By Healthcare Facilities Today

Though the code language might be tricky to decipher, fire code does allow fire alarm systems to interface with non-fire alarm systems in order to provide emergency control function, says a column in the NFPA Journal.

NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code addresses emergency control function of fire alarm systems in Chapter 21. The control function of the fire alarm system of non-fire alarm systems is intended for situations where it will increase the life safety level or help contain a harmful situation. For example, the fire alarm system can monitor for chemical overflows or provide signaling capacity for a non-fire gas sensing system.

There are numerous non-fire alarm systems that are commonly interfaced with the fire alarm system for emergency control. These include elevator recall, door holder release and HVAC systems, among many.

There are some limitations when interfacing a fire alarm system with non-fire alarm systems. Chiefly, the emergency control function of the non-fire alarm system cannot interfere with the operation of the fire alarm system. There are also limits regulating interface installation distances, voltage and current requirements, class of installation wiring and method of interconnection.  

Read the column.