Fire/life safety measures: Ready when needed

HEADNOTE

FACILITY EXECUTIVES MUST DEVELOP A PLAN TO ENSURE THE FUNCTIONALITY AND OPERABILITY OF FIRE-- PROTECTION FEATURES

For a facility executive to develop a fire safety strategy, many factors and concepts must

be considered. These factors - safe egress routes, fire- and smoke-barrier construction, adequate fire-resistance ratings, and others - are built into the structure during design and construction. Often overlooked are the day-to-day concepts of operability and functionality that are very important to developing and maintaining a continual fire safety level within a facility.

Once fire safety systems are installed, it is often either taken for granted that they will always work as designed, or they are just neglected. This is often demonstrated by the failure of inspection and maintenance procedures to be performed. Developing a plan to address the need to maintain the functionality and operability of fire-- protection features, such as fire doors, dampers, fire alarms, and extinguishing systems, should be a key long-term strategy for building management. The long-term payback is both in enhancement of safety and in financial savings.

FIRE DOORS

A fire safety plan must consider the integrity of fire barriers within buildings. One important factor is the integrity of fire door assemblies. There are many opportunities for doors to become damaged or worn out and, subsequently, become inoperable or not function as required. NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows, provides requirements and recommendations on installing, inspecting and maintaining fire door integrity as part of the overall fire barrier opening protective.

Each type of fire door has advantages and limitations, and each of these characteristics needs to be considered for a specific opening. Fire door assemblies cannot perform properly except under the conditions for which they were designed. Assemblies incorporating fire-resistant glazing materials also have been developed that have been tested and evaluated as components of fire doors rather than as glass lights. Users first should ascertain from the authority having jurisdiction which type of device or material, if any, is acceptable in the location proposed.

Fire door assemblies for the protection of openings depend on the use of labeled fire doors and frames, listed or labeled latching devices, listed swinging and sliding hardware, and closing devices having the required fire protection ratings that self-close or are automatically closed at the time of fire. The effectiveness of the entire assembly as a fire barrier could be destroyed if any component is omitted or if one of substandard quality is used.

Except where restricted by individual published listings, a fire door assembly may be permitted to consist of the labeled, listed or classified components of different organizations that are acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

Labeled fire exit hardware that meets the requirements for safety of life and fire protection is available for use on labeled fire doors. Fire doors for use with this specific hardware are required to bear the following marking on the label: "Fire Door To Be Equipped with Fire Exit Hardware."

New and existing fire doors are classified and labeled predominantly by either an hourly rating designation or alphabetical letter designation. Labels are required and are permitted to be of metal, paper or plastic or may be permitted to be stamped or die cast into the item.

Current practice is to provide the hourly designation, which indicates the duration of the fire test exposure and is known as the fire protection rating. The listing indicates the fire-rated assembly and the hourly rating (3 hours, 1% hours, 1 hour, % hour, 36 hour or 36 hour).

The older system, alphabetical letter designation, was one method employed to classify the opening for which the fire door is considered suitable. Traditionally, the relationship between the alphabetical designation and its use were listed in a designation Class A through Class E. Appendix material in NFPA 80 provides a description of these designations, if clarification is required.

One-half-hour and 1/3-hour fire doors are for use where smoke migration is a primary consideration and are for the protection of openings in partitions between a habitable room and a corridor where the wall has a fire resistance rating of not more than 1 hour or across corridors where a smoke partition is required. NFPA 105, Recommended Practice for the Installation of Smoke-Control Door Assemblies, provides guidance on installation, inspection and maintenance requirements of smoke door assemblies.

Despite the provisions of protection specified in NFPA 80, walls with openings have inherently less fire resistance than unpierced walls. Fire doors are designed to protect an opening under normal conditions of use, with a clear space on both sides of the opening. When the opening is not used and combustible material is piled against the door, window or shutter, the same level of designed protection cannot be expected. For this reason, combustible material should be kept well away from openings. Where a door opening is no longer in use, the opening should be closed with construction having a fire resistance rating equivalent to that of the wall.

Fire doors are of no value unless they are properly maintained and self-closing or are able to automatically close at the time of fire. NFPA 80 provides requirements for inspection and maintenance procedures for fire doors. The standard addresses, but is not limited to, repairs, replacement, operability, hardware, defects, lubrication, chain and cable wear and stretching, latching and glazing. Periodic inspection of fire doors, with immediate attention to any necessary repairs and correction of any defects that could interfere with operation, is an important responsibility of facility executives.

