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Lee County Fire Marshal’s Association |
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Knowledge and Integrity |
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FA2004-01
SUBJECT: NEMA 4 Enclosures With Air Conditioners
OBJECTIVE: Provide a policy to prevent usage of this type enclosure for fire alarm panels
CODE REFERENCES: NFPA 72; 1-5.1.2, 1-5.5.1, 1-5.5.2.4
EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD
BACKGROUND: NFPA 72, 1-5.1.2 requires that equipment constructed and used for fire alarms shall be listed for that purpose. NFPA 72; 1-5.5.2.4 requires that the equipment be installed in locations where the voltage, temperature, and humidity do not exceed the limit specified in NFPA 72; 1-5.5.1. NFPA 72 requires that all equipment used for fire alarm systems be UL listed. NEMA 4 enclosures were allowed to be used when there was no specified room provided and the NEMA 4 enclosures were found to be UL listed. These type enclosures were outfitted with an air conditioner to maintain the humidity requirements. The addition of the air conditioner negated the UL listing, as the opening for the air conditioner was not created by the manufacturer. These enclosures are now being found with excessive amounts of water inside due to seals leaking. Also the air conditioners are set at very low temperatures which are producing condensation which is causing faults with the fire alarm panels.
POLICY/PROCEDURE: Due to the problems associated with these panels, all fire alarm panels shall be installed in conditioned rooms that are part of or attached to the structure being provide fire alarm service.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. * |
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 1999-01
SUBJECT: Fire Alarm System Permit Submittals
OBJECTIVE: Develop a uniform set of guidelines for fire alarm system plan review submittals
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 18, 1999
CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 72, 1993 Edition Fl Statute 633, 489, State Fire Marshal Rules 4A-48.
BACKGROUND: Brought up at the March 1999, meeting asking for a uniform criteria for fire alarm plan submittal in Lee County.
POLICY/PROCEDURE: Use checklist as a guideline for submittal of all fire alarm plans, both new and existing. Submit checklist with each submittal as reference.
ATTACHMENTS: The following 7 pages are the checklists to submit with each Fire Alarm Permit.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. * |
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 1999-06
SUBJECT: Fire Alarm Wiring Used in Wet Locations
OBJECTIVE: Clarify requirements for devices located in damp or wet locations
CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 72, 1993 Edition; NFPA 70, 1993 Edition; State Fire Marshal Rules 4A-48
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 20, 1999
BACKGROUND: QUESTION: Is fire alarm cable that is run in or under a concrete slab required to be listed for wet or damp locations?
POLICY/PROCEDURE: NFPA 70 (110-11) requires that NO conductor or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations or where exposed to gases, fumes vapors, liquids or other agents having a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment UNLESS said conductor or equipment is IDENTIFIED for use in the operating environment. Response to the specific question is; YES. THE PROCEDURE IS TO COMPLY WITH THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE. THIS MEANS THAT NO CONDUCTOR OR DEVICE SHALL BE INSTALLED IN A DAMP OR WET LOCATION AS DEFINED BY NEC ARTICLE 100 (A) UNLESS LISTED FOR USE IN THESE AREAS.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 1999-07
SUBJECT: Fire Alarm Wiring Used in Wet Locations
OBJECTIVE: Clarify requirements for devices located in damp or wet locations
CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 72, 1993 Edition; NFPA 70, 1993 Edition; State Fire Marshal Rules 4A-48
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 20, 1999
BACKGROUND: QUESTION: The only FPL cables that I am aware are listed for wet locations are West Penn Wire, Aquaseal and Anicom wire E151152 series cables. If this is correct, if a standard RED FPLR fire wire is installed in an underground conduit is the installation incorrect?
POLICY/PROCEDURE: NFPA 70 (110-11) requires that NO conductor or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations or where exposed to gases, fumes vapors, liquids or other agents having a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment UNLESS said conductor or equipment is IDENTIFIED for use in the operating environment.
