Smoke Detector Compatibility
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:36
Hello,
I hope everyone is doing well.
I would like to say that the ULC smoke detector compatibility index on this form is great info to have read.
As we were about to start an annual inspection on a high rise apartment building we discovered that the last company had installed at least 40 System Sensors smoke detectors C2WBA on an old EST ESA2000. As the index states they are not compatible. We have notified the managers on this matter. As they seem upset, they find it hard to believe that they are not compatible.
We are gathering all the info we can including reaching out to Fire inspectors, Chubb Edwards, and System Sensor for more info. We also found this from System Sensor from doing a search.
Please let me know If anyone has seen or experienced this before and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Technical Field Bulletin
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that smoke detectors be compatible when used with a listed fire alarm control panel (FACP). This compatibility of smoke detectors with control panels is only an issue where 2-wire smoke detectors (power and signaling line circuit (SLC) on the same two conductors) are concerned. This is due to the requirements, restrictions, and limitations of electrical current needed to cause the detectors to alarm and for the control panel to “see” that alarm. Detectors are not required to be listed when they draw their power for operation from source other than the SLC.
The National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72, 2002 edition, states in chapter 4:
4.4.2 Compatibility.
All fire detection devices that receive their power from the initiating device circuit or signaling line circuit of a fire alarm control unit shall be listed for use with the control unit.
Because of this, UL requirements do not include 4-wire smoke detectors or any notification devices. Notification devices must verify that the power and signal being supplied through the notification connections are sufficient for operation. Some notification devices require either coded or non-coded signals for proper operation. The FACP manual should be consulted for specifications.
I hope everyone is doing well.
I would like to say that the ULC smoke detector compatibility index on this form is great info to have read.
As we were about to start an annual inspection on a high rise apartment building we discovered that the last company had installed at least 40 System Sensors smoke detectors C2WBA on an old EST ESA2000. As the index states they are not compatible. We have notified the managers on this matter. As they seem upset, they find it hard to believe that they are not compatible.
We are gathering all the info we can including reaching out to Fire inspectors, Chubb Edwards, and System Sensor for more info. We also found this from System Sensor from doing a search.
Please let me know If anyone has seen or experienced this before and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Technical Field Bulletin
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that smoke detectors be compatible when used with a listed fire alarm control panel (FACP). This compatibility of smoke detectors with control panels is only an issue where 2-wire smoke detectors (power and signaling line circuit (SLC) on the same two conductors) are concerned. This is due to the requirements, restrictions, and limitations of electrical current needed to cause the detectors to alarm and for the control panel to “see” that alarm. Detectors are not required to be listed when they draw their power for operation from source other than the SLC.
The National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72, 2002 edition, states in chapter 4:
4.4.2 Compatibility.
All fire detection devices that receive their power from the initiating device circuit or signaling line circuit of a fire alarm control unit shall be listed for use with the control unit.
Because of this, UL requirements do not include 4-wire smoke detectors or any notification devices. Notification devices must verify that the power and signal being supplied through the notification connections are sufficient for operation. Some notification devices require either coded or non-coded signals for proper operation. The FACP manual should be consulted for specifications.