Fire Regulations __, Chapter - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

CHAPTER 4

FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

Purpose of this The purpose of this Chapter is to provide minimum requirements of Fire
Chapter Detection Alarm and Voice Evacuation systems that shall be installed in
building to enhance the life safety of the occupants and to mitigate damage
to property.

The requirements describe below are stated as the minimum requirement to

be complied with and any improvements based on any international
standard is accepted provided that the designer/Installer could justify its
performance is superior to what has been stated in this regulations, to AHJ

Definitions/Abbreviations
Fire Alarm Control A component of the fire alarm system, provided with primary
Panel (FACP) and secondary power source, which receive signals from
initiating devices or other fire alarm control units, and
processes these signals to determine part or all of the required
fire alarm system output functions.

Addressable A system, in which input and output devices have a unique

System address that can be read, recognized and controlled by the
control panel.

Alarm Signal An audible and visual signal activated by the alarm system to
warn of emergency conditions that require immediate action
by all occupants of the affected area.

Alarm Zone Geographical sub-division of the protected premises, in which

the fire alarm warning or signal can be given separately, and
independently, of a fire alarm warning or signal in any other
alarm zone

Combination A combination / multi-sensor that either responds to more that

/Multi-sensor one of the fire phenomena or employs more than one
Detector operating principle to sense one of these phenomena. Typical
examples are the combination of a heat detector with a smoke
detector or a combination rate of rise and fixed temperature
heat detector.

Decibel Decibel (dB) is a measurement unit of sound pressure level

Voice Evacuation A system that is interlinked with the fire alarm system,
system intended to evacuate the building occupants to a safe refuge by
broadcasting alert and evacuation messages.

Flame Detector A device used for detecting infrared and ultraviolet rays
emitting from flames.

Fixed Temperature A device that responds only when its sensitive element heated
Detector up reaches a predetermined temperature.

Heat Detector Fire detector that detects either abnormally high temperature
or rate of temperature rise.

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Manual Call Point Manual operation device used to activate the fire alarm.

Optical Beam-Type A smoke detector comprising a light source and a receiver to

Smoke Detector detect the obscuration of light as a result of smoke. The
transmitter and receiver may be at opposite ends or they may
be incorporated into a single housing with a reflector at the
opposite end.

Phased evacuation A system of evacuation in which different parts of the

premises are evacuated in a controlled sequence of phases,
those parts of the premises expected to be at greatest risk
being evacuated first.

Rate-of-Rise A deVice that responds when the temperature rises at a rate

Detector exceeding a predetermined level.

Smoke Detector A device used for detecting visible and invisible particles of
smoke resulting from combustion.

Spot / Point A device ini which the detecting element is concentrated at a

Detector particular location.

detector which responds to a phenomenon sensed in the

vicinity of a fixed point

Sounder base Base used for detectors with an inbuilt sounder

Standby Supply A secondary power supply connected to the fire alarm system
and automatically changes over in case of main supply failure.

Voice Alarm Dedicated manual or automatic system for originating and

system distributing of voice instructions, alert and evacuation signals
for the safe evacuation of occupants.

Sound distribution system that provides means for

automatically broadcasting speech messages and warning
signals.

Zone A part of the protected building which contains one or more

fire detectors, the zone is defined by a unique alphanumeric
identification which is indicated at the control panel.

FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEMS

General Reg. 4(1) Every building or part of a building shall be provided with an
automatic fire detection system which shall comply with the
regulations stipulated in this chapter.

System design Reg. 4(2) Buildings shall be divided into a number of detection zones
for easy recognition and short search time.

(a) In conventional systems each detection zone shall be

supplied by a separate circuit.

(b) In addressable systems, several detection zones may be

supplied by a single loop.

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Fire Regulations Chapter - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

Detection Zone Reg. 4(3) The area and the number of detection zones in a given
building shall comply with the following:
(a) The area of any single detection zone to which the
building has been divided shall not exceed 2000 m2;
except for a single, open plan area, which should not
exceed 10 000 m2.

(b) If the floor area of a given building is less than 300

m2and height less than 15 m, a zone may cover more than
a single story, therefore the entire building may be
considered a single zone even if it is a multiple storey
building.

In case the total building floor area exceeds 300 m2, each
detection zone shall be restricted to a single storey.

(c) Automatic fire detectors within any enclosed stairwell

lift shaft or other similar enclosed structure shall be
considered as a separate detection zone.

(d) Spaces above or below the floor area of a room may be

included within the same detection zone of the room,
provided that the spaces and the room constitute a single
fire compartment and the floor area is less than 1000m 2.

(e) Remote indicator shall be clearly labeled to indicate the

detectors located in the voids. They should be sited
and/or labeled in such a way as to assist in determining
the location of the detector.

(f) The search distance to be travelled by anyone responding,

after entry to the zone, should not exceed 60 m.

