ECES002F: ELECTRONICS ANCILLARY SYSTEM Different Types of FDS Devices

1. Optical or Ionization Smoke Detector

FIRE DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM 2. Multi Sensor Detector
3. Heat Detector
Fire prevention: “Where smoke alarms meet common 4. Reflective Beam Smoke Detector
sense” 5. Air Sampling Smoke Detector
6. UV/IR Flame Detector
FDAS - Fire detection and alarm systems are critical 7. Spark/Ember Detector
components of any building's safety infrastructure 8. Duct Smoke Detector
9. Gas Leakage Detector
Fire Safety 10. Video Image Smoke Detector

Importance of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

- When the fire alarm system detects smoke, heat, it
alerts occupants of the building using both audible
and visible alarms. These alarms will be bright, loud,
obnoxious, and impossible to ignore, which help
mobilize individuals to follow an evacuation plan.

Legal requirements and building codes

- RA9292 – Electronics Engineering Law of 2004
- RA 9514 - Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
- DPWH Department Order 231 series 2016
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Philippine Integrated Fire Protection Organization (PIFPO)

Components of a Fire Detection and Alarm System

Different Types of Fire Alarm Devices

TYPES OF FDAS
Authorities Having Jurisdiction
1. The Office of the Building Official (OBO)
2. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

The design considerations for a primary power supply

and a secondary power supply in an FDAS:

- 1.5.8 The primary power supplied to the fire alarm

control panel, and hence to the entire system, shall be
from a dedicated and exclusive branch circuit. The
secondary power supply shall have sufficient capacity to
Fire Alarm System Design Considerations operate the system under normal non-alarm condition for
(RA 9514 and Philippine Electronics Code Book II) a minimum of 24 hours, and at the end of that period,
capable of operating all alarm notification appliances and
The coverage of FDAS emergency communications systems for a period of 30
1.6 Use of Battery-Operated Smoke/Heat Detectors

1.6.1 Buildings, facilities, or premises that are not record

and refer of fire protection code, more than 400 sq. m. in
total floor area, nor more than two floors, and with a
height of not more than 10m may choose not to install a
FDAS. However, in its place, battery-operated,
stand-alone detectors shall be installed. Each minutes.
battery-operated detector shall cover a floor are of not
more than 50 sq. m. Thus, buildings that exceeded the (1.5.8) (1.5.10)
above size specifications are not allowed to use
battery-operated detectors as a substitute of wired
detectors in the FDAS.

1.6.2 In buildings, structures etc.,battery-operated

detectors shall not substitute the wired detectors in the
FDAS.

Maximum floor area coverage for an alarm zone:

- 1.5.10 An alarm zone shall have a maximum floor area

of 800 sq. m. A separate alarm zone shall be provided for
each 800 sq.m. of protected floor area.

The sound level of an audible notification signal:

How often is the inspection of an AHJ conducted for
an existing FDAS?
- 1.5.12 Audible notification signal shall have a sound
level of at least 15 dB above the average ambient sound
- 1.5.7 The properly designed, installed, and accepted fire
level, or 5 dB above the maximum sound level having a
detection and alarm system shall undergo annual testing
duration of at least 30 seconds or 75 dBA, whichever is
and inspection by the AHJ for reacceptance, as specified
greater, measured 1.40 meters above the floor in the
in Chapter 4.
area required to be served.
1.7 AREAS WHERE DETECTION IS REQUIRED:
2.4.1 For Buildings / facilities with total floor area of 8,000
(1) The spaces under the raised floor more than 600 sq m or less a conventional system, semi-addressable
mm in height. If conventional detectors are used, they system, or addressable system shall be used.
should be wired as a separate alarm zone.
(2) The spaces above the drop ceiling more than 1 Figure 1: Convention System Riser Diagram
meter in height. If conventional detectors are used, they
should be wired as a separate alarm zone.
(3) Concealed spaces under the roof more than 1 meter
in height. If conventional detectors are used, they should
be wired as a separate alarm zone.
(4) Stairwells, with detection at each floor level.
(5) Return air ducts of the air conditioning system using
sampling tubes.
(6) Tunnels linking two or more buildings.
(7) Vaults or the like.
(8) Vertical shafts.

Figure 2: Semi-Addressable System Riser Diagram

1.8 AREAS WHERE DETECTION IS NOT REQUIRED

(1) Toilet/bathroom with a floor area of less than 4 sq.m.

(2) Exhaust ducts exhausting from toilets/bathrooms.
(3) Any walk-in type enclosure with a floor area not
more than 1 sq. m. provided its content is of minimal fire
risk, or one with floor area not more than 0.5 sq.m. if it How do we typically install Detectors?
contains electrical or communication equipment.
(4) The spaces under raised floor with a height of 250 2.5.4.2 Smoke detectors shall not be installed if any of the
mm or less. following ambient conditions exist:
(5) The spaces above the drop ceiling with a height of 1 (1) Temperature is below 5°C
meter or less without combustible materials. (2) Temperature is above 45°C.
(6) Concealed spaces under the roof with a height of 1 (3) Relative humidity is above 93%.
meter or less without combustible materials.
(7) Covered paths: balconies, open-sided covered 2.5.4.3 For new constructions, smoke detectors shall not
walkways & staircases, overhanging roof areas, verandas, be installed until after all other construction trades have
provided they are not used for storage of goods. completed cleanup.
(8) The area under structures such as platforms, ducts,
and the like, within a protected room or areas, which are 2.5.4.4 The sensitivity of smoke detectors shall be factory
less than 3 meters in width, provided the free flow of air calibrated and shall not be allowed to be calibrated in the
reaching the detectors mounted above is not obstructed. field
2.4 CONVENTIONAL VERSUS ADDRESSABLE
2.5.4.6 For flat ceilings with a height of not more than 2.5.4.8 For ceilings with a height of more than 6 meters,
4 meters, the following shall be complied with: spot-type smoke detectors shall not be used. Instead,
beam-type smoke detectors shall be used.
(1) Smoke detector spacing shall not be more than 9
meters. Therefore, all points on the ceiling shall have a 2.5.6 Beam-type smoke detector
detector within a distance of 6.4 meters.
2.5.6.1 For ceilings with a height of more than 6 meters,
(2) Spacing of detectors from walls or partitions shall not beam-type smoke detectors shall be used. They shall be
be less than 300 mm and note more than 4.5 meters. installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

