Fire Doors

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Fire Doors
October 9 , 2007 David Dawdy 0 Comments Posted in Articles , Commercial, Safety Print Fire door systems can make you a hero or a villian, depending on your product awareness and salesmanship. There has always been a stir in the industry about our responsibilities regarding release devices , fail-safe fire doors and smoke detectors. More so now than ever , it is significant to discuss some of the most important topics that affect your fire- door business. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) implies but does not make mandatory that all fire -door and fire shutter installations be fail-safe. If you are required to: furnish detection devices (such as smoke or heat detectors for a fire door); coordinate your installation with the fire -alarm contractor for activation; or provide time- delayed release devices, your responsibilities are clear based upon NFPA-80 : You need a fail-safe system . Underwriters Laboratory (UL), the non -profit organization that tests electronic components and equipment for potential hazards, has pushed back the 864 agenda for release device requirements again. So, although everything here is believed to comply with UL s anticipated position, this article concentrates solely on NFPA-80 , 2007 standards today. Here are answers and discussion regarding some frequently asked questions . What is a release device? Answer: A release device is a mechanism that permits a detection device (like a smoke detector ) to interface with a mechanical device here, the fire door release assembly thereby allowing an electronic smoke detector to activate a mechanical fire door . Per NFPA-80, a release device is a labeled , fail-safe device, controlled by a detection device, used on an automatically closing door to release the door at the time of fire. Discussion: The release device must carry a label and it must be fail- safe. These two very important requirements prevent a simple fusible link system from meeting fail-safe requirements. You cannot possibly release a simple fusible link with a smoke detector ; you need the electrical interface of a release device to facilitate door closure. Detection devices may be in the form of smoke or heat detectors, rate- of-rise detectors or other specified devices. There are two primary release- device manufacturers used in our industry today. One makes an electrical- or thermal-type release that is designed to receive a 24-volt DC signal from the fire alarm control panel (FACP) and is considered failsafe in that configuration. The FACP is not currently sold with this style unit, nor does the release device itself provide power for detection devices. You would plan to wire into an existing FACP of adequate amperage to initiate release, or provide your own , such as the Honeywell HPF24 S6 . It should be noted that it is possible for this FACP to initiate the release of at least three , and up to six , electrical/thermal release devices . You will not experience nuisance drops during loss of power and this system may be applied to motor, chain-hoist, awning -crank or manually operated fire doors. The second type of release device is packaged as a complete unit, meaning that all but one of these models is designed as a stand-alone FACP with battery backup . Each model provides a 24 -volt power supply for powering up detection devices. What is a label? Answer: Per the NFPA, a label is physically attached evidence that the device has been tested and that it is produced under an in-plant, follow-up inspection program (e .g ., the bottom bar label on fire doors). Discussion: UL is a familiar label, but there are others that may be required or approved , such as Factory Mutual, Warnock Hersey and UL of Canada, for example . The release device must carry a visible, attached label. What does fail- safe really mean? Answer: NFPA-80 , 2007 simply says: A device that will provide its intended function upon loss of power . Discussion: A fail-safe release device will release the fire door activation cable upon notification from detectors, or when there s a loss of power, in order to activate the fire door to drop. It may integrate a battery back-up to help eliminate nuisance drops and require alarm notification to activate the door . It may be used to activate all known motor, chain- hoist, awning- crank or manual push-up fire doors and shutters. Fail-Safe Operation: Motor and Manual First, not all motor- operated fire- door systems are created equally. One modern drive-down , fail-safe design will self-close upon loss of power after a time delay. It essentially has an onboard FACP. It will reset automatically when the power is restored. A battery back-up may be incorporated to prevent nuisance closures from power failure. The low- voltage side will provide 24 -volt power for detection appliances , and the operator may be wired directly to receive alarm notification from a detector or FACP. Upon notification, it will close under power, as long as power is present. If power fails during electrical closure, it will default to self-close by gravity alone. There is no requirement to reset tension or drive-side mechanisms. Traditional manual, chain-hoist, awning -crank and motor-operated fire doors with a fusible link detection and-release system are not fail-safe by definition and will not release the door upon power failure without the addition of a fail-safe release device. The fail-safe release device acts as an interface between the electrical detection or alarm system and the mechanical door-release system . Modern, simple-test fire- door designs achieve fail-safe status in this way, with the added benefits of floor-level testability and no reset requirements for tension or drive-side mechanisms. Finally, most release devices have a time delay, generally set at 10 seconds and normally adjustable up to 60 seconds (the maximum allowed per NFPA- 80) to prevent triggering immediately upon loss of power. An electrical- or thermal-type release doesn t have an adjustable time delay; However, it requires time to allow a bi-metal element to heat up, change shape and release the door -activation cable. Again , this must occur within the NFPA-prescribed 60 seconds and function as an effective time delay. Although not yet required by code, all current fail-safe release devices use some form of back-up battery power . A simple 24-volt release without an onboard battery is designed to be integrated into a backed-up FACP at minimal cost. (Careful with this one; you normally cannot add a battery to the unit later on ). The initial cost for battery back up with your release device is substantially more , so it is worthwhile for you to understand the intended application and fire-protection system thoroughly. Fire-door systems can make you a hero or a villain, depending on your product awareness and salesmanship. There is little reason to not promote fail-safe systems to your clientele as standard operating procedure . Following is a list of release -device configurations offered by various fire -door manufacturers. This should give you a good idea of the possibilities and options available for your project.

