Fire Detection and

Suppression

Chapter 2
Fire Detection and
Signaling Systems
 Fire Detection and
Signaling Systems

The early detection of a fire and the signaling of

an appropriate alarm remain the most
significant factors in preventing large losses
from occurring.

2-1 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Standards and Codes
• Component tests by nationally recognized labs
— Underwriters Laboratories
— Factory Mutual
• Codes
— NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
— NPFA 72, The National Fire Alarm Code
— Local codes and ordinances

2-2 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Basic System Components
• System control unit (alarm panel)
— Brain of system
— Processes alarm signals from actuating devices
and transmits them to the local or other alerting
system

2-3 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Basic System Components
(cont.)
• Power supply
— Primary power supply
– Public electric utility
– Engine-driven generator
— Secondary power supply
– Storage battery and charger
– Engine-driven generator and 4-hour storage battery
– Multiple engine-driven generators
— Trouble signal power supply

2-4 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Basic System Components
(cont.)
• Initiating devices: manual pull stations, heat
detectors, smoke detectors, flame detectors,
waterflow devices, tamper switches, and
combination detectors
• Notification appliances: bells, buzzers, horns,
recorded voice messages, strobe lights,
speakers, and other warning appliances
• Auxiliary services

2-5 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Types of Fire Alarm
Systems
• Selection factors
— Level of life-safety hazard
— Structural features of the building
— Level of hazard presented by the contents of the
building
— Availability of fire suppression resources
— State and local code requirements
(Continued)

2-6 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
(cont.)
• Local system
— Noncoded local alarm
– Simultaneous operation of all alarm-indicating devices
– Only practical in small occupancies with limited
number of rooms
— Master coded local alarm
– Serves the premises as a local control unit and
receives input from other fire alarm control units
– Used in occupancies that use the alarm signals for
other purposes
(Continued)

2-7 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Types of Fire Alarm
Systems
• Local system (cont.)
— Zoned/annunciated alarm
– Identifies fire location quickly and accurately
– Alarm-initiating devices arranged in circuits or zones
– Initiating device sounds alarm and lights
corresponding lamp on control unit
– Annunciator panel remote from control panel
– Coded signals
— Presignal alarm
(Continued)

2-8 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
(cont.)
• Auxiliary system
— Facility that receives signals where personnel are
always present to respond
– Initiation devices
– Local requirements and policies
— Types of auxiliary systems
– Local energy system
– Shunt system
– Parallel telephone system
(Continued)

2-9 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
(cont.)
• Remote station system
— Connected to dispatch center by means other
than municipal fire alarm box system
— Local alarm capability
— Monitoring options
(Continued)

2-10 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
(cont.)
• Proprietary system
— Used to protect large buildings or facilities
— Systems for individual buildings or areas wired
into common receiving point
— Wide-ranging capabilities
(Continued)

2-11 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
(cont.)
• Central station system
— Similar to proprietary system but receiving point
is an outside, contracted central station
— Alarm activation information received by central
station employees, who initiate emergency
response
(Continued)

2-12 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
(cont.)
• Emergency voice/alarm communications
system
— Supplements other systems
— Communicates detailed information to occupants
and fire fighting personnel
— One-way/two-way

2-13 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Manual Alarm-Initiating
Devices
• General requirements
— Mounting and distribution
— Generally not required in fully sprinklered
structures
— Outmoded “broken glass” pull stations
• Coded versus noncoded pull stations
• Single-action and double-action pull stations

2-14 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Automatic Alarm-Initiating
Devices
• Continuously monitor atmosphere
• Four basic types
— Heat detectors
— Smoke detectors
— Fire-gas detectors
— Flame detectors

2-15 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Heat Detectors
• Fixed temperature heat detectors
— Fusible links/frangible bulbs
— Continuous line detector
— Bimetallic detector

• Rate-of-rise heat detector

— Pneumatic rate-of-rise spot detector (Fig. 2.34)
— Pneumatic rate-of-rise line detector (Fig. 2.35)
— Rate compensated detector (Fig. 2.36)
— Thermoelectric detector

2-16 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Smoke Detectors
• Photoelectric smoke detector
— Projected beam (Fig. 2.37)
— Refractory photocell (Fig. 2.38)
• Ionization smoke detector (Fig. 2.39)
— Dual chamber
— Air-sampling smoke detectors
– Cloud chamber (Fig. 2.40)
– Second type (Fig. 2.41)
(Continued)

