Fire Alarm Demo

Hello All. If you have a multi story commercial building with different tenants and one floor or area is being demolished/gutted for a complete renovation what is usually required for the fire alarm demo. I’ve heard the term “bag and tag” but not sure what that exactly means.

  1. If fire watch is not an option doesn’t the system have to remain active during the demo? But at some point all those devices/wiring will have to be removed especially with a completely new layout. Won’t there be troubles at the panel?

Thanks

The situation you mention is not uncommon. The “bag and tag” refers to enclosing smoke detectors to keep out demolition and construction dust (bag) and tagging pull stations that may be out of service.

Most modern systems have the ability to disable points in software. The detection devices in the construction area would be disabled in the morning and be enabled at the end of the work day. This prevents nuisance alarms during the work and protects the area during non work hours. The fire marshal will specify that the bags should be removed from the smoke detectors at the end of work each day. That probably does not happen in real life.

Yes, there will be troubles on the system. Those can be minimized by good coordination between the building owner, the general contractor, the electrical contractor, the sprinkler contractor, and the fire alarm service company.

It comes down to “if you want to make an omelet, you have to break some eggs.”

[quote="Retired STR-SG" post_id=82000 time=1539456645 user_id=3047]

The situation you mention is not uncommon. The “bag and tag” refers to enclosing smoke detectors to keep out demolition and construction dust (bag) and tagging pull stations that may be out of service.

Most modern systems have the ability to disable points in software. The detection devices in the construction area would be disabled in the morning and be enabled at the end of the work day. This prevents nuisance alarms during the work and protects the area during non work hours. The fire marshal will specify that the bags should be removed from the smoke detectors at the end of work each day. That probably does not happen in real life.

Yes, there will be troubles on the system. Those can be minimized by good coordination between the building owner, the general contractor, the electrical contractor, the sprinkler contractor, and the fire alarm service company.

It comes down to “if you want to make an omelet, you have to break some eggs.”

[/quote]

Thank you!!