Why Smoke Detectors?
There is no mystery that building codes allow for the elimination of
smoke detectors in various construction applications, but at the same time
there is hard language in the code that mandates the use of the smoke
detectors.
·
Any non-sprinklered building
·
Any non-sprinklered room
·
Non-sprinklered electrical or
telecommunication rooms
·
Smoke detectors for fire doors that
are held open
·
Smoke detectors for fire dampers that
require a smoke detector signal to close
·
Air handing units that exceed 2000CFM
or 15000CFM.
·
Alarm control equipment in unattended
locations
·
Elevator lobbies, elevator machines,
or hoistways (code permitting)
·
Day cares, specifically with kids
under the age of 5 years
·
Pre-action or deluge applications,
cross zoning
·
Atriums and surrounding areas for
smoke purge applications
And of course, residential applications such as multi-family living,
hotel, independent living, dormitory, and others will always require smoke
alarms in all sleeping rooms and within 15 feet of the bedroom doors.
So, at a minimum, these locations generally will require smoke
detection.
In review of the NFPA 72 document, 72 does allow for additional smoke
detection if a building owner chooses to add additional smoke detectors.
Remember that building codes are a minimum and a building owner or designer may
request additional smoke detection if desired. NFPA 72 17.5.3.3.1. titled
Nonrequired Coverage does discuss and allow for this request. However, there
must be reason in the submitted design that documents the objective for
additional smoke detection coverage.
Why would a building owner or designer request smoke detection when it
is not required by the code?
1. Smoke
detectors offer early warning. A smoke detector is a fast responding sensor in
comparison to heat detection used with sprinkler heads. Often with the use of early
warning devices a possible disaster can be adverted to a minor incident with
minimal damage or disruption.
2. Smoke
detectors are your eyes and noise when you are not around. We all have those
areas of the building that are infrequently visited. Unattended locations can
lead to fast growing fires and lead to unmanageable circumstances. A smoke
detector can monitor that area that is infrequently visited.
3. The
smallest fire can contaminate and damage valuable contents such as computers,
networks, vintage collectables, furniture, food, fabrics, paper goods, money,
medicine, and other soft materials that spoil, absorb smoke and burn quickly.
4. A
small fire can lead to lost business opportunities, operations, future revenue,
lost customers, inventory, and your personal income.
5. A
building fire can lead to possible injuries, fatalities and law suits. These
events can also lead to negative publicity and a negative corporate image
suggesting that public safety was disregarded.
6. Avoiding
sprinkler system activation. At times water can be damaging to the building and
its contents. An owner may want to achieve early warning and eliminate the
threat of fire prior to the activation of the sprinkler system.
7. Early
warning is being “GREEN”. Early warning avoids use of water, fire trucks, fuel,
emergency resources, energy, service vehicles, loss of heat, cooling,
productivity, time, garbage, displacement, carbon emissions, or reconstruction.
8. Peace
of mind and protecting life. Your place of business is safe and under constant
supervision.
9. Early
warning and needed time for personal to help occupants who are not
self-preserving such as the elderly, the hospitalized, institutionalized, the
sick, infants and the incapacitated.
Safety for first responders. Attending to fire in its earliest incipient stages
is less threatening than a fully involved fire with toxic gases, extreme heat
and a weakened building structure.
10.
Perhaps you are a survivor of a fire
and have firsthand experience of the danger from a fire. You understand the
dangers and the severity a fire can bring. Fire burns and fire gases can kill.
Smoke detectors do save lives. Ask for smoke detection if you want it and value
their life safety capabilities.
11.
Redundant detection. A smoke
detection system is not subject to inoperable conditions due to a lack of
water, a broken sprinkler pipe, frozen pipe, a shut control value, or a broken
water flow switch. Smoke detection is a distributed system with redundancy and
can serve as a second backup to a by passed sprinkler system.
12.
Intentional arson concerns. Just like
a video camera, a smoke detector can be a deterrent not to initiate a fire.
Whether it is a disgruntled employee, family member, tenant, carelessness,
terrorist act or vandalism, it is the real world. Society is unpredictable and
designers should be applying some thought to the unforeseen. If the intent to
harm is premediated and an individual has some understanding of fire protection
concepts, one can cause great harm with the use of fire. However, with a fully
smoke protected building an arson act may be deterred.
In summary, smoke detectors are fast responding fire alarm sensors that can summon first responders quickly when seconds count.
Nice blog!
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