controlled EVAC System
1. A controlled system refers to the discrimination between warning
and evacuation messages automatically transmitted to relevant
areas.
2. Typically, evacuation signals are sounded in the zone in which
the fire is detected - immediate danger for occupants in this
zone is assumed.
3. For the adjacent areas, alert signals are transmitted to
occupants to prepare them for possible evacuation.
4. The ability to manually select any combination of zones for voice
messages is important, so messages can be directed to the
affected areas only.
5. Loudspeakers may be activated automatically by the fire
detection system, as a function of the initiating zone or manually
by means of selection switches (one switch per zone, plus an 'all
zones' switch).
6. Automatic zone switching can be programmed via the fire
detection system as illustrated in Figure 3-19.
3-37
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WAAl4IIIO'
n ........
3-38
3.3.7 Selection Criteria for Evacuation Systems
(a) The central control unit of an alarm and communication system should
have its own dedicated power supply.
(b) Many modern units are constructed on a modular basis so they can be
tailored for a particular hotel building.
(c) Fire resistant loudspeakers in metal enclosures should be given
preference. An aud io power handling capacity between 0.25 and 20 W
per speaker is applicable. Multitap speakers allow easy adaptation to
the sound power requirements of a particular location .
(d) Each loudspeaker zone must be mon itored for fault conditions, including
all wiring . Loudspeaker zones and ampl ifier output circuits should be
designed so a fault in a single circuit does not affect other circuits or
result in damage to the EVAC system . Class A (Style Z) wiring is
required .
(e) It is acceptable for systems to reduce supervision capability when
operating under emergency power. (Acceptable when done to reduce
battery drain).
(I) The EVAC system front panel should conta in at least two ind icators per
loudspeaker zone:
• Red - Zone active (selected for transmission)
• Yellow -Trouble cond ition
(g) Aud io amplifiers should be of modular construction and AC/DC
supervised . There should be at least one standby amplifier per four
regular modules. In case of a malfunction of a regular amplifier, the
stand-by unit shall take over automatically. The cond ition must be
indicated at the fire alarm panel.
(h) In case of conflicting commands , the system should automatically select
the correct transmission priority, accord ing to the following scheme:
1. Live voice messages via built-in microphone
2. Taped or synthesized voice messages
3. Alarm (EVAC) signals
4. Warning (alert) signals
5. Chime sound for pag ing purposes'
6. Public-address messages'
7. Background music'
'Note: 5, 6 and 7 are not recommended .
3-39
6. The control unit commands the EVAC system to send alarm signals to
the fl oor where the fire initiated and warning signals to the floors above
and below.
7. The control unit automatically starts the pressurization fans for the
stairwells.
8. Persons are leaving the endangered areas. Someone activates an
alarm station in the staircase. Th is is annunciated at the control panel,
along with the other alarms.
9. Hotel staff (who are not normally equipped with self contained
breathing apparatus [SCBAj, protective clothing or other devices) rush
to the scene to help with evacuation and to combat the fire if it is still in
its incipient stage.
10. Automatic sprinkler system activates .
11 . The municipal fire department arrives; the commanding fire officer
analyzes the display on the control unit (location, type of responses,
etc.).
12. Fire fighters rush to the scene to combat the fire. They report back to
the commanding officer in the control room using the emergency
telephone system.
13. The commanding officer decides to use live voice communication to first
evacuate the most endangered floor, then the floors above and below,
and then also the second floor above the fire.
14. The fire fighters report via the emergency telephone that the fire is
under control.
15. The commanding officer halts the evacuation process by using the 'all
call' feature of the EVAC system.
16. Nobody was injured, there was no panic and thanks to the early
warning , damage to property is minimal.
17. Fire suppression, detection and alarm system restored to normal
(sprinkler heads replaced, valves opened, hoses dried and equipment
maintained, etc.).
1'-2
'0 10 i1J
12 13 14 5
Figure 3-20 - Emergency Handling with EVAC System
3-40
3.3.9 Considerations for A/arm Organizations
(a) Alarm organization defines a 'master plan' to be executed in certain
emergency situations.
(b) These actions may be executed automatically or manually.
(c) Alarm organizations must meet local codes/regulations.
(d) 'All Alarms Direct' Concept
• Recommended for small hotels [i.e., Roadside Inns (Type A)].
where exits and escape routes are freely accessible and the
potential for panic is minimal.
• As shown in Figure 3-2 1, all alarms will be issued simultaneously
upon a signal received from either an automatic detector (excluding
guestroom smoke detectors), a manual fire station, or a sprinkler
flow switch .
• Credibility of Detection Source
1. Smoke detectors in guestrooms, more than in other areas , are
often a source of nuisance alarms (due to deceptive
phenomenon such as heavy smoking in a confined area , playing
with a detector, etc.).
2. It is always requi red to provide a local alarm in guestrooms to
alert the occupants if there is smoke in the room .
3. Because they are prone to nuisance alarms, however,
guestroom smoke detectors should not sound a build ing-wide
alarm .
4. In new hotels, where system connected smoke detectors are
installed in guestrooms, activation should sound a supervisory
signal at the control panel. In the case of guestrooms
designated for persons with disabilities, this individual room
identification signa l can also serve to initiate a faster response
for those who may need it most.
[!] 1r-
7n r~
.... ~ '0',
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..o'!l ' " .....
""...... tu
' '''' tou" .. .. . ...... .
3-41
• Provided that a staff member acknowledges the alarm on the fire
detection system terminal before the timer T1 has elapsed, the
location and type of the alarm (as indicated by the terminal) is
known . With the acknowledgement of the alarm within the time limit
allowed by T1, the system will automatically:
1. Silence the horn in the control room
2. Start timer T2
• Within the time limit T2 , the staff can now proceed with the
investigation of the reason for the alarm .
• If the alarm was caused by a fire, the activation of any manual alarm
will generate a GENERAL ALARM. Similarly, if no staff is present to
acknowledge the system prior to the time-out of T1 , the system will
generate a general alarm .
• If the fire was only minor and can be handled by the staff within the
time limit of T2, the system can be reset before the time lapse of
timer T2 and no general alarm is generated .
(f) Typical European Alarm Concept
• This concept is another version of the basic idea of supervising the
in-house intervention force (investigation team). It was designed by
CERBERUSAG and is used in many European hotels.
• The concept involves the in-house staff (when present) in
investigating and confirming a fire alarm. These concepts are
based on the following principles :
1. Activation of any manual alarm station will always alarm the fire
department directly and without delay.
2. During the unoccupied mode of operation, when availability of
staff is unlikely, all alarms from automatic detectors, including
guestrooms , should alert the fire department directly.
3. During the occupied mode of operation , when staff is likely to be
present, the procedures for 'staff present' and 'investigation
period timing' will be followed .
3-42
3. Audible devices shall be at least 15 dBA above the ambient
background sound level or produce a signal which is at least 5
dBA above the maximum expected sound level for at least 60
seconds, whichever is louder.
4. Visual devices shall meet the following requirements
• Shall be a xenon-strobe type or equivalent.
• The color of the light shall be clear or nominal white.
• In addition, the maximum pulse duration shall be 0.2
seconds, with a maximum duty cycle of 40%. (A pulse
duration is defined as the time interval between initial and
final points of 10% of maximum signaL)
• The intensity shall be a minimum of 75 cd.
• The flash rate shall be a minimum of 1 Hz and a maximum of
3 Hz.
• The device shall be 80 in . (203.2 cm) above the highest floor
level or 6 in . (15 .2 cm) below the ceiling, whichever is lower.
• In general , no place in any room required to have a visual
notification device shall be more than 50 ft (15 .2 m) from the
signal (in the horizontal plane). In rooms exceeding 100 ft
(30 .5 m) across, without obstructions 6 ft (1 .8 m) above the
floor, devices may be placed around the perimeter of the
room, provided they are spaced a maximum of 100 ft (30 .5
m) apart.
• No place in common corridors or hallways in which visual
devices are requ ired , shall be greater than 50 ft (15.2 m)
from the signal.
• Manual fire alarm boxes must be within easy reach of
persons in wheelcha irs [U .S.A. max . height = 44 in. (111 .8
cm) above the floor, other countries may permit up to 60 in.
(152.4 cm) above the floor, however a maximum height of 44
in. (111 .8 cm) is recommended] .
