Philippines Electronics Code Book 2: Fire Detection Alarm System PDF

# Philippines Electronics Code Book 2: Fire Detection Alarm System ## Chapter 1: Scope and Fundamentals - The code discuss the design, application, invitation, and inspection of fire detection and alarm systems. - Fire suppression systems are not covered in the code. - The code defines the means o...

# Philippines Electronics Code Book 2: Fire Detection Alarm System ## Chapter 1: Scope and Fundamentals - The code discuss the design, application, invitation, and inspection of fire detection and alarm systems. - Fire suppression systems are not covered in the code. - The code defines the means of signal initiation, transmission, notification, annunciation, and emergency voice evacuation in a fire detection and alarm system. - The code establishes the minimum require levels of performance and quality of installation of fire detection and alarm systems. - Automatic fire detection and alarm systems shall comply with the general requirements, the design requirements, and the installation requirements of this code. ## Definition of Terms: 1. **Addressable Device** - An fire detection and alarm systems component that can be individually identified of its status or used to individually control other functions. 2. **Annunciator** - An FDAS component containing lamps or alphanumeric display in which each indication provides status information. 3. **Conventional Device** - An FDAS component, such as a smoke detector, heat detector, or manual fire alarm station, that does not have an electromechanical or software address that gives it a discrete identity. - **Shall**: indicates a mandatory requirement - **Should**: indicates a recommendation, but not required ## General Requirements - As required by this code and the relevant provision of RA 9514: - All buildings, facilities, houses, structures, and premises, except those stated in clause 1.f.a, shall have FDAS that complies with the requirements of this code. - The FDAS shall have one or more of the following functions: - Automatic detection, and manual fire alarm signal initiation - Activation of fire alarm notification appliances - Emergency communications system - Activation of annunciators - Monitoring of abnormal conditions in fire suppression system. - Activation of fire safety functions. - Transmission of alarm signal to an off premises Central Station. ## Areas Where Detection is Required - Spaces under floor more than 600 mm in height - Space above drop ceiling more than 1 meter in height - Concealed spaces under the roof more than 1 meter in height - Stairwells - Return air ducts of air conditioning system. - Tunnels linking two or more buildings. - Vaults - Vertical shafts ## Areas Where Detection is Not Required - Toilet and or bathroom less than 4 sq. m. - Exhaust ducts from toilets/bathrooms. - Any walk-in type enclosure with a floor area not more than 1 sq. m. - The spaces under raised floor with a height of 250 mm or less. - The spaces above drop ceiling with a height of 1 meter or less. - Concealed spaces under the roof with a height if 1 meter or less. - Covered paths. - Areas under structures such as platforms and ducts. ## Chapter 2: Design Requirements - Individual components shall be compatible with each other and shall be approved and listed by institutions recognized by the relevant authority. - FDAS designer shall have the following qualifications: - A registered Professional Electronics Engineer (PECE) - Experienced in the proper design, application, installation, and testing of FDAS as certified by IECEP - If the total floor area more 8000 sq m, a semi-addressable, or addressable system shall be used otherwise, a conventional system may be used. - Automatic detection shall have a complete indoor coverage of the building or facilities including all rooms, halls, etc. - For smoke detectors, the performance characteristics of the detector and the are shall be taken into account when selecting smoke detectors. Smoke detectors shall not be installed in rooms with temperature below 5°C, above 45°C, and with relative humidity above 93%. - For heat detectors, temperature rating shall be set at least 11°C above maximum expected temperature and is spaced not more than 7.5m. It shall not be installed in locations where relative humidity is above 93% and if the ceiling height is more than 4 meters. - Beam-type smoke detector shall be used if ceilings are more than 6m in height and shall be kept clear of opaque obstacles at all times. - Duct-smoke detectors shall be equipped in the air duct of all air handling units for centralized air-conditioning system. It shall be listed for use with air velocity, temperature, and humidity expected in the duct. - For Flame detectors, selection shall be based on the matching of spectral response of the detector to the spectral emissions of the fire to be detected to avoid nuisance alarms. - Carbon monoxide detector shall be installed for dwelling units with attached garages and for units with a