Although designers should consider wireless fire alarm systems for their portability, easy installation, and flexibility, they must also consider cost-effectiveness for each application.
When provisions for wireless alarms were in their infancy, most authorities would not permit their installation due to reliability concerns and the fact that manufacturers had not actively sought development. Architects and interior designers complained that if they, or the owner, did not like the location of a fire alarm device or appliance, it would require multiple trades to relocate the device or appliance, even if it was just a foot or two away from the original location. An electrician would have to come out to relocate the conduit, backbox, and wiring, and the fire alarm technician would have to reinstall the device or appliance. In many cases, other trades would also have to get involved, like drywall, framing, etc.
While the advent of 3-D modeling allows design teams to coordinate equipment locations more accurately, owners and designers still may not get the “feel” for a space until it is built. Mock-ups are often used, but it is not cost-effective to mock-up an entire building. Fortunately, for those designers dealing with last-minute locations for fire alarm devices, wireless technology has come a long way in the past 20 years, and the future looks bright.
Defining wireless fire alarm technology
In its present state, wireless technology is not the be-all and end-all that allows designers to put devices and appliances wherever they want. The spacing criteria of NFPA 72:National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code still applies. Designers must meet the minimum standards set by NFPA 72 for locating equipment on walls and ceilings. The locations of devices and appliances must meet the performance objectives for either detecting fires or notifying occupants, as applicable. Most important, wireless does not mean that there will not be any wires. Just like your Wi-Fi connection at home, there will be transmitters and receivers that must be wired and powered.
Residential detection and notification are specifically known in NFPA 72 as single- or multiple-station smoke alarms. Smoke alarms that are installed in new homes are generally required to be connected to 120 V ac power along with a battery backup. New installations also require the alarms to actuate in multiple rooms if smoke is detected in only one room. That technology is wired or wireless depending on the type of system installed.
Ultimately, though, what designers and owners have been yearning for is wireless fire alarm systems for commercial applications.
Wireless fire alarm technology is referred to in NFPA 72 as low-powered radio (wireless) systems. That specifically refers to the use of wireless signal transmission via radio wave signals. The frequencies and modulation types are all regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but the low-power frequencies for fire alarm systems are typically outside of thresholds requiring licenses.
The term low-powered radio also indicates that signals are not able to be transmitted over appreciable distances. Manufacturers of wireless fire alarm systems will clearly indicate the maximum distance between transmitting and receiving devices. Some manufacturers have developed technology that uses fire alarm devices as both a transmitter and a receiver to create a mesh that allows the network to communicate in multiple directions rather than just bi-directionally. However, the distance limitations still apply, and often the groups of transmitter/receivers must still be within range of a repeater or a primary network panel.
Historically, authorities have been wary of wireless fire alarm systems, primarily because of their reliability. These days, however, even in-building firefighter two-way communication systems are being prescribed by building and fire codes requiring two-way radio communication systems and eliminating the traditional firefighter phone jacks in buildings. Two-way radio communication systems are being enhanced within buildings with the similar type of repeater technology used in wireless fire alarm systems. Both technologies also follow similar principals for distributed antennae systems (DAS) that are provided in buildings to enhance mobile telephone signals.
Implementing wireless fire alarm technology
Similar to what is required by the International Fire Code for two-way radio communications, designers and installers of the available wireless fire alarm systems must determine if the site and building are suited for wireless technology by conducting a radio frequency (RF) survey. For emergency two-way radios, heat maps often can be used by identifying the emergency broadcast frequency-signal strength at various locations and identifying when the signal falls below acceptable levels. In-building repeaters or DAS would be used to boost the primary signal. For wireless fire alarm systems, the approach may vary but generally requires that actual wireless fire alarm transmitters and receivers be onsite with equipment to evaluate their signal strength throughout areas of the building or property where they will be installed.
There are instances where the use of wireless fire alarm systems may not be effective. As with most radio frequency transmission, building materials or other environmental aspects may impact the ability to install wireless fire alarms. In some cases, concrete construction may limit signal strength and even metal buildings may interfere with signals. Cores of taller buildings, like concrete/masonry elevator cores or stair cores, may reduce signals due to their construction. Prior to installing, the designer and installer should conduct a thorough RF survey with their equipment. If the building is new construction, designers should evaluate construction materials with the design team and still conduct an RF survey after construction. For new buildings, there should be mitigation measures in place in the event that the RF survey determines wireless fire alarm system communication may be questionable.