Response to the specific question is;
YES. THE PROCEDURE IS TO COMPLY WITH THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE. THIS MEANS THAT NO CONDUCTOR OR DEVICE SHALL BE INSTALLED IN A DAMP OR WET LOCATION AS DEFINED BY NEC ARTICLE 100 (A) UNLESS LISTED FOR USE IN THESE AREAS.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 1999-05
SUBJECT: Fire Alarm Wiring Used in Wet Locations
OBJECTIVE: Clarify requirements for devices located in damp or wet locations
CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 72, 1993 Edition; NFPA 70, 1993 Edition; State Fire Marshal Rules 4A-48
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 20, 1999
BACKGROUND: QUESTION: Can FPL or a similar Fire Power Limited (FPLR, PFLP) cable be installed in underground raceways if this cable is not listed for wet or damp locations?
POLICY/PROCEDURE: NFPA 70 (110-11) requires that NO conductor or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations or where exposed to gases, fumes vapors, liquids or other agents having a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment UNLESS said conductor or equipment is IDENTIFIED for use in the operating environment.
Response to the specific question is;
NO. THE PROCEDURE IS TO COMPLY WITH THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE. THIS MEANS THAT NO CONDUCTOR OR DEVICE SHALL BE INSTALLED IN A DAMP OR WET LOCATION AS DEFINED BY NEC ARTICLE 100 (A) UNLESS LISTED FOR USE IN THESE AREAS.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FB 2002-01
SUBJECT: Fire Barrier Perimeter Framing
OBJECTIVE: To Clarify the method of framing fire barriers.
CODE REFERENCE: FBC Chapter 7, LSC 8.2 & 8.3, NFPA 1, Chapter 5, NFPA 221
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1-1-03
BACKGROUND: There is considerable confusion regarding how far dry wall fire barriers can be “floated”. Dry wall contractors have different interpretations on how far the studs can be installed from a corner or how far down a top track can be installed from a roof deck.
POLICY/PROCEDURE: The answer is there is no tolerance. Drywall can not be “floated” in fire barriers. The intent is to install the fire barrier system as it was tested. Systems from the UL Fire Resistance Directory as well as Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual both require the perimeter edges of drywall to be securely attached per design. Further the top, bottom and edge framing must be securely fastened to the roof deck, floor assembly or wall respectively. Fire barriers must be installed per the design which includes: type and thickness of drywall, framing details, drywall orientation, screw/nail spacing, screw/nail length and type of screw or nail. Gaps or holes in the board must be repaired and the fire barrier must be finished per the design.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FB-C 2000-01
SUBJECT: RC2601 vs. FC5406
OBJECTIVE: To clarify when one system is more appropriate than the other.
CODE REFERENCE: None
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3-22-2000
BACKGROUND: At a recent Codes & Standards meeting, the question was asked about the applicability of the RC2601 system compared to the FC5406 system.
POLICY/PROCEDURE: The RC2601 and FC5406 systems are published by the Gypsum Association in their Fire Resistance Design Manual (GA-600-97). The RC2601 design is specifically listed as a roof/ceiling assembly. The Gypsum Association has expanded the design, by letter, to include drywall attached to the underside of 2"x4" wood truss members. This system may provide tenant/mixed occupancy separation required by the Standard Building Code or one-hour hazardous area separation in accordance with NFPA 101, Chapter 6-4. The RC2601 system does not provide appropriate protection for a one hour rated corridor by itself. Where the entire area being served by the corridor and the corridor are provided with the RC2601 system, the corridor walls may terminate at the ceiling. The FC5406 system is specifically listed as a floor/ceiling assembly, but it is essentially the same the same design based on the same fire test as the RC2601. Flooring is substituted for roofing materials. The Gypsum Association has not expanded this design to include floor trusses so its use is rare.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *
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ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 1999-04
SUBJECT: Weatherproof Covers
OBJECTIVE: Clarify acceptable conditions
CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 72, 1993 Edition
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 19,1999
BACKGROUND: Question: Can an indoor type fire alarm device be installed in damp or wet location if it is covered by a universal UL listed weatherproof cover (i.e. STI Weather Stopper)?
POLICY/PROCEDURE: NFPA 72 (1-5.1.2) Equipment constructed and installed in conformity with this code shall be listed for the purpose for which it is used.
Response to the specific question is; “No”. The STI weather stopper is listed as a weatherproof cover however the installation cut-sheet for this device states that UL requires the stations to be listed for outdoor use with cover. Therefore an indoor type fire alarm device could be installed in a Damp or wet location only if the means of protecting the device Is approved by UL for this specific use without restrictions or the protected device is listed for this use with the protective cover.
* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *
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Policy And Procedure Manual |