• Technical Measures in Guestrooms
1. Designated guestrooms should be specially constructed
and equipped for persons with mobility and hearing
impairments in accordance with ADA requirements.
These rooms should be identified on the hotel 's "Room
Management System"
2. In addition to the required fire detection, alarm and
emergency communication systems, the following should
be provided in guestrooms for persons with disabilities :
• A dedicated 115/220 VAC outlet, connected to
emergency power. Power should be un interrupted
upon loss of normal AC voltage. The outlet should
be wall-mounted at bedside.
• A fire evacuation horn with strobe light or speaker
with strobe light connected to the building fire alarm
system and mounted in direct view of the headboard
of the bed .
• Audible alarm notification appliances of at least 15
dBA above the normal background level , or wh ich
produce a signal of 5 dBA above the maximum
3-43
expected sound level, continuous for 60 seconds,
whichever is louder.
• Visual alarm notification devices shall meet the
following requirements :
a. Shall be a xenon-strobe type or equivalent.
b. The color of the light shall be clear or nominal
white.
c. In addition, the maximum pulse duration shall be
0.2 seconds, with a maximum duty cycle of 40%.
(A pulse duration is defined as the time interval
between initial and final points of 10% of
maximum signaL)
d. The intensity shall be a minimum of 75 cd .
e. The nash rate shall be a minimum of 1 Hz and a
maximum of 3 Hz.
f. The device shall be 80 in. above the highest noor
level or 6 in . below the ceiling, whichever is lower.
g. In general , no place in any room required to have
a visual notification device shall be more than 50
ft from the signal (in the horizontal plane).
3-44
6. Lobbies and concierge areas
7. Guestrooms (may not be centrally monitored in existing
hotels)
• Partial Central Monitoring
o Not permitted in new hotel construction.
o With partial monitoring, guestroom smoke detectors may be
excluded from monitoring by the central alarm system.
o Partial monitoring may be used as an interim measure in
existing hotels. However when planning for future upgrades,
should take into account the feasibility of expansion to complete
monitoring system.
• Object Monitoring
o In addition to the monitoring of specific areas, it can be
beneficial to monitor equipment, such as transformers, electrical
cabinets or motors, by installing a detector in their immediate
vicinity.
o Object monitoring helps to detect fire/smoke from a high risk
object in the early stages, allowing time to implement
countermeasures and thus possibly avoiding damage.
o For hotels, object monitoring should only be used as a
complement to complete area monitoring .
o If a specific detector orientation must be used, the detector must
be listed for the purpose.
(c) Zoning Considerations
• When a smoke detector or manual alarm station, initiates an alarm,
the central fire alarm system must indicate the precise location of
the alarm. Since several devices may be connected to form groups,
zoning must done in such a way that it allows easy recognition of
building locations.
• The following shall be considered when establishing fire alarm
zones:
1. No zone is permitted to exceed code requirements (local or
national) for area covered.
2. No zone should cover more than a single fire compartment.
3. A detection zone should be limited to one floor (with the
exception of stairwells, elevator shafts, etc, which should always
have their own zone).
4. Manual alarm stations should be zoned separately from
automatic detectors
5. Sprinkler water flow switches should be zoned separately.
6. Raised floors, spaces above suspended ceilings, and air
cond itioning systems must be zoned separately.
7. Guestrooms and escape routes (corridors, stairwells, etc.) must
not be combined in the same zone .
8. Detectors in rooms that present a particular fire hazard, and
detectors in rooms with low risk should not be combined in the
same zone .
9. In systems using standard detection devices, no zone should
consist of more than 25 detectors.
3-45
10 . In systems using intelligent detection devices, a line should have
no more than 90% of the allowable devices connected to it, with
a maximum of 120 devices in total.
• Regionalnocal codes should be consulted for detector zone
configuration. The fire department should also be contacted for
input.
(d) Selection of Fire Detection Devices
• The first priority in detection device selection for hotels is the
protection of life.
• The goal is to detect a fire in the earliest possible stage, while
limiting the number of nuisance alarms.
• Incipient Fire Detection Systems
o Provide very early warning of fire situation.
o Use air sampling networks, which provide flexibility in the
application of the systems for large or geometrically alterable
areas (i.e., ballrooms)
o Sampling ports can be located throughout an area.
o Fire detection systems are recommended for use in the following
areas:
1. Atria
2 . Ballrooms
3. Convention Halls
o Manufacturer of the equipment and fire protection engineer
should be consulted during system design
• Spot-Type Smoke Detection Systems
o Smoke detectors vary in sensitivity - some have a greater
tolerance for environmental disturbances than others, but are
less responsive to actual combustion products.
o In general, optical (photoelectric type) smoke detectors with a
2 .5% to 4% obscuration per foot sensitivity are recommended
for the hotel environment. This should be reviewed with the fire
protection engineer.
o To minimize nuisance alarms, smoke detectors should not be
located in locations subject to the conditions described below:
1. Humidity in excess of 85% RH (no condensation)
2. Air currents in excess of 15 ftls (4 .8 m/s) (except for certain
types of optical detectors)
3. Environment is excessively dirty, greasy or wet
4. Vapors and gases from welding or brazing processes are
present
o Smoke detectors are not recommended for the following areas:
1. Commercial kitchens and food prep areas where cooking
takes place [do not mount within 30 ft (9.1 m) of kitchen
areas]
2. Kitchen areas in hotel suites
3. Garages
o Smoke detectors are required in the following areas, however
nuisance alarm features must be employed :
1. Areas with decorative open fires (fireplaces, etc.)
2. Rooms with low ceilings [below 9 ft (2 .7 m)]- Use of
detectors with built-in signal integration or detector which
3-46
employ alarm verification features are recommended. These
features prevent the transmission of an alarm condition ,
unless the smoke detected is present for a set period of
time, usually between 10-30 seconds.
3. Mechanical workshops and technical plant rooms
4. Elevator machine rooms
5. Lounges, restaurants, nightclubs , etc., physically separated
from constantly attended areas - complete smoke detection
coverage (employing nuisance alarm reduction strategies) is
required . Exception - In lounges, restaurants, nightclubs,
etc., located in open areas, unseparated by walls from main
lobbies, smoke detection may be omitted if the hotel is fully
sprinklered, primary exits do not end in the lobby, and the
adjacent lobby has staff in attendance 24 hours a day. For
the se situations, it is expected that the staff will detect fires
and that egress from these areas will not be obstructed by
smoke should the fire grow.
o Detectors with adjustable sensitivity may be suitable to reduce
nuisance alarms in problem areas , as these detectors may be
fine-tuned to the environment.
o The sensitivity of an ionization smoke detector may be affected
by high altitudes. For hotels more than 4500 ft (1371.6 m)
above sea level, the detector manufacturer should be consulted .
o The location and spacing of smoke detectors shall meet the
requ irements of NFPA 72 .
o Factors that influence the location and spacing of smoke
detectors include the following :
1. Ceiling shape and surface
2. Ceiling height
3. Ventilation
4. Burning characteristics of combustibles
• Heat Detection Systems
o Most common detectors include rate of rise and fixed
temperature devices.
o These devices are suitable for most areas where smoke
detectors are restricted .
o It should be noted that heat detectors respond at a much later
time during fire development than smoke detectors (about the
same time as fast response sprinkler head). Therefore , they are
not suitable for areas where early warn ing is important.
o For fully sprinklered facilities, heat detectors are not requ ired in:
1. Kitchens (unless used to actuate extinguishing systems)
2. Parking Garages
o Heat detectors are required in:
1. Elevator machine rooms
2. Transformer rooms
3. Emergency generator rooms and other rooms/areas not
provided with automatic sprinkler protection where smoke
detectors are not permitted .
3-47
o Heat detectors are not recommend in rooms with a ceiling height
greater than 22 .5 ft (6.9 m) or where smoldering rather than
open-flame type fires can be expected .
o Rate of rise heat detectors may produce false alarms where
installed above heaters, ovens, fryers, steam pipes, etc.
e The location and spacing of heat detectors shall meet the
requirements of NFPA 72 .
\
.
•
3-48
height must be selected . The risk factor is based on the fuel
loading, type of fuel, anticipated size of fire, and use of
rooms, with 1 being the highest risk and 3 being the lowest
risk.
( II)
..
