[SML] Fire Alarm Impairment

[Riter, Andrew]

Hi Jonanthan

(writing from Canada, with a 26 year old system, YMMV)

In our scenarios, there isn’t a “switch on a wall.”  The Fire Life Safety electrician for the university comes over (“Fire Watch”), and on the main panel bypasses certain activation systems (smoke detectors).

I expect any main control panel can do this, depending on the age and technological level of the main panel.

Is that your type of panel, or do you have something simpler (and not adaptable?)

Good luck

Andrew M. Riter
Chan Centre

604-808-2033 (working from home)

From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> On Behalf Of Jonathan Zitelman via Stagecraft
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 5:51 AM
To: Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Cc: Jonathan Zitelman <jzstagecraft at gmail.com>
Subject: [SML] Fire Alarm Impairment

[CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]

Poking out of my dusty little corner as I do every several years.

I know many theatres and hotels have a switch which has been programmed into the fire alarm system to disable specific initiating devices within the fire alarm system.  Typically these are smoke detectors associated with fog/haze use, located directly around the stage.  Actual use of the switch usually requires a permit and fire watch or fire inspector on site to still meet Life Safety Code, and the full system is not taken off-line so that patrons are still alerted if necessary.

I have reached out to our fire marshal about installing such a switch.  He's amicable but has asked what reference allows for this exception.  I've tried searching online and have found a few universities with guidelines and applications (and learned a lot about fats, oil and grease [FOG]), but cannot locate any specific references other than a blanket reference to NFPZ 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.  At over 400 pages and the inability to search while using free access, I was hoping someone here might be able to provide some more specifics.

I know this has to be done correctly as it directly involves life safety.  Despite our best efforts to date, we still end up with one or two false alarms a year.  Again, I appreciaite any insights, until then I will be leafing through code in my spare time.

Thanks!
Jonathan Zitelman
Director of University Events
Texas Lutheran University
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