Are double action manual pull stations with stopper covers allowed?
I seem to recall at one point in time that I read somewhere that there could be no more than 2 actions to initiate a manual fire alarm. I actually had a project years ago where we were required to remove the double action and replace them with single action because the stopper cover was treated as an additional action. I have looked in ADA, NFPA, IFC, and spoken to STI and to AHJs in my area and I cannot find anything addressing this issue. Does anyone know of any code addressing this issue?
Answer:
You will no longer find a reference to Manual Station operation other than following the requirements that Covers be listed, and that Cover w/Audible be approved by the AHJ. NFPA 1, 72 & 101 have removed the "No more than 2 actions" phrase from the prescriptive requirements... most likely to allow for reducing nuisance alarms in certain situations. The AHJ is the ultimate approving authority here. Professional engineering judgement, common sense and working with the AHJ are what defines acceptability in this instance, in most jurisdictions.
Mike I have come across this issue with some in the fire service there concern is with the covers which have the horns. Non horned covers you lift them activate station horns come on you know you have activated the system. With the horn sounder some people have supposedly pulled cover but when horn went off failed to fully activate the pull station think they had done so. I say supposedly because no one can cite a case where this has happened.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be more conjecture.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful article. I suggest using a single action pull station behind the STI Stopper. This will give you a total of two actions to initiate an alarm. Thanks from Fire Alarms Online
ReplyDelete