Fire Alarm Systems Buyer's Guide

Meeting fire alarm system requirements

Getting a fire alarm that meets all local and national requirements starts with a representative of your local authority-having jurisdiction (AHJ), typically the fire marshal. That person will visit your space and tell you what you need to comply with local and national codes, and whether you need a sprinkler system.

The AHJ assures your building meets several codes, including the oft-changing NFPA-72 that acts as the "bible" for commercial fire alarm installation, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that ensures people with disabilities have clear access to warning devices, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules on employee well being.

These codes can be loose or restrictive based on municipality, but you can't get approval for a fire alarm until it meets all the applicable rules and regulations.

Assessing your fire alarm needs
Here are some of the major things the AHJ will assess at your facility to determine the appropriate fire alarm system setup:

• Overall size — Fire alarm devices can only cover a certain amount of square footage – the larger your space, the more devices you'll need.
• Exit routes — Each exit door and stairwell must be equipped with a manual pull station and clearly illuminated so people can spot them during an emergency.
• Building specifics — What kind of materials is your building made of (brick, steel, etc.)? What floor are you on? Where are you located? The AHJ may set specific guidelines based on your building makeup.
• Occupancy requirements — Locations that regularly hold large numbers of people may need more signaling devices.
• Materials handling — If your business handles flammable materials, you'll need additional safeguards in place, as well as specific employee training.

Other considerations

• Employee seating — Employees must be located as close as possible to the nearest pull stations.
• Fire suppression equipment — Having fire extinguishers or sand buckets on hand can help control a fire until help arrives. Just make sure to train employees to use them properly.
• Team leaders — Your HR department should help find a CPR-certified staffer who can arrange regular fire drills and ensure everybody evacuates safely.

It's important to note that you must adhere to the AHJ's recommendation for a compliant system, even if it costs more than you expect.

Installation
Once you understand the requirements, you'll need to choose a fire alarm dealer who will perform a site survey and develop blueprints based on his findings and the AHJ's information. The AHJ then reviews the blueprints and either signs off on them or notes what changes need to be made. Keep in mind that the blueprint assumes only the minimum standard for your municipality. As long as your setup is compliant, you're free to add other components to your system as needed.

In addition, your fire alarm dealer and AHJ may help you create a detailed evacuation plan and company fire protection document. These documents detail the evacuation procedures for a fire emergency, as well as how to help elderly and disabled people out of the building, which equipment to shut off before evacuating, and the appropriate safety location to gather at.

Can fire alarms work with other protection systems?
Most municipalities insist that you keep fire alarms separate from other security devices such as monitored burglar alarms or video surveillance systems. This requires you to set up a separate phone line that will only connect to your fire alarm.

However, some local authorities will allow you to include fire alarms as part of a larger system if they override all other devices. For example, if you have an access control system that shares wiring with a fire alarm, the system should disable all door locks when a fire is detected so everybody can evacuate the building.