Defining wireless fire alarm technology
In its present state, wireless technology is not the be-all and end-all that allows designers to put devices and appliances wherever they want. The spacing criteria of NFPA 72:National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code still applies. Designers must meet the minimum standards set by NFPA 72 for locating equipment on walls and ceilings. The locations of devices and appliances must meet the performance objectives for either detecting fires or notifying occupants, as applicable. Most important, wireless does not mean that there will not be any wires. Just like your Wi-Fi connection at home, there will be transmitters and receivers that must be wired and powered.
Residential detection and notification are specifically known in NFPA 72 as single- or multiple-station smoke alarms. Smoke alarms that are installed in new homes are generally required to be connected to 120 V ac power along with a battery backup. New installations also require the alarms to actuate in multiple rooms if smoke is detected in only one room. That technology is wired or wireless depending on the type of system installed.
Ultimately, though, what designers and owners have been yearning for is wireless fire alarm systems for commercial applications.
Wireless fire alarm technology is referred to in NFPA 72 as low-powered radio (wireless) systems. That specifically refers to the use of wireless signal transmission via radio wave signals. The frequencies and modulation types are all regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but the low-power frequencies for fire alarm systems are typically outside of thresholds requiring licenses.
The term low-powered radio also indicates that signals are not able to be transmitted over appreciable distances. Manufacturers of wireless fire alarm systems will clearly indicate the maximum distance between transmitting and receiving devices. Some manufacturers have developed technology that uses fire alarm devices as both a transmitter and a receiver to create a mesh that allows the network to communicate in multiple directions rather than just bi-directionally. However, the distance limitations still apply, and often the groups of transmitter/receivers must still be within range of a repeater or a primary network panel.
Historically, authorities have been wary of wireless fire alarm systems, primarily because of their reliability. These days, however, even in-building firefighter two-way communication systems are being prescribed by building and fire codes requiring two-way radio communication systems and eliminating the traditional firefighter phone jacks in buildings. Two-way radio communication systems are being enhanced within buildings with the similar type of repeater technology used in wireless fire alarm systems. Both technologies also follow similar principals for distributed antennae systems (DAS) that are provided in buildings to enhance mobile telephone signals.
Implementing wireless fire alarm technology
Similar to what is required by the International Fire Code for two-way radio communications, designers and installers of the available wireless fire alarm systems must determine if the site and building are suited for wireless technology by conducting a radio frequency (RF) survey. For emergency two-way radios, heat maps often can be used by identifying the emergency broadcast frequency-signal strength at various locations and identifying when the signal falls below acceptable levels. In-building repeaters or DAS would be used to boost the primary signal. For wireless fire alarm systems, the approach may vary but generally requires that actual wireless fire alarm transmitters and receivers be onsite with equipment to evaluate their signal strength throughout areas of the building or property where they will be installed.
There are instances where the use of wireless fire alarm systems may not be effective. As with most radio frequency transmission, building materials or other environmental aspects may impact the ability to install wireless fire alarms. In some cases, concrete construction may limit signal strength and even metal buildings may interfere with signals. Cores of taller buildings, like concrete/masonry elevator cores or stair cores, may reduce signals due to their construction. Prior to installing, the designer and installer should conduct a thorough RF survey with their equipment. If the building is new construction, designers should evaluate construction materials with the design team and still conduct an RF survey after construction. For new buildings, there should be mitigation measures in place in the event that the RF survey determines wireless fire alarm system communication may be questionable.
Where are the best places for wireless fire alarm systems? While most manufacturers would like to answer with “everywhere,” they are also honest enough to state in their literature that not all facilities may be appropriate for wireless fire alarms. If you paired one of the greatest advantages of wireless fire alarms with one of their strongest detractors, existing construction or retrofits would be where wireless fire alarms are most advantageous. Since there are significantly fewer wired pathways, and RF surveys can be conducted at any time, existing buildings are key markets for wireless fire alarm systems.
Casa de Shenandoah: Renovating a private residence into a museum
While Las Vegas is known for its bright lights and pizzazz, there are actually sites that locals and tourists agree are historical. Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, formerly owned Casa de Shenandoah, a 52-acre property with eight homes. The property now serves as an attraction with the main house, a 9,000-sq-ft mansion, serving as a museum showcasing his lavish lifestyle.