9'.4
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19.'7 •
16.4
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Assumptions:
Flat ceiling
Room he ight = 12 ft (3 .6 m)
Risk Factor = 2
In all cases, the guide does not recommend that the installed
spacing be less than 30 ft (9 .1 m) on center, unless
eng ineering judgement shows that such reduced spacing
would be a benefit. This statement is based on the theory in
3-49
most cases, will not significantly increase the time of
detection. Also, the increase in the amount of detectors in a
given space may increase the probability of nuisance
alarms.
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3~51
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3-52
For example, if we were to select a ballroom with a 20 ft (6.1
m) ceiling, and we wanted to detect a 500 BTUls (530 kW)
medium growth rate fire, using Figure E-2 we see that the
allowable spacing can be increased to approximately 40 ft
(12.2 m) on center, provid ing a monitored area of 1,600 ft'
(148.6 m').
o Influence of Ventilation
1. In ventilated rooms, the 'natural' spread of smoke is
disrupted .
2. The more frequently the air is exchanged, the lower the
concentration of products of combustion.
3. The partial dispersion of smoke leads to reduced response
sensitivity. This can be compensated for by reducing the
monitored area per detector or by increasing detector
sensitivity (within allowable limits).
4. Table 3-2 specifies reduction factors for Am, which can be
used to determine the reduced area per detector.
3-53
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3-54
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3·55
o Detectors Mounted on Walls
1. In some instances (such as hotel guestrooms) it is desirable
to mount smoke detectors on walls instead of the ceiling .
2. Fire tests have shown that the response of a smoke detector
mounted on a wall varies only slightly compared to one
mounted on the ceiling. Response is dependent on such
factors as the relationship between the detector and the fire,
the ventilation , the type of detector, and the detector
manufacturer.
3. Figure 3-29 deta ils recommendations for detector placement
on wall s.
MIN
.. IN
1-- 10 0 1-
NEVER
12 IN
30 CM
TOP OF DETECTOR .\lAX
ACCEPTABLE HERE
NOTE:
MEASUREMENTS SHOWN ARE TO THE
CLOSEST EDGE OF TilE DETECTOR.
..
II is leconwnenc:h d thai • minimum
di~ance of 12 inches (3Oem) be kept 10
any w~J\$ or watl-like shudufU
3-56
o Structural Elements - As illustrated in Figure 3-31 , at least
16 in . (40.6 cm) should be maintained between deteclors
and structural elements, such as girders or ventilation ducts,
wh ich protrude more than 6 in. (15.2 cm) below the ceiling.
, s ""
....
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h,
3-57
engineer is convinced that smoke can penetrate the
open ceiling sufficiently, it may be adequate to install
smoke detectors above the dropped ceiling only. The
maximum area (Am) depends on the distance between
the floor and the lattice work.
2. Smoldering Fires - Typically produce little heat and
therefore provide no significant thermal air current to
distribute smoke. For these types of fires, smoke may
not reach the detector even if the ceiling openings are
generously proportioned . The use of a second level of
smoke detectors below the lattice work is recommended .
Optical detectors are found to be the most suitable for
this type of application.
• Galleries and Inside Balconies - If a gallery-like structure
penetrates inside a mon itored space, the area below must
be monitored by separate smoke detectors. (Figure 3-33)
.. .
3-58
o Smoke detectors installed in ventilated and air conditioned
spaces must be installed with sufficient sensitivity to detect
smoke even if all fans are switched off.
o Figure 3-35 provides recommendations for locating smoke
detectors in ventilated areas.
o Return air monitoring can be accomplished with duct
sensors as illustrated in Figure 3-36 .
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3-59
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o Special Areas
1. Laundry and Dry Cleaning Facilities
• All laundry areas must be fully sprinklered .
• It is recommended that these areas have their own self-
contained ventilation /air conditioning systems with
automatically closing fire dampers to prevent smoke
migration .
2. Trash Refuse Areas
• These areas should be self-contained fire compartments,
with no connections to guestroom areas .
• Shall be completely protected by automatic sprinklers .
• Ventilation and air conditioning ducts serving refuse
collection areas must have automatically operating fire
3-60
dampers and should not connect to other areas in the
hotel.
3. Battery Rooms
• Are common in hotels where emergency power is
provided, especially for the phone and computer
equipment.
• The danger of corrosion and explosion must be
considered when selecting detectors and planning
detector arrangements .
4. Refuse and Linen Chutes
• Great amounts of dirt and dust accumulation can be
expected in these areas .
• Automatic sprinkler protection is required for linen
chutes.
5. Garages
• Enclosed garages are considered high risk areas,
especially if they are located underground.
• Automatic sprinkler protection is required .
• These areas also present a hazard to human life
because of the potential for smoke development and the
danger of panic resulting from difficu lt escape routes.
Clear escape route identification is a vital necessity.
• Smoke detectors are not permitted . If detection is
requ ired in lieu of automatic sprinklers, heat detectors
must be used.
• Adequate ventilation must also be provided to prevent
the bu ild up of carbon monoxide.
6. Computer Rooms, Telephone Exchange, Telex Rooms
• Risks and fire loads can be relatively low in these areas,
however the value of the installed equipment is
extremely high.
• Automatic sprinkler protection and smoke detection is
required .
• Air sampling type detection systems provide the best
coverage in terms of fastest response and immun ity to
ambient conditions.
• As an alternative, linear beam type smoke detectors or
spot type smoke detectors installed with reduced spacing
can be considered . These alternatives may result in
significantly slower response times due to the ambient
room conditions . To increase this time somewhat,
detectors with higher sensitivities could be used . To
min imize potential nuisance alarms, spot type smoke
detectors employing a pre-alert signal feature (based on
percent of smoke obscuration sensed) should be
considered .
• The cable area under raised ftoors must be considered in
add ition to the room area .
3-61
7. Technical Plant Rooms
• May be treated as normal rooms , provided these areas
are clean and have no excessive air movement.
• Special consideration should be given to any electrical
and electronic cabinets in the area.
8. Stairwells
,,*1"101
3-62
10. Fuel Storage Areas
• Oil storage tank rooms are required to be protected by
automatic sprinklers.
• Unless a danger potential exists due to ignition sources
(such as electrical installations , light fixtures, etc.),
monitoring is only necessary for pump areas and support
rooms.
• Unit monitoring of individual equipment can be
considered if a potential problem is identified .
11 . Risers and Supply Shafts
• Risers, supply and elevator shafts need not be mon itored
by smoke detectors if the build ing is fully protected with
automatic sprinklers and provided with area smoke
detectors (unless specifically required by local codes or
standards) .
• Where sprinklers are not provided in vertical shafts and
sloping ducts with an incline of less than 75", smoke
spread is usually obstructed by service platforms,
fixtures, etc., therefore smoke detection is
recommended . The detectors should be installed as
follows:
o At least one detector shall be installed at the highest
point in the shaft, where smoke is likely to
accumulate.
o One detector at least every 25 ft (7.6 m), or beneath
each fireproof partition . (The distance of 25 ft (7.6 m)
per detector may be increased to 45 ft (13.7 m) if the
angle of slope is less than 75" .)
• The application of linear beam type detectors should be
considered .
12. Elevator Shafts
• At least one smoke detector instal led in the elevator
equipment room is required to initiate elevator recall.
• Installation of smoke detectors in elevator shafts is not
recommended , as monitoring of the elevator shaft and
ma intenance of the detectors are difficult.
13. Suspended Ceilings and Raised Floors
• Where areas above false suspended ceilings and below
raised floors are required to be monitored, maximum
monitored areas can be obtained from Tab/e 3-3.
3-63
14. Corridors
• In general, detectors should not be spaced more than 30
It (9.1 m) apart, and not more than 15 It (4 .6 m) from any
wall. However, in corridors not wider than 10 It (3 m), the
maximum distance between detectors may be extended
to 41 It (12.5 m) .
15. Kitchens, Cooking Kettles and Deep Fryers
• Large cooking kettles , frying pans, and deep fryers
represent a very serious fire hazard in hotel kitchens.
• The installation of an automatic fire extinguishing system
is mandatory, therefore additional detection is not
required .
• If additional detection is desired, fixed temperature heat
detectors are best suited for the application . Smoke
detectors are not recommended for monitoring these
areas .
