Fire Alarm System

Design Guidelines

Prepared by
AHAMED FARHAN
APPLICABLE CODES
 APPLICABLE CODES & STANDARDS
FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Latest Fire safety guidelines issued by QCDD for fire

Alarm system

Qatar Construction Specifications, Chapter-23 for Fire

Alarm works

NFPA-72:National Fire Alarm Code

NFPA Codes NFPA-70: National Electrical Code

NFPA-101: Life Safety Code

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
 FIRE DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM

What is Fire Alarm System ?

A system or portion of a combination system that consists of

components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status
of fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the
appropriate response to those signals.

Types of Fire Alarm System :-

- Conventional type :
A Fire alarm system that provides a common LED indication for a group
of detectors connected in one zone to identify the fire area;

- Analog Addressable :

A Fire alarm system that provides each device with unique identification
by number and description of the location by an alphanumeric display
unit as pre-programmed.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Main Components
 FIRE DETECTION & ALARM
SYSTEM – MAIN COMPONENTS

Fire Alarm Control Panel :

A system component that receives inputs from automatic and

manual fire alarm devices and might supply power to detection
devices and to a transponder (s) or off-premises transmitter (s). The
control unit might also provide transfer of power to the notification
appliances and transfer of condition to relays or devices connected
to the control unit. The fire alarm control unit can be a local fire
alarm control unit or a master control unit.

Initiating Devices :

A system component that originates transmission of a change-of-

state condition, such as in a smoke detector, manual fire alarm box,
or supervisory switch.
 FIRE DETECTION & ALARM
SYSTEM – MAIN COMPONENTS

Notification Appliances :

A fire alarm system component such as a bell, horn, speaker, light,

or text display that provides audible, tactile, or visible outputs, or
any combination thereof.

Auto Dialer / CAMS:

A system component at the protected premises to which common

fire alarm is connected from FACP. The Auto dialer seizes the
connected telephone line, dials a pre selected number to connect
to Civil defense central monitoring station, and transmits fire alarm
signals.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Main Devices
 FIRE DETECTION & ALARM
SYSTEM – MAIN DEVICES
Smoke Detector :

A device that detects visible or invisible particles of combustion.

Types of Smoke detectors:
- Ionization type;
- Photo electric (optical) type.

Heat Detector :

A fire detector that detects either abnormally high temperature or

rate of temperature rise, or both.
Types of heat detectors:
- Fixed temperature type;
- Rate of rise temperature type;
-Fixed cum rate of rise type.
 FIRE DETECTION & ALARM
SYSTEM – MAIN DEVICES

Break glass unit :

A manually operated device used to initiate an alarm signal.

Fire Alarm Bell :

A device that produces a fire alarm/evacuation tone upon command

from the Fire Alarm Control Panel.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
 OUTLINE

1 • Fire Alarm
2 • Voice Evacuation
Fire Alarm System
 STANDARDS

1. National Fire Protection Association NFPA72

– NFPA 72 covers the application, installation ,locations, performance of fire alarm
systems and their components.

– The National Fie Alarm code provides the minimum installation, test, maintenance
and performance requirements for the Fire Alarm System.

– NFPA does not manufacture, test, distribute, endorse, approve, or list services,
products or components .

2. BS 5839-1:2013 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings.

– BS 5839 is the code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and
maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises.

– BS 5839-1:2013 provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation,

commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and
around non-domestic buildings. It does not recommend whether or not a fire detection
and fire alarm system should be installed in any given premises.
DETECTORS SPACING

• In the absence of specific

performance based design
criteria, smooth ceiling smoke
detector spacing shall nominal
30 ft (9.1 m).

• Spacing from wall shall be taken as

0.7S (0.7 x 9.1m = 6.4 radius).

• One detector provides 83m2 of

effective coverage.

NFPA 72 Clause [Link].3.1

DETECTORS SPACING
DETECTORS SPACING

• Sloping ceilings shall have a row of

detectors located on the ceiling within
900 mm (3 ft) of the high side of the
ceiling measured horizontally, spaced
in accordance with the type of ceiling
construction. The remaining detectors,
if any, shall be located in the remaining
area on the basis of the horizontal
projection of the ceiling.

NFPA 72 Clause [Link]

DETECTORS SPACING
 DETECTORS SPACING

D • If D < 0.1 H then smooth ceiling and

detectors could be installed on beams or
pockets.
W • If D > 0.1 H
• If W >= 0.4 H then detectors should be
installed in beam pockets
• If W < 0.4 H then consider as smooth
ceiling.
• Spacing = S for parallel side.
• Spacing = 1/2S for perpendicular
side.

