prevent false alarms eugene a. cable, p.e., m.s.f.p.e. life safety consultants nehes honorary member...
TRANSCRIPT
Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms
Eugene A. Cable, P.E. , M.S.F.P.E. Eugene A. Cable, P.E. , M.S.F.P.E. Life Safety ConsultantsLife Safety Consultants NEHES Honorary Member NEHES Honorary Member 412 Horse Heaven Road412 Horse Heaven RoadAverill Park, New York 12018 Averill Park, New York 12018 (518) 794-7237 (518) 794-7237 [email protected]@Fairpoint.Net
Objective Objective
Better understand the seriousness of a false Better understand the seriousness of a false fire alarm: engineering failure fire alarm: engineering failure
Provide ideas / options you can implement Provide ideas / options you can implement next week to prevent false alarms next week to prevent false alarms
Background situation Background situation
Our fire protection goal is to provide:Our fire protection goal is to provide:
– LLife Safety:ife Safety: a reasonably safe environment a reasonably safe environment for occupants; code: “to protect the for occupants; code: “to protect the occupants not intimate with the initial fire occupants not intimate with the initial fire development for the time needed to evacuate, development for the time needed to evacuate, relocate, or defend in place”relocate, or defend in place”
– A reasonable level of building functionality A reasonable level of building functionality and continuity of operationsand continuity of operations
– Property protectionProperty protection
DefinitionsDefinitions
Alarm: A warning of dangerAlarm: A warning of danger
DefinitionsDefinitions Alarm: A warning of dangerAlarm: A warning of danger Summoning Signal: An alert to respond Summoning Signal: An alert to respond
False Alarm: (not defined – see unwanted alarm) False Alarm: (not defined – see unwanted alarm) an an alarm received when there is no danger or real hazard. alarm received when there is no danger or real hazard.
Unwanted Alarm: Any alarm that occurs that is not Unwanted Alarm: Any alarm that occurs that is not the result of a potential hazardous condition. the result of a potential hazardous condition.
Nuisance Alarm: Nuisance Alarm: An unwanted activation of a signaling An unwanted activation of a signaling system in response to stimuli or a condition caused by mech. system in response to stimuli or a condition caused by mech. failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of maint., or by failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of maint., or by cause cannot be determined. cause cannot be determined.
Serious consequences Serious consequences
Firefighters placed in danger, unavailable Firefighters placed in danger, unavailable Facilities Management:Facilities Management:
– Utilities shut downUtilities shut down– Elevators inoperable Elevators inoperable – Doors close – inoperative Doors close – inoperative – Personnel stop work – to respond Personnel stop work – to respond
Patient Care staff Patient Care staff – Patient Care interruptedPatient Care interrupted– Patient transfers stopped Patient transfers stopped
““Each false alarm reduces the credibility of Each false alarm reduces the credibility of a warning system.”a warning system.”
The false alarm effect “ is particularly The false alarm effect “ is particularly strong in warning systems in which the strong in warning systems in which the recipient of the information is an intelligent recipient of the information is an intelligent being.” being.”
False Alarm vs. Real HazardFalse Alarm vs. Real Hazard
Fire: Rapid oxidation . .resulting in light Fire: Rapid oxidation . .resulting in light and heat and heat
Uncontrolled combustion with damage Uncontrolled combustion with damage
Real Hazard: Uncontrolled combustion Real Hazard: Uncontrolled combustion with a high probability of continued with a high probability of continued growth. growth.
NFPA 2014 Las Vegas NFPA 2014 Las Vegas
Fire alarm signal: Recognized – 35% Fire alarm signal: Recognized – 35% Means Urgent? – 6% Means Urgent? – 6%
““Global” statistic: 98% of fire alarm Global” statistic: 98% of fire alarm activations are false alarms.activations are false alarms.
The Las Vegas Fire Dept: Not respond The Las Vegas Fire Dept: Not respond
Life Safety Fire ProtectionLife Safety Fire Protection
Fire alarm is a warning – not protection Fire alarm is a warning – not protection
NFPA 72: “To provide indication and warning of NFPA 72: “To provide indication and warning of abnormal fire conditions.” abnormal fire conditions.”
““System should alert building occupants and System should alert building occupants and summon appropriate aid in adequate time to allow summon appropriate aid in adequate time to allow for occupants to travel to a safe place and for for occupants to travel to a safe place and for rescue operations to occur.” rescue operations to occur.”
