Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms

Eugene A. Cable, P.E. , M.S.F.P.E. Eugene A. Cable, P.E. , M.S.F.P.E. Life Safety ConsultantsLife Safety Consultants NEHES Honorary Member NEHES Honorary Member 412 Horse Heaven Road412 Horse Heaven RoadAverill Park, New York 12018 Averill Park, New York 12018 (518) 794-7237 (518) 794-7237 Eugene.Cable@Fairpoint.NetEugene.Cable@Fairpoint.Net

Objective Objective

Better understand the seriousness of a false Better understand the seriousness of a false fire alarm: engineering failure fire alarm: engineering failure

Provide ideas / options you can implement Provide ideas / options you can implement next week to prevent false alarms next week to prevent false alarms

Background situation Background situation

Our fire protection goal is to provide:Our fire protection goal is to provide:

– LLife Safety:ife Safety: a reasonably safe environment a reasonably safe environment for occupants; code: “to protect the for occupants; code: “to protect the occupants not intimate with the initial fire occupants not intimate with the initial fire development for the time needed to evacuate, development for the time needed to evacuate, relocate, or defend in place”relocate, or defend in place”

– A reasonable level of building functionality A reasonable level of building functionality and continuity of operationsand continuity of operations

– Property protectionProperty protection

DefinitionsDefinitions

Alarm: A warning of dangerAlarm: A warning of danger

DefinitionsDefinitions Alarm: A warning of dangerAlarm: A warning of danger Summoning Signal: An alert to respond Summoning Signal: An alert to respond

False Alarm: (not defined – see unwanted alarm) False Alarm: (not defined – see unwanted alarm) an an alarm received when there is no danger or real hazard. alarm received when there is no danger or real hazard.

Unwanted Alarm: Any alarm that occurs that is not Unwanted Alarm: Any alarm that occurs that is not the result of a potential hazardous condition. the result of a potential hazardous condition.

Nuisance Alarm: Nuisance Alarm: An unwanted activation of a signaling An unwanted activation of a signaling system in response to stimuli or a condition caused by mech. system in response to stimuli or a condition caused by mech. failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of maint., or by failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of maint., or by cause cannot be determined. cause cannot be determined.

Serious consequences Serious consequences

Firefighters placed in danger, unavailable Firefighters placed in danger, unavailable Facilities Management:Facilities Management:

– Utilities shut downUtilities shut down– Elevators inoperable Elevators inoperable – Doors close – inoperative Doors close – inoperative – Personnel stop work – to respond Personnel stop work – to respond

Patient Care staff Patient Care staff – Patient Care interruptedPatient Care interrupted– Patient transfers stopped Patient transfers stopped

““Each false alarm reduces the credibility of Each false alarm reduces the credibility of a warning system.”a warning system.”

The false alarm effect “ is particularly The false alarm effect “ is particularly strong in warning systems in which the strong in warning systems in which the recipient of the information is an intelligent recipient of the information is an intelligent being.” being.”

False Alarm vs. Real HazardFalse Alarm vs. Real Hazard

Fire: Rapid oxidation . .resulting in light Fire: Rapid oxidation . .resulting in light and heat and heat

Uncontrolled combustion with damage Uncontrolled combustion with damage

Real Hazard: Uncontrolled combustion Real Hazard: Uncontrolled combustion with a high probability of continued with a high probability of continued growth. growth.

NFPA 2014 Las Vegas NFPA 2014 Las Vegas

Fire alarm signal: Recognized – 35% Fire alarm signal: Recognized – 35% Means Urgent? – 6% Means Urgent? – 6%

““Global” statistic: 98% of fire alarm Global” statistic: 98% of fire alarm activations are false alarms.activations are false alarms.

The Las Vegas Fire Dept: Not respond The Las Vegas Fire Dept: Not respond

Life Safety Fire ProtectionLife Safety Fire Protection

Fire alarm is a warning – not protection Fire alarm is a warning – not protection

NFPA 72: “To provide indication and warning of NFPA 72: “To provide indication and warning of abnormal fire conditions.” abnormal fire conditions.”

““System should alert building occupants and System should alert building occupants and summon appropriate aid in adequate time to allow summon appropriate aid in adequate time to allow for occupants to travel to a safe place and for for occupants to travel to a safe place and for rescue operations to occur.” rescue operations to occur.”

Real World Life Safety FactorsReal World Life Safety Factors

Life Safety CodeLife Safety Code Redundant requirements

Total Concept (Section 18.1.1.3)

Multiple Safeguards- Prevent Ignition

- Detection of Fire - Alarm

- Inhibit fire growth - Confinement of fire and smoke - Extinguishment of fire - Fire Dept actions - Staff action – transfer to area of refuge - Staff action - evacuate

Fire and Life Safety Model - Fire and Life Safety Model - EscapeEscapeTime

Time toDetection

Time to Notify Occupants

Time for Smoke To Block Egress Path

OccupantsSafely Out

FireIgnition Detection

Occupants Alerted

EgressRouteBlocked

Time Needed To Get Out

ResponseDelay

ToPrepare

To Travel

SafetyMargin

Fire Development - fire growth curve

Gene Cable(518) 794-7237

Video Video

Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms

System OptionsSystem Options

Practical Operational Options Practical Operational Options

Notification Signals for Staff Notification Signals for Staff ResponseResponse

InputsInputs– AlarmsAlarms

– SupervisorySupervisory

– TroubleTrouble

OutputsOutputs– Occupant NotificationOccupant Notification

» Alarm (warn) those in Alarm (warn) those in dangerdanger

» Summon Staff to RespondSummon Staff to Respond

– Emergency Forces NotificationEmergency Forces Notification

– Fire Safety FunctionsFire Safety Functions

Fire Alarm

Control Unit

http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/manuals_other.asp

Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms System Options System Options

