Minnesota Association of the

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Quarterly Fire Inspector’s Meeting

Owatonna, MN

November 2, 2005

• Tom Antal, Fire Protection Consultant

Antal & Associates, Inc.

Minneapolis, MN

• Ed Anderson, Deputy Fire Marshal

City of Golden Valley, MN

Greetings and Introductions

• 24 years in the fire alarm industry • Fire Alarm System Contractor (1981 – 1991)

• Simplex• Pyrotronics (Norwest Center, 56-story high-rise)

• Michaud Cooley Erickson Consulting Engineers Minneapolis, MNFire Alarm System Designer/Consultant (1991 – 2004)

• Hennepin County Medical Center Fire alarm System Replacement Design and Specifications

• IDS Tower Fire Alarm System Replacement• General Mills

Tom Antal

• General Mills Fire Alarm System Replacement

• Antal & Associates, Inc.Fire Protection Consulting (2004 – Present)

Ed Anderson

• 27 years in Fire Service• Proactive in proper Designs, Installation and Maintenance of

Fire Alarm systems• Fire Service Instructor since 1992. Fire Code and Fire

Investigation classes

Agenda

• What is the Automatic Fire Alarm Association and how can it help the fire service community in Minnesota?

• What is the Minnesota Association of the Automatic Fire Alarm Association and how can it help the fire service community in Minnesota?

• Hot Topic in Minnesota right now – the proper method of testing smoke detectors

What is the Automatic Fire Alarm Association?

• The Automatic Fire Alarm Association was formed in 1953 and is the only national trade association exclusively dedicated to representing the automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems industry. The membership is made up of all segments of industry (manufacturer's, distributors, state and regional associations, users, AHJs, engineers, and others).

What is the Automatic Fire Alarm Association?

• The Association is committed to influencing codes and standards at all levels to make buildings safer through the proper application of automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems. Significant time and energy has been spent on insuring that the International Building, Fire and Residential Codes and the soon to be released NFPA 5000 Building Code require fire alarm and automatic detection systems for life safety and proper protection. Members also participate in the promulgation of NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code and NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm Code.

What is the Automatic Fire Alarm Association?

• The AFAA sponsors an Internet Discussion List for fire alarm professionals to discuss all aspects of automatic fire alarm systems.

• Our members live by a Code of Ethics. We are governed by a Board of Directors, and we are guided by a strong commitment to education.

Member Associations

• Alabama • Arizona• California• Rocky Mountain

(Colorado)• Kentucky• Louisiana• MD/DC/VA

• Minnesota• New England • New Jersey • New Mexico • Oklahoma• Oregon• Pennsylvania Regional• Virginia

What is the Minnesota Association of the Automatic Fire Alarm Association?

• Formed in 1999. • A cooperative effort of concerned individuals and

organizations to meet the public need for Life Safety in Minnesota through early warning fire detection and alarm systems.

What Can MNAFAA Do For the Fire Service in Minnesota?

• Five meetings a year: speakers, discussion with other fire alarm inspectors, AHJ’s, designers, contractors

• Training Seminars specific to the fire alarm industry

• Wonderful summer golf outing

Training Seminars

• Fire Alarm System Testing and Inspection SeminarThis one-day seminar covers the requirements of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 2002 Edition for proper testing and visual inspections of fire alarm systems. Information provided includes: the importance of enforcement of these requirements; "selling" test and inspections to the owner; how to conduct proper visual inspection; how to conduct a proper acceptance, reacceptance or periodic fire alarm test; the documentation required for tests and inspections; sensitivity testing; and a checklist to aid in the performance of tests and inspections.

Training – cont’d

• Fire Alarm Plan Review SeminarThis application course describes the common problems associated with the plan review process and offers suggestions for improvement by providing plan review and acceptance test checklists, spreadsheets for determining battery and voltage drop calculations, exercises to determine proper spacing of smoke detectors, exercises for determining proper audibility of fire alarm notification appliances and for determining proper sizing and placement of visible notification appliances. This seminar is intended for authorities having jurisdiction involved in fire alarm system plan review, contractors providing submittal documentation for plan review and fire alarm system designers.

