RULES FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

6.

SPACING AND SITING OF DETECTORS AND MANUAL CALL POINTS: 6.1 GENERAL A well laid out detection system can perhaps do nothing to reduce the incidence of fire but can certainly help to lessen the resultant loss by reducing the delay between ignition and the start of effective fire fighting. Heat and smoke sensitive detectors depend on the convective movement of the combustion products from the fire to the detector. The spacing and siting requirements for these detectors are based on the needs to restrict the time taken for movement of combustion products to ensure that these combustion products reach the detectors fitted in the ceiling in adequate concentration within a reasonable time lag. 6.2 SPACING OF DETECTORS: 6.2.1 For the open areas under flat horizontal ceilings, the horizontal distance from any point in the area to the detector (point type) shall not exceed 5.3M for heat detectors or 7.5 m for smoke detectors. Incase of line type detectors, spacing of not more than 18 M between two projected beams and not more than half that spacing from an external wall parallel to the beam may be used. Beam length shall not exceed maximum permitted by approving authority. Incase of air sampling detectors, distance between detector and farthest fan shall not exceed 10Mtrs. 6.2.2 The maximum allowable height of the compartment is 7M for the Purpose of rule 6.2.1 above. In case the height of the compartment exceeds 7M, the following restrictions shall apply. 6.2.2.1SMOKE DETECTORS: UPTO 7 M HEIGHT - either ionization or optical detector or a combination of both depending on occupancy.
a)

ABOVE 7M BUT LESS THAN 10M HEIGHT- combination of ionization and optical detectors in a ratio of 1:1 with spacing reduced to 5M.
b)

ABOVE 10M UPTO 25M HEIGHT- optical beam detectors or air sampling detectors.
c)

6.2.2.2HEAT DETECTORS:
a) UPTO 5M HEIGHT:

Fixed temperature (static) element type detectors or combination detector having fixed and ROR elements, Grade 2or 3; preferably in the ratio 1:1 fixed temperature (static) element type detectors with spacing reduced to 3.5M (Grade 1 only):

b) ABOVE 5M UPTO 9M HEIGHT: Rate of rise cum

c)

MORE THAN 9M HEIGHT: Heat detectors at these heights are not acceptable.

Note: Grade 1,2 & 3 mentioned above are as perIS: 2189-1996. 6.2.3 Where high air movement prevails in the protected blocks, the following additional provisions shall apply (excluding those for protection of false ceiling, false floor plenums and shafts) over the restrictions stated in rules 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 above. Air changes Per hour inside block less than 7.5 8.5 10.0 12.0 15.0 20.0 30.0 60.0 Multiplying factor for modified Spacing (area coverage) 1.00 0.95 0.91 0.83 0.74 0.64 0.50 0.38 (1.00) (0.91) (0.83) (0.70) (0.55) (0.40) (0.25) (0.15)

Note: Air changes per hour is defined as: 60X volume per minute of air supply to the protected space/ (Volume of protected space)

6.2.3.1 Detectors shall not be located in the vicinity of supply air diffusers. Minimum distance between the detector and the air inlets/diffusers shall be at least 1.5 m. 6.2.3.2 Detectors shall be so mounted as to favour the air flow towards return air openings. 6.2.3.3 The above provisions shall not disturb the normal population (count) of detectors, which is provided assuming that air-handling systems are off. After designing the detector spacing, it shall be crosschecked to ensure that there is at least one smoke detector for every 100 m2 or one heat detector for every 50m2 of the compartment area. 6.2.4 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: 6.2.4.1Ceilings and Roofs: Protection of ceiling and roofs shall conform to BS: 5839, Part-1. 6.2.4.2Corridors: If the corridors are less than 5M wide, the distance between the detectors (see rule 6.2.3) may be increased by half the difference between the actual width and 5M. If the corridor is more than 5M in width, the same shall be treated as a normal compartment. 6.2.4.3Walls and Partitions: a) Detectors shall not be mounted within 500 mm of any walls or partitions. b) If a compartment is divided into sections by walls, partitions or storage racks, their height shall be such that the distance between the top of the latter ad the ceiling shall be greater than 450 mm. If the height difference is less than 300 mm, each section shall be deemed as separate room for provision of detectors. 6.2.4.4Obstructions: a) Any ceiling obstruction (such as beam, duct etc.,), the depth of which is more than 150mm the distance between the detectors (see rule 6.2.3) in

