Low Frequency in R2 Sleeping Rooms IBC 2021
Meeting IBC 2021 code and NFPA 72 for Fire Alarm Systems
A. Smoke Alarms are not made with low frequency sounders and do not meet the current code requirements.
B. Smoke Alarms are 120V with 9volt battery and are not tied to the fire alarm system in most cases
C. Smoke Alarms can be monitored when they have an alarm output but without low frequency sounders it is best not to specify them since they will not meet the 2021 IBC fire code requirements.
Our solution is to install system smoke detectors that are addressable with addressable speaker strobes or addressable horn strobes that can be programmed to do different things.
Example: The ADA rooms can be programmed to set off the strobes and sounders separately from the rest of the complex or hotel.
Simplex Addressable Horn Strobes and Speaker Strobes can be TESTED without sounding them for 5 or 15 minutes as most fire companies do because our testing method is UL listed to test the addressable appliances and a report is sent to the PANEL when there are any issues with functionality and we can then present this report to the fire marshal and or owner of the building.
One challenge to meeting current code is that many Electrical ENgineers will specify SMOKE alarms in the rooms for hotels and aparments and there are no manufactuers that currently make smoke alarms with low frequency sounders as the 2021 ibc code requires in section 907
Smoke alarms are 120 volt with 9 volt battery backup and they normally do not tie into the fire alarm system unless they have a relay output and even then it makes it difficult because they are high voltage and the rest of the fire alarm systems are 24 volt so these are not the best option.
2. Smoke alarms are not made that have a low frequency sounder so using system smoke detectors is the best option.
3. Simplex has addressable horn strobes and speakers strobes that can be programmed to sound temporal 4 for CO and temporal 3 for smoke.
4. Smoke detectors are typically 24 volt and they tie to the fire alarm system and can be conventional (zoned) or addressable.
for fire alarm bids for new construction or for existing simplex fire alarm systems contact:
contact Larry Love 801 898 6003 for more information or email at larry.love@jci.com with corrections or questions
Another contart here in the simplex salt lake city office is Matt bingham cell is 801 419 1379 email is
matthew.bingham@jci.com
for monitoring or test and inspection quotes contact Shandie Gorney at 801 214 5668 or email shandie.a.gorney@jci.com