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01 Fire Alarm Submittal | Fire Department

Fire Department

2.01 Fire Alarm Submittal (PDF)

Reference: 2010 S.F.B.C. Section 907.1.1, 2010 Edition of NFPA 72 Section. 10.4.1

The San Francisco Building Code, Section 1.11.1 requires that all fire alarm system installations, repairs, alterations, and upgrades
of existing systems be approved by the San Francisco Fire Department. Detailed plans shall be submitted to the San Francisco Fire
Department Plan Checking Unit.

The following information shall be provided when plans are submitted for a building permit to install or modify a fire alarm system.
Working plans shall be drawn to an indicated scale (not smaller than 1/8" = 1'), on sheets of uniform size (11" x 17" minimum), with
a plan of each floor. Plans must be microfilmable. The scope of work must be indicated and the standards used must be referenced
(e.g. NFPA 72, NEC, SFEC).

The following notes shall be incorporated as verbatim notes on the plans:

1. The fire alarm system shall be designed and installed in accordance with the City of San Francisco Fire Department
requirements, NFPA 72, 2010 Edition and other applicable NFPA Standards as adopted by the S.F.B.C.

2. The primary power source for the Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU) and remote power supplies shall be from a dedicated
circuit. This circuit shall be labeled at both the electrical sub panel and on the inside of the FACU/Power supply door, and be
provided with a circuit lock (if it is not installed in a locked room).

3. A readily visible sign shall identify the location of the FACU indicating: "Fire Alarm Control Unit".

These items must be included in the plans:

(A) Names of owner and occupant;

(B) Address of building, including assessor's block and lot number;

(C) Contractor's name, address, telephone number, and license number;

(D) Two sets of plans with the wet signature and stamp of the engineer, architect or C-10 design-build contractor. Designers
name must be clearly indicated. New or replacement fire alarm systems for high-rise buildings require an engineer’s stamp
and signature.

(E) Symbol list;

(F) Point of compass, surrounding street names, location of main entrance/fire department response point to the building,
and full-height cross section of the building, if required for clarity, including ceiling construction and height, with indication of
ceiling beams and beam pockets;

(G) Locations of partitions and walls, indicating which ones extend through concealed spaces;

(H) Use of each area or room (specifically label private/public offices, private/public storage rooms, and employee work
areas).

(I) Location of each device;

(J) Mounting heights of manual fire alarm boxes and visual notification appliances;

(K) Equipment list showing quantity, make, model, and CSFM listing number for each device; (differentiate between new
and existing devices)

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(L) Manufacturer's specification sheets and CSFM listing sheets (may be loose leaf), highlight all proposed parts;

(M) Type and size of wire, cable, and conduit (include conduit fill ratio); Specify wire types, sizes and number of conductors
between all devices/components on all shop drawings floor plans.

(N) Single line riser diagram; The single line Riser Diagram shall show all wire types, sizes and number of conductors
coordinated with the floor plans.

(O) Point-to-point wiring diagram between all panels and typical devices, modules and appliances;

(P) Wiring diagram showing the connection to primary power source and phone lines;

(Q) Standby battery calculations. For notification appliance circuits; all standby and alarm currents used in the calculation
shall be supported by catalog cut sheets or documentation from the manufacturer. Highlight all values of all standby and
alarm currents used in the calculations.

(R) Speaker power calculations for voice systems (indicate wattage tap per speaker, power per audio circuit, and total
power for each amplifier)

(S) Voltage drop calculations not to exceed 10% voltage drop per circuit.

(T) Sequence-of-operation matrix; Provide a Sequence of Operation Matrix using the format of NFPA 72, 2010 Edition
Figure
A.14.6.2.4(9). See Example matrix in the attached addendum A below;

(U) Type of system (i.e., supervising station, protected premises)

(V) Assignment of class designation to device circuits per NFPA 72 Chapter 12;

(W) Description of annunciation zones or list of device locations and their addresses;

(X) If LED style annunciator panel is required per San Francisco Administrative Bulletin 3.02, provide a schematic layout of
this panel on the plans. Annunciators for high-rise buildings shall comply with SFFD AB 3.01.