16. Atria
• Atria present unique fire detection/suppression problems
due to their physical arrangement. Because of the high
ceilings generally associated with atrias, spot-type
detection is usually not feasible. Appropriate detection
devices include linear beam type smoke detectors or
incipient (air sampling) type fire detection systems.
• Linear beam type smoke detectors can be used in a
number of ways. In any case, the manufacturer
should be consulted for proper application and
installation of these devices.
o They can be installed horizontally across the atria at
various levels accounting for smoke stratification
which may occur due to HVAC system features and
possible thermal gradients.
o They can be set-up at angles looking vertically along
the height of the atria. In this manner, depending
upon the height of the atria, a set (or sets) of linear
beam detectors can provide complete coverage of
the atria from top to bottom .
• Incipient (air sampling) type fire detection systems can
be also used for the protection of atrias.
o Air sampling ports can be run along the height of the
atria providing sampling at various levels.
o Where air return or exhaust fans are in continuous
operation , sampling ports can also be provided within
the HVAC ductwork servicing the atria .
o The equipment manufacturer should be consulted
and the hotel's energy conservation modes should be
reviewed conceming proper application and
installation of such devices in this particular
application .
• Where obstructions are anticipated in an atria the use of
an incipient fire detection system is recommended .
3-64
• Some hotels may be configured such that guestroom
egress corridors are open to an atria . This configuration
could result in a delay in identifying the room, or even
floor of origin due to the wide open space of the atria .
Because of this, system connected guestroom smoke
detectors with individually reporting addresses are
required in all hotels which have egress corridors open to
an atria. Existing hotels with this configuration (egress
corridors open to an atria) where single station smoke
detectors are provided in the guestrooms must be
upgraded to system connected smoke detectors in the
guestrooms at the earliest feasible time .
• Smoke detectors are not required in the egress corridor
open to the atria provided that adequate area smoke
detection is provided in the atria, or an alternate egress
route (protected by automatic sprinklers and smoke
detectors) is provided from each guestroom.
• Any request for deviation from these requirements must
be forwarded, with appropriate engineering rationale
from the project's fire protection engineer in writing , for
review. The engineering rationale must include factors
such as the volume of the atria , and the fuel load ing and
air movement in the atria .
3-65
remote response indicator, mounted outside the room and
visible from the corridor. This will help identify an individual
room quickly.
7. It is preferred that detectors be installed on the ceiling, at
least 12 in. (30 cm) away from walls or obstructions.
However, the detector may also be mounted on the wall.
o Other Zones
1. Bathrooms - Due to potential deceptive phenomena (i.e .,
steam, hair spray), these areas are rarely monitored.
2. Entrances and Closets - Although there is potential for
high fuel load, these areas are rarely monitored as the
bedroom detector is expected to protect these spaces .
3. Living Area of the Guestroom - Typically the risk
associated with this area is relatively low and the bedroom
detector is expected to protect this area.
3-66
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3·67
o An emergency telephone system dedicated for use by
firefighters is recommended for all Class C (Metropolitan
Hotel), Class D (High Rise Hotel), and Class B with more
than 2 stories (Regional Hotel) buildings.
o The exact location of the command center, substations, and
phone jacks should be selected in cooperation with the local
fire department.
3.5.1 General
1. General Information/Requirements
• The installation of fire detection systems is subject to various (and
sometimes conflicting) regulations. As such, it is recommended that
installation be performed by recognized/approved local contractor in
compliance with system manufacturer's recommendations and
engineering specifications.
2. Technicallnformation/Requirements
(a) Acceptable codes for the installation of fire detection systems in
areas where no local codes exist include the following :
• NEC, Article 760 (USA)
• NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code (USA)
• NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm Code (USA)
• VdS , DIN - Germany
• FOC - Great Britain
(b) The installation must meet the general standards of workmanship
and should also be aesthetically acceptable, especially in hotel
buildings. The system, especially the detectors and alarm
devices, should match the hotel's interior.
(c) In all cases the following guidelines shall be followed :
• In the front of house area, cables are to be hidden above
suspended ceilings or in partitions.
• Conduits or cables should be run in a straight manner, parallel
to walls or ceilings, preferably concealed in comers or
incorporated into the decor.
3-68
(I) Check installation wiring for ground faults, continuity, shorts, opens,
and extraneous voltages prior to connecting it to the control
equipment.
(g) Conduct acceptance testing of all devices and circuits in the
presence of Starwood fire protection engineer, hotel chief engineer,
project engineer and local authorities.
(h) Shall not relocate devices unless approved by fi re protection
engineer, system manufacturer and hotel safety representative.
2. Detectors
(a) Ionization smoke detectors
• Operating Temperature - 32 to 100· F (0 to 35· C)
• Storage Temperature - -20 to 120· F (-30 to 50· C)
• Operating Hum idity - <85% RH , no condensation
• Storage Hum idity - <95% RH (95% RF)
• Air Velocity - <15 ftlsec (4.5 mi se c)
• Avoid - Deceptive phenomena (i.e. , dust, dirt, grease, high
altitude)
(b) Photoelectric smoke detectors
• Operating Temperature - 32 to 100· F (0 to 35· C)
• Storage Temperature - -20 to 120· F (-30 to 50· C)
• Operating Humidity - <85% RH , no condensation
• Storage Humidity - <95% RH (95% RF)
• Avoid - Deceptive phenomena (i.e ., dust, dirt, grease)
(c) Differential heat detectors
• Operating Temperature - 15 to 140· F (-10 to 60· C)
• Storage Temperature - -20 to 120· F (-30 to 50· C)
• Operating Hum idity - <90% RH (90% RF) contin o
3-69
o Storage Humidity - <95% RH (95% RF)
o Avoid - Deceptive phenomena (i.e., steam pipes, heaters)
(d) Fixed temperature heat detectors
o Operating Temperature - -4 to 160· F (-20 to 70· C)
o Storage Temperature - -20 to 120·F (-30 to 50·C)
o Operating Humidity - <95% RH (95% RF) contino
o Storage Humidity - <95% RH (95% RF)
o Avoid - Areas where early warning is desired .
(e) Infrared name detectors
o Operating Temperature - 15 to 140· F (-10 to 60· C)
o Storage Temperature - -20 to 120· F (-30 to 50· C)
o Operating Humidity - <85% RH , no condensation
o Storage Humidity - <95% RH (95% RF)
o Avoid - Excessive heat, deceptive phenomena
3-70
• Storage Temperature - -20 to 120'F (-30 to 50'C)
• Operating Humidity - <85% RH (90% RF) no condensation
• Storage Humidity - <95% RH (95% RF) no condensation
• Avoid - Excessive heat, dirt, condensation
2. Technical Information/Requirements
(a) Responsib ility
• The owner (through the project manager), fire protection
engineer, and representative of the manufacturer of the fire
detection system are responsible for ensuring correct installation
and inspection of each system component.
• The manufacturer shall provide all necessary technical
installation documents including floor plans and wiring diagrams.
• The project manager and fire protection engineer must
determine the location of all equipment in accordance with
relevant codes and system manufacturer's guidelines.
• The primary rules of wiring installation are:
o Consult the manufacturer's instructions
o Meet applicable codes and standards
(b) Installation Materials
• Wire and Cable
o General Wiring Guidelines
1. All field wiring shall meet the requirements of local and
national codes.
2. AC power lines should never be run in the same conduit
as initiating line circuits and signaling line circuits.
3. In itiating line circuits and signaling line circuits should be
run in separate conduits from lines such as unfiltered
signal circuits and audio evacuation andlor paging
circuits. If this is not possible, each circuit must be
individually shielded and properly grounded.
4. Avoid running initiating line circuits and signal line circuits
through rooms containing electromagnetic fields.
Circuits installed to protect such rooms shall be run in
properly grounded metallic conduit.
5. Ensure that the wire used on all circuits is sized properly
so as not to exceed the max . line resistance for the
particular circuit (see Table 3-4).
3-71
Table 3-4 - Wire Resistance
American Wire Gauge (AWG) mm) Ohms/1 ,OOO ft (Ohm/305 m)
10 2.6 1.00
12 2.05 1.59
14 1.63 2.53
16 1.29 4.02
18 1.02 6.39
20 0.813 10.15
22 0.643 16.14
24 0.511 25.67
3-72
these frequencies, individually shielded twisted pairs are
required.
