Notifier NFS2-3030 Operation Manual

Also see for NFS2-3030: Installation manual Operating instructions Operation and maintenance manual

Contents

2 NFS2-3030 Operations Manual — P/N 52546:N1 06/20//2014Fire Alarm & Emergency Communication System LimitationsWhile a life safety system may lower insurance rates, it is not a substitute for life and property insurance!An automatic fire alarm system—typically made up of smokedetectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, audible warningdevices, and a fire alarm control panel (FACP) with remote notifi-cation capability—can provide early warning of a developing fire.Such a system, however, does not assure protection againstproperty damage or loss of life resulting from a fire.An emergency communication system—typically made up ofan automatic fire alarm system (as described above) and a lifesafety communication system that may include an autonomouscontrol unit (ACU), local operating console (LOC), voice commu-nication, and other various interoperable communication meth-ods—can broadcast a mass notification message. Such asystem, however, does not assure protection against propertydamage or loss of life resulting from a fire or life safety event.The Manufacturer recommends that smoke and/or heatdetectors be located throughout a protected premises followingthe recommendations of the current edition of the National FireProtection Association Standard 72 (NFPA 72), manufacturer'srecommendations, State and local codes, and therecommendations contained in the Guide for Proper Use ofSystem Smoke Detectors, which is made available at no chargeto all installing dealers. This document can be found at http://www.systemsensor.com/appguides/. A study by the FederalEmergency Management Agency (an agency of the UnitedStates government) indicated that smoke detectors may not gooff in as many as 35% of all fires. While fire alarm systems aredesigned to provide early warning against fire, they do notguarantee warning or protection against fire. A fire alarm systemmay not provide timely or adequate warning, or simply may notfunction, for a variety of reasons:Smoke detectors may not sense fire where smoke cannotreach the detectors such as in chimneys, in or behind walls, onroofs, or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectorsalso may not sense a fire on another level or floor of a building.A second-floor detector, for example, may not sense a first-flooror basement fire.Particles of combustion or “smoke” from a developing firemay not reach the sensing chambers of smoke detectorsbecause:• Barriers such as closed or partially closed doors, walls, chim-neys, even wet or humid areas may inhibit particle or smokeflow.• Smoke particles may become “cold,” stratify, and not reachthe ceiling or upper walls where detectors are located.• Smoke particles may be blown away from detectors by airoutlets, such as air conditioning vents.• Smoke particles may be drawn into air returns before reach-ing the detector.The amount of “smoke” present may be insufficient to alarmsmoke detectors. Smoke detectors are designed to alarm at var-ious levels of smoke density. If such density levels are not cre-ated by a developing fire at the location of detectors, thedetectors will not go into alarm.Smoke detectors, even when working properly, have sensinglimitations. Detectors that have photoelectronic sensing cham-bers tend to detect smoldering fires better than flaming fires,which have little visible smoke. Detectors that have ionizing-typesensing chambers tend to detect fast-flaming fires better thansmoldering fires. Because fires develop in different ways andare often unpredictable in their growth, neither type of detector isnecessarily best and a given type of detector may not provideadequate warning of a fire.Smoke detectors cannot be expected to provide adequate warn-ing of fires caused by arson, children playing with matches(especially in bedrooms), smoking in bed, and violent explosions(caused by escaping gas, improper storage of flammable materi-als, etc.).Heat detectors do not sense particles of combustion and alarmonly when heat on their sensors increases at a predeterminedrate or reaches a predetermined level. Rate-of-rise heat detec-tors may be subject to reduced sensitivity over time. For thisreason, the rate-of-rise feature of each detector should be testedat least once per year by a qualified fire protection specialist.Heat detectors are designed to protect property, not life.IMPORTANT! Smoke detectors must be installed in the sameroom as the control panel and in rooms used by the system forthe connection of alarm transmission wiring, communications,signaling, and/or power. If detectors are not so located, a devel-oping fire may damage the alarm system, compromising its abil-ity to report a fire.Audible warning devices such as bells, horns, strobes,speakers and displays may not alert people if these devicesare located on the other side of closed or partly open doors orare located on another floor of a building. Any warning devicemay fail to alert people with a disability or those who haverecently consumed drugs, alcohol, or medication. Please notethat:• An emergency communication system may take priority overa fire alarm system in the event of a life safety emergency.• Voice messaging systems must be designed to meet intelligi-bility requirements as defined by NFPA, local codes, andAuthorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).• Language and instructional requirements must be clearly dis-seminated on any local displays.• Strobes can, under certain circumstances, cause seizures inpeople with conditions such as epilepsy.• Studies have shown that certain people, even when they heara fire alarm signal, do not respond to or comprehend themeaning of the signal. Audible devices, such as horns andbells, can have different tonal patterns and frequencies. It isthe property owner's responsibility to conduct fire drills andother training exercises to make people aware of fire alarmsignals and instruct them on the proper reaction to alarm sig-nals.• In rare instances, the sounding of a warning device can causetemporary or permanent hearing loss.A life safety system will not operate without any electricalpower. If AC power fails, the system will operate from standbybatteries only for a specified time and only if the batteries havebeen properly maintained and replaced regularly.Equipment used in the system may not be technically compat-ible with the control panel. It is essential to use only equipmentlisted for service with your control panel.Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals from a prem-ises to a central monitoring station may be out of service or tem-porarily disabled. For added protection against telephone linefailure, backup radio transmission systems are recommended.The most common cause of life safety system malfunction isinadequate maintenance. To keep the entire life safety system inexcellent working order, ongoing maintenance is required per themanufacturer's recommendations, and UL and NFPA stan-dards. At a minimum, the requirements of NFPA 72 shall be fol-lowed. Environments with large amounts of dust, dirt, or high airvelocity require more frequent maintenance. A maintenanceagreement should be arranged through the local manufacturer'srepresentative. Maintenance should be scheduled monthly or asrequired by National and/or local fire codes and should be per-formed by authorized professional life saftety system installersonly. Adequate written records of all inspections should be kept.Limit-D-1-2013