Posted on 07/21/2010 1:02:58 PM PDT by Alberta's Child
Simply put, it seems the local FD wants a hard-wired fire alarm system (coordinated with the Fire Dept. off-site?) with simultaneous warning on at least 2 floors. I think many municipalities are going in this direction to pinpoint incidents as well as limit fatalities as well as be in some compliace with the International Building Code, which is quicking replacing BOCA and CABO.
In Chicago, we are requiring a hard-wired smoke detection/CO system (without connection to FD) for buildings with limited escape alternatives. Statistics show numbers of property fires in small residential structures far exceed larger multi-family buildings.
Good luck with your system.
Thanks. The local FD isn’t asking to be tied into the system. They just want it monitored through the outside contractor.
Simply put, it seems the local FD wants a hard-wired fire alarm system (coordinated with the Fire Dept. off-site?) with simultaneous warning on at least 2 floors.
This is exactly right. What makes this so unusual in our case is that the alarm detectors and other hardware are to be installed in the basement, but the primary purpose of this system is for the protection of building occupants on the above-ground floors. Hence the reason why there is apparently no need for warning devices in the basement itself -- because the basement is the one place where the occupants don't need to be warned in the event of a fire in the basement!
One worry these days is the lawyers after an event.
CO detectors are useful even without a fire ( espically in a basement with no windows ). Cheap in the bigger picture, too. Multiple hard wired electrical sensors connected to each other and to alarms should not be that expensive.
Asking your insurance carrier to inspect your property may help prevent lawsuits / liability after an unlikely event.
If crime is a worry, cameras connected to a DVR might be indicated.
Good points. Thanks!
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