Fire Alarm Strobe Light Requirements

March 21 2017 8 22 pm august 19 2019 fire alarm systems nfpa101 international building code ibc and american s with disabilities act ada.

Fire alarm strobe light requirements.

They were loud and for the most part could be heard better than today s horns. The maximum spacing between fire strobes should not exceed 100 feet. Most contractors install strobe lights to comply with the national fire alarm and signaling code by simply using a combination audible visible appliance everywhere one or the other is shown on the plans. The americans with disabilities act of 1990 led to the development of building fire and life safety codes that dictate whether you need to install strobe lights.

Firstly it is clear that visual strobes should be installed in public areas anticipated to be used by hearing impaired individuals such as restrooms hallways and building lobbies. Visible fire alarm systems that contain more than two strobes in a room or space require synchronization. System sensor prepared this strobe compliance reference guide to help promote understanding and awareness of the issues that affect specifying engineers installers and the enforcement authorities. Fire alarm pulls must meet the following requirements for operable parts.

Nfpa requirements state that fire strobe lights must be visible no matter the orientation of the person in the room or corridor. All calls are confidential. Until the mid 1980s bells were the common notification appliance for fire alarm systems. Several practical limitations of fire alarm systems.

Single larger strobes require significantly greater power and should that one strobe malfunction the public could be left without any visible signaling. This was due to the electrical noise generated by the bells. We hope to increase the probability of proper installation and reduce the possibility of misapplication of strobe lights and audible. Biological chemical and nuclear emergencies.

Audible alarms include sirens horns and bells while visible alarms consist of flashing strobe lights and text banners. For economical reasons we believe the 110 cd strobe to be more than adequate to its task. As fire alarm control units evolved from using relays to using electronic components horns began to replace bells to notify occupants. Requirements for fire alarm systems.

For more information call an ada specialist at 1 800 949 4232. In addition to the core focus on fire alarm systems the code includes requirements for mass notification systems used for weather emergencies. Nfpa 72 provides the latest safety provisions to meet society s changing fire detection signaling and emergency communications demands. It should be obvious that if you follow this method of compliance you will either have an incorrect number of audible appliances or an incorrect number of visible appliances.

But those who are deaf or hard of hearing cannot depend on the sound of the regular alarm to alert them to a fire. All strobes must be located within 15 feet of the end of the corridor.