3. Signaling line circuits for intelligent detectors should not
be run outside of buildings. If this cannot be avoided, the
precautionary measures detailed in the Electromagnetic
Compatibi lity - Transient Protection Measures Section
(Refer to Appendix 3-C) must be fol lowed .
o Audio Circuits
1. Audio circuits should not be run in the same conduit as
initiating circuits, unless approved by the equipment
manufacturer in writing .
2. Unless specifical ly accepted by the equipment
manufacturer, all audio circuits must be individually
twisted pairs .
3. If multiple speaker zones are run in a common riser or
cable tray, individually shielded twisted pairs should be
used (with the shields terminated per the equipment
manufacturer's recommendations) .
4 . Guidelines for audio circuit installation are listed in Table
3-6.
3-73
70.7 VOLT LINES
RESISTANCE MAX MAX LENGTH OF WIRF
PER 1000FT SAFE SAFE 2% MAXIMUM POWER LOSS)
WIRE PAIR CURRENT POWER
AWG 10W 25W 50W 100W 200W
¥a ~ ~ 36480 14560 7280 3640
1.28 35 2450 22800 9120 4560 2280 -m%
#10' 2.0 25 1750 14500 5800 2900 1450 725
#12 3.2 20 1400 9100 3640 1820 910 455
#14 5.2 15 1120 280
#16 8.0 6 ~ ~ ~ 720 ~ 180
#18 13.0 3 210 2300 920 460 230 115
#20 20 .0 1 70 1400 560 280 140 70
32.6 .5 35 900 360 180 90 45
&to
NoteT
1
I
~ ..!2. 24.5
Nole 2:
Note 3: Care should be taken to keep speaker circuit wire runs as short as possible . Care should be taken to size
wire, device loading , amplifier output and wire distances accordingly.
o Physical Protection
1. Cables shall be adequately supported and terminated in
approved fittings .
2. Cables shall be installed in such a way that maximum
protection against physical injury is guaranteed by
building construction or alternatively run in condu its .
3. All wire and cable shall be adequately protected against
fire and physical damage.
4. If not run in conduit, all wire and cable used in detection,
alarm and emergency voice communication systems
shall be Teflon coated or mineral insulated cable and
comply with the flame resistance requirements for
plenum cable as specified by recognized standards .
5. If Teflon coated or mineral insulated cable meeting the
requ ired flame resistance rating is not ava ilable, wire and
cable listed for use by a nationally recognized agency
(UL , FM , FOC VdS , etc.) for fire detection and alarm
system application may be used, provided it is installed
in metallic conduit. PVC or other approved conduits or
ducts may be used if allowed by local codes and with the
prior written authorization by Starwood .
6. All vertically run wire and cable , not in conduit, shall be
protected by 2-hour fire rated construction (i.e., in a 2-
hour fire rated shaft/pipe chase).
7. The primary and secondary (return) legs of NFPA Style 6
(Class A) signaling line circuits shall not be run in the
same cable, conduit or raceway. The primary and
secondary legs should be separated by a minimum
construction having a fire resistance rating of 2 hours.
3-74
8. The emergency voice commun ication system shall be
designed and installed such that attack by fire in a
pag ing zone causing loss of communication to this
paging zone shall not impact any other pag ing zone. In
addition, the system shall be designed and installed such
that attack by fire causing failure of equipment or a fault
on one or more installation wiring conductors of one
communication path shall not result in total loss of
communication to any paging zone.
• Exception NO. 1: The fire command station and the
central control equipment.
• Exception NO. 2: Where there is a separate means
acceptable to the AHJ for voice communication to
each floor or paging zone.
• Exception NO. 3: Where the installation wiring is
enclosed in a 2-hour fire rated enclosure , other than
a stairwell.
• Exception No. 4: Where the installation wiring is
enclosed within a 2-hour fire rated stairwell that is
fully sprinklered in accordance with the latest edition
of NFPA 13.
• Exception NO.5: When a paging zone is directly
attacked by fire within the zone .
o Installation Hints
1. Although fully enclosed, metallic conduit is
recommended, both open and closed ducts are
perm issible if acceptable to local authorities. PVC ducts
may be used for feed ing cables through floors in non-
extreme conditions (some codes, e.g., USA, call for
metal conduit only, check with local authorities).
2. Cable feeder boxes are used for feeding cable and wire
through long lengths of conduit.
3. Crossover boxes permit the crossover of power lines,
telephone or other circuits by leads of the fire detection
system.
4. Terminal boxes or other connections must be approved
by the project planner.
5. Wiring may be fed through under floor and parapet ducts,
ridges, dividing walls or conduits if:
• It is kept apart from telephone lines, etc.
• No leads carrying external voltages are included
(main power to the fire detection system is
considered external) .
6. Conduit Sizing - To find the conduit size required for
cables of common type and combinations of different
size cables, follow the steps below (SI units in
parenthesis ):
• Square the outside diameter (from the
manufacturer's catalog) of each cable and total the
results .
3-75
• Multiply the total by 0.7854 (5.07 cm) . This is the
total area of the cables in square inches (square cm).
• Using Table 3-7, select conduit size with area equal
to or greater than the total area .
• For three or more cables within a single conduit, the
maximum permissible area to be occupied by the
cables is 40% (NFPA 70), (although a single cable is
permitted to occupy 53% and two cables are limited
to 31 % conduit fill, 40% conduit fi ll is often used as a
guide). For a single cable, use 0 .5927 (3 .82) in step
(b); for two cables, use 1.1034 (7.12), and for three
or more cables, use 0.7854 (5.07).
Table 3-7 -
Conduit Size Permissible Area
Yo in. (1 .27 cm) 0.12 in' (0 .77 cm')
y. in. (1 .91 cm) 0.21 in' (1 .35 cm')
1 in. (2.54 cm) 0.34 in' (2.19 cm')
1Y. in. (3.18 cm) 0.60 in' (3 .87 cm')
1Yo in. (3.81 cm) 0.82 in' (5.29 cm')
2 in. (5.08 cm) 1.34 in' (8.65 cm')
2Y. in . (5.72 cm) 1.92 in' (12.4 cm')
3 in . (7 .62 cm) 2.95 in' (19.0 cm')
3Yo in . (8.89 cm) 3.96 in' (25.5 cm')
4 in . (10.16 cm 5.09 in' (32 .8 cm' )
4Yo in. (11.43 cm) 6 .38 in' (41.2 cm')
3-76
3. Terminations must be in accordance with the project
planner's instructions. No more than two pairs of wires
may be connected in parallel and properly anchored .
CONCRETE
• •
I I
STEEL
SUSPENDED
CEILING
(b) Connections
• Identification of Wires
o All cable sheathing must be continued through the entry sockets
into the equipment. The same color wire must be used
throughout a zone circuit.
o When it is not possible to maintain the color code , the ends of
cables must be marked by colored insulation tubing.
3-77
o All wire and cable must be identified with metallic or phenolic
labels indicating their circuit.
• Check of Installation Wiring - Before connecting the installation
wiring to the terminals provided on the control panel, check the
wiring for extraneous voltages, short, open, and ground circuits .
3.5.6 Accessibility
The accessibility of all system components is vital for inspection, testing,
and maintenance.
(a) Detectors
• Must be easily accessible at all times .
• A clearance of at least 20 in. (50 .8 cm) on all sides is required to
allow for maintenance work.
• It must be possible to test and remove the detector from
immediately below its installation position .
3-78
o Recommended for areas that are temporarily inaccessible
(guestroom) and for detectors that are not of the individually
identifiable, system connected type.
o Installation of the external indicator right above the door leading
to the detector is recommended.
o External indicators are not required for intell igent reporting
detection systems.
3.6.1 Commissioning
(a) Before connecting the installation wiring to the terminals provided on the
control panel, check the wiring for extraneous voltages, short, open, and
ground circuits.
(b) Technical Aspects of Commissioning
o Ensure that system complies with guidelines and maximum ratings.
o Program the control unit with user data.
o Carry out a comprehensive performance check of the fire detection,
alarm and voice communication system, including control functions
as required by the acceptance testing procedures .
3-79
• Give system a trial run for one month making modifications to
operating features to ensure "nu isance alarm free" operation.
(c) Training Aspects of Commissioning
• The person responsible for the system must be instructed and
understand the following:
1. Explanation of the extent of monitoring, the types of detectors
used , the form of alarm and fire control installations.