Unfortunately, changing a private residence to a museum does not happen overnight. To make the private residence accessible to the public, negotiations with authorities required that fire alarm detection devices be installed throughout the mansion with notification appliances along the publicly accessible path of the museum tour. The most effective means to make this happen was to provide a wireless fire alarm system.
The benefits of a wireless fire alarm system were immediately apparent. Wireless smoke detectors could be installed throughout the building without impacting historical finishes. While the fire alarm panels and repeaters required wiring for power, they could be strategically located to limit the impact to aesthetic finishes. Since not all parts of the mansion were open to the public, the fire alarm panel and repeaters could be placed such that they could easily transmit and receive yet were not in plain sight of the public.
However, one aspect became clear: A wireless fire alarm is not truly wireless. The notification appliances required wiring both for monitoring and power. Fortunately, the installation of notification appliances was limited to areas that were directly accessible to the public. In this case, it was possible to group appliances in strategic locations near repeaters and panels to limit the impacts to the building.
Today, thousands of visitors visit Casa de Shenandoah each year to marvel at the lifestyle Mr. Las Vegas was able to accrue. For the owners and authorities, they know the public is afforded more safety than the previously private residence allowed.
The case study demonstrates that wireless fire alarms are not truly wireless because of the panels and notification appliances. However, with savvy designers and installers, those obstacles become simple workarounds. During the RF survey, and working with the owner and architect, the designers and installers of the Casa de Shenandoah project were able to identify locations for panels and repeaters while simultaneously identifying how they could install the notification appliances with minimal intrusion.
As noted previously, even a home Wi-Fi system is going to require some wires for power and a connection to the internet; so it is with wireless fire alarms. The additional challenge is that most required notification appliances are not wireless. At least one manufacturer has developed a low-frequency sounder for audible notification, but speakers and visual notification appliances (strobes) may require years more of development. To the developers of the low-frequency sounder’s credit, they tapped one of the most popular markets for wireless fire alarms: residential hotels, motels, and dormitories, since NFPA 72 requires low-frequency audible alarms in sleeping areas.
The biggest issue associated with wireless notification appliances is the power consumption they require. Fire alarm system designers know from battery and voltage-drop calculations that the power-hungry notification appliance is the primary driver of battery size. In their quiescent state, notification appliances consume very little power. When the alarms sound and the strobes flash, the alarm appliances can and will drain batteries quickly.
Technology in both sound and light is continually improving such that wireless notification appliances should be developed long before automated flying cars. Improvements in consumer-use wireless home speaker technology may assist with further development of audible fire alarm notification appliances. Developments in LED technology and its low-power consumption will inevitably improve visual fire alarm notification appliances. Even battery technology has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past decade. However, further development of these products and technologies as applied to wireless fire alarm notification appliances will not happen quickly without consumer demand, authority approvals, and appropriate standards development.
One potential benefit of wireless fire alarm notification appliances is making them “smart.” Fire alarm notification appliances are not addressable on fire alarm systems. That is, depending on how the notification appliance circuits are installed, it may be difficult to determine which in a series of appliances is dysfunctional since they do not have independent addresses like detection devices. A wireless notification appliance would be required to be monitored through the same means as a detection device. It would have a physical address on a network so that if something were wrong with the appliance, a trouble signal would be annunciated at the fire alarm control panel. With an independent address, it would be easily identifiable within the building.
Even though wireless notification appliances are not fully developed, the devices associated with initiating technology are mostly covered. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and manual fire alarm pull stations have been fully developed. Water flow switch monitoring, valve tamper monitoring, and similar technology will require a box wired for power near the devices to be monitored. Similarly, relay boxes for elevator recall, HVAC shutdown, and other equipment interfaces will have a box requiring power and monitoring. However, if your sprinkler riser room is remote from your fire alarm control panel or you need to retroactively implement elevator recall and do not want to or cannot wire, wireless could be the way to go.