(3) For sloping ceiling or roof, the spacing shall be 9 Figure 3: Initiating Devices Infrared/Beam Detector
meters maximum measured along a horizontal projection
of the ceiling. The detector located at the lowest point
along the slope shall be installed at a point at least 1
meter above the horizontal base line of the slope. The
detector located at the highest point along the slope shall
be located at the apex.

(4) Smoke detectors shall not be installed less than 1

meter from any air supply diffuser or outlet, or any other
ceiling devices or fixtures that may cause electromagnetic
induction, such as lighting fixtures, speakers, transmitters,
a minimum distance of 1 meter shall be maintained
between the detector and the device.

2.5.4.7 For flat ceilings with a height of more than 4

meters but not more than 6 meters, the following shall 2.5.6.2 The beam length and width coverage shall not
be complied with: exceed the maximum permitted by the manufacturer’s
published specifications and instructions.
(1) Smoke detector spacing shall not be more than 4.5
meters. Therefore, all points on the ceiling shall have a Maintenance and monitoring tests
detector within a distance of 3.18 meters. • Daily
• Weekly
(2) Spacing of detectors from walls or partitions shall not • Monthly
be less than 300mm and not more than 2.25 meters. • Annually

(3.) For sloping ceiling or roof, the spacing shall be 4.5 4.4.1 Daily checklist
meters, maximum measured along a horizontal projection Everyday, the operator or responsible person shall look at
of the ceiling. The detector located at the lowest point the panel to confirm that the system is in normal
along the slope shall be installed at a point at least 1 surveillance mode. Should there be any trouble, steps
meter above the horizontal base line of the slope. The should be taken to immediately correct these by informing
detector located at the highest point along the slope shall the organization responsible for servicing the system. All
be located at the apex. troubles shall be entered into the log record.

(4.) Smoke detectors shall not be installed less than 4.4.2 Weekly test list
500mm from any air supply diffuser or outlet, or any other
ceiling devices or fixtures that do not cause (1) Randomly simulate detection and check if the
electromagnetic induction. However, for those ceiling programmed sequence of operation functions accordingly.
devices or fixtures that may cause electromagnetic If the system is connected to a Central Station for
induction, such as lighting fixtures, speakers, transmitters, monitoring, it is necessary to inform them first before and
a minimum distance of 1 meter shall be maintained after undertaking the test to ensure that the alarm and/or
between the detector and the device. trouble signals were received and to advise them that the
system has been normalized.
 (3) Should there be any abnormality as a result of
(2) Check the battery voltage and condition. performing 1 and 2 above, immediately take measures to
correct them.
(3) Should there be any abnormality as a result of
performing 1 and 2 above, immediately take measures to (4) All actions done and any trouble(s)/corrective works
correct them. shall be entered into the log record.

(4) The detection and alarm simulation and any trouble Who performs Annual Inspection?
corrective works shall be entered into the log record.
4.5 AUTHORITIES HAVING JURISDICTION (AHJ)
4.3.3 Monthly test list ANNUAL INSPECTION

(1) Simulate one fire and one trouble condition in every 4.5.1 One year after the initial acceptance and every year
alarm zone of the system. thereafter, the installation shall be subject to an inspection
by the Authorities Having Jurisdiction.
(2) Check batteries and their terminals to ensure there is
no corrosion and to ensure they are in good condition. 4.5.2 Prior to the inspection by the Authorities Having
Jurisdiction, the system shall be tested and certified by
(3) Check the function of all lamps on the panel. persons qualified under Clause 4.4.3.

(4)Check the operation of all notification appliances. 4.5.3 Persons considered qualified to perform annual test
and certification on FDAS shall have the following
(5) Simulate both the failure and resumption of primary qualifications:
power to check if secondary power is working normally.
Refer to Republic Act No. 9292
(6) Check and ensure that all panels, annunciators, and
printers, if any, are clean and (1) A registered Professional Electronics Engineer (PECE)
visible. or Electronics Engineer (ECE) and ECT.

(7) Should there be any abnormality as a result of (2) Experienced in the proper installation,
performing 1 to 6 above, immediately take measures to maintenance, and testing of FDAS as certified by
correct them. IECEP acceptable to the PRC and NFPA, or factory
trained for FDAS installation as certified by the
(8) All actions done and any trouble(s)/corrective works manufacturer acceptable to the NFPA and EN54
shall be entered into the log record.

4.3.4 Annual test list

(1) The maintenance personnel should randomly check

the operation of at least 25% of all
detectors in the system each year. The selection of the
detectors to be tested should be
spread over as many loops or as many zones as possible,
and done in such a way that

(2) all the detectors should have been tested at least once
every 4 years. Conventional smoke detectors shall be
cleaned at least once a year. Addressable smoke
detectors connected to an addressable panel with
intelligent features on detector maintenance cleaning shall
be cleaned upon indication in the panel for the need to
clean the particular detector.