permanently-installed fuel-burning appliance. It shall not be installed for open parking garages and mechanically ventilated garages. ## Manual Detection - It is achieved through the manual activation of fire push or pull stations installed at a height of 1.4m above floor and shall be easily seen and is accessible. It is usually colored red. ## Notification Appliances - Alarm shall be clearly audible throughout the floor and/or building where they are installed. It shall have a minimum of 65 dbA or 10 db higher than ambient room noise and a maximum of 115 dbA. Visual notification shall be used along with audible notification for areas where hearing protection is worn. ## One-way Emergency Voice Alarm Communication Sub-System - A one-way emergency communication sub-system shall be required for the following facilities: 1. Airports 2. Seaports 3. Transportation terminals 4. Shopping malls 5. Hotels 6. Office buildings 7. Residential buildings or condominiums with floor area more than 25,000 sq. m or with more than 25 floors 8. Buildings with floor area greater than 15,000 sq. m or with more than 15 floors ## Two-way Telephone Communication Sub-System - Two-way telephone communication sub-system shall be required for conventional system with FACP of more than 10 zones and for addressable and semi-addressable system with more than 200 automatic detectors. ## Power Supply - The primary power supply to the entire system shall be normally direct 220 - 240 VAC single phase. Its operating voltage shall not be more than VDC - The capacity of the secondary power supply shall operate for a minimum of 24 hours. Changeover form primary to secondary or vice-versa shall be automatic. ## False Alarm - System designers shall comply with the design requirements under Chapter 2. Any adjustments shall subject to the approval of the PRC - The owner of protected structures shall be responsible to prevent false alarms. Any alarm at the FACP shall be treated as a fire until proven to be a false alarm. ## Chapter 3: Installation Requirements - Installation of FDAS shall comply with the requirements of the Philippine electrical code and of Chapter 3.3 to 3.8 and the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines 2008 and its implementing rules and regulation. - Installation of FDAS shall be done by a qualified person or by installers under the supervision of a qualified personnel. A person qualified to install FDAS shall have the qualifications: - A registered Professional Electronics Engineer (PECE) or Electronics Engineer (ECE) - Experienced in the proper installation, maintenance and testing of the FSAS as certified by IECEP - All wires and cables shall be protected in a conduit pipe or flexible conduit or enclosed cable duct/tray/ladder or other raceways that provide protection against mechanical damage, corrosion, and fire. - The minimum wire gauge shall be 0.9 sq. mm. - The FDAS shall be subjected to the following test conforming to applicable standards: 1. Testing the insulation resistance and continuity of wires 2. Verification of installed devices 3. Operation and response of FDAS 4. Testing the operation of initiating devices 5. Measuring sound pressure level generated by notification devices - Final test shall be done on the whole system. Test parameters shall be based on applicable standards and requirements. - Operation and Maintenance manuals of the equipments as well as As-built in drawings shall be provided to the user before final inspection by the Bureau of Fire Department. A copy shall be on hand at the Fire Command Center or near the FACP at all times. ## Chapter 4: Maintenance, Testing, and Inspection - The owner of a protected building shall enter into a maintenance contract with the manufacturer, or distributor, or a competent contractor to do regular maintenance of the installation. - A competent person shall supervise and handle all matters concerning FDAS. He/she shall be capable of reading and interpreting all signals displayed information correctly and take the appropriate actions. He/she shall be trained for FDAS maintenance and testing, as certified by the manufacturer, to do inspection, maintenance, repair, and testing of the system. - Every system shall keep the following documentation: 1. A complete set of operation and maintenance manuals of the manufacturer covering all equipment used in the system. 2. A complete set of as-built drawings 3. A written sequence of operation 4. Dully filled out Record of Completion 5. Log record book - The owner of the protected building shall be responsible in ensuring that the installation is tested. The results should be recorded in the log records. - After the first year of the initial acceptance, the installation shall be inspected by the AHJ. Prior to this inspection, the system shall be tested and certified by a personnel with the following qualification: - Registered Professional Electronics Engineer or Electronics Engineer - Experienced in the proper installation and testing of FDAS and is certified by IECEP