NFPA72

["Robert L Bass" <noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was parsing the article on household fire warning systems and noticed NFPA has
resolved an issue we used to run up against with AHJ's now and then.  If a
customer's electrician had already wired the house for smoke alarms but the
client wanted monitoring for fire, I would suggest adding a few well-placed
"duplicate" detectors to the alarm system.  It's fairly common practice.  But
sometimes an AHJ would insist that if there were *any* system smokes added, we
had to install a complete fire alarm system.  Customers would balk at the cost
and stay with unmonitored 110/9 Volt smokes.

Anyway, 2010 code says it's not necessary.  It's spelled out in such a way that
there's no room for misunderstanding, even by someone like the guy Jim told
where to put his regulations.

1. The required minimum number and location of smoke detection devices shall be
satisfied (independently) through the installation of smoke alarms. [snip] The
installation of additional system based smoke detectors, including partial or
complete duplication [snip] shall be permitted.

#2 is the exact reversal of #1.  If you install system-based smokes up to code
requirements, you can add more of the same, add independent smoke alarms, etc.
No harm, no foul.

29.3.4 Goes on to allow the addition of "supplementary" functions, including
extending the alarm beyond the residency, as long as it doesn't interfere with
the performance requirements.

I didn't get the 2007 release so maybe this is old news but it was nice seeing
they fixed the issue.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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