574-929
Rev. B
Limitations, Safety and Placement of Notification Appliances
Notification appliances, and the fire alarm system itself, have certain limitations and requirements for safety, placement,
installation, and test. Since you must know the limitations and adhere to the requirements, keep these instructions at a
central location for future reference so that all people who use, maintain, and test the fire alarm system have access to
this information.
Limitations
Notification appliances do not sense any hazardous conditions such as smoke, fire, explosion, etc.; they are activated
by a control panel as part of a system that does sense such conditions.
Notification appliances do not provide their own power. They receive their power from the fire alarm system. If
power is not supplied to the notification appliances (for whatever reason), the notification appliances will not provide an
audible/visible warning. THEREFORE, BACK-UP POWER SUPPLIES, OR OTHER BACK-UP POWER SOURCES,
ARE REQUIRED FOR THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
Notification appliances provide a specific rated output level of sound or light. The output level must meet the
requirements of the intended protected area(s). Although the 4903 TrueAlert Ceiling-Mount A/V notification appliances
meet the current UL standards for sound output and light intensity, the protected area(s) may have walls, doors, carpeting,
furniture, insulation, or other obstacles that reduce or even block the sound and/or light. For all applications, the sound
and light output must provide enough intensity to alert all occupants of the protected area(s) including those occupants
that are sleeping or hearing impaired for whatever reason. If these occupants cannot hear and/or see the effect of the
notification appliances within the protected area(s), you must increase the intensity of the sound/light output or add
additional notification appliances so that the occupants can hear an/or see the effect of the notification appliances when
activated. Refer to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) National Fire Alarm Code 72, Chapter 4.
Notification appliances are not a substitute for insurance coverage. All users should have adequate levels of life and
property insurance.
Safety
Always install, maintain, and test notification appliances within their specifications. Failure to follow all safety
precautions and instructions may result in loss of life and property due to non-functioning notification appliances.
Some notification appliances use high voltage. To avoid electrical hazards and avoid damage to appliances, make sure
that the electrical power for the notification appliance circuit is disconnected at the control panel before installing,
repairing, or internally adjusting any notification appliances.
Even with electrical power removed, some notification appliances (such as visible strobes) store a high voltage charge.
The high voltage can cause injury resulting in death from electrical shock. DO NOT TOUCH EXPOSED CIRCUITRY.
Placement
The placement of notification appliances must conform to:
•
Latest NFPA standards and guidelines (Refer to National Fire Alarm Code 72, Chapter 4)
•
Sound (Sound Pressure Level) and/or Light Intensity Analysis of Intended Protected Areas
•
Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) Requirements
Notification appliances are not intended for installation within hazardous locations as defined by the National Electrical
Code (NEC) or the NFPA. Contact Simplex for information on explosion-proof notification appliances designed for
hazardous environments.
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