NFPA 72 Clause [Link].4.2

 DETECTORS SPACING

1/2 S

1/4 S

S
1/2 S
DETECTORS SPACING

17.5.2* Partitions. Where partitions

extend to within 15 percent of the ceiling
height, the spaces separated by the
partitions shall be considered as separate
rooms.
DETECTORS SPACING
 DETECTORS SPACING

[Link].2* To minimize dust contamination, smoke detectors, where installed under

raised floors, shall be mounted only in an orientation for which they have been listed.
 DETECTORS SPACING

W W

For corridor width = 2m spacing =

12.8 m

FIGURE A.[Link].1
DETECTORS SPACING
DETECTORS SPACING
DETECTORS SPACING
DETECTORS SPACING

[Link] Total (Complete) Coverage.

Where required by
other governing laws, codes, or
standards, and unless otherwise
modified by [Link].1 through
[Link].5, total coverage
shall include all rooms, halls, storage
areas, basements, attics,
lofts, spaces above suspended
ceilings, and other subdivisions
and accessible spaces, as well as the
inside of all closets, elevator
shafts, enclosed stairways,
dumbwaiter shafts, and chutes.
 DETECTORS SPACING

[Link]* Projected Beam–Type Smoke Detectors.

[Link].1 Projected beam–type smoke detectors shall be located in accordance with the
manufacturer’s published instructions.

(B) Where total coverage smoke detection is installed in accordance with [Link] in all areas of the
smoke compartment served by the return air system, installation of additional detector(s) listed for
the air velocity present where the air leaves each smoke compartment, or in the duct system before
the air enters in the return air system shall not be required, provided that their function is
accomplished by the design of the total coverage smoke detection system.
[Link] Location and Installation of Detectors in Air Duct Systems.
[Link].1 Detectors shall be listed for the purpose for which they are being used.
[Link].2* Air duct detectors shall be installed in such a way as to obtain a representative sample of
the airstream. This installation shall be permitted to be achieved by any of the following methods:
(1) Rigid mounting within the duct
(2) Rigid mounting to the wall of the duct with the sensing
element protruding into the duct
(3) Installation outside the duct with rigidly mounted sampling
tubes protruding into the duct
(4) Installation through the duct with projected light beam
 MANUALLY ACTUATED ALARM-INITIATING DEVICES

17.14.5 The operable part of a

manually actuated alarm
initiating device shall be not
less than 42 in. (1.07 m) and
not more than 48 in. (1.22 m)
from the finished floor.

17.14.6 Manually actuated alarm-initiating devices shall be permitted to be single action

or double action.
[Link] Manual fire alarm boxes shall be located within 5 ft (1.5 m) of each exit
doorway on each floor.
[Link]* Additional manual fire alarm boxes shall be provided so that the travel
distance to the nearest manual fire alarm box will not exceed 200 ft (61 m), measured
horizontally on the same floor.
 NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

• Its used to initiate evacuation or alert the building staff so they may initiate the building emergency
plan

• The appliances fall into two main categories

1)Audible

[Link]* To ensure that audible public mode signals are clearly heard, unless otherwise permitted by
[Link] through [Link], they shall have a sound level at least 15 dB above the average ambient
sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds, whichever
is greater, measured 5 ft (1.5 m) above the floor in the area required to be served by the system using
the A-weighted scale (dBA).

2)Visual

A.[Link] A design that delivers a minimum illumination of 0.0375 lumens/ft2 (foot candelas) [0.4037
lumens/m2 (lux)] to all occupiable spaces where visible notification is required is considered to meet the
minimum light intensity requirements of
[Link].2(1). This level of illumination has been shown to alert people by indirect viewing (reflected
light) in a large variety of rooms with a wide range of ambient lighting conditions.
NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES
 NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

[Link]* Where audible appliances are installed to provide signals for sleeping areas,
they shall have a sound level of at least 15 dB above the average ambient sound level or 5
dB above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least
60 seconds or a sound level of at least 75 dBA, whichever is greater, measured at the
pillow level in the area required to be served by the system using the A-weighted scale
(dBA).
 NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

A.18.4.3
Sound levels can be significantly reduced due to distance and losses through building elements. Every
time the distance from the source doubles, the sound level decreases by about 6 decibels (dB). Audible
notification appliances are typically rated by manufacturers’ and testing agencies at 10 ft (3 m) from the
appliance. Subsequently, at a distance of 20 ft (6.1 m) from an audible appliance rated at 84 dBA, the
sound level might be reduced to 78 dBA. At a closed door, the loss might be about 10 dB to 24 dB or more
depending on construction. If the opening around the door is sealed, this might result in a loss of 22 dB to
34 dB or more.

1m 2m 4m 8m 16m

90dB 84dB 78dB 72dB 66dB

On-axis measurement, free-field conditions

NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES
 NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

[Link]* Notification Appliances in Exit Stair Enclosures, Exit Passageways, and

Elevator Cars. Notification appliances shall not be required in exit stair enclosures, exit
passageways, and elevator cars in accordance with [Link].1 through [Link].4.