Alarm Zones Reg. 4(4) Alarm zones shall be clearly defined in complex buildings
where phased evacuation is required or in buildings where a
stage alarm is to be provided
(a) Alarm zone may include several detection zones, but not
vice-versa.

(b) Alarm zone boundaries shall match those of fire

compartments and/or detection zones.

(c) A common signal should be used throughout all alarm

zones to convey the need for evacuation. A different
common signal should be used throughout all alarm
zones for any alert signal that can be given by the system

Categorization of Reg. 4(5) Systems are divided into different categories as follows:
Systems
(a) Category L - Automatic fire detection systems intended
for the protection of "Life". They are further sub-divided
as follows;
i. Category L1- Systems installed throughout the
building
ii. Category L2 - Systems installed only in defined parts
of the building
iii. Category L3 - Systems installed covering the escape
routes.

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Eire Regulations Chapter - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

(b) Category P - Automatic fire detection systems intended for

the protection of property. They are further subdivided as
follows;
i. Category P1 - Systems installed throughout the
building
ii. Category P2 - Systems installed only in defined parts
of the building
iii. Category P3 - Systems installed covering the escape
routes.

(c) Category M - Manual systems which does not incorporate

automatic fire detectors.

Requirement for Reg. 4(6) The fire detection systems shall be installed as per Table 14
Fire Detection in this regulation.
system

Types of fire Reg. 4(7) (a) Fire detectors shall be selected to detect one or more of
detectors and the following Characteristics of fire:
selection i. Heat
ii. Smoke
iii. flame
iv. Combustion gases (such as carbon monoxide)
v. radiation

(b) The "detector" shall be selected taking the following into

consideration:
i. The speed of response required
ii. The need to minimize false alarms
iii. The nature of the fire hazard
iv. The possibility of presence of smoke/heat under
normal operating conditions.
(c) The detector shall not contain any hazardous material

Location and Siting Reg. 4(8) (a) The selection and placement of smoke detectors shall
of Spot/ Point take into account both the performance characteristics of
Detectors the detector and the areas into which the detectors are to
be installed to prevent nuisance alarms or improper
operation after installation.

(b) Smoke detectors shall not be installed if any of the

following ambient conditions exist at the detector
location:

i. Temperature below 0°C (32°F)

ii. Temperature above 38°C (100°F)
iii. Relative humidity above 93 percent
iv. Air velocity across the detector is greater than 1.5
m/sec (300 ft/min)
v. The height of the detector from the floor level is
more than 10.5m.

(c) The location of spot-type smoke detectors shall be based

on an evaluation of potential ambient sources of smoke,
moisture, dust, or fumes, and electrical or mechanical
influences to minimize nuisance alarms.

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Fire Regulations Chapter - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

Location and Reg. 4(9) The location and spacing of smoke detectors shall be based
Spacing. upon the anticipated smoke flows due to the plume and ceiling
jet produced by the anticipated fire as well as any pre-existing
ambient air flows that could exist in the protected
compartment. The design shall account for the contribution of
the following factors in predicting detector response to the
anticipated fires to which the system is intended to respond:

i. Ceiling shape and surface.

ii. Ceiling height.
iii.Configuration of contents in the protected area.
iv. Combustion characteristics and probable equivalence
ratio of the anticipated fires involving the fuel loads
within the protected area.
v. Compartment ventilation.
vi. Ambient temperature, pressure, altitude, humidity, and
atmosphere.

Air-sampling type Reg. 4(10) Air-sampling type smoke detectors are particularly applicable
smoke detectors in the following situations:

(a) Where very early detection is required

(b) Where the protected area is particularly challenging in

terms of environment (hot, cold & humidity) and/or
contamination (dust, & dirt)

(c) Where smoke is difficult to detect due to high airflows or

large volume/high ceiling spaces

Optical beam-type Reg. 4(11) Optical beam-type smoke detectors shall be provided where
smoke detectors point detectors cannot be effectively used due to their limited
performance, such as;

(a) Where a large open area requires detection

(b) Where ceiling heights are very high and there is a high
risk of stratification

Manual Call Points Reg. 4(12) (a) The manual call points shall be used only for fire alarm
initiation. In addition, all manual call points within
occupancy shall be of similar design. Deviation from
single design shall be justified based on special needs and
shall be approved by AM.

(b) Time from the operation of call point to the actuation of

alarm signal shall not exceed three (3) seconds.

(c) Where call points are installed in combustible, explosive

environments these devices shall be listed for such
application.

(d) The manual call points shall be installed on all escape

routes and in particular all stairwell entrances and all
exits to open air.

(e) The manual call points shall be installed so that they are
conspicuous, unobstructed and easily accessible.



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(f) The maximum travel distance to the nearest manual call

points shall not be more than 45m.

