Potter Fire Alarm Systems - Manual (Page 14)

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Fire Alarm Training • 8700055 • Rev F • 4/10
Section 9.6.2.1.0
The “Detection” Provision
Specifies requirements for automatic detection. This section should always be reviewed, even if the building is not required to
have a fire alarm system under the general statement for that occupancy class.
There are two types of detection devices automatic and manual. The automatic detection devices include smoke detectors, heat
detectors and water flow switches. Any device that will activate the fire alarm panel or directly activate a notification appliance
without human intervention is considered automatic. Manual fire detection is generally pull stations that directly activate the fire
alarm or suppression system. Manual fire alarm systems require human intervention for the system to operate.
Section 9.6.4
The “Emergency Forces Notification” Provision
The fire alarm system may have requirements to be monitored to provide immediate notification to the fire department or fire
brigade of a fire. This section outlines the different types of monitoring stations as outlined by NFPA72.
Section 9.7 “Automatic Sprinklers and Other Extinguishing Equipment”
The occupancy class will dictate the minimum requirement for the installation of fire sprinklers, automatic extinguishing systems, fire
extinguishers and standpipes. Section 9.7 will give the appropriate NFPA Standard to follow as well as trade-offs that are allowed.
In addition to the installation requirements, NFPA 101 requires that the fire suppression equipment is inspected, tested and maintained.
Sprinkler System Supervision Includes:
Water Supply Control Valves
Alarm Line Supervision
Fire Pump Status
Water Tank, Levels and Temperature
Low and High Air Pressure on Dry Pipe Systems
Building Temperature
Water supply control valves shall be supervised to obtain a distinctive signal when in an off normal position, within 2 revolutions
of the hand wheel, or when the valve has moved one fifth from its normal position.
The switch shall not restore to a normal condition throughout the entire travel of the valve, until it is restored to a fully open position.
A Supervisory signal must be visually or audibly distinctive from both Alarm and Trouble signals.
Water flow and supervisory devices cannot be connected on the same initiating circuit so that the closing of a valve is
annunciated as a “trouble” condition.
Fire Alarm Signals
Alarm - A signal indicating an emergency that requires immediate action, such as a signal indicative of a fire.
1. Automatic water flow device
2. Manual fire alarm station (pull station)
3. Automatic fire detectors (smoke or heat detectors)
Supervisory – A signal indicating the need for action in connection with the
supervision of guard tours, the fire suppression
systems or equipment, or the maintenance features of related systems.
1. Control valve switch
2. High/low air pressure switch
3. Water tank level and temperature switches
4. Low water pressure for public water supplies
5. Low building temperature switch
6. Alarm line valve position
Trouble - A signal indicating a problem with the fire control panel or associated wiring which may render the system inoperable.
1. Loss of primary power (120VAC)
2. Loss of secondary power (battery)
3. A break in the supervised wiring to an initiating device, indicating appliance or extinguishing agent release device
Types of Systems
Conventional
Conventional fire alarm systems are comprised of initiating and notification zones. The number of initiating zones (initiating
device circuits) defines how large the system can be. The zones are generally a specific function (pull station, water flow switch,