Re: 2 wire vs 4 wire Smoke allarms

[Frank Olson <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I rely on code in defining what is or is not a fire alarm system.  The
> NFPA's definition follows:
>
> " Fire Alarm System. A system or portion of a combination system that
> consists of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate
> the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and
> to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
> NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code®"

I rely on the code to define a fire alarm system as well.  There are
many systems out there that *aren't* fire alarm systems yet happen to
use some listed components.  Care to explain how after you "bodged" the
UL Listed communicator in the local church you were monitoring, the fire
alarm *system* that it somehow remained "code compliant"?  Care to
explain how tampering with a UL Listed central station receiver is
somehow "OK" as long as the monitoring centre isn't UL Listed?  How'd
you manage to sneak that one by the AHJ??


>
> Perhaps the gentleman would care to explain where the code exempts
> "self-installed" alarm systems or perhaps where it exempts residential
> systems from compliance with the general standards of component
> listings.

Once again, you're talking "compatibility" and not "connectivity".  Four
wire smoke alarms don't require "compatibility" listings like two wire
ones do (that derive their power from the panel's initiating circuit).
As for connecting a 120VAC smoke alarm to a control panel or auto
dialer, there's nothing in any code or standard that says I (or anyone)
*can't* do this as long as you use the manufacturer's listed relay.


> I've read every word of that code several times and for the
> life of me I can't seem to locate those exemptions.

That's because they're not there.  This isn't an issue of "compatibility".