5) Do not provide visible notification appliances in any health care occupancy where
their presence would interfere with patient treatment (such as psychiatric areas).
Consult with the facility.
G. Flash rate shall not exceed one flash per second (1 Hz) for visible appliances.
H. Provide fire department notification by any of the allowed methods identified in NFPA 72.
Where direct connections to the fire department are permitted by the fire department, they
shall be acceptable as long as the circuit is supervised for grounds, shorts, and opens.
Note: The four types of connections identified in the Life Safety Code are auxiliary,
central station, proprietary, or remote station. When there is a VA fire department on
site that receives the signal, it is generally considered to be a proprietary system. The
typical VA loop system is connected to the fire department via an auxiliary connection
(masterbox) or a positive non-interfering and succession (PNIS) module in the control
panel. A proprietary system requires the VA fire department or other VA forces to
handle all signals, alarm, supervisory, and trouble . Some may have a direct connection
to a non-VA fire department, but these connections are not normally installed in
accordance with any requirements contained NFPA 72. Central station has its own
niche and that is for highly protected risk (HPR) facilities. The VA, in most instances,
connects via a Digital Alarm Communication Transmitter (DACT) to a listed central
station for monitoring purposes only. This is a remote station service as defined in the
code. A telephone operator's phone call to the fire department is not acceptable.
I.
All building fire alarm systems having outputs in column 2 of Table 7.3 shall be designed, at a
minimum, to be capable of performing the output functions specified in columns 1 and 4
through 11 when communications outside of the building are lost.
Note: As a minimum, buildings will stand alone as a general evacuation alarm system
when communications are lost to other networked buildings. Some designs require a
signal from a remote building to operate properly. Where that communication is lost,
the building should default as indicated to provide a general evacuation signal.
J. Fire fighter telephones: Where required by the Life Safety Code and where hand held radios
are ineffective for communication by emergency personnel within a building, two-way
telephone communication service should be provided in accordance with the Life Safety and
National Fire Alarm Codes. A telephone jack should be provided at the fire pump in addition
to the telephone jack locations identified in the codes.
7.4 Special Requirements
A. Locate the main fire alarm panel at the front entrance or at a 24-hour location coordinated
with the facility. This will allow the fire department to utilize the panel as an annunciator
where no occupants are present.
B. Provide space for fire alarm terminal cabinets (if required) and conduit risers.
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