2-17 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Smoke Detectors (cont.)
• Limitations
— May not provide early warning of a fire
developing on another level of a building
— May not detect fire developing on the other side
of a closed door
— May not be effective when fire is caused by
explosions resulting from careless housekeeping

2-18 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Flame Detectors
• Types
— Ultraviolet (UV) Fig. (2.42a)
— Infrared (IR) Fig. (2.42b)
• Fast to respond
• Frequent false alarms

2-19 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Fire Gas Detectors
• Monitors levels of gases released by
combustion
— Carbon dioxide
— Carbon monoxide
• Faster than heat detectors but slower than
smoke detectors

2-20 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Combination Detectors
• Various possible combinations
— Fixed rate/rate-of-rise detectors
— Heat/smoke detectors
— Smoke/fire gas detectors
• Offer benefits of both systems and increase
responsiveness to fire conditions

2-21 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Acceptance Testing
• Should be observe by representatives of
building owner, fire department, system
installer, and system manufacturer.
• All functions of the fire detection and
signaling system should be operated:
— All alarm-indicating and alarm-initiating devices
— Restorable heat detectors
— Response of outside entities responsible for
monitoring the system

2-22 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 General Inspections
• Fire department participation
• Checkpoints
— Condition of wiring and batteries
— All equipment free of foreign materials
— Adequate clearance around system control units,
recording instruments, and other devices

2-23 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Inspecting and Service
Testing Initiating Devices
(cont.)
• Manual alarm-initiating devices
• Automatic alarm-initiating devices
— Detectors must not be damaged or painted.
— Replace or send the following detectors to a
recognized testing laboratory for testing:
– Detectors on systems that are being restored to
service after a period of disuse
– Detectors that are obviously corroded
(Continued)

2-24 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Inspecting and Service
Testing Initiating Devices
(cont.)
• Automatic alarm-initiating devices
— Replace or send the following detectors to a
recognized testing laboratory for testing (cont.):
– Detectors that have been painted over, even if
attempts were made to clean them
– Detectors that have been mechanically damaged or
abused
– Detectors on circuits that were subjected to current
surges, overvoltages, or lightning strikes
(Continued)

2-25 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Inspecting and Service
Testing Initiating Devices
(cont.)
• Automatic alarm-initiating devices
— Replace or send the following detectors to a
recognized testing laboratory for testing (cont.):
– Detectors subjected to foreign substances that might
affect their operation
– Detectors subjected to either direct flame, excessive
heat, or smoke damage
— Testing
– Nonrestorable
– Restorable

2-26 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Inspecting System Control
Units
• Control panel switches and functions
• Auxiliary devices
• Receiving signals

2-27 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 System Testing Timetables
• Local systems: local guidelines
• Central station systems: monthly
• Auxiliary systems: monthly (noncoded fire alarm
boxes: monthly)
• Remote station and proprietary systems: authority
having jurisdiction
• Emergency voice/alarm systems: quarterly
• NOTE: In all cases, check the most current edition of
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code.

2-28 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Record Keeping
• Maintaining Files and Records
— Documents:
– Inspection reports, forms, and letters
– Violation notices
– Summonses
– Plans review comments, approvals, and drawings
– Fire reports
– Investigations
– Permits and certificates issued
(Continued)

2-29 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Record Keeping
• Maintaining Files and Records (cont.)
— Occupancies:
– Those that have been issued a permit, certificate, or
license
– Those that contain automatic fire suppression or detection
systems
– Those that conduct hazardous operations or routinely
house hazardous materials
— Duration: life of structure
— Public record
(Continued)

2-30 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Record Keeping (cont.)
• Written records
— File for each inspected property
— Cataloging and storage
• Electronic records
— Two primary methods of entering data:
– Inspectors use laptop computers or handheld electronic
data recording equipment during the inspection.
– Inspectors use written forms during the inspection and then
enter the information upon returning to the office.
(Continued)

2-31 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems
 Record Keeping (cont.)
• Electronic records (cont.)
— Considerations in computer system management
– How will the information be filed?
– How can the information be retrieved?
– What portion of the information will be stored in a read-only
format?
– What personnel will be given access to retrieve information
from the system?
– What information can be released to the public?

2-32 Fire Detection and

Signaling Systems