Consulting-Specifying Engineer - February 2008 - (Page 16)

M/E Roundtable REISWIG: For fire alarm systems, the codes (both on a national and local level) are generally very prescriptive. For mass notification there is much more latitude. Within the new chapter 12 for NFPA 72, the building owner should perform a risk analysis and develop an emergency response plan based on the identified risks and to determine what the performance characteristics of the system need to be. CSE: Since Sept. 11, there has been much talk about how what first responders want most is inform a t i o n . D e s c ri b e s o m e r e c e n t innovations in fire command centers—especially in high-rise buildings—for first responders? NIELSON: Since Sept. 11 fire command centers innovations are more a result of changing and improving technology than a result of prescriptive code changes. Some manufacturers use the standard emergency service interface. Standardized interfaces facilitate information transfer to responders. REISWIG: Fire alarm systems have been used very successfully to annunciate a specific location of a fire event and allowed for firefighters to staff a location to facilitate response plans, review subsequent alarms and if the system is equipped with a voice and speaker system use the microphone to give specific messages to specific areas of a facility. With the addition of mass notification the responders might not be the fire alarm department and could be local police or federal law enforcement. The systems need to not only transmit what initiated an alarm but also possibly provide detailed information outside of the facility, web sites, or radio systems. Again, the emergency response plan that the owner’s team needs to create will dictate what equipment, functionality, and priorities the facility’s system will require. KOFFEL: The industry has been working hard to address a common fire service interface that meets the needs of the fire Input #210 at csemag.com/quickResponse service. There have also been numerous forums during which the needs and desires of the fire service have been discussed. CSE: Regarding mass notification systems, how are false activations and inconveniences eliminated or reduced? KOFFEL: In our opinion, the best way to reduce or eliminate false activations and related inconvenience of mass notification systems is through proper application, selection, design, and installation of such systems. Coordination of mass notification systems and other building communication system functions such as the fire alarm system is essential. When done successfully at the onset, proper design and installation of mass notification systems serve to reduce if not altogether eliminate nuisance type events. REISWIG: Most activations will be manually initiated, so it is not anticipated there will be false activations. In cases where the activation is to be initiated automatically, regular inspection, testing, and maintenance should be in place. CSE: In regard to mass notification systems, who should manage and operate the facility’s mass notification system? Police, fire, building operations, others? Who decides? KOFFEL: Neither the UFC for Mass Notification Systems nor Annex E in NFPA 72 designates responsibility for system management and operation. The UFC requires that each DOD component assign those responsibilities. Annex E in NFPA 72 suggests that the systems operator of a mass notification system be properly trained in the purpose, functions, procedures, and anticipated actions of such systems. REISWIG: The response plan developed by the owner’s team should determine who would have authority during what type of emergency. The proposed chapter 12 in NFPA 72, 2010 edition provides a guide in developing the emergency response plan. 16 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • FEBRUARY 2008 http://www.fbcbuildingsolutions.com http://www.fbcbuildingsolutions.com http://csemag.com/quickResponse

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - February 2008

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - February 2008 Contents Viewpoint News M/E Roundtable How To Write Control Sequences Mentoring Engineers: Myths, Motivations, and Models Keep Young Electrical Engineers Grounded Protecting a Vulnerable Population Codes & Standards Case Study New Products Equipment Lifecycles Advertisers Index Green Space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - February 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.