If your building’s fire alarm system is more than 20 years old, it is likely due for a retrofit to meet today’s life safety codes. Modern fire alarm systems require voice evacuation, speakers in living rooms and bedrooms (and sometimes large lanais) to ensure alarms can be heard even behind closed doors, along with strategically placed smoke detectors and monitored emergency communication to improve occupant safety while minimizing false alarms. Although upgrading requires new wiring throughout the building, careful planning and coordination—especially with other infrastructure projects like fiber optic installations—can make the process efficient and minimally disruptive. Working with a qualified licensed professional engineer helps ensure the new system is code-compliant, properly integrated, and capable of protecting lives for decades to come.
Fire Alarm Installation: Best Practice for a Retrofit
If your building’s fire alarm system is over 20 years old, it is due for a retrofit. This is one of the most critical systems in your building because it could literally make the difference between life and death in a scenario where there is a fire in the building.
In the Hawai’i building boom of the 1960s and 1970s, fire alarm systems consisted primarily of manual pull stations that activated large bells in the corridors. These bells were intended to be heard throughout the entire building, though that was rarely the case. As the fire alarm system code evolved, this lack of audibility was eventually addressed. The current code now has strict audibility standards that must be adhered to. The Hawai’i Fire Department (HFD) checks the audibility of every new system before they approve the system.
What is Required?
The current fire code requires audibility in all occupiable spaces of the building. So, what is an occupiable space? Occupiable space is defined as a space with four walls, lighting, and ventilation. Additionally, the HFD has determined that “big” lanais are occupiable space and need audibility. HFD has not defined “big,” but from experience it appears to be any lanai over 60 square feet. The practical result of this requirement is a speaker installed in the living room and every bedroom of a living unit. A speaker is also potentially required on the lanai.
The audibility standard is more controversial than one might expect due to the requirement to have at least 75 decibels (dB) at the pillow level in all sleeping areas. This sound level cannot be accomplished without having a speaker in each bedroom. A very frequently asked question is “why not just put a speaker in the living room?” Multiple sound tests have confirmed that a speaker in the living room will not produce the sound levels required in the bedroom with the door closed.
In addition to audibility, the system must also be able to transmit one-way voice communications. This may explain why some are so opposed to having a speaker in their bedroom; they believe it is spying on them. But communication is one-way, for the purpose of directing people in the case of emergency. The fire alarm voice communication is not a spying device.
The alarm is activated by a combination of manual fire pull stations and automatic detection. The exact location of the automatic smoke detectors is determined by the configuration of the building, but at a minimum there will be a smoke detector in each elevator lobby to control the elevators and one in each room that contains a fire alarm panel. Manual pull stations will be located at each exit. Smoke detectors that activate a general alarm are NOT allowed inside of the dwelling unit. The smoke alarms inside the unit are for local notification only. This requirement is intended to minimize false alarms. All general alarms must be transmitted to a 24-hour monitoring station, that will in turn call HFD.
Installation
The wiring for the voice evacuation system described in this article is much different than the wiring that was originally installed in the building; therefore, new wiring paths need to be established. There will be a main path, called a riser, located in an electric room or trash room. It can be in any location that is stacking. There will be equipment located on some of the floors, but most will just have a junction box where the wiring will branch out to each apartment.
Branch wiring on each floor will run along the corridor where the wall meets the ceiling. It will be housed in a white plastic molding that is about one inch wide by one half inch deep. A wire will be run into each apartment, usually entering by the door. Once inside the apartment, the wire will be run in soffits if possible, or in a white plastic molding that is installed close to the ceiling similar to the one in the corridor. There will be a surface-mounted speaker installed in the living room and in each bedroom. Speakers are not required in the bathroom unless there is a powder room between the bathroom and the hallway. If the lanai is “big” it will require a speaker. A work-around for this is to mount loudspeakers at the top of the building to cover the entire exterior.
Coordination with Other Systems
Many buildings are choosing to install fiber optic lines into each unit. This is a very attractive feature to have in the building. The fiber optic lines are very small and are glued to the wall where it meets the ceiling in the corridor. There is a small box located outside of each unit for the fiber splice. If this system is not coordinated with the fire alarm installation, the two systems could end up competing for space in the corridor, resulting in conflicts. The fiber installation can live in harmony with the fire alarm installation, but coordination is required. If the fire alarm system is installed first, there is normally no problem. If fiber is installed first, then there may need to be some adjustments made to make everything fit. The good news is these installations can be easily coordinated so that either system can be installed first.
The Bottom Line
The necessity of installing a new fire alarm system is inevitable, but it does not have to be painful. Even though new wiring paths are needed, there are fairly inobtrusive ways to establish these paths throughout the building. It is important to coordinate the installation with any fiber optic installation to make sure limited space is utilized well. Of course, as in all construction projects, it is necessary to have a qualified licensed professional engineer design and guide the installation.