(g) In limited mobility areas and areas where processes may

result in rapid fire development the maximum travel
distance to the nearest call point may be reduced to 25m
and 16m respectively.

(h) Manual Call Point shall be installed within 1.5m from

exit door way opening and shall be mounted on both
sides of the grouped opening if the width is more than 12
m.

(i) The manual call points shall be installed at the height of

(1.1 — 1.4) m, above floor level. Where wheel chairaccess
is used, the height shall be 0.9m -1.2m

Above ceiling Reg. 4(13) Fire detection shall be provided in any area that contains a
coverage horizontal void of 800 mm or more in height.

FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL

Location Reg. 4(14) The fire alarm control panel shall be located in the Fire
Command Centre (FCC) or in the absence of such FCC, in a
location manned and monitored 24 hours of the day, on the
ground floor close to the entrance to the building likely to be
used by the Fire service.

Power Requirement Reg. 4(15) (a) At least two independent and reliable power supplies
shall be provided. Each power supply shall be of
adequate capacity for the application. Integrity of power
supplies shall be monitored by the FACP. One supply
shall be a dedicated circuit of the main supply and the
other shall be from a dedicated standby battery.

(b) The secondary power supply shall automatically provide

power to the protected premises system instantaneously.

(c) The secondary power supply shall have sufficient

capacity to operate the system under quiescent load
(system operating in a non-alarm condition) for a
minimum of 24 hours and, at the end of that period, shall
be capable of operating all alarm notification appliances
used for evacuation or to direct aid to the location of an
emergency for an additional 5 minutes.

(d) Under normal operating condition the standby power

source shall be capable of operating all alarm notification
appliances used for 30 minutes.


Fire Regulations Chapter - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS

Sound Level Reg. 4(16) (a) A fire alarming device shall have a sound that is continuous
and readily distinguishable from any other alarm system on
the same floor level, and shall be adequate to provide 65
dB(A) or 10 dB(A) above any ambient back ground noise
likely to persist for more than 30seconds , whichever is
higher. Refer following table for Ambient sound levels.

Ambient Sound Levels for Different Occupancies

Ambient Condition Sound Level ( dBA)

Business Occupancies 55
Educational Occupancies 45
Industrial Occupancies 80
Institutional Occupancies 50
Places of Assembly 55
Residential Occupancies 35
Storage Occupancies 30

(b) The maximum sound level shall not exceed 120dB(A).

(c) The sound pressure level shall not be less than 75 dB (A) at
the bed head with all doors closed where overnight sleeping
accommodation is provided.

(d) Arrangements shall be made to ensure that at least one

Sounder in each alarm zone remained functional during any
fault condition.

Visual Alarms Reg. 4(17) (a) Strategically located visual alarms shall be provided in
addition to audible alarms where necessary

i. Purpose group 2(a) shall have visual alarm at the

nurses' station or supervisory station. Audible and
visual alarm shall be available in wards and private
rooms to be activated by nursing staff / supervisory
staff as required.

ii. Where accommodation is provided for disabled

persons, both visual and audible alarms shall be
provided.

iii. Where the ambient sound level is high, which compels

the occupants to wear ear protection, strategically
located visual alarms shall be provided.

(b) The visual alarm signal should flash at a rate within the
range of 30-130 flashes per minute

(c) Visual alarms should be mounted at a minimum height of

2.1 m, but no closer to the ceiling than 150 mm
Warning in Reg. 4(18) The "warning" given by a fire alarm shall comply with the
The Event of a Fire following stipulations:

i. The warning "sound' to indicate a fire situation should be

distinct from all other alarm sounds.

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Fire Regulations Chapter - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

ii. The automatic fire alarm shall be activated as follows.

I. For LOW fire hazard buildings - Fire Floor only.
2. For MEDIUM fire hazard buildings - Fire floor, and
the floor immediately above and below.
3. For HIGH fire hazard buildings - All floors
Alarm audible Reg. 4(19) (a) Public Mode Audible Requirements
requirement
To ensure that audible public mode signals are clearly
heard, they shall have a sound level at least 15 dB above
the average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the
maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60
seconds, whichever is greater, measured 1.5 m above the
floor in the area required to be served. Refer to Reg. 4(16)
above for the sound level based on location.

(b) Private Mode Audible Requirements

To ensure that audible private mode signals are clearly
heard, they shall have a sound level at least 10 dB above
the average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the
maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60
seconds, whichever is greater, measured 1.5 m above the
floor in the area required to be served.

(c) Sleeping area requirement

Audible appliances shall be installed to provide signals for
sleeping areas. They shall have a sound level of at least 15
dB above the average ambient sound level or 5 dB above
the maximum sound level having duration of at least 60
seconds or a sound level of at least 75 dBA, whichever is
greater, measured at the pillow level in the area required to
be served.

