Fire Alarm Control Panels

[Lew82090]

We have a billeting building (similar to a hotel) that is getting a sizable addition, they want to add a separate FACP.
How Many Fire Alarm Control Panels can be installed in a single building?

 

[stookeyfpe]

Depends on the capacity of the fire alarm control unit, it's compatibility with the existing FACU, and the method of designing the pathway between the FACUs.

 

[Lew82090]

I guess my question is can you have more than one FACP in a building that is not interconnected?

 

[Lew82090]

Let me explain, they added an addition on to a lodging facility and the exit way is through the existing building and also on the end of the new building. In the new facility the installed a new fire alarm panel and did not interface them, is this OK?

 

[cdafd]

No there is no limit

It is not a good idea unless needed, like a separate releasing panel, but that should be tied into the main panel

You set up they should have at least tied the two panels together, so each one trips the other.

Just checking no physical/ distance separation between the two buildings.

Remember you are dealing with Uncle Sam

How are you connected with all this??

 

[Lew82090]

I work for the Air Force as the Alarm section Foreman, this addition was done by the CORPS of Engineers and there was some discussion if you had to have one panel per building. I searched everything from UFC’s to 101 and I could not find any reg, code for that. That being said I did want the two systems tied together. This is a lodging facility for transient personnel. The new addition exit into the old and vice versa. There is no seperation between the buildings.

 

[cdafd]

There is no problem with two, not the best set up, but in your set up they should be tied together so one trips the other

 

[stookeyfpe]

The answer to your question is NFPA 72, 2010 edition, Section 23.8.2.2:

23.8.2.2 Except as permitted in 23.8.2.3, the fire alarm system components shall be permitted to share control equipment or shall be able to operate as a stand-alone systems, but, in any case, they shall be arranged to dunction as a single system.

As I understand your situation, the current design is a violation of the NFPA 72 requirements for protected premises fire alarm systems.