For now, there are many projects that can take advantage of the existing wireless fire alarm technology that is available. One of the early users of wireless fire alarm systems were low-rise hotels and motels. While most existing hotels and motels have the minimum required single-station smoke alarms, many are upgrading to addressable systems so they know almost immediately if they have problems with guests tampering or disabling smoke detectors. Wireless smoke detectors, combined with wireless low-frequency sounders, become an easy choice for hotel and motel operators that want to upgrade their systems with minimal downtime. With minimal wiring for power to panels and repeaters and the requisite Americans with Disabilities Act guest rooms, the installation is quicker and allows operators to turn over guest rooms with very little interruption to business.
Wireless fire alarm systems are particularly effective for campus-style hotels or garden-style apartments. If each of the buildings is sprinklered and requires fire alarm systems, wireless fire alarm system panels and repeaters are much easier to install than trenching wiring underground to each building. Similarly, industrial facilities with multiple buildings separated from one another can benefit from the wireless technology. Wireless fire alarm technology can be equally effective for common, but not often thought-about applications like carnival funhouses, zoos, or mobile exhibits.
In cities like Las Vegas, where conventioneers descend upon the scene frequently and in masses, authorities often regulate well to protect the public. Two-story convention booths, 5,000-sq-ft mobile exhibits, and 60,000-sq-ft “tents” are not uncommon places where fire departments have required fire detection and alarms due to the unique hazard to the public. A wireless fire alarm system is also portable and more easily relocated from one event to another.
With their portability, ease of installation, and flexibility, wireless fire alarm systems can be an easy sell for some. Cost is also a factor. A wireless fire alarm system is going to be more expensive part-for-part than a traditional wired fire alarm system. Smaller systems are likely to cost more than larger systems. There are cost savings in larger systems as a result of the associated wiring, terminations, and troubleshooting associated with wiring.
What generally is not on the sell sheets is the long-term costs associated with wireless fire alarms. If you think changing your batteries in your home smoke alarms is a hassle every time you move the clocks forward or back, consider changing all the batteries in a 300-room hotel/motel once a year, both for the smoke detectors and the low-frequency sounder. Some might argue that they should be doing that anyway if the properties have single-station alarms, and they would be right. However, upgrading to a wired, addressable smoke-detection system with low-frequency sounder bases wouldn’t require the same battery replacement, since the batteries are at the panel and not the detector.
The required types of batteries and what they cost should also be considered. Will the building maintenance personnel be able to obtain the required battery types off the shelf or are they a custom order? How long will it take personnel to change the batteries? Most forward-thinking manufacturers have developed their products based on commercially available batteries that are readily available either off the shelf or through bulk purchase and are as simple as changing batteries in home smoke alarms. However, caution should be taken to confirm that this is the case; otherwise, the building maintenance personnel and management will forever question who made the decision to go to wireless.
Though it may be obvious to consulting-specifying engineers, designers should thoroughly evaluate the properties of any fire alarm system and the local installer prior to final engagements. Commercial wireless fire alarm systems must have the appropriate listings with a nationally recognized testing laboratory. UL864:Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems applies to both wireless and wired fire alarm systems and has specific provisions for low-powered radio (wireless) systems.
Wireless fire alarm system manufacturers may have their systems listed through Factory Mutual (FM) or UL, and their listings may contain useful information concerning applicability and/or installation criteria. Some states, larger cities, and other jurisdictions may have specific listing criteria or approval organizations. The California State Fire Marshal and City of New York Fire Department are two examples of public agencies that may evaluate fire alarm systems for specific installations.
Since wireless fire alarm systems are subject to the requirements of NFPA 72, their data sheets should indicate the approved pathway-class designations that the system can achieve. Wired-systems pathway classes include A, B, C, D, E, or X designations. Wireless systems might include Class A, C, E, and X. Another benefit of wireless fire alarms is they are not subject to ground faults and open circuits.
The technology, flexibility, and portability of wireless fire alarm systems are appealing for many reasons. To successfully incorporate the newest low-frequency radio (wireless) fire alarm systems into a specific project, the first step would be to evaluate the technology that manufacturers have to offer and consult with them. Local fire alarm companies may have some experience and knowledge, but designers should definitely consult with the manufacturers’ technical representatives as they should know their technology best.
The development of wireless fire alarm systems is continually improving. Advancements in wireless speaker and strobe technology must continue so that both detection devices and notification appliances may be considered truly wireless. Perhaps in the not-to-distant future, architects and interior designers will be able to have even more flexibility with field-placing devices and appliances—within the guidelines of NFPA 72, of course.
