11:00 to 12:00
Secrets to achieving code-compliant strobe
installations. Ralph Coco, Potter Canada
Paul Jewett, Mircom Group of Companies
Visible Signals
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
Physics
Installation Considerations
Application Specific Engineering
Technician Perspective
• We are going to analyze three different
ways of measuring light intensity.
1. Peak Candlepower
2. Candela
3. Foot Candles or Lumens
•Candlepower (abbreviated as cp) is an obsolete scientific unit of
luminous intensity based on the light emitted from a candle made to
a specified formula.
•The candlepower as a scientific measure was replaced in 1948 by
the international unit (SI) known as the candela.
Measures only
the “PEAK”
Candlepower and Candela have an
equal ratio 1:1
Peak Candlepower measures only
the peak
PEAK
AREA
100
200
300
400
500
Effective candela rating is calculated by the total
area under the light intensity curve and includes
all of its light energy.
Light
CANDELA
Intensity
Curve
100
200
300
400
500
CANDELA DEFINITION
USED TODAY
• The candela is the luminous intensity, in a
given direction, of a source that emits
monochromatic radiation of frequency 540
x 1012 hertz and that has a radiant
intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt
per steradian.
• Measures the intensity in
•
Candela and the
distance from the light source.
This is called illumination and can be
calculated by the following formula.
INTENSITY
OF LIGHT
SOURCE
DIVIDED BY THE
DISTANCE SQUARED
1. Peak Candlepower measures only the peak and looks at
the performance over a short period of time.
2. Effective Candela measures the total light energy, but
does not take into consideration the distance from the light
source.
3. Illumination (Lumens or Foot-Candles) takes both factors
into consideration by measuring the power of the light and
the distance from the light source.
• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) required a minimum
light intensity of 75 candela, for use out to a distance of 50 feet
75
CANDELA
50 FEET
NFPA 72 & 101
ANSI 117.1
ADAAG
UL1971
• ADA requirements were incomplete
• ADA did not look at different candela ratings; Polarity distribution
of light; Room size dimensions and Synchronization
• The industry got together and expanded ADA’s requirements to
Harmonize with other standards. For Example (NFPA 72, UL 1971,
ANSI 117.1 & ADAAG 2-2)
• Equivalent Facilitation was born and allowed for other designs and
technologies to be used as long as they met or exceeded these
other requirements
• CAN/ULC-S524-06 & CAN/ULC-S526-07 incorporates most of
these standards (Emulated – Copied - Plagiarized)
• Now we will look at an example of how Equivalent Facilitation
works
0’
DISTANCE FROM STROBE
10’
20’
30’
40’
50’
0’
DISTANCE FROM STROBE
10’
20’
30’
40’
50’
0’
DISTANCE FROM STROBE
10’
20’
30’
40’
50’
Equivalent Facilitation
• Therefore, utilizing a visible signal less than 75 Candela
in a smaller room is equivalent to a larger Candela
strobe in a larger room; by providing greater luminance
per square foot. (.0375)
• In the United States the minimum calculated
illumination is required to be at least 0.0375 lumens or
foot candles at any point within the covered area
• ULC-S524-06 Table 5 (Wall Mounting) meets or exceeds
this requirement
• It is ironic that we do not follow Equivalent Facilitation
in Canada, but we meet it in most cases
POLAR LIGHT
DISTRIBUTION
CAN/ULC-S526-07
HORIZONTAL DISPERSION (WALL)
Degrees
% Candela Rating
0
100%
5 – 25
90
30 – 45
75
50
55
55
45
60
40
65 – 70
35
75 – 80
30
85 – 90
25
Compound 45
24
Top View
00
45
0
0
45
900
900
Wall
Example is based on a 75 Candela Strobe – 15 Candela would
need to meet the following…
CAN/ULC-S526-07
VERTICAL DISPERSION (WALL)
Side View
Degrees
% Candela Rating
0
100%
5 – 30
90
35
65
40
46
45
34
50
27
55
22
60
18
70
15
75
13
80 – 90
12
0
900
0
450
CAN/ULC-S526-07
VERTICAL DISPERSION (CEILING)
Ceiling
Degrees
% Candela Rating
0
100%
5 – 25
90
30 - 45
75
50
55
55
45
60
40
65 - 70
35
75 - 80
30
85 – 90
25
900
900
450
450
0
0
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Intensity of light source?
Distance from light source?
Ambient lighting?
Lens color?
Size?
Flashing or continuous output?
Duration of output?
Location in the visual field?