Training – cont’d

• Basic Fire Alarm SeminarThis one day basic seminar covers the fundamentals of fire alarm systems: control panel and power supply functions; initiating device (manual stations, heat and smoke detectors, etc.) selection, operation, and installation,; notification appliance (horns, strobes, speakers, etc.) application; fire safety control functions (door release, fan shutdown, etc.) interface with alarm control units; relationships between codes and standards; installation and wiring requirements of the National Electrical Code; acceptance testing; and periodic testing and maintenance. This course was developed by the AFAA and the Signaling, Protection and Communications section of NEMA.

Training – cont’d

• Understanding the Fire Alarm Requirements of the International Building Code2-Day Seminar to help designers, contractors, and inspectors understand the fire alarm requirements of the International Building Code Code – Review the code-making process – What makes a model code statutory law – How are standards used properly – Review the layout of IBC, IFC, and IMC – Review fire alarm requirements by building occupancy – Review additional requirements of special occupancy (i.e. high rise,

covered mall, etc.) – Apply the IBC, IFC, and IMC requirements to the real world – Perform practice exercises to design systems compliant with IBC, IFC,

and IMC – How does the ADAAG fit into building code requirements

Training – cont’d

• Intermediate Fire alarm Seminar (NICET Levels I and II)

This two-day seminar covers the layout, installation and maintenance of manual and automatic fire alarm systems as well as an in-depth review of the NFPA 72-2002, the National Fire Alarm Code, and the wiring requirements of NFPA 70-2002, the National Electrical Code.

Training – cont’d

• Advanced Fire alarm Seminar (NICET Levels III and IV)

This two-day seminar covers NICET Level III/IV certification training and continuing education requirements; fire alarm system surveys and design; addressable and multiplex systems; system reliability; principles of smoke movement in buildings; principles of combustion; application of automatic fire alarm devices and Annex B application; transient protection; power supplies, supplementary circuits, and much more.

Benefits of Being a Member of MNAFAA• AFAA influences codes and standards that benefit the fire alarm industry• Provides a direct link to research within the industry (NIST Duct Smoke

Detector Study)• Provides education for the fire alarm system industry• Provides networking opportunities with other fire alarm industry

professionals• Promotes certification via the NICET certification program• Promotes professionalism within the fire alarm industry• Provides for a direct voice within the fire alarm industry• Member discounts for seminars, publications, forms, etc.• Participate in affiliated member service programs• Provides forum to resolve specific problems including design, application,

installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and system performance of fire alarm systems

• Provides for participation in the web-based fire alarm discussion list• Provides technical assistance on interpretations of codes and standards

Smoke Detector Testing

Smoke Detector Testing:Truths & Misunderstandings

AFAA On-Line Discussion GroupPosting from Tom Antal – July 6, 2005

I am president of the Minnesota AFAA. We were contacted recently by the State Fire Marshals office regarding smoke detector testing. Nursing homes that receive Medicare funds are being inspected by CMS, Centers for Medicine and Medical Services . One part of the inspection is to verify that the buildings smoke detectors are being tested and recorded for smoke entry and sensitivity. I would like to schedule a speaker at our September meeting in Minneapolis to discuss smoke detector testing, both analog and non-analog detectors.

Smoke Detector Testing:Truths & Misunderstandings

John Ventrella

AFAA Board Member Past President, NJ-AFAA President, Systems Sales Corp. – Established 1981 President, SDI - Established 1995

Elements of Proper Testing• Compliance with NFPA 72 -2002 – Chapter 10 (Previous Editions – Chapter 7)

• Qualified Testers – 10.2.2.5 Service personnel shall be qualified and experienced in the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems.

• Proper Test Equipment – 10.4.2.2.13 (d).1 » “As recommended by manufacturer” » “That will not damage the detector”

• Proper Record Keeping – 10.6.2 – Maintenance, Inspection and Testing Records

• Common Sense !!

