Collier County Fire Prevention and Protection Code POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL

ARTICLE NUMBER:  FAL02-08

EFFECTIVE DATE:  November 6, 2002, EXCEPTION added 08/12/03, Amendment #1 added 08/03/04,

SUBJECT:  Requiring a Class A, Style 7 Circuit Designation for Circuits Used to Monitor Multiple Buildings on a Contiguous Property

OBJECTIVE: To provide clarification regarding the need to require a Class A, Style 7 circuit designation when a master panel is used to monitor other systems or buildings within a campus-style arrangement (two or more buildings), particularly when this arrangement is specified in lieu of an individual panel with an individual off-premises connection at each building.

BACKGROUND:

It is understood that Class A circuits are considered to be more reliable than Class B circuits because they remain fully operational during the occurrence of a single open or a single ground fault, while Class B circuits remain operational only up to the location of an open fault.  However, neither Class A nor Class B circuits remain operational during a wire-to-wire short which disables the entire circuit.  The risk of such a catastrophic failure is unacceptable to the fire districts of Collier County.

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

Therefore, it has been determined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) that when a master panel is used to monitor other systems or buildings within a campus-style arrangement (two or more buildings) for the purpose of having only one off-premises connection, a Class A-Style 7 circuit designation shall be required.  Otherwise, an individual panel with its own individual off-premises connection shall be required at each building within a campus-style arrangement (two or more buildings). 

EXCEPTION:

There will be no exception for the use of Class B wiring.

Conventional fire alarm systems may be used and there will be no requirement for “Loop Isolation Modules” when the following conditions are met:

1.      Individual circuits are used to monitor each type of initiating device (i.e. flow switch, manual pull-stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors, and tamper switches)

2.      All wiring between buildings shall be Class A, Style D.

3.      Appropriate wire is used and proper surge protection is used.

4.      Each building is monitored for Alarm, Supervisory, and Trouble.

5.      Master panel has the capability of transmitting each building’s initiating device types separately to the off-site monitoring station.

6.      Separate raceways are provided between each building and the master panel.

7.      Audio/visual appliances will be activated individually at the building of alarm initiation.

AMENDMENT #1:  With respect to notification appliance circuits (NAC) in a campus-style arrangement, a Class A-Style Z NAC is required at protected premises fire alarm systems where occupant notification is in place for evacuation purposes.  However, with a sprinkler monitoring type fire alarm system - where there is only one outside weatherproof audio/visual appliance in place to identify the building in alarm and identify riser and/or FDC location - a Class B NAC will be permitted.

CODE REFERENCES:

NFPA 72: 3-4.2, A-3-4.2, 3-8.1.2 (1999 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

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