ddennerline
Active Member
In order to swap out my ancient load center with a new SquareD QO 150A panel, I have to be code compliant for smoke detectors. I have to install/retrofit smoke detectors in my house. The inspector agreed to allow change out if the new panel was code compliant, and all bedrooms had smoke detectors. Needless to say, the change out saves a huge amount of money because it doesn’t require a service disconnect upgrade.
I have a few non-interconnected battery operated smoke/co detectors right now. They are quite a PITA because they require frequent battery change outs and there's no easy way to hush them short of getting a chair.
I have read/re-read all the smoke detector posts here. I even purchased a GE 449CTE. It’s very alarm panel friendly because it has both a trouble/power-supervision relay and alarm relay. I was considering using this part before the panel change out. I like the fact that it doesn’t have sounder that conflicts with the Elk speakers.
In talking with the electrician, he indicated that majority of AHJ in my area will not recognize a burglar alarm panel having smoke protection – even if the wiring and volume notification requirements are met.
In reading these articles, they seem to indicate its bad idea to hook a smoke detection system into alarm panel. At the very least, the smoke detection system should be totally separate. I sort of found this rather counter-intuitive seeing that burglar alarm has much stronger battery backup, automatic notification, FPL wiring, and UL 985 (http://engineers.ihs.com/document/abstract/TAPDFBAAAAAAAAAA) certification.
http://www.alarm.org/standrd/Nine%20IRC%20Report.pdf
I am now a little worried about getting caught up in smoke detector code compliance battle.
Is it possible to add smoke detectors to ElkM1G and be NFPA72 compliant?
The problems I see are:
1) the GE four wire detector (system detectors) doesn’t have an easy way to verify the “all go off.” requirement.
2) There’s no quick way to verify the 75db door/closed at pillow sound requirement short of buying/maintaining a sound level device
3) At least one keypad must be rewired to use FPL wire.
4) I have an 18ah battery, but I saw that alarm panel (now a smoke detection system) must have 24hr of backup. How do you prove to inspector that you meet this requirement. Is simply having a big battery sufficient?
Because I have attic access, I was planning on using GE449CTE upstairs bedrooms and a few wireless GE TX-6010 downstairs. I am not so sure this is best decision now. It may be better to just install traditional 110v detectors or use Kidde wireless detectors. Apparently, you cannot connect a Kidde relay into your alarm panel due to mixing high voltage and low voltage (http://forum.doityourself.com/electronic-alarms-home-security-devices/440300-add-house-smoke-detectors-home-alarm.html).
Has anybody passed an inspection with Elk/Omni used as a “fire detection system?”
I have a few non-interconnected battery operated smoke/co detectors right now. They are quite a PITA because they require frequent battery change outs and there's no easy way to hush them short of getting a chair.
I have read/re-read all the smoke detector posts here. I even purchased a GE 449CTE. It’s very alarm panel friendly because it has both a trouble/power-supervision relay and alarm relay. I was considering using this part before the panel change out. I like the fact that it doesn’t have sounder that conflicts with the Elk speakers.
In talking with the electrician, he indicated that majority of AHJ in my area will not recognize a burglar alarm panel having smoke protection – even if the wiring and volume notification requirements are met.
In reading these articles, they seem to indicate its bad idea to hook a smoke detection system into alarm panel. At the very least, the smoke detection system should be totally separate. I sort of found this rather counter-intuitive seeing that burglar alarm has much stronger battery backup, automatic notification, FPL wiring, and UL 985 (http://engineers.ihs.com/document/abstract/TAPDFBAAAAAAAAAA) certification.
http://www.alarm.org/standrd/Nine%20IRC%20Report.pdf
I am now a little worried about getting caught up in smoke detector code compliance battle.
Is it possible to add smoke detectors to ElkM1G and be NFPA72 compliant?
The problems I see are:
1) the GE four wire detector (system detectors) doesn’t have an easy way to verify the “all go off.” requirement.
2) There’s no quick way to verify the 75db door/closed at pillow sound requirement short of buying/maintaining a sound level device
3) At least one keypad must be rewired to use FPL wire.
4) I have an 18ah battery, but I saw that alarm panel (now a smoke detection system) must have 24hr of backup. How do you prove to inspector that you meet this requirement. Is simply having a big battery sufficient?
Because I have attic access, I was planning on using GE449CTE upstairs bedrooms and a few wireless GE TX-6010 downstairs. I am not so sure this is best decision now. It may be better to just install traditional 110v detectors or use Kidde wireless detectors. Apparently, you cannot connect a Kidde relay into your alarm panel due to mixing high voltage and low voltage (http://forum.doityourself.com/electronic-alarms-home-security-devices/440300-add-house-smoke-detectors-home-alarm.html).
Has anybody passed an inspection with Elk/Omni used as a “fire detection system?”