External fire alarm bell (or water motor gong) 5

[FFP1]

I have had several customers ove rthe past few years ask me to show them in NFPA where it states that an external water motor gong or electronic fire alarm bell is required.

It just happened again!

If a water-based fire protection system has an electronic water flow switch with interior building alarms........is there a requirement for an exterior alarm device??

If so, where is this stated in NFPA??

 

[NJ1]

FFP1

Back in the origins of fire protection systems it was required to have outside annunciation due to the lack of central station systems and because in the event of a fire if the building was unoccupied at least you would have some sort of annunciation to the outside world since the streets will always have traffic.
Then they came up with a combination of game-well boxes on the streets. I know this requirement is somewhere on the NFPA 72 or NFPA 13. I will look into this after dinner. LOL

 

[skdesigner]

NFPA 13 2010ed. 6.9.3.1 "An alarm unit SHALL include a listed mechanical alarm, horn or siren, or a listed electric bell speaker, horn or siren."

From that, we know that a bell is required somewhere on the premises.

A6.3.9.1 "Audible alarms are normally located on the outside of the building. Listed electric gongs, bells, horns or sirens inside the building, or a combination of such used inside and out, are sometimes advisable. Outside alarms might not be necessary where the sprinkler system is used as part of a central station, auxilliary, remote station, or proprietary signaling fire alarm system, utilizing listed audible inside alarm devices.

The commentary from the 13 handbook states "The audible local alarm required by 6.9.3.1 can either be mechanically or electrically operated. NFPA 13 does not stipulate whether the alarm's location is to be indoors or outdoors, since the location depends on site specific conditions.

Clear as mud?

8.17.1.1 backs 6.9.3.1 by stating "A local waterflow alarm shall be provided on every sprinkler system having more than 20 sprinklers.

So the answer to your question would be, no, there is not a requirement for an EXTERIOR water flow device.

Unless of course you're talking high rises, where we would apply 8.17.2.6(1) ...The annunciator or register shall be located at grade level at the normal point of fire department access, at a constantly attended building security control center, or at both locations.

I've always shown an exterior bell on my plans, right above the FDC. If the building owner doesn't want it there, or the sparkies don't want to run more conduit, I'm happy to put it anywhere suitable to the AHJ.

 

[cdafd]

I would say if you are working in an ahj, start with the fire/ building code, because that may have annunciation requirements to point out to customers

Seems sometimes when you say because the ahj requires it, that helps

 

[Arsnman4]

Keep forgetting about this site.

The requirements for "exterior" for water flow alarm notification appliances comes from the Building Code for new systems and the Fire Code for existing installations. The exact location may be specific for each jurisdiction but the code(s) just says one must be provided on the building's exterior in an area approved by AHJ or something to that effect.

"Fire suppression is a failure in prevention"

 

[byrnesf]

FFP1,
Here is an exerpt from the International Fire Code, 2009 edition:

903.4.2 Alarms. Approved audible devices shall be connected
to every automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinklerwater-flow
alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the
flowof a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in
the system. Alarm devices shall be provided on the exterior of
the building in an approved location. Where a fire alarm system
is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall
actuate the building fire alarm system.

As an AHJ, I require horn/strobes on the exterior of the building, in addition to the interior alarm system. The horn/strobe is specified because firefighters now wear head phones while responding to incidents. This is especially beneficial when responding to strip malls with multiple fire systems.

 

[FFP1]

byrnesf:

This is exactly what I have been looking for; however, I cannot find this excerpt (I cannot even find Section 903.4.2) in NFPA 1 or NFPA 101.

Where am I making my mistake here?? Thanks

 

[cdafd]

Should be in the sprinkler section of nfpa 1

Under monitoring or notification or similar titled section

Do not have the book today

 

[cdafd]

But once again you need to find what fire code is in use in the ahj you are working in!!!!!!!

 

[FFP1]

I am aware of the applicable NFPA documents for our region (based on the current state laws); however, I simply cannot find the excerpt/verbage which byrnesf posted........I am fairly certain it exists, because it looks like a "cut & paste"! I just wish I could find the text he posted in code. You can get yourself into significant trouble basing your decisions on text posted on the internet.

Thanks to everyone out there!

 

[cdafd]

He quoted out of the 2009 international fire code

 

[FFP1]

I found the text.......finally.

Thanks to byrnesf & cdafd.

I simply do not understand WHY this statement or text is not included in NFPA 1, NFPA 101, NFPA 13 or NFPA 72!!!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!