Reflected light?
White
Amber
Blue
Red
100%
70 - 100%
35 - 70%
25 - 40%
• The recommended light source for visual
appliances is clear unless another colour
is required for the application or by AHJ.
Example: Chemical Agent Release may
require a different colored lens
Visible Signals
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
Physics
Installation Considerations
Application Specific Engineering
Technician Perspective
What do panel manufacturers print on the
control panel circuit board where you would
normally connect a strobe to?
• Bell cct
• Signal cct
• Notification cct
• NAC cct
• Output cct
• Indicating cct
They all mean the same thing!!
Strobe/Horn Panel
Connections Before Sync
 Most Fire Alarm Panels would have two circuits
for signaling, one for strobes which would be a
constant voltage and one for Horn/Bell which
would pulse a code such as temporal for EVAC,
or Alert at 20 spm.
FACP
FACP
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
 The problem is the strobes will flash at
different rates
FACP
FACP
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
Synchronization
 ADAAG (American with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines) Technical Bulletin #2, states that 5 flashes
per second or more is the trigger point for
photosensitive epileptic seizures.
 This means if 4 strobes in a room are flashing 2 times
per second, the combined flash rate could exceed the 5
flashes per second; potentially causing a seizure.
 ADA recommends that a composite flash rate of 5 Hz be
avoided for multiple strobes.
 The strobe flash rate must be a minimum of 1 Hz across
the listed voltage range. (Increasing or lowering the
operating voltage will affect the flash rate).
Synchronization
Requirements In Canada
 Two or more visible signaling devices in corridors
or rooms in the same field of view shall flash in
synchronization.
 Performance tests to verify flash rate between 1
and 2 flashes per second.
 Synchronization feature to flash within 0.01 sec
for 2 hours.
Strobe/Horn Panel
Connections With Sync
 Synchronization can be accomplished in two ways
 The first is using an external sync module (this is for
both strobes and horns)
FACP
Nac circuit 1
Nac circuit 2
Sync
Module
Strobe/Horn Panel
Connections With Sync
 Some Fire Alarm Panels use two NAC circuits in
order for the horns to be silenced and strobes to have
continuous operation.
FACP
Nac circuit 1
Nac circuit 2
Strobe/Horn Panel
Connections With Sync
 The second method is the panel having the
sync protocol built into the panel. The external
module is not required.
FACP
Visible Signals
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
Physics
Installation Considerations
Application Specific Engineering
Technician Perspective
Visible Signals
Codes & Standards
CANADA
 ULC-S526-07 VISIBLE SIGNAL DEVICES FOR FIRE
ALARM SYSTEMS, INCLUDING ACCESSORIES
 ULC S 524-06 provides installation requirements for
strobes in Canada
 NBC 2005 (National Building Code)
 OBC 2006 (Ontario Building Code)
 Other Provincial Building Codes
UNITED STATES
 NFPA 72 &101 provides additional guidance for strobe
applications in large volume open spaces
 ADA has its own guidelines
 UL 1971
 AADAG
 ANSI 117.1
Where are Strobes
Required?
• OBC & NBC require strobes in the
following areas….
Where are Strobes
Required?
Where Ambient Sound Levels Exceed
87dB
Example - Noisy manufacturing plants or
diesel generator areas
Where are Strobes
Required?
Where ear protection is worn
Where are Strobes
Required?
 Sound
booths
insulated or audiometric
(Recording Studios or Sound Testing
Rooms)
Where are Strobes
Required?
 Entertainment
areas where sound
levels may exceed 100dB
(Night Clubs & Concert Halls)
Where are Strobes
Required?
 Building or portions of a building for
persons with hearing impairment
Where are Strobes
Required?