(Y) For partial evacuation/relocation buildings or for buildings having large floor areas, unusual designs with area separation
walls, or multiple buildings served by a single fire alarm system, a graphic annunciator may be required. The location and
configuration of the Graphic Annunciator shall be determined by the SFFD.

(Z) Pre-recordered voice message content and languages and all associated evacuation/relocation alert tones preceding
and following the message. (For example: steady tone 1-3 sec, temporal-3 tone, in accordance with NFPA 72, Chapter 24.)

(AA) Description of ancillary features and operations (e.g., type of smoke control system, fire/smoke damper operation, fan
shutdown, special extinguishing systems etc.);

(BB) Description of any special features such as detector cross zoning or alarm verification;

(CC) Name of alarm service company (including UL No.) which will be responsible initially for inspection, testing, and
maintenance of the system
after it is accepted;

(DD) If system is to be monitored by a Central Station, indicate name and UL listing number;

(EE) Describe the degree the building is protected by automatic sprinklers (fully or partially sprinklered). Indicate if the
elevator hoistway and/or the elevator machine room are protected by sprinklers;

(FF) For high-rise buildings, provide a copy of the facility emergency plan. Indicate the fire alarm system evacuation
method (full evacuation, partial evacuation, or relocation). The fire alarm system sequence of operation shall be consistent
with the facility emergency plan. If relocation of occupants is required provide a relocation matrix onto the plans (See
example matrix in Addendum B).

(GG) In partial evacuation or relocation buildings, show how system survivability is achieved (via 2-hour integrity cable. 2-
hour shaft, etc. Comply with NFPA 72 Chapter 24 requirements for survivability. Provide a separate survivability riser on the
plans showing the 2-hour protection (See example riser diagram in Addendum C).

(HH) If only one manual fire alarm box is required in a fully sprinklered building (or for a sprinkler monitoring system), the fire
alarm box shall be installed adjacent to FACP. This manual fire alarm box shall generate full building general alarm (total
evacuation) where fire alarm system is installed. For a sprinkler monitoring system, the manual fire alarm box shall
generate an alarm signal at the fire alarm control panel and transmit an alarm signal to the supervising station.

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(II) Dedicated functions fire alarm systems (such as sprinkler monitoring system, elevator recall and supervisory system,
etc.) are permitted to incorporate more than a single function. (For example, elevator recall smoke detectors and/or duct
smoke detectors may be tied into a sprinkler monitoring system control panel for supervision purposes, if a fire alarm
system is not existing in the building. A separate dedicated control panel for each function is not required). A sign indicating
all control panel functions shall be provided adjacent the control panel (For example: “Sprinkler monitoring and elevator
recall and supervisory control panel”).

(JJ) Buildings with elevators shall clearly show the elevator location and include the following information on the plans (to be
obtained from the elevator service company):

• Passenger elevator yes ___ no ___ If no, assumed to be freight elevator

• Elevator hoistway is noncombustible or limited combustible yes ___ no ___
• Elevator car enclosure material meet the requirements of ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
yes ___ no ___
• Elevators utilize polyurethane-coated steel belts or other similar combustible material yes ___ no ___
• Elevator is a : ___ traction/cable elevator ___ hydraulic elevator ___ machine room-less elevator
• The following areas have sprinklers: top of hoistway ___ bottom of hoistway ___ machine
room ___ associated machinery spaces ___

MODIFICATION OF SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS (Fire Alarm Tenant Improvements)

1. Make, model number and current State Fire Marshal listing sheet of existing Fire Alarm Control Panel;

2. Make, model number, and size of existing batteries, include battery calculations for new devices (provide larger batteries
if required);

3. Make and model number of existing devices (to ensure compatibility);

4. Manufacturer's specification sheets and State Fire Marshal listing sheets for the new Devices (may be loose leaf);

5. Address all items for new submittal with regard for new devices (for some items stating maintaining building standards is
sufficient);

6. With regard to minor alterations to a system (three or less new devices) voltage drop calculations may not be required if
new circuit is maintaining building standards and is less than 200 feet from FACP (following the path of the wire);

7. A sequence of operation matrix and a riser-diagram must be included for all new and affected devices. Provide a copy of
the approved fire alarm system plans for reference.

