The next three topics were left out of the printed minutes for September 1999, but were published on the NorCal web site. Some of these items have been updated and revised based on our meeting in Lodi.

CLASS 200 PLASTIC PIPE

Several fire departments indicated they require C-900 CPVC Class 200 pipe for sprinkler underground systems that would be pressurized from a fire department connection or are connected to a fire pump system. Class 150 is acceptable for non-pressurized portions of the sprinkler system and hydrant systems.

10-YEAR BATTERY

John Gillilan discussed the proposal for a 10-year battery for household smoke detectors which was adopted by Oregon. The NFPA committee and the California Fire Alarm Association have both rejected the proposal. While most people have ionization detectors, these batteries will not work for photoelectric detectors.

FIRE ALARM CHANGES FOR ELEVATORS

This was the topic for the afternoon meeting in September, and we also discussed it during our morning meeting in Napa (September) and Lodi (November). I have combined the notes for all segments. Actual requirements are listed below, but first you can learn about the required standards by going to www.ca.gov/s/search/hello.html and choosing Occupation Safety & Health under "O." Next scroll down to Elevator Unit, then choose Elevator Safety Code, and finally Group 3 New Elevator Installations. You find that ASME 17.1 is adopted by reference according to Gary Iocco and James Meyer, who presented the afternoon meeting.

If you would like to see some information from the Handbook for ASME 17.1 provided to me by Gale Bate from Code Resource, please contact me and I will mail you a copy.

The new regulations apply only to new construction, and related to our concerns, only when the elevator shaft is protected with automatic sprinklers. Regulations apply to all elevators, including freight elevators. New requirements were developed because of technical changes in elevator types. The Elevator Unit found that lots of variances were issued and they needed a single standard.

Microprocessors now used in elevator equipment cannot handle heat and result in erratic behavior of the car, if over heated. Likewise, sprinkler water could affect the equipment, according to our guests. Most of these same requirements are in effect in other states.

A smoke detector is required in the elevator machine room. If it activates, recall will occur. This is called a Phase I operation and I believe our guests stated that fire fighters could manually override the recall.

A heat detector is required in the elevator shaft. It must be set for a temperature lower than the fusible link for the automatic sprinkler. This detector located in the hoist way must be serviced from outside the shaft, and I am not sure if that means we put one-hour service doors on the rated shaft or what.

If the heat detector activates, it throws the shunt trip. Everything stops. It does not matter if the elevator is caught between floors, if it contains people, or if it contains fire fighters. You cannot override this event. According to our guests, "You are dead in the water."

NFPA 72, 1996 Edition confirms the comments of our speakers.

3-8.14 Elevator Recall for Fire Fighters' Service.

3-8.14.1* System-type smoke detectors located in elevator lobbies, elevator hoistways, and elevator machine used to initiate fire fighters' service recall shall be connected to the building fire alarm system. In facilities without a building fire alarm system, these smoke detectors shall be connected to a dedicated fire alarm system control unit that shall be designated as "elevator recall control and supervisor panel" on the record drawings. Unless otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction, only the elevator lobby, elevator hoistway, and the elevator machine room smoke detectors shall be used to recall elevators for fire fighters' service.

3-8.14.2 Each elevator lobby, elevator hoistway, and elevator machine room smoke detection shall be capable of initiating elevator recall when all other devices on the same initiating device circuit have been manually or automatically placed in the alarm condition.

3-8.14.3 Smoke detectors shall not be installed in elevator hoistways.

Exception: Where the top of the elevator hoistway is protected by automatic sprinklers.

3-8.14.4 Where ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection, other appropriate automatic fire detection shall be permitted.

3-8.14.5 When actuated, each elevator lobby, elevator hoistway, and elevator machine room smoke detector shall initiate an alarm condition on the building fire alarm system and shall visibly indicate at the control unit and required remote annunciators, the alarm initiation circuit or zone from which the alarm originated. Actuation from elevator hoistway and elevator machine room smoke detectors shall cause separate and distinct visible annunciation at the control unit and required annunciators to alert fire fighters and other emergency personnel that the elevators are no longer safe to use. Actuation of these detectors shall not be required to sound the building evacuation alarm where the alarm condition is indicated at a constantly attended location.