the vicinity of such obstruction shall be decreased by twice the depth of obstruction. However if the depth of obstruction is more than 10% of the ceiling height, such obstruction shall be treated as a wall and provision of detectors shall be governed by rule 6.2.4.3 above. b) Detectors shall not be mounted within 500mm of obstructions. However, in case of minor obstructions like light fittings etc., the distance may be reduced to 250mm. 6.2.4.5Voids and False-Floors: All voids and false-floors having height of more than 800mm shall be provided with detectors and such detectors shall be installed within 150mm of the ceiling of such voids or false floors. 6.2.4.6 Enclosed Staircases, Penetrations: Vertical Shafts and Ceiling

Where stairways, enclosed chutes or shafts or lifts, hoists or escalators penetrate ceiling/floors, detectors shall be sited at each level within 1.5M of the penetrations. In case of stairways not penetrating through the ceiling, detectors shall be provided at each of the landings. 6.2.4.7 The Committee reserves its rights to insist on additional detectors wherever considered necessary depending upon the site of the detector installation to take care of adverse effects of stratification, surrounding environment, construction features etc. 6.2.4.8 Where there are more enclosures or cabins per floors, false floors, false Ceilings, plenums and shafts, response indicators should be provided at permanent places. 6.2.5 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: a) Where the atmosphere inside a block is subject to sudden or rapid changes in temperatures e.g. kitchen, boiler house etc., ROR type of heat detectors should be avoided to minimise false alarms. b) Where ambient temperatures are likely to be high, the operating temperatures of the heat detector should be at least 30 degrees C above the maximum anticipated ambient temperature.

c) Toilets, WC blocks Bathrooms etc. need not be provided with detectors even when they from a part of the protected areas unless they are of more 2 M2 in area. d) A detector shall be placed within 1.5Mfrom any door, window or other openings in the wall partitions between protected and non-protected premises. e) Every enclosure like a cabin, however small it is, within the protected compartment shall be provided with detector(s). f) Reference shall be made to the Committee in advance with full Particulars in following cases: i) Installation of smoke detectors within ventilation ducts; ii) Siting of optical beam type smoke detectors having transmitter and receiver components; iii) Layout of detectors in compartments where heating arrangements are provided (stratification of smoke). iv) For areas which are subject to adverse environmental Conditions like vibration, pollution, shock etc. 6.3 SITING OF MANUAL CALL POINTS: 6.3.1 Manual call points shall be so located that, to give an alarm, no person in the premises has to travel distance of more than 30 m to reach them. Where necessary, the travel distance may require to be reduced to less than 30M e.g. where there is difficulty in free access within the risk or in potentially dangerous risks. 6.3.2 Call points shall be fixed at a height of 1.4M above the surrounding Floor level, at easily accessible, well-illuminated and conspicuous positions, which are free of obstructions. 6.3.3 Where the call points are not visible from the front as in the case of a Long corridor, they shall be surface mounted or semirecessed in order to present a side profile area of not less than 750 mm. Manual call points shall be housed in dust proof and moisture proof enclosure properly sealed with rubber lining.