2. Operation of the fire detection, alarm and voice communication
system.
3. Procedure to follow in case of trouble.
4. Servicing checks, carried out periodically by the system
operator.
5. Record all events in a log book.
6. Note addresses and telephone numbers of the maintenance
service which can be called any time.
(d) System Documentation - After commissioning work has been
completed, the installer must provide two complete sets of up-to-date
technical documentation (as-built drawings, manufacturer's manuals,
operating instructions, log book).
(e) System Identification - A permanently mounted placard should be
located near the protective signaling system. It should contain the
following information:
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the installation and
servicing contractors.
• Reference to the NFPA or other standards, including its date of
issue to wh ich the system conforms.
• Description of the primary (main) and the secondary (standby)
power supplies, which should include the following information :
1. Physical location and identification of allover current devices
and switches which control the primary and secondary power
supplies
2. Type of secondary supply
3. Standby battery specification, including ampere hour capacity,
voltage per cell, number of cells, and the battery type
4. If a standby generator is used, include the type and quantity of
the stored fuel and transfer time
5. Names of the authorities having jurisdiction, including their
inspection references and dates
6. Location of the as-built drawings and the system operating and
maintenance instructions
3-80
(b) The following are general guidelines for testing procedures. Further
details can be found in NFPA 72.
(c) Scope of Testing
• Installation Wiring - Check whether measurements on each circuit
have been made after installation or during commissioning for:
o Stray voltage
o Ground faults
o Short circuits
o Loop resistance
• System Testing
o Visually inspect system for mechan ical integrity.
o Verify that the system is in normal supervisory cond ition .
o Test each initiating device circuit, indicating appliance circuit and
signaling line circu it to confirm that the integrity of installation
conductors is being properly monitored . One connection on
each circuit should be opened and the proper response at the
control unit verified .
o Test each initiating device and indicating appliance for alarm
operation and proper response at the control panel.
o Test the system for all intended functions in accordance with the
manufacturer's manual.
o Test all supplementary functions for proper response.
o Test all primary (main) and secondary (standby) power supplies .
• Additional Tests on Multiplex Systems - The following procedures
describe additional acceptance test methods to verify multiplex-type
protective signaling system performance . The manufacturer's
manual and the as-built drawings should be used to verify proper
operation after the initial testing phase has been performed .
o Starting from the unpowered cond ition, initialize the system per
the manufacturer's manual. Tests should be conducted to verify
that communication exists between the central processing unit
and the connected peripheral devices.
o Each initiating device circuit and signaling line circu it (intelligent
reporting systems) should be tested for its alarm reporting
capability by operating at least one of the connected in itiating
devices. Upon completion of th is test, an open circuit trouble
cond ition should be made to verify open circuit fault detection .
Add itional tests should be conducted to verify all possible status
modes that the initiating device circuit should provide.
o Verify that each test signal is properly received and processed
by the Fire Command Center equipment (main fire alarm control
panel).
o Conduct tests from the multiplex interface to verify trouble
indications for common mode failures, such as AC power failure .
To test for the AC power, remove the AC power supply to the
satell ite control unit and activate at least one initiating device.
Consult the manufacturer's manual for other common mode
failures and conduct the described testing procedures . Verify
proper receipt and processing at the Fire Command Center.
3-81
o Test each communication circuit between RLCP and the Fire
Command Center main fire alarm control panel to confirm that
the integrity of installation conductors is properly monitored.
o Each of the fault conditions that the system is required to detect
should be introduced on the signaling line circuit. Verify the
proper receipt and the proper processing of the signal at the Fire
Command Center.
o When multiplex protective signaling systems are equipped with
various optional features unique to these systems, the
manufacturer's manual should be consulted to determine the
proper testing procedures for verifying the proper operation of
the optional features. This is intended to address such items as
verifying controls performed by individually addressed or
grouped devices, sensitivity monitoring, pre-alarm or verification
functionality and similar.
• Testing of Smoke Management Systems
o The lack of agreement on a single method for testing smoke
management systems has often caused delays at the time of
acceptance testing.
o It is strongly recommended that the fire protection engineer work
closely with the hotel's owner (and manager) and the local
authority to develop a clear testing procedure, which meets the
objectives of all parties concerned .
o NFPA 92A, Recommended Practices for Smoke Control
Systems, provides recommended test methods and equipment
that can be utilized.
3.7. 1 Responsibility
(a) A safety/security person and/or hotel chief engineer should be
responsible for all active fire protection measures, systems and
emergency planning. This person should be employed by the hotel and
should report directly to the general manager.
(b) In smaller facilities, the hotel manager must carry the responsibility
himself, probably delegating technical tasks to the hotel's engineer.
(c) In many areas, the responsibility is regulated by regional or local codes;
contacting the local fire department for advice is recommended .
3-82
Table 3-8 - Overview of General Operation and Maintenance Tasks
Recommended T ime
Task
Period
A fire evacuation drill is to be conducted for all employees and hotel
Annually
guests urged to participate.
All emergency procedures are to be reviewed, tested for their
effectiveness, updated and coordinated with the Fire Department (i.e., Annually
evacuation drills, bomb threats, earthquake, etc.).
New employees must be made familiar with the building and the
emergency measures, as well as their personal responsibility in case of Start of employment and
fire and evacuation. Fire and Emergency Procedure training to be every 6 months thereafter
conducted for all new employees.
Emergency instructions and exit egress signage in guestrooms must be
Every 4 months
verified .
Fire and Emergency Procedure Training is to be conducted for Telephone
Quarterly
Operators and Night Managers.
Employees must be advised about any changes in plann ing, building
Quarterly or as required
construction, escape routes, fire loads, procedures, equipment, etc.
Fire drills are to be conducted; the time of drill should be varied so that all
shifts participate during the year. (Hotel guests do not have to Monthly
participate.)
All areas of the building must be inspected to detect any changes in fire
load, accumulation of trash or dirt (particular attention to the kitchen area
Monthly
for accumulation of combustible materials such as oil and grease and
laundry areas for lint build-up).
All dedicated electric service closets, switchgear rooms, transformer
vaults/closets, etc., are to be inspected to verify they are not being used Monthly
for storage of any material, combustible or otherwise.
The proper storage of grease and oil rags (i.e., approved containers) is to
Monthly
be verified .
The safe laundering of rubber-backed bath mats, grease rags, etc., is to
Monthly
be verified .
Manual fire fighting equipment (i.e., hose reels and fire extinguishers)
must be inspected for their availability and accessibility. Monthly
(Missing/defective items must be replaced immediately.)
Escape route identification must be checked, and missing signs must be
2 to 6 weeks
replaced , any obstructions must be removed .
The fire emergency signage in the elevator foyers are to be verified . Weekly
Escape routes must be checked for obstructions and access ibility
Weekly
(especially locked or blocked doors).
The punctual emptying of waste baskets, trash cans and ashtrays is to be
checked . Ensure all trash has been removed from noors at end of day Weekly
shift.
The continuance of the building's fire compartmentation must be checked
Weekly
(e.g ., doors held open or missing).
Where required , nameproofing certificates for fabric materials are to be As required andlor
obtained and updated. after dry cleaning .
The availability of emergency instructions in guestrooms (room cards)
Daily, with room make-up
must be checked.
3-83
Table 3-8 - Overview of General Operation and Maintenance Tasks
Recommend ed Time
Task
Period
The proper designation of 'no smoking' regulations must be checked. Continuously
(b) The tasks discussed in this table may be expanded based on the
particular hotel.
(c) Local and national regulations should be consulted to determine if there
are more stringent requirements than those listed in the table .
3-84
Table 3-9 - Recommended Maintenance Schedule and Requ irem ents
Equipment Maintenance Schedule
Connections Siamese connections.
0 Monthly - Perform visual inspection.
0 Annually - Re-rack fire hoses/nozzles.
Fire Hoses/Nozzles
0 Every 5 years - Professionally test hoses per applicable standards
(e.g., NFPA, VdS, FOC, etc.) and manufacture~s recommendations.
0 Quarterly - Test water now alarm devices (audible or visual signals)
by opening main drain. Flow test main drain(s) (blowdown).Visually
inspect sprinkler heads, sprinkler piping (readily accessible) and
Fire Sprinkler System
hangers for corrosion and damage.
