Collier County Fire Prevention and Protection Code POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL

ARTICLE NUMBER:  FAL02-06

EFFECTIVE DATE:  August 31, 2002

SUBJECT:  Smoke Detectors Above the Fire Alarm Control Panel or Combination Fire Alarm/Burglary Panel in Single Family Residences

OBJECTIVE: To provide clarification regarding the need to install a smoke detector above the fire alarm control panel in single family residences

BACKGROUND:

The 1993 edition of NFPA 72 was the version adopted by Florida’s Division of State Fire Marshal prior to 3/1/02.  Chapters 2 and 1 of the 1993 edition of NFPA 72 provided verbiage regarding the installation of a smoke detector above a fire alarm panel installed in single family residence.  However, effective 3/1/02, Florida’s Division of State Fire Marshal adopted the 1999 edition of NFPA 72, which includes many significant changes such as the reordering of the chapters and the rewriting of Chapter 8 “Dwellings,” to include performance-based requirements.  The reordering and rewriting of NFPA 72 chapters no longer provide verbiage found in the same location or written the same way as previously seen in the 1993 edition of NFPA 72.  However, the fire districts have determined that this policy is warranted, in that it remains consistent with past practices and that these panels parallel the concerns with other listed fire alarm system panels governed by NFPA 72 (1999 ed.) Chapter 3. 

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

It has been determined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) that a smoke detector/smoke alarm is required above any fire alarm control panel or combination fire alarm/burglary panel installed in a single family residence and shall be connected to the control panel and be listed for that purpose. 

CODE REFERENCES:

NFPA 72 (1999 ed.) 8-3 & Chapter 3

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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