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Fire Doors
Basic/non -battery 24 VDC Adjustable time delay from 10 to 60 seconds Powered by FACP Battery Back-up by FACP Universal model with audible notification ability 120 VAC, 24 VAC, 24 VDC Adjustable time delay from 10 to 60 seconds Battery standby time: Up to 72 hours Onboard battery backup Designed as a stand-alone FACP Ideal for areas where power outages or false alarms is an issue Universal model with audible and visual notification ability 120VAC Only Optional transformer for 208 , 230/460 , or 575 voltage Adjustable time delay from 10 to 60 seconds Programmable for bottom bar- detection or door-motion options. Battery standby time: Up to 48 hours Onboard battery backup Designed as a stand alone FACP Smoke detectors There are always questions about the selection and wiring of smoke detectors to the system . Here, the most common ones are addressed. Where do they go? Answer: NFPA-80 4 .7. 3: Where smoke detectors are used, they shall be located in accordance with NFPA 72 , National Fire Alarm Code. NFPA- 80 4 .7 .4: Detectors and their components shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. How many smoke detectors do I need ? Answer: NFPA-80 : Unless otherwise acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) , heat- detectors or fusible links shall be installed on both sides of the wall and interconnected so that the operation of any single detector or fusible link causes the door to close. Discussion:: You typically need two smoke detectors per release for one opening. There are exceptions to this , such as when detection is not required on the outside of the building . You may use one detector to activate more than one release device in certain situations. What voltage do I need? Answer: The FACP, or release device, typically provides primary power for at least two 24 -volt DC smoke detectors. A 24-volt detector will activate most release devices. Check amperage requirements of the release. Discussion: If the specified smoke detector voltage seems to contradict your system requirements, a call to the general contractor or specifier will usually clear up the problem . The release devices we are discussing, as well as modern, failsafe motor operated systems , all provide primary power for 24 -volt DC smoke detectors and eliminate separate wiringsource requirements for the electrician . Note: Typical 24 -volt DC smoke detectors are powered via two wires directly from the FACP (onboard low -voltage board on most fail-safe release devices) . They then return an N/O circuit to the release device that closes upon alarm, notifying the release device and causing it to activate the door. . . . Self-monitoring smoke detectors require four wires . These operate on an N/C circuit, providing notification if something is amiss with the detector or supply voltage. Applications and Issues The spec calls either for smoke detectors, a time-delayed release device or both. How do I decide what to use? Option 1: If you are connecting to a backup FACP, you should select the basic 24- volt release device that features a time delay. This is the least expensive option. You will not experience nuisance drops from temporary power failures . You need a detector for each side of the opening, powered by the ( onboard) FACP and activating the release. There is no need to install fusible links through the wall if this method is chosen. Option 2: If the fire door is a stand-alone installation, you need to create your own FACP, so select a fail-safe release or FACP with an onboard battery back-up . These typically have adjustable time delays up to 60 seconds, and you will not have nuisance drops from temporary power failures . Release options may include close limit detection and enunciators. You need a detector for each side of the opening, powered by the (onboard) FACP and activating the release. There is no need to install fusible links through the wall if this method is chosen. Option 3: You may choose a model with an assortment of voice boards, annunciators, strobes and horns . Check with the specifier and contractor for Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and compliance . You still need a detector for each side of the opening, powered by the (onboard ) FACP and activating the release . Certain release models are intelligent and may be used to cause the operator to reverse on obstructions before coming to a rest upon the obstruction ( always employ a safety reversing edge with motor-operated fire doors ) and announce warnings both visually and audibly. Note that all release devices, even those with onboard FACPs and battery backup , may still be activated by a central FACP. Look at the job requirements and check your release options list. You shouldn t overspend here. The choice is usually pretty straightforward. The Rules Are Changing Note that nuisance drops (the consequence of poorly understood systems that don t specify battery back- up) have been virtually eliminated and good riddance! Now available are modern reduced -liability, simpletest, fail- safe fire -door systems with predictable, demonstrably superior and eminently salable features . Your thorough understanding of FACPs, release devices , smoke detectors and fail-safe systems is priceless. The role it plays with your selling, installation and bottom-line strategies can be significant. Simplicity of operation and reduced costs of testing, maintenance and safety are of sincere interest to the contractor and the architect but vital to the end-user. Your ability to design and present a safe, legal and easily-managed fire- door system identifies you as being a wellinformed and responsible practitioner . David Dawdy has been involved in the commercial construction industry since 1974, and has worked directly in the overhead door industry for 24 years . He is the rolling-steel-division sales and marketing manager, and the architecturalservices division manager for C.H.I. Overhead Doors, located in Arthur , Ill . E-Mail
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