Minimize number of smoke detectors – ASHEMinimize number of smoke detectors – ASHE Smoke detectors, change to less sensitive – 3.6 %Smoke detectors, change to less sensitive – 3.6 % Pull stations at nurses station only Pull stations at nurses station only Duct smoke detectors do not activate alarmDuct smoke detectors do not activate alarm Limit alarm notification size - alarm zonesLimit alarm notification size - alarm zones Alarm verification Alarm verification Positive alarm sequence permitted Positive alarm sequence permitted

Minimize number of smoke detectorsMinimize number of smoke detectors

General principle: less smoke detectors General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations more pull stations

One side only for automatic door releaseOne side only for automatic door release Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in corridorsNot required in corridors

Minimize number of smoke detectorsMinimize number of smoke detectors

General principle: less smoke detectors more pull General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations stations

One side only for automatic door releaseOne side only for automatic door release Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in corridorsNot required in corridors Not required in hazardous rooms & closets Not required in hazardous rooms & closets Not required in stair shaftsNot required in stair shafts Not required in nurses lounge/ nourish centerNot required in nurses lounge/ nourish center

Limit Alarm Notification Limit Alarm Notification

Notification Signals for Staff Notification Signals for Staff ResponseResponse

InputsInputs– AlarmsAlarms

– SupervisorySupervisory

– TroubleTrouble

OutputsOutputs– Occupant NotificationOccupant Notification

» Alarm (warn) those in Alarm (warn) those in dangerdanger

» Summon Staff to RespondSummon Staff to Respond

– Emergency Forces NotificationEmergency Forces Notification

– Fire Safety FunctionsFire Safety Functions

Fire Alarm

Control Unit

http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/manuals_other.asp

Alarm VerificationAlarm Verification

Permitted by NFPA 101 Health carePermitted by NFPA 101 Health care

Discouraged but also permitted by NFPA 72Discouraged but also permitted by NFPA 72; ; “alarm verification should be used only where “alarm verification should be used only where

absolutely necessary”absolutely necessary”

““Alarm verification is not intended to compensate Alarm verification is not intended to compensate

for design errors or lack of maintenance.”for design errors or lack of maintenance.”

Alarm VerificationAlarm Verification

Panel Function - must be activated Panel Function - must be activated

Delays alarm up to 60 seconds Delays alarm up to 60 seconds

Detector Activation Ignored – re-set Detector Activation Ignored – re-set

If still activated, panel sends out the alarm If still activated, panel sends out the alarm

6.8.1.3 Positive Alarm Sequence.6.8.1.3 Positive Alarm Sequence.

6.8.1.3.1 Systems that have positive alarm features complying with 6.8.1.3.1 Systems that have positive alarm features complying with 6.8.1.3 shall be permitted if approved by the authority having 6.8.1.3 shall be permitted if approved by the authority having jurisdiction.jurisdiction.

6.8.1.3.1.1 The signal from an automatic fire detection device selected 6.8.1.3.1.1 The signal from an automatic fire detection device selected for positive alarm sequence operation shall be acknowledged at the for positive alarm sequence operation shall be acknowledged at the fire alarm control unit by trained personnel within 15 seconds of fire alarm control unit by trained personnel within 15 seconds of annunciation in order to initiate the alarm investigation phase. If the annunciation in order to initiate the alarm investigation phase. If the signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds, notification signals in signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated. signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.

6.8.1.3.1.2 Trained personnel shall have up to 180 seconds during the alarm 6.8.1.3.1.2 Trained personnel shall have up to 180 seconds during the alarm investigation phase to evaluate the fire condition and reset the system. If the system investigation phase to evaluate the fire condition and reset the system. If the system is not reset during the investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with is not reset during the investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.and immediately activated.

6.8.1.3.2 If a second automatic fire detector selected for positive alarm sequence is 6.8.1.3.2 If a second automatic fire detector selected for positive alarm sequence is actuated during the alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance actuated during the alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.automatically and immediately activated.

6.8.1.3.3 If any other initiating device is actuated, notification signals in accordance 6.8.1.3.3 If any other initiating device is actuated, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.automatically and immediately activated.

6.8.1.3.4* The system shall provide means for bypassing the positive alarm 6.8.1.3.4* The system shall provide means for bypassing the positive alarm sequence.sequence.

You will know when it’s realYou will know when it’s real

Unattended patient bunches up linen on patient bed and slips hand under the pile

19:09 – Quick Response Sprinkler Activated!19:09 – Quick Response Sprinkler Activated! ~19:09:30 – Pull Station Activated~19:09:30 – Pull Station Activated ~19:09:30 – Staff Member places call to 9-911~19:09:30 – Staff Member places call to 9-911 ~19:09:35 – Audio/Visuals sound~19:09:35 – Audio/Visuals sound 19:09:40 – Smoke Detector Activated19:09:40 – Smoke Detector Activated ~19:09:41 – Second Pull Station Activated~19:09:41 – Second Pull Station Activated

Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms Practical Operational Options Practical Operational Options

Sprinkler coversSprinkler covers Pull station coversPull station covers Procedures for construction areas Procedures for construction areas Assure no smoke detectors in rooms with toasters, Assure no smoke detectors in rooms with toasters,

toaster oven, oven and microwave oven.toaster oven, oven and microwave oven. Microwave oven features available Microwave oven features available

Procedures for Construction Areas Procedures for Construction Areas