VOICE EVACUATION SYSTEM

Requirement for Reg_ 4(20) (a) One way emergency voice evacuation and
One way communication system and an emergency command
emergency voice centre shall be provided as follows:
evacuation and
communication i. For all large buildings with gross floor area greater
system than 2800 m2 or having a total occupant load
exceeding 1000 persons and large industrial and
warehouse buildings with gross floor area greater than
5000 m2.

ii. For all buildings which are categorized as high rise

and super high rise buildings.

iii. For hotel or health care occupancies exceeding 18 m

height where phased evacuation is necessary

(b) The emergency voice evacuation and communication

system shall override any public address systems
(c) Speakers for emergency voice evacuation shall be
provided in every lift lobby, staircase enclosure, corridors
and other strategic positions within audible distance of all
parts of all storeys of the buildinj

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Fire Re gulations (Mawr - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

(d) Speakers with flashers (strobe lights) shall be provided

for basement car parks, mechanical or machine rooms,
large machining areas of factories (more than 5000m 2)
and at locations where the ambient noise level is 75db or
more

Activation of Reg. 4(21) (a) The voice/alarm communications system shall be used to
Voice Evacuation provide an automatic response to the receipt of a signal
System indicative of a fire alarm or other emergency.

(b) The system shall permit, where applicable, the

application of an automatic evacuation signal to one or
more evacuation signaling zones and, at the same time,
shall permit manual voice paging to the other evacuation
signaling zones selectively or in any combination.

Voice Evacuation Reg. 4(22) (a) In response to an initiating signal indicative of a fire
Message emergency, the system shall transmit a voice recorded
message.

(b) Evacuation messages shall be preceded and followed by a

minimum of two cycles of the emergency evacuation
signal.

Control of Voice Reg. 4(23) (a) Controls for the emergency voice/alarm communication
Evacuation System system shall be at the Fire Command Centre or a central
location accessible by building staff and emergency
responders.

(b) Controls shall be located or secured to allow access by

only trained and authorized personnel.

(c) Operating controls shall be clearly identified.

(d) If there are multiple emergency voice/alarm

communications control locations, only one shall be in
control at any given time.

(e) The location having control of the system shall be

identified by a visible indication at that location.

(f) If live voice instructions are provided, they shall override

previously initiated signals to the selected notification
zone(s) and shall have priority over any subsequent
automatically initiated signals to the selected zone(s).

Cabling for Voice Reg. 4(24) All circuits necessary for the operation of the notification
Evacuation System appliances shall be protected until they enter the evacuation
signaling zone that they serve. Any of the following methods
shall be considered acceptable as meeting the requirements of
this subsection:

i. Cables of 3-hour fire rated circuit integrity at 950 °C,

Cat CWZ
ii. Cables installed inside 2-hour fire rated enclosure

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Fire Regulations Chapter - 4 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

Two-way telephone Reg. 4(25) Two-way telephone communication system with Fire
communication Command Centre (FCC) shall be provided for all buildings
system with Fire which are categorized as high rise and super high rise
Command Center buildings and any other building as requested by AHJ.

Two way communication systems shall be provided between

FCC and the following areas or any area specified by the AHJ.
i. Every firefighting lobby
ii. In basements, where the number of basements
exceeds 2.
iii. Firefighting related mechanical rooms
iv. Fire service lifts
v. Rooms having smoke control equipment
vi. Each area of refuge

(a) Monitoring of the integrity of two-way telephone

communications circuits shall be provided.

(b) Two-way telephone communications service shall be

capable of permitting the simultaneous operation of any
five telephone stations in a common talk mode.

(c) A notification signal at the control equipment, distinctive

from any other alarm, supervisory, or trouble signal, shall
indicate the off-hook condition of a calling telephone
circuit.

(d) In high rise and supper high rise buildings equipped with
a fire pump(s), a telephone station or jack shall be
provided in each fire pump room.

(e) If telephone jacks are provided, at least five handsets

shall be stored at fire command center.

(f) All circuits necessary for the operation of two-way

telephone communication systems shall be installed using
one of the following methods:

iii. Cables of 3-hour fire rated circuit integrity at 950 °C,

Cat CWZ
iv. Cables installed inside 2-hour fire rated enclosure

Fire Command Reg. 4(26) (a) Any High Rise and Super High Rise Building shall be
Centre. provided with a Fire Command Centre (FCC).

(b) The FCC shall be located in the ground floor or any other
raised floor level where fire service access is provided as
approved by AM, and in close proximity to fire fighting
shaft.

(c) The FCC shall be manned 24 h.

Temporary Reg.4(27) Building under construction shall be provided with manually

Buildings in operated/ hand crank fire siren audible to construction
Construction Sites workers

Reg.4(28) Clear access path with proper illumination shall be provided

for evacuation in an emergency.

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