Minimum 10% of rooms in Hotel (NEW)
OBC NEW
REQUIREMENTS
Based on Occupancy Class
New Requirements Based on
Occupancy Class (OBC)
Installation of strobes in public
corridors for…
 B Occupancy (Health Care)
OBC New Requirements Based on
Occupancy Class
- Strobes in public corridors…
D Occupancy (Office)
OBC New Requirements Based on
Occupancy Class
- Strobes in public corridors…
E Occupancy (Mercantile)
OBC New Requirements Based on
Occupancy Class
Strobes permitted in lieu of audible signals in
compartments including operating rooms and
recovery areas such as ICU and CCU
OBC New Requirements Based on
Occupancy Class
A Occupancy (Assembly Areas)
Strobes are required in corridors used by the
public, and also floor areas where public may
congregate
OBC EXCEPTIONS FOR USE
OF STROBES
Not Required…
 In classrooms (A Occupancy)
 Group B Div 3 care occupancy for up to 10
persons
 In C Occupancies - Residential
Key Installation Requirements
in ULC-S524-06
• ULC Table 7 - Corridor
• ULC Table 5 - Wall
• ULC Table 6 - Ceiling
a)
ULC Tables will specify the strobe intensity and the number
of strobes required for each specific room size
b)
Now we will look at installation examples using all of the
tables
CORRIDOR SPACING
CORRIDOR SPACING FOR CEILING OR WALL
MOUNTED VISIBLE SIGNAL DEVICES (ULC(ULC-S524-06 TABLE 7)
Corridor Length (m)
6m less in width
0-9
Minimum # of 15
Candela Strobes
10 - 40
2
41 – 70
3
71 – 100
4
101 - 130
5
131 - 160
6
1
MOUNTING HEIGHT
Wall mounted (Room Area and Corridor)
Entire lens is not less than 2m and not
more than 2.4m above the finished
floor
INSTALLATION EXAMPLES
CORRIDORS
4.6
39.2 meter corridor
4.6 m
4.6 m
30 m
15 Candela Strobe for corridor installations
Strobe must be located no more than 4.6m from end of corridor
Additional strobes placed not more than 30m apart
INSTALLATION EXAMPLES
CORRIDORS
20.4m
20.4m
4.6
40.8 m
50 meter corridor
4.6 m
4.6 m
40.8m
Strobe must be located no more than 4.6m from end of corridor
Additional strobes placed not more than 30m apart
INSTALLATION EXAMPLES
CORRIDORS
38m
4.6
22m
4.6m
4.6m
4.6m
4.6m
22m
Where there is an interruption of the concentrated viewing path,
such as a fire door, an elevation change, or any other obstruction,
the area shall be treated as a separate corridor
WALL MOUNTED
VARIOUS ROOM SIZES
CAN/ULC-S524-06 (Table 5)
LIGHT OUTPUT FOR WALL-MOUNTED VISIBLE
SIGNAL DEVICES FOR VARIOUS ROOM SIZES
Maximum Area
Coverage in (m)
1 Strobe per area
2 Strobes per area 4 Strobes per area
6.10 X 6.10
15
N/A
N/A
8.53 X 8.53
30
15
N/A
9.14 X 9.14
34
15
N/A
12.2 X 12.2
60
30
15
13.7 X 13.7
75
60
30
15.2 X 15.2
94
60
30
16.5 X 16.5
110
60
30
18.3 X 18.3
135
95
60
21.3 X 21.3
185
95
60
24.4 X 24.4
240
135
60
27.4 X 27.4
304
185
95
30.5 X 30.5
375
240
95
Room Spacing Example
6m
5m
?
Intensity
Room Spacing Example
• Application: 6m X 5m Room
• ULC-S524-06 Table 5 for wall mounted devices
requires a 15 Candela strobe for a maximum
room size of (6.10m X 6.10m)
• Since our room size falls below 6.10m X 6.10m; a
15 Candela Strobe will meet this application
Maximum Room size 1 Strobe per area
in (m)
2 Strobes per area 4 Strobes per area
6.10 X 6.10
15
N/A
N/A
8.53 X 8.53
30
15
N/A
Room Spacing Example
Long Side
Coverage?
6m
Short Side
Coverage?
5m
15
Candela
Installation Tip Spacing allocation for
wall mounted strobes
are to be located (at
the mid-point of the
longest side of the area
served) NFPA 72
The mid-point of the
longest side is the
preferred method
Do we mount the strobe on the short or long side of the wall?