8. Central processing unit (CPU) and/or motherboard replacement require permit application and plans submittal. The plans
shall indicate that a 100% test of all of the fire alarm system functions plus 10% of all existing devices is required per the
approved sequence of operation matrix.

ELEVATOR INTERFACE WITH FA SYSTEM WHEN A NEW FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IS INSTALLED

A. EXISTING BUILDINGS

1. A fire alarm system upgrade, does not generate an existing elevator controller upgrade. If an elevator is upgraded or
altered (elevator controller replacement, etc.) the requirements of ASME A17.1 -2004, NFPA 72, 2010 ed, and items 2-4
below shall apply.

ITEMS 2 through 4 pertain to elevator controller replacements

2. High-rise buildings. If the existing elevator was provided with a shunt-trip function, the fire alarm system shall maintain
this function, unless the SFFD procedure for sprinklers removal was performed under separate permit. (Removal of
sprinklers from elevator machine rooms/hoistways is only permitted in high-rise buildings). See attached procedure for
sprinkler removal approval in Addendum D below (Unless sprinklers are required by NFPA 13, 2010 edition, Section
8.15.5.6).

3. High-rise buildings. If the existing elevator was not provided with the shunt-trip function, and existing sprinklers are
located in the elevator machine room/ shaft, these sprinklers shall be removed, or shunt-trip function shall be provided.

4. Low-rise buildings. If the existing elevator was not provided with the shunt trip function, and existing sprinklers are
located in the elevator machine room/shaft, these sprinklers shall not be removed, and the shunt-trip function shall be
provided.

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5. Low-rise buildings. If new sprinklers are installed in an elevator machine room/shaft, the shunt trip function shall be
provided.

B. NEW BUILDINGS

1. High-rise buildings. Sprinklers shall not be installed in the elevator machine room/shaft and shunt trip shall not be
required (Except if required by NFPA 13, 2010, Section 8.15.5.6.

2. Low-rise buildings. Sprinklers shall be installed in elevator machine rooms/shafts (unless an exception allows it to be
omitted) and the shunt trip function shall be provided.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES

1. Indicate on the plans the specific residential occupancy for the building (R-1, R-2, SRO, etc.)

2. If the building is classified as R-1, the FA plans shall show the required hearing-impaired devices and sequence of
operation in specific units based on the numbers of units indicated in CBC Table 907.5.2.3.3

3. If the building is classified as R-2, incorporate CBC Section 907.5.2.3.4 as verbatim note onto the plans. (It is not required
to provide all dwelling units with hearing-impaired devices in R-2 buildings)

4. For all R occupancies, Incorporate CBC Section 907.5.2.1.2 as verbatim note onto the plans (75dBA sound pressure is
required throughout the R occupancy)

ADDENDUM A - EXAMPLE: Sequence of Operation Matrix (for reference only)

Annunciate "Alarm" at FACP and Remote Annunciator/s

"Supervisory" at the FACP and Remote Annunciator/s
Annunciate "Trouble" at the FACP and Remote Annunciator/s
Activate Notification Appliances
Transmit "Alarm" Signal to Central Station
Transmit "Supervisory" Signal to Central Station
Transmit "Trouble" Signal to Central Station
Recall Elevator to Primary (First) Floor
Recall Elevator to Alternate Floor (Basement)
Elevator Power Shunt Trip
Shut Down Associated Fan/AHU
Close Associated FSD
Smoke Detector

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Heat Detector

Manual Pull Station

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x

Water Flow Switch

Primary Floor Elevator Lobby Smoke Detector

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Elevator Lobby Smoke Detector NOT on Primary Floor

Smoke Detector at the Top of the Elevator Shaft or in the Elevator Machine Room

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Heat Detector at the Top of the Elevator Shaft or in the Elevator Machine Room

PIV/Tamper Switch

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