Collier County Fire Prevention and Protection Code POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL

ARTICLE NUMBER:  FAL02-04 

EFFECTIVE DATE:  August 1, 2002 

SUBJECT:                             Elevator Lobby, Hoistway, and Associated Machine Room Smoke Detectors Used Solely for Elevator Recall, and Heat Detectors Used Solely for Elevator Power Shutdown

OBJECTIVE:  To provide clarification regarding activation of the building evacuation alarm following initiation of these smoke and heat detectors.

BACKGROUND:

It has been determined that although NFPA 101 (2000 ed.) section 9.6.3.2 Exception No. 1

provides for conditions whereby the smoke detectors used for elevator recall and the heat detectors used to shutdown elevator power are not required to activate the building evacuation alarm, the district fire marshals expressed the need to have these devices provide occupant notification as required in NFPA 101 (2000 ed.) section 9.6.3.2. 

One of the main conditions of 9.6.3.2 Exception No.1, provides that these detectors would not be required to activate the building evacuation alarm as long as the activation of these detectors “results in an audible and visible signal at a constantly attended location.”  This exception is provided to minimize nuisance alarms from detectors in these areas, however, it should be used only where trained personnel are constantly in attendance and can immediately respond to the supervisory signal and investigate the cause of the signal.  Although nuisance alarms and supervisory signals were considered, the fire departments’ field experience with these scenarios, the fact that “constantly attended” locations (as outlined in Exception No. 1) were not viable occurrences and the overriding need to provide timely signal notification to alert occupants of fire or another emergency were predominant factors in this decision.  As such, the need arose to develop a consistent policy/procedure enforceable within the fire districts regarding the need to activate the building evacuation alarm upon initiation of these initiating devices.

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

It has been determined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) that smoke detectors used for elevator recall and the heat detectors used to shutdown elevator power will, in fact, be required to initiate the general evacuation alarm as required in NFPA 101 (2000 ed.) section 9.6.3, and that the use of NFPA 101 (2000 ed.) section 9.6.3.2 Exception No. 1 will not be permitted.

CODE REFERENCES:

NFPA 101 (2000 ed.) sections 1.7.1, 4.6.1.1, 4.6.1.2 & 9.6.3, NFPA 72 (1999 ed.) section 3-9.3.6

ATTACHMENTS:

None.

DISTRIBUTION: Big Corkscrew Island Fire District; East Naples Fire District; Golden Gate Fire District; Immokalee Fire District; Isle of Capri Fire District; North Naples Fire District; Ochopee Fire District; City of Marco Island Fire Department; Building Director, Collier County Community Development; Chief Inspectors, Collier County Community Development; Collier County Community Development Records; Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA); Subscribers

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