0 Test antifreeze specific gravity (if applicable).
0 Every 5 years - Verify calibration of pressure gauges .
0 Daily - In cold weather, inspect heating mechanism (if applicable).
Fire Sprinkler System 0 Monthly - Visually inspect water level.
Gravity Tanks 0 Semi-Annually - Test tank level indicator.
0 Every 2 years - Visually inspect condition of tank.
0 Daily -In cold weather, inspect heating mechanism (if applicable).
0 Monthly - Inspect water level and pressure .
Fire Sprinkler System
0 Semi-annually - Test tanks.
Pressure Tanks
0 Every 2 Years - Visually inspect condition of tank. Test high and low
air pressure switches.
0 Daily - In cold weather, inspect heating mechanism (if applicable).
0 Weekly - Inspect air and water pressure.
0 Quarterly - Inspect priming water supply.
Dry/Pre-actioniDeluge 0 Semi-Annually - Test quick opening devices (AKA accelerator or
Systems quick opening device).Test deluge detection device.
0 Annually (in Fall) - Flow test low point drains (blowdown).
0 Annually (in Spring) - Trip-test dry pipe test dry pipe valves.
0 Every 3 Years (in Spring) - Full flow trip test dry pipe valves.
0 Monthly - Verify proper zone annunciation, ensure each zone can be
reset and the entire system is free of all trouble conditions. Verify the
proper operation of LED's and lamps. Send alarm signal to central
monitoring company or fire department.
Fire Alarm Detection 0 Every 2 Months - Test pre-alarm voice/tone devices (voice tested if
System P.A . is provided).
0 Semi-Annually - Test general alarm voice/tone devices (operate as
during full property evacuation).
0 Annually - Test battery backup (operate entire voiceltone system for
5 minutes on standby emergency power).
0 Monthly test 1/12 of the total devices
0 Annually test all devices as follows :
1 . Pull stations tested by pulling handle.
2. Single station smoke detectors tested by operating test button or
magnet (or test set).
Fire Alarm Detection
System Devices 3. System connected smoke detectors tested in place by smoke or
other manufacturer accepted aerosol.
4. Heat detectors tested by heat source equipment. (If non-
restorable , fixed temperature heat detector device, test a sample
and then replace .)
5. Water flow switch tested by operating inspector test valves.
3-85
Table 3-9 - Recommended Maintenance Schedule and Requ irem e nts
Equ ipment Ma intenance Schedule
6. Valve supervisory (tamper) switches tested by turning valve Y.
turn.
7. Fire fighter's telephones tested by communicating through the
system.
8. Flame detectors test in accordance with manufacture~s
instructions.
All connections made to other equipment, such as fire pumps,
Other Equipment Monitored emergency generators, etc. , which provide a supervisory signal
by the Fire Detection & indicating operation of said device should be tested for signal
Alarm System transmission at the time of the individual equipment test, but no less then
once per year.
3-86
Table 3-9 - Recommended Maintenance Schedule and Requ irements
Equipment Maintenance Schedule
Every 6 months (or more frequently if required) - Inspect and clean.
Laundry Room Exhaust
Note: Ensure there are adequate access panels to facilitate clean-out of
System Ducts
the entire dryer exhaust system and room exhaust system.
Laundry Dryer lint
Screens/lint Collection Daily - Clean equipment.
Devices
Trash & linen Chute Doors Monthly - Check for proper operation.
Fire Cart/Fire Suitcasel Back
Monthly - Inventory.
Pack
Main Gas Valve(s) Annually - Check for proper operation by gas utility company.
Monthly - Cleaned by elevator service company (not to be done by in-
Elevator Pits
house employees).
• Annually (or more frequently if required by code) - Perform
Elevators professional safety inspection
• Annually - Test elevator recall function
Annually (or more frequently if required by code) - Perform professional
Boiler and Pressure Vessels
safety inspection
3-87
Table 3-10 - Recommendations for the Protection of Installed System Components
Activity Proper Measure
• Paint spraying of walls and ceilings
Cover detector and base with plastic bag or remove
• Sanding of plastered walls and wood
detector and cover up detector base
• Carpet cleaning (dry cleaning)
Washing and cleaning of walls and Do not apply any cleaning solvents to detectors, remove
ceilings or cover up detector
Painting of walls and ceilings Do not paint over detector; remove or cover up detector
Testing of detectors with test gas Use manufacturer-approved compounds (aerosols) only
Protect them with guard rails from being hit by food
Manual stations in exposed locations
carts, vehicles, etc.
3.7.5 Documentation
(a) Operation and maintenance instructions should be provided by the
manufacturer, supplier, installer or contractor. These instructions
should outline routine procedures and specify test intervals.
(b) Detailed ma intenance and test procedures should be prepared using
provided documentation .
(c) Logbook
• The safety/security engineer or other designated employee must be
responsible for keeping record of all fire protection measures.
• The logbook should include information such as:
o Changes in emergency plan/procedures
o Fire or evacuation drills
o Training sessions
o Inspection of escape routes and emergency instruction
measures
o Inspection/testing/maintenance of manual fire extinguishers
o Testing of sprinkler, hose reel , fire detection , EVAC, and
emergency telephone systems
• The logbooks should also contain record of all fire and system
related events (with time and date), including:
o Fire, nuisance and supervisory alarms
o Trouble conditions
o Malfunctions
o Tests and drills
o Replacement actions (batteries, detectors, etc.)
(d) InspectioniTesting/Maintenance Certificates
• The hotel management must request certificates for all inspection ,
testing , servicing , maintenance, repair or replacement of fire safety
equipment performed by a manufacturer, supplier or contractor
• Generally, such certificates should be kept on fire for at least 10
years, local/national codes should be consulted for additional
requirements .
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3.8 Summary of Technical Requirements
3.8.1 General
• Upon activation of elevator lobby or machine room smoke detector, all
elevators shall return to the main level of guest exiting or other area
approved by the local AHJ.
• All equipment shall be UL listed for use in the United States. For other
countries, systems shall have proper approval from the public agency
responsible for that particular area. For countries where no special
codes exist, it is recommended to select systems that have been
approved by at least two of the agencies listed below:
1. Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) - USA
2. Factory Mutual (FM) -USA
3. Verband der Sachversicherer (VdS) - Germany
4. Association Francaise de Normalisation (AFNOR) - France
5. British Standards (BS) - Great Britain
6. Fire Offices Committee - Great Britain
7. Canadian Standards Association - Canada
8. Underwriter's Laboratories Canada (ULC) - Canada
9. Australian Standards (SAA) - Australia
• A fire fighter's telephone system shall be provided in at least one
stairwell at each level (preferable the stairwell with roof access) .
• A 16-hour training program shall be conducted for selected members of
the hotel staff by the alarm installer. Training documents shall be
available to the hotel staff.
• A complete, written description of the hotel fire alarm system ,
components, circuits, operating sequence, and maintenance
requirements shall be established and shall be made available to the
entire hotel staff.
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• System connected smoke detectors shall not activate the hotel
evacuation alarm, however an internal (supervisory) alarm shall be
initiated to alert hotel staff. Individual guestroom audible devices and
visual devices (if provided) shall also activate upon initiation of smoke
detector.
3.8.5 Wiring
• All fire detection, alarm and emergency communication systems shall
be wired Class A and must be supervised .
• The feed and return wiring risers must be in separate conduit remote
from each other. Wiring is to be of copper conductors or optical fibers .
• If an intelligent or multiplex system is installed wiring must be twisted
pair (and shielded if recommended by the manufacturer or if electrical
interference is anticipated).
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hour battery backup (full system operation) when connected to the
hotel's emergency generator.
• All fire alarm control panels, remote annunciators, and the emergency
communication control panels shall be designed with a minimum of 20%
spare capacity for expansion.
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Appendix 3-A - Nuisance Alarm Problem
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o The time limit varies based on the manufacturer, however
usually limited by local or national codes. NFPA 72 limits the
time delay to 60 seconds.
o This concept is not applicable for heat detectors, manual alarm
stations or water flow switches. An alarm from any of these
devices cause a general alarm signal without delay.
• Positive Alarm Sequencing
o Utilizes a dual timing principle for delaying a general alarm.
o Similar in concept to cross-zoning, however requires only a
single device in alarm .
o This method can only be used when a system operator is
present at all times.
o The operating sequence requires two levels of device priority
and two system timers (T1 and T2) .