Functional Check: General

Tests must ensure that combustion products can pass unhindered from the protected area to the sensing chamber / elements of the detector

Functional checks involve physical stimuli from outside the detector

Tests should not simply test the ability of the detector to sample / verify the status of the atmosphere already in the sensing chamber

NFPA72: Functional Check Requirements for Smoke Detectors

“The detectors shall be tested in place to ensure smoke entry into the sensing chamber and an alarm response. Testing with smoke or listed aerosol approved by the manufacturer shall be permitted as acceptable test methods.”

NFPA 72, 2002 - Table 10.4.2.2.13 (g) Smoke detectors

This applies to both analog and non-analog detectors

Functional check cannot be conducted with a magnet

NFPA 72 Functional Check Requirements for Heat Detectors

“Heat test shall be performed with a heat source per the manufacturer’s recommendations for response within 1 minute.

A test method shall be used that is recommended by the manufacturer or other method shall be used that will not

damage the non-restorable fixed-temperature element of a combination rate-of-rise / fixed-temperature element”.

NFPA 72, 2002 - Table 10.4.2.2 13.d.1

Purpose of Magnet Test Facilitates activation of detector to verify cause and effect (e.g.:

activation of damper following detector activation)

Not a functional test of the detector itself

Facilitates zone checking

Functional Check Frequency / Timings

NFPA 72 2002 Edition, 10.4.1 Testing Frequencies requires:

C) Annual functional checks

B) Re-acceptance checks (after changes)

A) Initial checks (at system commissioning)

Functional Checks:Misunderstandings and Concerns

Applies equally to analog and non-analog detectors

Confusion between price and value: “a cynic is man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing”

Inappropriate functional test devices can damage the detector, the operator, the site or the environment

Magnets, IR Fobs, Lasers and other ‘electronic checks’ are wrongly accepted as functional checks

Inappropriate Test Equipment?

Sensitivity Check: (Official*) Options

“Any of the following tests shall be performed to ensure that each smoke detector is within its listed and marked sensitivity range:

1. Calibrated test method

2. Manufacturer’s calibrated sensitivity test instrument

3. Listed control equipment arranged for the purpose

4. Detector arrangement whereby the detector causes a signal at the control unit when its sensitivity is outside its listed sensitivity range

5. Other calibrated sensitivity test approved by the (AHJ)”

NFPA 72, 2002 - Table 10.4.2.2 - 13.g.1

Sensitivity Check: Frequency / Timings

10.4.3.2.3.2 In zones or in areas where nuisance alarms show any increase over the previous year, calibration tests shall be performed.

NFPA 72, 2002

10.4.3.2.1 Sensitivity shall be checked within 1 year after installation.

10.4.3.2.2 Sensitivity shall be checked every alternate year thereafter unless otherwise permitted by compliance with 10.4.3.2.3.

10.4.3.2.3 After the second required calibration test, if sensitivity tests indicate that the device has remained within its listed and marked sensitivity range (or 4 percent obscuration light grey smoke, if not marked), the length of time between calibration tests shall be permitted to be extended to a maximum of 5 years.

10.4.3.2.3.1 If the frequency is extended, records of nuisance alarms and subsequent trends of these alarms shall be maintained.

Sensitivity Testing: Misunderstandings & Concerns

Concern: Too much faith in software checks of analog values

Misunderstanding: A quantitative test cannot be performed with a qualitative product:

“The detector or smoke alarm sensitivity shall not be tested or measured using any device that administers an unmeasured concentration of smoke or other aerosol into the detector or smoke alarm”

NFPA 72, 2002 - 10.4.3.2.6

Concern: It is better to measure than test

Record Keeping 10.6.2. Maintenance, inspection, and testing records

10.6.2.1 Records shall be retained until the next test and for one year thereafter.

10.6.2.2 The records shall be on a medium that will survive the retention period. Paper or electronic media shall be permitted.

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• Tests Spot type. Rate of Rise, Rate Compensated, Restorable Fixed Temperature and Combination detectors up to 194 F.

• Sets 95% of all heat detectors into alarm in seconds.

• No Cords , uses NiCad rechargeable battery batons.

Local Information Resource

WWW.MNAFFA.ORG

Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm Association

National Information Resource

Automatic Fire Alarm AssociationWWW.AFAA.ORG

On Line Learning Center Link to NFPA Store Industry LinksSubscribe to On-Line Discussion List

Questions?