Exception: Where approved by the authority having jurisdiction, the elevator hoistway and machine room detectors shall be permitted to initiate a supervisory signal.

3-8.14.6* For each group of elevators within a building, three separate elevator control circuits shall be terminated at the designated elevator controller within the group's elevator machine room(s). The operation of' the elevators shall be in accordance with ANSI/ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, Rules 211.3 through 211.8. The smoke detectors shall actuate the three elevator control circuits as follows:

(a) The smoke detector located in the designated elevator recall lobby shall actuate the first elevator control circuit. In addition, where the elevator is equipped with front and rear doors, the smoke detectors in both lobbies at the designated level shall actuate the first elevator control circuit.

(b) The smoke detectors in the remaining elevator lobbies shall actuate the second elevator control circuit.

(c) The smoke detectors in elevator hoistways and the elevator machine room(s) shall actuate the third elevator control circuit. In addition, where the elevator machine room is located at the designated level, that elevator machine room smoke detector shall also actuate the first elevator control circuit.

3-8.15 Elevator Shutdown.

3-8.15.1* Where heat detectors are used to shut down elevator power prior to sprinkler operation, the detector shall have both a lower temperature rating and a higher sensitivity often characterized by a lower response time index (RTI) as compared to the sprinkler.

3-8.15.2 Where heat detectors are used for elevator power shutdown prior to sprinkler operation, they shall be placed within 2 ft (6 10 mm) of each sprinkler head and be installed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 5. Alternatively, engineering methods (such as specified in Appendix B) shall be permitted to be used to select and place heat detectors to ensure response prior to any sprinkler head operation under a variety of fire growth rate scenarios.

3-8.15.3* Where pressure or waterflow switches are used to shut down elevator power immediately upon or prior to the discharge of water from sprinklers, the use of devices with time delays shall not be permitted.

One solution to this issue is to avoid placing sprinklers in elevator shafts. NFPA 13 addresses sprinklers in elevators in the 1996 Edition as follows:

4-13.5 Elevator Hoistways and Machine Rooms.

4-13.5.1* Sidewall spray sprinklers shall be installed at the bottom of each elevator hoistway, not more than 2 ft (0.61 m) above the floor of the pit.

Exception: For enclosed, noncombustible elevator shafts that do not contain combustible hydraulic fluids, the sprinklers at the bottom of the shaft are not required.

4-13.5.2* Automatic sprinklers in elevator machine rooms or at the tops of hoistways shall be of ordinary or intermediate temperature rating.

4-13.5.3* Upright or pendent spray sprinklers shall be installed at the top of elevator hoistways.

Exception: Sprinklers are not required at the tops of noncombustible hoistways of passenger elevators whose car enclosure materials meet the requirements of ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.

Incidentally, NFPA 13 is pretty clear about the definition of noncombustible, which is covered in the standard under General Definitions 1-4.2. These materials will not "ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors when subjected to fire or heat."

The sequence of operation for the elevator lobby smoke detector will continue to be the same. When the smoke detector is in alarm, recall will occur. Fire fighters will be able to override the controls.

Many questions were raised during the afternoon meeting in Napa. Both speakers recommend we send our concerns to the local area representative at the address shown below:

Please E-mail any questions you have to me at reevans@hotmailcom or fax them to me at (209) 937-7087. So far, David Secoda has sent me a long list.

MID-MONTH MEETING

We will meet in Modesto on December 7 (Tuesday) at 9:30 am to discuss this issue and any others. Wes Arvin (530 752-6398) is making arrangements for the location with Fire Marshal Mary Miller.

SMALL HOSE REQUIREMENTS

There was considerable discussion concerning requirements for small hose, conflicts with OSHA regulations, Title 19 inspection requirements, and alternatives used by fire departments.

San Jose and Roseville are not requiring small hose when sprinkler protection is available. Stockton does not require small hose in high-piled warehouse storage facilities, but instead, favors larger and/or more fire extinguishers. Ed Saiz questioned whether straight nozzles with single jacket hose should be replaced with fog nozzles and lined hose for 1 and 1/2-inch standpipe systems. Daly City and San Jose require standpipe systems for 3 or more stories, pointing out that ground ladders can only reach two stories effectively. Some department prefers 2 and 1/2-inch outlets with 1 and 1/2-inch reducers with no hose provided. This topic will also be discussed at our mid-month meeting.

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