1. Priority 1 - Immediate general alarmlfire department
notification (manual alarm station, water now device)
2. Priority 2 - Delayable alarm (smoke detector)
o When there is a response by a priority '2' detector, delay T1 is
started. When T1 time runs out without a response by an
operator, the fire department is called and a general alarm
signal is activated. If the alarm is acknowledged while T1 is
running, the system interprets this as a sign that an operator is
present. In this case, timer T2 is started, allowing time for
investigation.
o Time periods T1 and T2 are often regulated by local or
national codes. (NFPA 72 limits T1 to 15 seconds and T2 to
180 seconds.)
o If the investigation verifies the existence of a fire or if time T2
runs out, the fire department can be summoned by initiating
any manual alarm station.
o However, if the investigation determines that only a minor fire
exists that can be extinguished easily, or that it is not an actual
alarm, the fire alarm control panel can be reset while T2 is still
running without sounding a general alarm.
• Sensitivity Compensation
o Detector feature which maintains a constant sensitivity over
time, compensating for component aging and dirt
accumulation.
o Useful in areas of high dirt build-up or where detectors are
difficult to access.
o This detector feature does not eliminate the need for regular
detector maintenance.
o Helpful in reducing long-term maintenance costs by identifying
which detectors need to be cleaned or replaced.
• Variable Sensitivity Settings
o Similar in concept to sensitivity compensating detector.
Several systems have the ability to automatically or manually
change between fixed sensitivity levels either at the detector or
at the control panel.
o For intelligent detector systems, a detector may have two or
more preset sensitivity levels. The control panel can be
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programmed to shift between the various sensitivities at
specific time intervals. It is also possible to program different
sensitivity levels based on the location of the devices.
o For analog reporting detector systems, the sensitivity
adjustments are often made at the control panel. The
sensitivity levels can be adjusted by device, groups of devices
and by time of day.
o Sensitivity levels must remain in the range specified by the
regulatory agencies such as UL or VdS.
o These systems are useful in facilities where various
environmental conditions exist.
• Signals Indicative of Dirty Detectors
o In many of the intelligent detector systems, a signal is provided
which indicates the need to clean the detector.
o Waiting for a dirty detector signal should not be used as an
alternative to scheduled maintenance.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
o Many control units contain built-in interference protection,
intended to minimize the effects of electromagnetic
interference, radio frequency interference (RFI), and electrical
transients (induced voltage and current spikes).
o Level of protection is dependent on the requirements of
various regulatory agencies.
o Additional protection may be required to reduce the
occurrence of nuisance alarms resulting from these
phenomenon .
o Refer to Append ix 3-9 for additional information on
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
o Interference Factors which influence EMC include:
1. Lightning
2. High frequency or radio interference
3. Interference pulses
4. Electrical or magnetic interference fields
5. Transmission of electrical interference currents via
resistive coupling
6. Electrostatic Charging/Discharging
o Interference Protection Measures
1. All fire detection and alarm equipment must meet the
current revision of applicable standards, which require
equipment to be designed with adequate EMI and RFI
protection features.
2. However, some equipment may be exposed to abnormally
high levels of interference.
3. Typically, the use of shielded cable or cable installed in
properly grounded metallic conduit will negate a majority of
the interference. In some cases, additional protection may
be required.
4. Protection is available in the form of filters or other
suppression devices, which can be installed on the
detection devices, on the installation wiring or at the control
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panel. The manufacturer should be consulted when
additional protective devices are to be installed .
5. The use of fiber optic cable instead of cable using metallic
conductors provides for an alternate means of protection .
Fiber optic cable are immune to EMI and RFI as they use
light signals to transmit data instead of electronic signals .
o Additional Transient Protection Measures
1. All fire alarm equipment must meet the current revision of
applicable standards. By meeting these standards, the
equipment is designed with adequate transient voltage
protection for systems used within a single building .
2. For any circuits extended outside the bu ild ing , extra
precautions must be taken to protect the equipment from
damage caused by high voltage transients being induced
on the circuits from nearby lightning strikes or other outside
sources . These circu its should be run in metallic conduit
that is properly bonded to a good earth ground , and
external transient protection must be installed on each of
those circuits .
3. The external transient protection required for each circuit
depends on the characteristics of the circuit and, where
lightning is a concern, the degree of lightning activity
expected at the geographical location of the installation .
4. If it is apparent that there will be a high degree of lightning
activity at the installation, it is recommended that additional
transient protection be installed on equ ipment to prevent
damage.
5. Additional transient protection is needed on multiplex
communication network lines (signaling line circuits) and
audio communications lines are routed underground from
bu ilding to building in PVC conduit. Twisted shielded pairs
with the shield earth grounded should be used with in the
PVC conduit, or twisted pairs in metal conduit. Aud io
circu its should be shielded independently from each other
and from signal circuits .
6. When shielded cable is used, it is important that the
equipment manufacturer be contacted for specific
requirements regarding termination of the sh ield .
7. In all cases , it is extremely important that all ground
connections be made to an 8 It (2 .5m) driven ground rod or
equivalent water pipe connection.
8. The equ ipment manufacturer should be consulted when
add itional transient and interference protection is requ ired
to ensure compatibility with the installed equipment.
9. If high voltage transients are anticipated in advance, the
installation of fiber optic cable instead of cable using
metall ic conductors is an option .
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Appendix 3-8 - Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
Many control units contain built-in interference protection, intended to minimize the
effects of electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference (RFI), and electrical
transients (induced voltage and current spikes).
• Level of protection is dependent on the requirements of various regulatory
•
agencies.
• Additional protection may be required to reduce the occurrence of nuisance
alarms resulting from these phenomenon.
• Interference Factors which influence EMC include:
1. Lightning
2. High frequency or radio interference
3. Interference pulses
4. Electrical or magnetic interference fields
5. Transmission of electrical interference currents via resistive coupling
6. Electrostatic CharginglDischarging
• Interference Protection Measures
1. All fire detection and alarm equipment must meet the current revision of
applicable standards, which require equipment to be designed with
adequate EMI and RFI protection features.
2. However, some equipment may be exposed to abnormally high levels of
interference.
3. Typically, the use of shielded cable or cable installed in properly
grounded metallic conduit will negate a majority of the interference. In
some cases, additional protection may be required .
4. Protection is available in the form of filters or other suppression devices,
which can be installed on the detection devices, on the installation wiring
or at the control panel. The manufacturer should be consulted when
additional protective devices are to be installed.
5. The use of fiber optic cable instead of cable using metallic conductors
provides for an alternate means of protection. Fiber optic cable are
immune to EMI and RFI as they use light signals to transmit data instead
of electronic signals.
• Add itional Transient Protection Measures
1. All fire alarm equipment must meet the current revision of applicable
standards. By meeting these standards, the equipment is designed with
adequate transient voltage protection for systems used within a single
building.
2. For any circuits extended outside the building, extra precautions must be
taken to protect the equipment from damage caused by high voltage
transients being induced on the circuits from nearby lightning strikes or
other outside sources . These circuits should be run in metallic conduit
that is properly bonded to a good earth ground, and external transient
protection must be installed on each of those circuits.
3. The external transient protection required for each circuit depends on the
characteristics of the circuit and, where lightning is a concern, the degree
of lightning activity expected at the geographical location of the
installation.
4. If it is apparent that there will be a high degree of lightning activity at the
installation, it is recommended that additional transient protection be
installed on equipment to prevent damage.
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5. Additional transient protection is needed on multiplex communication
network lines (signaling line circuits) and audio communications lines are
routed underground from building to building in PVC conduit. Twisted
shielded pairs with the shield earth grounded should be used within the
PVC conduit, or twisted pairs in metal conduit. Audio circu its should be
shielded independently from each other and from signal circuits.
6. When shielded cable is used, it is important that the equipment
manufacturer be contacted for specific requ irements regard ing
termination of the shield .
7. In all cases, it is extremely important that all ground connections be made
to an 8 It (2.5m) driven ground rod or equivalent water pipe connection .
8. The equipment manufacturer should be consulted when additional
transient and interference protection is required to ensure compatibil ity
with the installed equipment.
9. If high voltage transients are anticipated in advance, the installation of
fiber optic cable instead of cable using metallic conductors is an option.
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Appendix 3-C - Additional Information on Electromagnetic Compatibility
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