Correct & Incorrect
Allocation Methods
• Application - Four 15 Candela Strobes in a
12.2m X 12.2m Room
12.2 m
12.2 m
 In this example, we
are meeting minimum
Candela rating
(illumination) but the
strobe allocation is
incorrect
Area Coverage of each
appliance is not
maximized
Moreover, if these
were (Horn/Strobe or
Speaker Strobe)
combination units the
result may be conflicting
sound waves or sound
cancellation
Correct & Incorrect
Allocation Methods
•
•
The correct method is by following clause 5.4.5.8 in CAN/ULC-S524-06
Subdivide the room into multiple squares (6.1m x 4)
• ULC-S524-06 Table 5 - room size of 6.1m X 6.1m requires a 15 candela strobe
• Install four 15 candela strobes (one for each 6.1m area)
12.2 m
6.1m
6.1m
Utilize Maximum
Area Coverage
12.2 m
6.1m
6.1m
Correct & Incorrect
Allocation Methods
•
•
Application – Room size is 14m X 28m
Solution is to divide the room into two 14m X 14m rooms
•
Using ULC –S524-06 Table 5 (wall mounting) requires a 94 Candela strobe in a 15.2m
X 15.2m room (One in each subdivided room)
•
•
•
Two 60 Candela or four 30 Candela strobes can be substituted
Please note that the two visible signal devices are located on opposite walls
If they were located on the same wall and both were within the same field of view
then synchronization would be required
28 m
14 m
14 m
14 m
Wall Mount Not Centered
• Application 7m X 5m Room
• Wall Appliance Not Centered
5m
 In rooms with
visible signal
devices not
centered on a
wall, the effective
intensity
(candela) from
one wall-mounted
visible signal
device shall be
determined by
maximum room
size dimensions
obtained either by
measuring the
distance to the
furthest wall or by
doubling the
distance to the
furthest adjacent
wall, whichever is
greater
One 60 Candela
Two 30 Candela
Four 15 Candela
7m
6m
In this scenario,
the greater
distance is
obtained by
doubling the
distance to the
farthest
adjacent wall
(6m x 2 = 12m)
In table 5, a
12m X 12m
room requires a
60 candela
strobe.
Wall Mount Not Centered
The Intent
12m
5m
12m
6m
7m
6m
Since we
cannot centre
the appliance,
we create an
imaginary
room size to
centre the
device (12m x
12m) Then we
select the
appropriate
strobe
intensity to
cover those
dimensions ensure full
room area
coverage
CEILING MOUNTED
Room Spacing for Ceiling Mounted
Visible Devices CAN/ULC-S524-06 (Table 6)
Maximum Area Size
Maximum Mounting
Height
One Strobe Light
(Rated Candela)
6.10 X 6.10
9.14 X 9.14
12.2 X 12.2
15.2 x 15.2
3
3
3
3
15
30
60
95
6.10 X 6.10
9.14 X 9.14
12.2 X 12.2
15.2 x 15.2
6
6
6
6
30
45
80
115
6.10 X 6.10
9.14 X 9.14
12.2 X 12.2
15.2 x 15.2
9
9
9
9
55
75
115
150
Ceiling mounted strobes have a different polar distribution
than wall mounted versions.
The strobe’s reflector has to be designed to disperse the
light 180 degrees.
Most Manufacturers now offer separate models for ceiling
mounted applications.
180 Degrees
Distribution
Ceiling Mounted Example
• Application 9.14 X 9.14 Room @ 3 meter Ceiling Height
• Ceiling Appliance Centered
• ULC-S524-06 Ceiling Mount Table 6 requires a 30 Candela Strobe
for room size 9.14m X 9.14m
• At 6m ceiling height, a 45 Candela is required
• At 9m ceiling height, a 75 Candela is required
• Please refer to Table 6 Ceiling Height Data
9.14 m
9.14 m
30 Candela
Strobe @ 3m
height
Ceiling Mounted
Not Centered
• Application 9m X 4.5m Room @ 3 meter Ceiling Height
• Ceiling Appliance Not Centered
We have a 7m
distance from
device to the
furthest wall Doubling the
distance gives
us 14m. The
next closest
room size is
15.2m X 15.2m.
The table shows
that a 95
candela strobe
is required
4.5 m
One 95 or 2
60 Candela
Strobes can
be used
9m
7m
Where the ceilingmounted visible signal
device is not located at
the centre of the room,
the effective intensity
(candela) shall be
determined by
doubling the distance
from the device to the
farthest wall to obtain
the maximum room
size.
Visible Signals
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
Physics
Installation Considerations
Application Specific Engineering
Technician Perspective
Compatibility
• Most people in the fire industry are
aware devices like smoke detectors
are required to be compatible with
the Fire Alarm Panel but now we
must ensure the signaling devices
are as well.
• Each manufacturer has a unique
sync protocol.
Compatibility
So what if?
• What if you install a new sync type
horn/strobe on a non sync circuit?
• In most cases the devices are
designed to work, but not always!!
• At least once when I tested a
horn/strobe the horn did not
operate.
Compatibility
So what if?
• What if you install a horn/strobe on
a different manufacturers sync
module or protocol?
• It may work but probably won’t!!!
• I tested three different
manufacturers devices on each
others sync modules with the
following results.