[Link].1 Visible signals shall not be required in exit stair

enclosures and exit passageways.

[Link].2 Where there are addressable notification appliances on a signaling line

circuit that serves different notification zones, a single open, short-circuit, or ground
on that signaling line circuit shall not affect operation of more than one notification
zone.
NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES
 NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

2500 sq ft X 0.0375 Lumens/sq ft = 93.75

cd

93.75/4 = 23.44 cd
 NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES

[Link].1 The secondary power supply shall have sufficient capacity to operate the
system under quiescent load (system operating in a nonalarm condition) for a minimum
of 24 hours and, at the end of that period, shall be capable of operating all alarm
notification appliances used for evacuation or to direct aid to the location of an
emergency for 5 minutes,

QCDD requirement 24 hours standby in addition to 30 minutes

alarm.
 FCC REQUIREMENTS
A.3.3.106 Fire Command Center. The fire command center should
contain the following features as applicable to the specific facility:
(1) Emergency voice/alarm communication system unit
(2) Fire department communications unit
(3) Fire detection and alarm system annunciator unit
(4) Annunciator unit visually indicating the location of the elevators
and whether they are operational
(5) Status indicators and controls for air-handling systems
(6) The required fire-fighter’s control panel for smoke control systems
installed in the building
(7) Controls for unlocking stairway doors simultaneously
(8) Sprinkler valve and waterflow detector display panels
(9) Emergency and standby power status indicators
(10) Telephone for fire department use with controlled access to the
public telephone system
(11) Fire pump status indicators
(12) Schematic building plans indicating the typical floor plan and
detailing the building core, means of egress, fire protection systems,
fire-fighting equipment, and fire department access
(13) Worktable
(14) Generator supervision devices, manual start, and transfer
features
(15) Public address system
(16) Other emergency systems identified in emergency response
plan
Voice Evacuation System
 VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM

• What is Voice Alarm?

“A voice alarm system broadcasts spoken messages to
warn people of danger”

• Why Speech Messages?

• Speech can impart much more information than
tones/bells
• Generally no (special) training is required to
understand speech
• People react much more quickly to spoken messages

5:47 PM
 VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM

Emergency Voice Communications (EVC) system is interlinked with the fire alarm
to give evacuation or emergency messages throughout the premises for all
occupants

• Voice Evacuation systems allow voice commands and instructions to be given

to building occupants and emergency forces during a fire .

• It can be used to evacuate a building in stages or redirect occupants to safe areas

 VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM

What Type of Messages are Used?

• Pre-recorded messages;
• No user-intervention
• Planned content for various situations
• Recorded in quiet, controlled environment
• Professional, calm announcers used
• Multiple languages

• Live messages;
• Used when situation differs from plan
• Causes maximum reaction
• Allows live situation management
 VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM

Typical Pre-Recorded Messages

• Evacuation Message:
- <ALARM TONE> “Attention please. Attention please. Fire has been reported in the
building. Please leave the building immediately by the nearest exit. Do not use a lift.”
• Alert Message:
- <ALERT TONE> “May I have your attention please. May I have your attention please.
Fire has been reported in the building. Please listen for further instructions.”
• Test Start Message:
- “May I have your attention please. May I have your attention please. The fire alarm
system is about to be tested. Please take no further action.”
• Test Finish Message:
- “May I have you attention please. May I have your attention please. The fire alarm test
is now complete. If you had any difficulty in clearly hearing any part of the message,
please advise the main reception. Thank you for your co-operation.”
 VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM
24.3.3* Required Emergency Communications Systems. An emergency communications
system shall be installed in occupancies where required by the authority having
jurisdiction or by other applicable governing laws, codes, or standards.

[Link].2.3 Audibility shall be required in all areas in accordance with Chapter 18.

[Link].3 The evacuation signal shall not be required to operate in exit stair enclosures
and exit passageways.

1m 1m 1m 1m 1m

1W 2W 4W 8W 16W

90dB 93dB 96dB 99dB 102dB

On-axis measurement, no power compression

Double the power to the loudspeaker = sound pressure level increases by 3dB
 VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM

Speaker Spacing

SPL dir = SPL@1.1.1 + 10 log P – 20 Log D

SPL 1.1.1 is the loud speaker’s Specified SPL at 1 Watt at 1 Meter at 1KHz,
P is the Power of the Loudspeaker Tap Wired,
D is the Distance from the Loudspeaker to the Measuring Position
 VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM

Example

SPL dir = SPL@1.1.1 + 10 log P – 20 Log D

92.68 dB at one meter

SPL dir = 86 dB below speaker

SPL dir= 80 dB = 92.68 + 10 log 0.5 – 20 Log D

Then log D = (89.67-80)/20= 0.4835

Then D = 3 mtr

Then W = 2.59*2
For SPL 83 dB then W = 1.5*2
THANK YOU