A follow-up maintenance program should also be carried out by facility executives. For example, hinges, catches, closers, latches and stay rolls are especially subject to wear and should be checked on a regular basis. Management should also be cognizant of operational impediments, such as blocking or wt-daina of doors in the open flosition or painting of fusible links or other heat-actuated devices and release devices. Both practices are prohibited.

HVAC

When developing a fire safety plan, another facet to consider is the HVAC system, particularly damper and detection systems. If not installed and maintained properly, these could be of great liability to the facility executive. An air duct system has the potential to convey smoke, hot gases and flame from area to area and to supply air to aid combustion. For these reasons, fire protection of an air duct system is essential. However, an air duct system's fire integrity also enables it to be used as part of a building's fire protection system. NFPA 90A, Standard for Installation of AirConditioning and Ventilating Systems, sets requirements to accomplish the following HVAC fire protection objectives:

* Restrict spread of smoke through air duct systems within a building or into a building from the outside;

* Restrict the spread of fire through air duct systems from the area of fire origin whether located within the building or outside;

* Maintain the fire-resistive integrity of building components and elements such as floors, partitions, roofs, walls and floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assemblies affected by the installation of air duct systems;

* Minimize the ignition sources and combustibility of the elements of the air duct systems; and

* Permit air duct systems in a building to be used for emergency smoke control.

DAMPERS

Approved fire dampers are required where air ducts penetrate or terminate at openings in walls or partitions required to have a fire resistance rating of 2 hours or more; in all air transfer openings in partitions that are required to have a fire resistance rating and in which other openings are required to be protected; and at each direct or ducted opening into or out of shaft enclosures. Fire dampers are not required where other openings through the wall do not require protection.

Smoke dampers are generally required at or adjacent to the point where air ducts pass through code-- required smoke barriers, but in no case shall a smoke damper be installed more than 2 feet from the barrier or after the first air duct inlet or outlet, whichever is closer to the smoke barrier.

Where penetration of a smoke barrier is required to be provided with a fire damper, a combination fire and smoke damper equipped and arranged to be both smoke-- responsive and heat-responsive is permitted.

In conjunction with use of smoke dampers is use of smoke detection systems. These are integral to system functionality. The detector's functions are to shut down fans and close smoke dampers. Smoke detection devices are required to be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code,' and are required to be tested at least annually.

NFPA 90A mandates that smoke detectors listed for use in air distribution systems shall be located 1) downstream of air filters and ahead of any branch connections in air supply systems having a capacity greater than 2,000 cfm, and 21 at each story prior to the connection to a common return and prior to any recirculation or fresh air inlet connection in air return systems having a capacity greater than 15,000 cfm and that serve more than one story. NFPA 90A has several exceptions to these rules.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

To ensure that all dampers are being installed and used appropriately, the facility executive should review the listing and manufacturer's requirements. Dampers should be classified in accordance with:

* Fire dampers, UL 555, Standard for Safety Fire Dampers;

* Smoke dampers, UL 555S, Standard for Safety Smoke Dampers; and

* Ceiling dampers, UL 555C, Standard for Safety Ceiling Dampers.

Damper performance includes a periodic operation of the device at least every 4 years. The fusible links (where applicable) must be removed; all dampers shall be operated to verify that they fully close; the latch, if provided, shall be checked; and moving parts shall be lubricated as necessary.

Service openings must be provided in air ducts adjacent to each fire damper, smoke damper and smoke detector to accommodate inspection and operational tests. The openings have to be large enough to permit maintenance and resetting of the device and be identified with letters having a minimum height of X inch to indicate the location of the fire protection devices) within. Such equipment is to be:

* Arranged to afford access for inspection, maintenance, and repair;

* Selected and installed based on its proper application with respect to manufacturer's installation instructions and listing as applicable;

* Guarded for personnel protection and against the intake of foreign matter into the system; and

* Installed in compliance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code!

Although NFPA 90A only requires maintenance every 4 years, a recommended program for maintenance is provided in the Appendix of NFPA 90A.

Owners should develop a greater awareness of the life and property protection capabilities and liabilities of air conditioning systems and establish a planned maintenance schedule. Failure to maintain proper conditions of cleanliness in air duct systems and carelessness in connection with repair operations have been important factors in several fires that involved air conditioning systems.

