Fire alarm system upgrade Q&A

When renovating part of a building, does the fire alarm system in the existing area of the building need to be upgraded as well?

By Healthcare Facilities Today


In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes, answered a question on fire alarm safety codes for a hospital renovation project.

When renovating part of a building, does the fire alarm system in the existing area of the building, which is not being renovated, need to be upgraded as well?  

Q: I am doing a renovation project that includes 50 percent of the total hospital building. Part of the renovation scope is a fire alarm system upgrade. Is there any code or standard requirement that states that the fire alarm devices in the remaining 50 percent of the existing building should also be upgraded before it can be occupied?

A: This is a question that does not have a direct answer, from either the Life Safety Code (2000 edition) or the NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code (1999 edition). When there is not a direct reference to a question in the codes or standards, then the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) must be consulted for their interpretation. You need to contact the AHJs who have authority over the design of your fire alarm system. 

According to Keyes, a hospital typically has five or six different AHJs that should be consulted:

• State health department or agency on public health,

• State fire marshal,

• Local fire department,

• Local building authority

• Insurance company.

Read the rest of the answer.

 

 

 



February 27, 2014


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

How Designers Create Welcoming Senior Care Communities

Risk assessments and cost analysis play a role in creating thriving communities.


Data-Driven Decisions: How Analytics Are Shaping Healthcare Facility Planning

Hospitals can use data to prioritize upgrades, extend building lifespans and maximize the impact of limited capital budgets.


UC Health Opens Expanded Freeman Center for Developmental Disabilities

Every detail of the new Freeman Center was informed by input from patients, caregivers, self-advocates and community partners.


Upward Mobility: Market Forces Drive Hospitals Higher

Healthcare facilities nationwide are navigating challenges and opportunities presented by expanding their reach into the sky.


Georgia Hospital Bomb Hoaxes Highlight Need for Healthcare–Police Partnerships

Proactive planning and close collaboration with law enforcement help healthcare facilities maintain safety and continuity during false threats.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.