Compatibility
Test Results
(Note: this was a very unscientific test)
• Using Manufacturer A’s Sync Module
– To Manufacturer B device - No Strobe or Horn sync
– To Manufacturer C device -Strobe sync but Horn no sync
• Using Manufacture B Sync Module
– To Manufacturer A device- No Strobe or Horn sync
– To Manufacturer C device- Strobe and Horn sync
• Using Manufacture C Sync Module
– To Manufacturer A device - Strobe Sync but no Horn sync
– To Manufacturer B device - No Strobe or Horn sync
Note in almost all cases silencing the horn cct and
keeping the strobe operational did not work.
Compatibility
Conclusions
• Depending on the type of sync
protocol, mixing devices from
difference manufacturers may or
may not work.
• Odds are they won’t work!!
APPLICATION
CONSIDERATIONS
• When designing systems requiring
strobes, you need to consider the
following…
• Current draws
• NAC output
• Additional Power Supplies
• Larger batteries
• Appropriate wire sizes
• Synchronization if two or more are in the
field of view
Strobe Current Requirements
• Traditional signaling devices such bells
and horns require relatively small amount
of current compared to strobe. A typical
bell is 20 ma vs. a 75 cd strobe at 190
ma.
• Manufacturers offer strobe products with
multi-candela settings. Before installation
please confirm current draws for selected
products. This can made a big difference!
A 15 cd strobe may only require 60ma but
a 110 cd can require 220 ma.
• When designing or installing a system
check the maximum current specification
of the control equipment. Anticipate the
requirement for additional Power Supply
Boosters.
Strobe Current Requirements
Example
• A system requires 14 strobes set at 75 cd.
The strobe selected at this setting
requires .19 amps.
• The alarm current required is .19 x 14 =
2.66 amps.
• Note: Most panels on the market today
have NAC circuits with a max between 1.5
and 2 amps. Therefore at least two
circuits will be required.
• If we use 2 NAC circuits each circuit
would have a load of 1.33 meaning that
number 12 or 14 gauge wire will be
required, depending on the distance
required.
Voltage Drops
• All wire has internal resistance. Distance will
reduce the voltage available to power the
appliance.
• All appliances have a minimum voltage rating
that will affect their operation. (Stop functioning)
• System designers need to look at how distance,
wire size and battery will affect the operation of
the appliance. (This should include their
minimum operating voltage.)
Voltage Drops
• Batteries should be sized to meet the appliance’s
minimum voltage.
• In other words; making sure the battery will
deliver the appropriate number of amps down to
its end voltage. (Example: Appliance has a
minimum operating voltage of 18 volts: In this
case the battery should be sized to deliver the
appropriate number of amps before its voltage
drops to 18 volts. (The battery’s voltage
decreases during discharge.)
(Audible & Visual
Signals) Wiring Chart
Total Signal
Load
18 AWG
Amps
Max Loop Resistance
Maximum Wiring Run To Last Device (ELR)
16 AWG
14 AWG
12 AWG
ft
m
ft
m
ft
m
ft
m
Ohms
0.06
2350
716
3750
1143
6000
1829
8500
2591
30
0.12
1180
360
1850
567
3000
915
4250
1269
15
0.3
470
143
750
229
1200
366
1900
579
6
0.6
235
71
375
114
600
183
850
259
3
0.9
156
47
250
76
400
122
570
174
2
1.2
118
36
185
56
300
91
425
129
1.5
1.5
94
29
150
46
240
73
343
105
1.2
Maximum voltage drop should not exceed 1.8 volts and this table assumes total
load at end of line
Verification Requirements
• So what are we required to do for
strobes?
• Do we measure the output with a
meter to ensure that it meets
Building code requirements?
Strobe Verification
Requirements
Currently we are required to do the following
• Inspect and test each device to correct field
terminations and wire size.
• Test for operation, supervision and ensure that it
is clearly visible from all points throughout the
area served by the device. Note: It is not required
to make any test measurements using a meter.
• Test the device at the electrically furthest point of
each circuit to ensure it receives the rated power
(voltage) as per the manufacturer’s
specifications.
Strobe Verification
Requirements
• Ensure the strobe is compatible with the control
panel or the sync module.
• Ensure that the device is correctly located and its
output settings match the engineering design for
the area. This requires the tech to have a copy of
the approved drawings with the correct candela
settings indicated.
Visible Signals
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
Physics
Installation Considerations
Application Specific Engineering
Technician Perspective
• Improving
Helping toLife
provide
brighter
future.
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