Maintenance personnel must also be aware that items such as control equipment, wiring, manual remote shutdowns and connections to the alarm system also require regular inspection. The recommended procedures will assist building owners and managers in maintaining efficient systems, enhancing fire safety, minimizing potential downtime, and decreasing long-term negative financial impacts. Note that numerous incidents have been conveyed that cite incorrect installation, malfunctions or dampers have failed to operate.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

These types of systems are primarily intended to provide building occupants with an indication and warning of abnormal conditions; to summon appropriate aid, typically the fire department; and to control select building systems to enhance protection of life and property. Keeping these systems constantly checked and in good working order is key to a facility executive's overall fire safety plan.

A fire alarm system required for life safety is required to be installed, tested and maintained in accordance with the applicable requirements of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, and NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, unless an existing installation is to be continued in use.

A complete fire alarm system provides the following functions:

1. Initiation - provides the input signal to the system.

2. Notification - provides signal notification to alert occupants of fire or other emergency and notifies the fire department or fire brigade of the required response.

3. Control - provides outputs to control building equipment to enhance protection of life.

Fire alarm systems are actuated by any or all of the following means:

1. Manual fire alarm initiation,

2. Automatic detection,

3. Extinguishing system operation.

Notification signals for occupants to evacuate include both audible and visible signals in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, and ICC/ANSI All 17.1, American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. Other means of notification acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction may also be considered, such as voice communication.

In cases where fire department notification is required, the building fire alarm system must also transmit the alarm automatically to the fire department or fire brigade. The method of alarm transmission must be acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and be in compliance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code. Alarm transmission methods include:

1. Auxiliary alarm system,

2. Central station connection,

3. Proprietary system,

4. Remote station connection, or

5. Other approved system.

Fire alarm systems are also required to perform the following functions in order to make the protected premises safer for building occupants:

* Release of hold-open devices for doors or other opening protectives;

* Stairwell or elevator shaft pressurization;

* Smoke management or smoke control systems;

* Emergency lighting control; Unlocking of doors; and

* Control systems shall also be permitted to recall elevators.

Alarm annunciation, system trouble signals and system supervisory signals at the control center are designated by means of audible and visible indicators. For the purposes of alarm annunciation, each floor of the building, other than floors of existing buildings, are considered as not less than one zone, unless otherwise permitted by requirements in the code. Each facility executive should refer to the local applicable code, such as NFPA 101, Life Safety Code,(R) for limitations on zone areas. In cases where the system serves more than one building, each building must be considered separately.

For enhanced safety purposes, required fire alarm systems that are out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period require special attention. The authority having jurisdiction must be notified, and the building is to be evacuated or an approved fire watch must be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire alarm system has been returned to service.

SPRINKLERS AND OTHER EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT

A major part of many building protection strategies or requirements is the use of automatic sprinklers or other type of extinguishment equipment to enhance the building safety as well as protect the building and its contents. Again, this equipment provides another layer in the overall fire safety scheme and requires the facility executive to be constantly aware of maintaining the operability of the equipment so that it is functional when its use is needed. A general overview of the documents required for a facility executive to reference to ensure that systems are installed, inspected and maintained for continued functionality of the fire protection systems is provided.

The design of automatic sprinkler systems must be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Where electrically supervised automatic sprinkler systems are required, the supervisory attachments have to be monitored for integrity and otherwise comply with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code.

All automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems shall be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. This standard establishes the frequency and criteria for system inspection, testing and maintenance actions that must be followed.

In any occupancy or use where the character of the potential fuel for fire is such that extinguishment or control of fire is effectively accomplished by a type of automatic extinguishing system other than an automatic sprinkler system, such systems shall be installed, inspected and maintained in accordance with the appropriate NFPA standard.

Portable fire extinguishers are required to be provided in some, but not all, occupancies. NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, governs the installation, inspection and maintenance of such devices. Building owners must be aware of the necessity to provide occupant training if the occupants are expected to utilize portable extinguishers. OSHA's Fight or Flight policy with regard to portable extinguishers should be reviewed.

ASSURING RELIABLE PERFORMANCE

Buildings are provided with any number of systems and features that enhance safety, protect the occupants, protect the structure and its contents, and protect the investment that all parties have made to build, own, operate, work, live and play in. The systems previously described are reliable and functional and improve the chances that small fires or similar emergencies will stay small and contained. As with any system or feature, however, preventive maintenance, periodic inspection and testing, and the general need to be vigilant about the condition of the system are crucial to make sure it performs when needed and to the intended level.

AUTHOR_AFFILIATION

Stove Younis, Senior Fire Protection Engineer, NFPA