Real World Life Safety FactorsReal World Life Safety Factors
Life Safety CodeLife Safety Code Redundant requirements
Total Concept (Section 18.1.1.3)
Multiple Safeguards- Prevent Ignition
- Detection of Fire - Alarm
- Inhibit fire growth - Confinement of fire and smoke - Extinguishment of fire - Fire Dept actions - Staff action – transfer to area of refuge - Staff action - evacuate
Fire and Life Safety Model - Fire and Life Safety Model - EscapeEscapeTime
Time toDetection
Time to Notify Occupants
Time for Smoke To Block Egress Path
OccupantsSafely Out
FireIgnition Detection
Occupants Alerted
EgressRouteBlocked
Time Needed To Get Out
ResponseDelay
ToPrepare
To Travel
SafetyMargin
Fire Development - fire growth curve
Gene Cable(518) 794-7237
Video Video
Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms
System OptionsSystem Options
Practical Operational Options Practical Operational Options
Notification Signals for Staff Notification Signals for Staff ResponseResponse
InputsInputs– AlarmsAlarms
– SupervisorySupervisory
– TroubleTrouble
OutputsOutputs– Occupant NotificationOccupant Notification
» Alarm (warn) those in Alarm (warn) those in dangerdanger
» Summon Staff to RespondSummon Staff to Respond
– Emergency Forces NotificationEmergency Forces Notification
– Fire Safety FunctionsFire Safety Functions
Fire Alarm
Control Unit
http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/manuals_other.asp
Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms System Options System Options
Minimize number of smoke detectors – ASHEMinimize number of smoke detectors – ASHE Smoke detectors, change to less sensitive – 3.6 %Smoke detectors, change to less sensitive – 3.6 % Pull stations at nurses station only Pull stations at nurses station only Duct smoke detectors do not activate alarmDuct smoke detectors do not activate alarm Limit alarm notification size - alarm zonesLimit alarm notification size - alarm zones Alarm verification Alarm verification Positive alarm sequence permitted Positive alarm sequence permitted
Minimize number of smoke detectorsMinimize number of smoke detectors
General principle: less smoke detectors General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations more pull stations
One side only for automatic door releaseOne side only for automatic door release Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in corridorsNot required in corridors
Minimize number of smoke detectorsMinimize number of smoke detectors
General principle: less smoke detectors more pull General principle: less smoke detectors more pull stations stations
One side only for automatic door releaseOne side only for automatic door release Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in electrical and mech. rooms Not required in corridorsNot required in corridors Not required in hazardous rooms & closets Not required in hazardous rooms & closets Not required in stair shaftsNot required in stair shafts Not required in nurses lounge/ nourish centerNot required in nurses lounge/ nourish center
Limit Alarm Notification Limit Alarm Notification
Notification Signals for Staff Notification Signals for Staff ResponseResponse
InputsInputs– AlarmsAlarms
– SupervisorySupervisory
– TroubleTrouble
OutputsOutputs– Occupant NotificationOccupant Notification
» Alarm (warn) those in Alarm (warn) those in dangerdanger
» Summon Staff to RespondSummon Staff to Respond
– Emergency Forces NotificationEmergency Forces Notification
– Fire Safety FunctionsFire Safety Functions
Fire Alarm
Control Unit
http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/manuals_other.asp
Alarm VerificationAlarm Verification
Permitted by NFPA 101 Health carePermitted by NFPA 101 Health care
Discouraged but also permitted by NFPA 72Discouraged but also permitted by NFPA 72; ; “alarm verification should be used only where “alarm verification should be used only where
absolutely necessary”absolutely necessary”
““Alarm verification is not intended to compensate Alarm verification is not intended to compensate
for design errors or lack of maintenance.”for design errors or lack of maintenance.”
Alarm VerificationAlarm Verification
Panel Function - must be activated Panel Function - must be activated
Delays alarm up to 60 seconds Delays alarm up to 60 seconds
Detector Activation Ignored – re-set Detector Activation Ignored – re-set
If still activated, panel sends out the alarm If still activated, panel sends out the alarm
6.8.1.3 Positive Alarm Sequence.6.8.1.3 Positive Alarm Sequence.
6.8.1.3.1 Systems that have positive alarm features complying with 6.8.1.3.1 Systems that have positive alarm features complying with 6.8.1.3 shall be permitted if approved by the authority having 6.8.1.3 shall be permitted if approved by the authority having jurisdiction.jurisdiction.
6.8.1.3.1.1 The signal from an automatic fire detection device selected 6.8.1.3.1.1 The signal from an automatic fire detection device selected for positive alarm sequence operation shall be acknowledged at the for positive alarm sequence operation shall be acknowledged at the fire alarm control unit by trained personnel within 15 seconds of fire alarm control unit by trained personnel within 15 seconds of annunciation in order to initiate the alarm investigation phase. If the annunciation in order to initiate the alarm investigation phase. If the signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds, notification signals in signal is not acknowledged within 15 seconds, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated. signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.
6.8.1.3.1.2 Trained personnel shall have up to 180 seconds during the alarm 6.8.1.3.1.2 Trained personnel shall have up to 180 seconds during the alarm investigation phase to evaluate the fire condition and reset the system. If the system investigation phase to evaluate the fire condition and reset the system. If the system is not reset during the investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with is not reset during the investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.and immediately activated.
6.8.1.3.2 If a second automatic fire detector selected for positive alarm sequence is 6.8.1.3.2 If a second automatic fire detector selected for positive alarm sequence is actuated during the alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance actuated during the alarm investigation phase, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.automatically and immediately activated.
6.8.1.3.3 If any other initiating device is actuated, notification signals in accordance 6.8.1.3.3 If any other initiating device is actuated, notification signals in accordance with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be with the building evacuation or relocation plan and remote signals shall be automatically and immediately activated.automatically and immediately activated.
6.8.1.3.4* The system shall provide means for bypassing the positive alarm 6.8.1.3.4* The system shall provide means for bypassing the positive alarm sequence.sequence.
You will know when it’s realYou will know when it’s real
Unattended patient bunches up linen on patient bed and slips hand under the pile
19:09 – Quick Response Sprinkler Activated!19:09 – Quick Response Sprinkler Activated! ~19:09:30 – Pull Station Activated~19:09:30 – Pull Station Activated ~19:09:30 – Staff Member places call to 9-911~19:09:30 – Staff Member places call to 9-911 ~19:09:35 – Audio/Visuals sound~19:09:35 – Audio/Visuals sound 19:09:40 – Smoke Detector Activated19:09:40 – Smoke Detector Activated ~19:09:41 – Second Pull Station Activated~19:09:41 – Second Pull Station Activated
Prevent False Alarms Prevent False Alarms Practical Operational Options Practical Operational Options
Sprinkler coversSprinkler covers Pull station coversPull station covers Procedures for construction areas Procedures for construction areas Assure no smoke detectors in rooms with toasters, Assure no smoke detectors in rooms with toasters,
toaster oven, oven and microwave oven.toaster oven, oven and microwave oven. Microwave oven features available Microwave oven features available
Procedures for Construction Areas Procedures for Construction Areas