Smoke Alarms and IBC 2021 code

RE: Smoke Alarms and IBC 2021 

Smoke Alarm Specifications

• Smoke alarms are 120V with 9V battery backup.

• In some cases, they are monitored using a relay output from the smoke alarm to reduce costs.

• This relay output can be monitored by a monitor module. However, this type of monitoring does not allow sensitivity reporting or changes.

Combination Smoke/CO Alarm Considerations

• Many engineers are specifying combination smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) alarms that are 120V with 9V battery backup.

• If combination smoke/CO alarms are used, they must have two separate relay outputs to properly program the temporal 3 and 4 signals for horn strobes or speaker strobes and monitor both the CO and the Smoke with monitor modules.

• There is another way which has been used in the past when two different resistances are used so the circuit is measured for a short which is an alarm, resistance and an open for trouble although the best way is to install actual smoke detectors that are tied directly to the fire alarm panel so sensitivity can be measured and these detectors will be part of the fire alarm system and serviced by the fire alarm company.

• When 120V smoke alarms are used they need to be serviced by a licensed electrician. This causes issues when they false alarm or if a resident disables them or takes them down because of issues the fire alarm company is called out and then the customer receives a bill for that service call only to find out that an electrical contractor needs to be dispatched increasing the bill further.

2021 IBC Code Requirements

• IBC 2021, Section 907.5.2.1.3.2 requires the following:

• For R1 and R2 occupancies that require a fire alarm system per sections 907.2.8 or 907.2.9, the audible alarm signal activated by single or multiple-station smoke alarms in dwelling or sleeping units must provide a 520 Hz low-frequency sounder.

• If a 520 Hz low-frequency sounder is not feasible or available, the alarm signal must be provided by a listed notification appliance or by a smoke detector with an integral 520 Hz sounder.

Current Product Limitations

• There are currently no manufacturers producing smoke alarms or combination smoke/CO alarms (120V with 9V battery backup) that include low-frequency sounders.

ADA Room Requirements or requirements for rooms where people that are visually impaired or hard of hearing. If this changes and you know of a manufacturer that makes smoke alarms with a low frequency sounder please let us know.

• Compliant rooms require:

IBC 2021 Table 907.5.2.3.2 is a chart for the requirement of how many visible alarms are needed

Examples:

Number of Sleeping units        Sleeping accommodations with visible alarms

6-25                            2

26-50                          4

51-75                         7

76-100                          9

101-150                           12

151-200                                                  14

• A strobe light in the restrooms.

• A 520 Hz low-frequency sounder and strobe in sleeping rooms and in front-room living areas.

System Smoke Detectors Option

• If separate relay outputs for smoke and CO are not specified for combination smoke/CO alarms (to program temporal 3 and 4 codes), consider allowing bidders to use system smoke detectors with low-frequency sounders. If the smoke alarms that are combination Smoke/CO do not have 2 separate relays outputs to distinguish between the smoke and the CO detection then they should not be used because they would not be able to activate temporal 3 for fire and temporal 4 for CO. 

• There are combination CO/smoke detectors available that integrate with  fire alarm systems.

Addressable Smoke Detectors

• Addressable smoke detectors offer enhanced programming capabilities:

• They can be programmed to activate low-frequency sounders, LF horn strobes, or strobes in specific units for minor incidents, such as burnt toast.

• If multiple detectors are activated, the entire building can be evacuated.

Addressable Notification Devices

• Addressable horn strobes or speaker strobes can be programmed to activate in specific areas for specific reasons.

• If addressable notification devices are not used, activation in specific areas must be achieved by programming specific power supplies and circuits to respond to certain devices.

For comments, questions or corrections call Larry Love at 801 898 6003 Larry.Love@jci.com

Larry Love is employed by Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP which is a Simplex Fire Alarm distributer and installer for Simplex Fire Alarm including Mass Notification, Large networked systems for data centers, airports, hospitals, large hotels and campus environments.

Most of the time JCFP Johnson Controls Fire Protection provides the bids to the Electrical Contractors who bids to the General Contractor and once the project starts the Electrical Contractor installs the wire, conduit does the high voltage work and installs the fire alarm system and JCFP comes out and does the programing, testing and certification as well as the training.

Call Larry Love for bids or for quotes on JCI Financing for your fire alarm projects. Typically John Controls financing is less than the market price.

Larry Love AET is a certified NICET level 2 Fire Alarm tech #107204