Download 06BCI011-Visual Signal Appliances for Fire Alarm Systems

BUILDING CODE
INTERPRETATION
September 2012
06-BCI-011R2
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VISUAL SIGNAL APPLIANCES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
DISCUSSION
Article 3.2.4.19. of the Alberta Building Code 2006 deals with the provision of visual
signal devices for situations where Sentence 3.2.4.17.(4) and Sentences 3.2.4.18.(7)
and (8) will apply. A number of questions have arisen concerning the application of this
Article for various buildings and occupancies.
CODE REFERENCES
1. Sentence 3.2.4.17.(4) states:
3.2.4.17. Alert and Alarm Signals
…
4) In a building or portion thereof intended for use primarily by persons with hearing
impairment, visual signal devices shall be installed in addition to audible signal
devices.
2. Sentences 3.2.4.18.(7) and (8) state:
3.2.4.18. Audibility of Alarm Systems
…
7) Fire alarm audible signal devices shall be supplemented by visual signal devices in
any floor area in which
a) the ambient noise level is more than 87 dBA, or
b) the occupants of the floor area
i) use ear protective devices,
ii) are located within an audiometric booth, or
iii) are located within sound insulating enclosures.
8) Sentence (7) shall also apply in an assembly occupancy in which music and other
sounds associated with performances could exceed 100 dBA.
3. Article 3.2.4.19. states:
3.2.4.19. Visual Signals
1) Visual signal devices required by Sentences 3.2.4.17.(4) and 3.2.4.18.(7) and (8)
shall be installed so that the signal from at least one device is visible throughout the
floor area or portion thereof in which they are installed. (See Appendix A.)
2) Visual signal devices shall conform to ULC-S526, “Visible Signal Devices for Fire
Alarm Systems.”
Unless stated otherwise, all Code references in this STANDATA are to Division B of the Alberta Building Code 2006.
Issue of this STANDATA is authorized by
the Acting Chief Building Administrator
[Original Signed]
Asnake Tiruneh, P.Eng.
Alberta Municipal Affairs – Safety Services, 16th Floor, 10155-102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 4L4
Safety Codes Council, Suite 1000, 10665 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3S9
06-BCI-011R2
3) A visual signal device shall be installed in close proximity to each required audible
signal appliance.
INTERPRETATION 1
QUESTION:
Are visual signal devices required to be installed in close proximity to every audible
signal device in all occupancies?
ANSWER:
Visual signal devices are only required to be installed in close to proximity to audible
signal devices in occupancies that are mentioned in Sentence 3.2.4.17.(4) and
Sentences 3.2.4.18.(7) and (8).
Additionally, the visual signal devices are only required to be installed in close proximity
to the audible signal devices that are required by Code. If an owner or facility manager
wishes to install audible signal devices that are in addition to the ones required by
Code, visual signal devices would not be required to be installed in close proximity to
these audible signal devices.
INTERPRETATION 2
QUESTION:
When an addition is built to an existing building, and
(a)
the addition1 is required to be barrier-free, and
(b)
the fire alarm system from the existing portion is required to be extended to
the addition,
must the fire alarm system serving the existing portion of the building be retro-fitted with
visual signalling devices?
ANSWER:
No, the portion of the fire alarm system in the existing building need not be retro-fitted
with visual signal appliances, provided:
The existing fire alarm system is not undergoing voluntary modification 2 for
any other reason,
(1)
1
The authority having jurisdiction may find that an addition, because of its limited size or
complexity, does not require visual signal appliances due to the limited benefit they would provide.
2
“Modification” to an existing fire alarm system includes upgrading of the system to satisfy current
Code requirements or the addition of new zones or circuits.
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06-BCI-011R2
(2)
The fire alarm system in the existing portion of the building will still provide the
same level of safety as it did at the time of original installation, and
(3)
The extension to the fire alarm system does not diminish that level of safety.
INTERPRETATION 3
QUESTION:
When an existing building is being renovated and the existing fire alarm system is being
modified to comply with the Alberta Building Code 2006, must visual signal devices also
be installed?
ANSWER:
Yes, visual signal devices must also be provided in occupancies mentioned in Sentence
3.2.4.17.(4) and Sentences 3.2.4.18.(7) and (8).
INTERPRETATION 4
QUESTION:
In a building or portion thereof that is intended for use primarily by people with hearing
impairments, as referred to in Sentence 3.2.4.17.(4), must visual signal devices be
provided throughout the floor area or only in those locations that the hearing impaired
are expected to occupy?
ANSWER:
If a building is intended for use primarily by people with hearing impairments, it must be
anticipated that the hearing impaired could be using any room or space in the building.
Therefore visual signalling devices will need to be installed in close proximity to each
required audible signal device. All accessible rooms or spaces including walk-in storage
rooms, mechanical/electrical rooms, elevator machine rooms, janitor’s closets, and
other small storage spaces such as clothes closets are included.
Buildings intended for use primarily by people with hearing impairments include, but are
not limited to:
schools for the deaf,
clinics and rehabilitation centres devoted to assisting the hearing impaired, and
stores and service shops dealing with appliances to assist the hearing impaired.
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06-BCI-011R2
INTERPRETATION 5
QUESTION:
In some buildings, including high buildings regulated by Subsection 3.2.6., alert and
alarm signals are sounded over voice communication speakers; standard audible signal
devices are not used. The spacing of the voice communication speakers is much closer
than would be necessary for the traditional fire alarm bell. Must spacing for the visual
signal devices match the spacing of the speakers?
ANSWER:
No, the spacing of the visual signal devices need not match the spacing of the voice
communication speakers. The guideline the Code uses for the placement of visual
signal devices is based on the placement of traditional alarm bells, or where the alarm
bells would have been placed if they were used instead of a voice communication
system.
INTERPRETATION 6
QUESTION:
Two stage fire alarm systems are sometimes required to be installed or are installed
even if a single stage is all that is required. If this is the case, at which stage is the
visual signal device required to operate?
ANSWER:
Where a two stage fire alarm system is required by Code or in instances where an
owner chooses to voluntarily install a two stage fire alarm system (even though a single
stage system is only required by Code), any visual signal devices installed must provide
notification at the first stage and remain activated throughout first and second stage
operation of the fire alarm system in compliance with CAN/ULC-S524-01.
These INTERPRETATIONS are applicable throughout the province of Alberta.
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