Standard and approval for fire alarm system

Fire Alarms Fire Alarm Help
#1

Hi all,

Please help to explain the standard for fire alarm equipment.

  • The products with UL listed and FM approval mark stand for? UL is standard of products, FM is the third party to approve products meet requirement of safety? This products must be installed according to NFPA 72?
  • The products with LPCB mark? is this the third party to approve products meet EN54 standard? which standard need to follow when install these products.



    Thank you all.
#2

Hello and welcome!



The standards (usually known as codes) in the United States for fire alarm installations vary in different locations, as the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the final say in regard to what codes systems in their area of jurisdiction will follow. However, in general it is safe to say that fire alarm installations in the US must follow NFPA Section 72. The NFPA provides the recommendations for codes, while the AHJ has the authority to adopt or modify these codes.



On the other hand, the UL and FM certifications you see printed on the devices are private approvals. In nearly all cases, the devices must carry one or both of these markings to be acceptable under the local fire codes.


  • UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is a private company that provides testing of new products and safety standards for electrical devices and components. Products must undergo testing to prove that they conform to the standards designated by UL. Fire alarm devices usually fall under standards 597B, 1971, and 955H.


  • FM (Factory Mutual) is a division of FM Global, a property insurance provider, which conducts testing in fire and explosion hazards, and hazards detection. These tests range from witnessing the difference in how products burn to how construction components perform in hurricane conditions.





    LPCB is a British certification group that focuses exclusively on Fire and Security equipment. UK’s codes are handled by the Fire Protection Association, however, I myself am not certain how their code system is structured.
#3

Hi friend,

First of all, thank you very much for your reply on my post.

I just want to get more information for clear about fire alarm standard and approval.

In our market of VIET NAM, there are 2 main kinds products presented, people say UL products and EN products. My question as follow:

  • For UL products:

    UL is public the standard for fire alarm system require the safety for product (UL521 for heat detector is the example). The manufacture want their products have UL mark, they need to follow all this standard. when products finished, the UL laboratory will test the products, if the testing past they will issue the certificate and the manufacture is allowed to use UL mark on the products. This is my understanding about UL mark on products. is it right?

    For FM approval: they have their own standard to approve product or they just the 3rd party approve products meet the requirement of the recognized standard (UL)


  • EN products with LPCB approval. LPCB have ther own standard or just approve product meet the requirement of EN standard.



    Thank you so much!
#4

Hi there,



Regarding UL testing the system for approval - UL will typically certify or UL list an installation company that verifies the installation is done within UL guidelines and other code standards. When the installation is complete, the UL listed company fills out the certificate of completion, sends it to UL, then UL will send an inspector out to verify the installation is done properly. One of the companies I worked for many years ago was required by the local AHJ to be a UL listed installer/supplier. Basically we just had to make sure all the equipment was from a single manufacturer (or UL cross listed to work together) and weas installed per current NFPA/IBC guidelines.



I am not sure about the FM and EN questions so can’t answer those.

#5


Thank you!

#6

National Canadian Fire Alarm Code and Standards

National Building Code of Canada 2010 (NBC);

National Fire Code of Canada 2010 (NFC), and

National Plumbing Code of Canada 2010 (NPC).







The following is a list of pertinent Canadian Standards for Fire Alarm Systems and fire safety related equipment.



ULC STANDARDS



CAN/ULC-S524



Installation of Fire Alarm Systems



CAN/ULC-S525



Audible Signal Devices for Fire Alarm Systems, Including Accessories



CAN/ULC-S526



Visible Signal Devices for Fire Alarm Systems, Including Accessories



CAN/ULC-S527



Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems



CAN/ULC-S528



Manual Stations for Fire Alarm Systems, Including Accessories



CAN/ULC-S529



Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems



CAN/ULC-S530



Heat Detectors



CAN/ULC-S531



Smoke Alarms



CAN/ULC-S533



Egress Door Securing & Releasing Devices



CAN/ULC-S536



Inspection & Testing of Fire Alarm Systems



CAN/ULC-S537



Verification of Fire Alarm Systems

STANDARDS BULLETIN 2006-03

INTERPRETATION: FIRE ALARM SYSTEM VERIFICATION — NUMBER OF

ORGANIZATIONS/COMPANIES (PARTIES) REQUIRED

CAN/ULC-S537-04



CAN/ULC-S540



Installation of Residential Fire Warning Systems



CAN/ULC-S541



Speakers for Fire Alarm Systems, Including Accessories



CAN/ULC-S545



Residential Fire Warning System Control Units



CAN/ULC-S548



Devices & Accessories for Water Type Extinguishing Systems



CAN/ULC-S552



Inspection & Testing of Smoke Alarms



CAN/ULC-S553



Installation of Smoke Alarms



CAN/ULC-S559



Equipment for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems



CAN/ULC-S561



Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems



CAN/ULC-S573



Installation of Ancillary Devices



CAN/ULC-S571



Flame Detectors



CAN/ULC-S567



Door Closers and Electromagnetic Door Holders



CAN/ULC-S575



Commissioning of Life Safety & Fire Protection Systems



CAN/ULC-S572



Photo-luminescent and Self Luminous Exit Signs & Path Markers



CAN/ULC-S576



Mass Notification Systems

#7

National Fire Protection Association -NFPA 72 (<LINK_TEXT text=“http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards … de&code=72”>http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards?mode=code&code=72</LINK_TEXT>)

A special mention about fire alarms and people with Autism spectrum disorders who are hypersensitive to sound and light.he objective of the literature summary was to provide information to the NFPA 72 Technical Committee to help them understand the impact of fire alarms on those individuals with sound and light sensitivities.

ULC -S561 is the standard for fire monitoring in Canada <LINK_TEXT text=“http://www.fire-monitoring.com/5-reason … -in-canada”>http://www.fire-monitoring.com/5-reasons-why-ULC-S561-is-the-standard-for-fire-alarm-monitoring-in-canada</LINK_TEXT>. NFPA Impact : March 2016 Recently there has been discussion on amendments to better serve firefighters. The NFPA’s new vision is to be the leading global advocate for the elimination of death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.