The glass surface should be minimum 30 cm2 in area and glass thickness should not exceed 12mm. 6.3.4 Approval of the Committee must be obtained before commencing the Installation for their specific requirements if any. 6.3.4 Manual call point shall be located preferably near entry to staircases at various levels. 6.5 SITING OF FLAME DETECTORS: 6.4.1 GENERAL a) The location and spacing of the detectors shall be based on sound engineering evaluations taking into account the following: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) size of the fire requiring detection, fuel involved, sensitivity of detectors, distance between the fire and detector, radiant energy absorption of the atmosphere, presence of other sources of emission and purpose of detection system.

b) Certain flame detectors respond to the instantaneous level of radiation received while others depend upon the level received over a period. In either case the response will depend on the distance between the flame detector and the fire, since the radiation level received is inversely proportional to the square of this distance. Increased distance from the fire will, therefore, lead to an increase in the size of the fire at detection. c) A clear line of sight to the area being protected is of great importance but at the same time care must be exercised to avoid a direct line of sight to likely sources of non-fire radiation to prevent false alarms. 6.4.2 SPACING GUIDE-LINE: a) Sufficient no. of detectors shall be used and they shall be Positioned such that no point requiring detection in the hazard area is obstructed or outside the field of view of at least one detector.

b)

In applications where, the fire to be detected could occur in an area not on the optical axis of the detector, the distance shall be reduced or alternatively more detectors added to compensate for the anguladis placement of the fire. The spacing of the detectors shall vary from fuel to fuel. It is therefore necessary to fix the distances as per the recommendations of the manufacturers. The location of the detectors shall also be such that structural members or any other opaque objects or materials do not impede their line of sight. When installed outdoors, detectors shall be shielded to prevent diminishing sensitivity due to rain, snow, ice etc., and allow a clear vision of the hazard area. Approval of the Committee must be obtained before commencing the installation for their specific requirements.

c)

d)

e)

f)

6.5 SITING OF MISCELLANEOUS DETECTORS: 6.5.1 SPECIAL SPRINKLERS: For the spacing of sprinklers particularly those of types like thermo electric, pre-action etc. reference shall be made to the Committees rules for Sprinkler Installation 6.5.2 CABLE GALLERIES: 6.5.2.1 Each cable tray shall be protected by LSHS cable unless the vertical distance between the trays is uniformly less than 500 mm in which case alternate trays (in addition to the top and bottom trays) shall be protected. 6.5.2.2 The LSHS cable shall be laid on the cables at the centre Line of the cable-runs either straight along the cables or zigzag and back and forth across the ladder and trays. 6.5.2.3 It is also possible to suspend the LSHS cables below the trays so as to be within 200 mm of the cable-runs at a pitch of 1.2 M like a catenary. 6.5.2.4 Where the width of the tray exceeds 1M, two LSHS cables shall be laid on the trays as above. Alternatively, cables maybe laid in an zigzag fashion in which case pitch of the zigzag profile shall not exceed 1.2 mtrs.

6.5.2.5 It is always necessary to install two LSHS cables below the lower most tray because accumulation of filth, rubbish and waste in such areas is a distinct possibility rendering them fire-prone. 6.5.2.6 Approval of the Committee must be obtained before commencing the installation for their specific requirements. 6.5.3 BELT CONVEYORS: a) The following fire situations are considered for the protection of the conveyors with LSHS cables. a) Stationery conveyor, b) Moving conveyor, c) Belt Roller friction, d) Belt friction with adjoining portions of the structures, e) Spill of fuel, lubricants and the like on the return belt). The LSHS cables can be considered for detection of any one combination of two or more of the situations described above.
b) The method of mounting the LSHS cables under the above

circumstances depends upon convenience of mounting as well as the vulnerability of the LSHS cables. The LSHS cables shall be mounted as close to the Risks mentioned above as possible i.e. on both sides of the belt rollers, or above the material carrying belt on separate supports or combination of both depending on the circumstances. Approval of the Committee shall be obtained before commencing the installation for their specific requirements if any.
c) 6.5.4 For other types of risks to be detected by the installation

Of LSHS cables, Committee shall be approached in advance with full particulars.

6.6

Every fire detector should be allotted an identification number Preceded by alphabetical initials showing the type of detector from the time of inspection prior to commissioning. ++++ ++ +++