Consulting-Specifying Engineer - May 2008 - (Page 46) The Fire Protection Research Foundation and provides research and recommendations for the placement of CO detectors. Some of the recommendations are certain to be considered for inclusion in future standards and codes. Any parties interested in participating in the development of these standards is encouraged to become involved through NFPA public comment and code revision cycles. State and local efforts Even when state and local governments adopt many of the national standards into their code ordinances, local conditions may give rise to additional CO detection needs. Architects and engineers have specified additional CO detectors necessary for occupant safety. Recently, state and local governing entities amending their own adopted codes with more centralized and more stringent CO detection requirements has been becoming trend. While many jurisdictions and cities, such as Chicago, have had additional CO detection requirements for longer than a decade, the trend is accelerating in such places as New York City and Florida. In New York City, a new building code based upon the 2003 IBC, is scheduled for implementation July 1. The new code includes an amendment section “908.7 Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors.” This section will require that specific “E,” “I-1,” and “R” occupancies have CO detectors and alarm devices, and these devices must be installed per fire alarm system standards. For “E,” ”I-2,” ”I-4,” and “R-1” occupancies; the alarm notification must be annunciated beyond the detection coverage area. Compliance of these provisions for existing buildings will be required only where fire protection systems are substantially upgraded or where the facility chooses to implement the requirements as part of an overall code equivalency design. The ”new” New York City code also contains some performancebased options that may require the use of CO detection. The following paragraph is one such example: NYC MC 404.1 Enclosed parking garages. “Mechanical ventilation systems for enclosed parking garages are not required to operate continuously where the system is arranged to operate automatically upon detection of a concentration of carbon monoxide of 25 ppm by approved automatic detection devices.” Citing this paragraph, in an enclosed parking garage where environmental air or other reasons make continual exhaust ven- tilation undesirable or uneconomical, approved CO detection provides an alternate solution. Farther south, the Florida Building Commission (Florida Building Code CS/CS/SB 1822) has adopted statewide requirements that become effective July 1. New rules require CO detection to be installed public lodging where: 509.211 Every enclosed space or room that contains a boiler … which is fired by direct application of energy from the combustion of fuels and … that is located in any portion of a public lodging establishment that also contains sleeping rooms shall be equipped with one or more carbon monoxide sensor devices … Such devices shall be integrated with the public lodging establishment’s fire detection system…” In all new buildings with sleeping facilities and carbon fuel-fired equipment, similar requirements have been adopted: 9B-3.0472 (2) “Every building for which a permit for new construction is issued on or after 7/1/08 and having a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage shall have an operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within 10 ft of each room used for sleeping purposes.” These measures indicate that Florida recognizes specific CO detection placement requirements are the most direct method of protecting hotel guests, building occupants, and the reputation of state’s tourist infrastructure. What’s next? Even though CO concerns have been studied and documented for more than 40 years, community awareness and a willingness to apply CO detection through regulation is growing. National standards organizations and local building and fire authorities want more clear, prescriptive requirements for the installation of CO detectors so they are developing the ordinances and policies to implement such requirements. We are certain to see more CO detectors in our homes, and in commercial, industrial, and public buildings. For those with the desire to participate in the process, now is the time to become involved with the appropriate organization or governmental agency. Gentile is a licensed electrical and fire protection engineer. A graduate of Washington University–St. Louis, he is a professional member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and on several technical committees of the National Fire Protection Assn. 46 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • MAY 2008 Photo: Myles Adamson
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