Collier County Fire Prevention and Protection Code
POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL
|
Collier County Fire Prevention and Protection Code POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL |
|
ARTICLE NUMBER: FAL02-07
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 6, 2002
SUBJECT: The Installation of Manual Pull-Stations at Each Fire Sprinkler Riser for Each Building in a Campus-Style Arrangement
OBJECTIVE: To provide clarification regarding the need to install a manual pull-station in the immediate vicinity of each building’s automatic sprinkler system control valves for each building within a campus-style arrangement (two or more buildings)
BACKGROUND:
Both NFPA 101 and NFPA 72 outline the requirement to provide not less than one manual fire alarm box (pull-station) to initiate a fire alarm signal and that the fire alarm box be located where required by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). There is concern amongst the fire districts with campus-style arrangements of buildings (particularly within apartment complexes) whereby each building has its own fire sprinkler riser with tamper and flow switches, one main fire alarm control panel monitoring all fire sprinkler riser systems for all buildings and only one fire alarm box (pull-station) which is usually located at the main fire alarm control panel.
One of the reasons at least one fire alarm box is required is to allow an alarm to be transmitted if the automatic fire detectors or sprinkler system are out of service during repairs or during a test. This requirement presumes there is a contingency plan to address a fire emergency during the out-of-service time or during a test. It also presumes that personnel within the facility and at any supervising station to which the premises is connected are aware of the plan and will acknowledge receipt of the alarm. Another reason the fire alarm box is required is to permit a building occupant to initiate an alarm signal prior to the actuation of an automatic initiating device, providing earlier warning of a fire emergency. It has been determined by the fire districts that intent and spirit of these presumptions and requirements cannot be satisfied with a sole fire alarm box installed on a fire alarm system monitoring multiple automatic sprinkler system control valves at multiple buildings within a campus-style arrangement.
Therefore, it has been determined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) that a fire alarm box (manual pull-station) is required to be installed in the immediate vicinity of each building’s automatic sprinkler system control valves. This is required at each building within a campus-style arrangement where there are two or more buildings present.
CODE REFERENCES:
NFPA 72: 3-8.3.1.2 (1999 ed.), NFPA 101: 9-6.2.5 (2000 ed.)
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
FAL02-07 Installation of manual pull stations at campus buildings.doc Page 1 of 1 7/24/02