7238

NATIONAL FIRE ALARM CODE

2-6 Sprinkler Waterflow Alarm-Initiating Devices.

2-6.1 The provisions of Section 2-6 shall apply to devices that
initiate an alarm indicating a flow of water in a sprinkler system.
2-6.2* Initiation of the alarm signal shall occur within 90 seconds of waterflow at the alarm-initiating device when flow
occurs that is equal to or greater than that from a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Movement of water due to waste, surges, or variable pressure shall
not be indicated.
2-6.3 Piping between the sprinkler system and a pressure actuated alarm-initiating device shall be galvanized or of nonferrous metal or other approved corrosion-resistant material of
not less than 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) nominal pipe size.
2-7* Detection of the Operation of Other Automatic Extinguishing Systems. The operation of fire extinguishing systems
or suppression systems shall initiate an alarm signal by alarminitiating devices installed in accordance with their individual
listings.
2-8 Manually Actuated Alarm-Initiating Devices. Manual fire
alarm boxes shall be used only for fire alarm-initiating purposes. However, combination manual fire alarm boxes and
guards signaling stations shall be permitted.
2-8.1 Mounting. Each manual fire alarm box shall be securely
mounted. The operable part of each manual fire alarm box
shall be not less than 31/2 ft (1.1 m) and not more than 41/2 ft
(1.37 m) above floor level.
2-8.2 Location and Spacing.
2-8.2.1 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be located throughout
the protected area so that they are unobstructed and accessible.
2-8.2.2 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be located within 5 ft
(1.5 m) of the exit doorway opening at each exit on each floor.
2-8.2.3 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be mounted on both
sides of group openings over 40 ft (12.2 m) in width. Manual
fire alarm boxes shall be mounted within 5 ft (1.5 m) of each
side of the opening.
2-8.2.4* Additional manual fire alarm boxes shall be provided
so that the travel distance to the nearest fire alarm box will not
be in excess of 200 ft (61 m) measured horizontally on the
same floor.
2-8.3* A coded manual fire alarm box shall produce at least
three repetitions of the coded signal, with each repetition to
consist of at least three impulses.
2-9 Supervisory Signal-Initiating Devices.
2-9.1 Control Valve Supervisory Signal-Initiating Device.
2-9.1.1 Two separate and distinct signals shall be initiated:
one indicating movement of the valve from its normal position
and the other indicating restoration of the valve to its normal
position. The off-normal signal shall be initiated during the
first two revolutions of the hand wheel or during one-fifth of
the travel distance of the valve control apparatus from its normal position. The off-normal signal shall not be restored at
any valve position except normal.
2-9.1.2 An initiating device for supervising the position of a
control valve shall not interfere with the operation of the
valve, obstruct the view of its indicator, or prevent access for
valve maintenance.
1999 Edition

2-9.2 Pressure Supervisory Signal-Initiating Device. Two separate and distinct signals shall be initiated: one indicating that
the required pressure has increased or decreased and the
other indicating restoration of the pressure to its normal
value. The following requirements shall apply to pressure
supervisory signal-initiating devices:
(a) A pressure tank supervisory signal-initiating device for
a pressurized limited water supply, such as a pressure tank,
shall indicate both high- and low-pressure conditions. A signal
shall be initiated when the required pressure increases or
decreases by 10 psi (70 kPa).
(b) A pressure supervisory signal-initiating device for a drypipe sprinkler system shall indicate both high- and low-pressure conditions. A signal shall be initiated when the pressure
increases or decreases by 10 psi (70 kPa).
(c) A steam pressure supervisory signal-initiating device
shall indicate a low-pressure condition. A signal shall be initiated prior to the pressure falling below 110 percent of the
minimum operating pressure of the steam-operated equipment supplied.
(d) An initiating device for supervising the pressure of
sources other than those specified in 2-9.2(a) through (c) shall
be provided as required by the authority having jurisdiction.
2-9.3 Water Level Supervisory Signal-Initiating Device. Two
separate and distinct signals shall be initiated: one indicating
that the required water level has been lowered or raised and
the other indicating restoration.
2-9.3.1 A pressure tank signal-initiating device shall indicate
both high- and low-water level conditions. A signal shall be
initiated when the water level falls 3 in. (76 mm) or rises 3 in.
(76 mm).
2-9.3.2 A supervisory signal-initiating device for other than
pressure tanks shall initiate a lowwater level signal when the
water level falls 12 in. (300 mm).
2-9.4 Water Temperature Supervisory Signal-Initiating Device. A temperature supervisory device for a water storage
container exposed to freezing conditions shall initiate two separate and distinctive signals. One signal shall indicate a
decrease in water temperature to 40F (4.4C) and the other
shall indicate its restoration to above 40F (4.4C).
2-9.5 Room Temperature Supervisory Signal-Initiating Device. A room temperature supervisory device shall indicate a
decrease in room temperature to 40F (4.4C) and its restoration to above 40F (4.4C).
2-10*

Smoke Detectors for Control of Smoke Spread.

2-10.1* Smoke detectors installed and used to prevent smoke

spread by initiating control of fans, dampers, doors, and other
equipment shall be classified in the following manner:
(1) Area detectors that are installed in the related smoke
compartments
(2) Detectors that are installed in the air duct systems
2-10.2* Detectors that are installed in the air duct system per
2-10.1(2) shall not be used as a substitute for open area protection. If open area protection is required, 2-3.4 shall apply.
2-10.3* Purposes.
2-10.3.1 To prevent the recirculation of dangerous quantities
of smoke, a detector approved for air duct use shall be
installed on the supply side of air-handling systems as required