The University of Chicago
Safety Manual
Fire Safety Programs

Section 4.3

Fire Detection Systems

Please note that this program has a glossary.  The glossary contains the definitions for various terms used in the program.   These terms are highlighted in bold print the first time they appear in the body of the program.

Policy

All fire detection systems shall be inspected, maintained and tested in accordance with this policy.

Authority and Responsibility

Departments responsible for coordinating the fixed fire protection program are:

  1. Environmental Health and Safety;
  2. Facilities Services - Operations and Maintenance for areas of the campus served by Facilities Services;
  3. The University Architect's Office for new construction;
  4. Residence Halls and Commons for its buildings;
  5. International House for its building; and
  6. Real Estate Operations for all residential or commercial properties.

These departments are responsible for:

  1. Scheduling and coordinating the required inspection, maintenance and testing with a facility's engineer or private contractor who is trained in the operations and function of the system;
  2. Restoring the fire detection system to its normal operating condition after maintenance, testing or alarm activation;
  3. Notifying Environmental Health and Safety of any scheduled or unscheduled impairment;
  4. Notifying Environmental Health and Safety when all impairment is corrected;
  5. Providing a fire watch when a fire detection system is impaired; and
  6. Providing documentation to Environmental Health and Safety when the required inspection, maintenance and testing is performed.

Environmental Health and Safety shall be responsible for:

  1. Reporting any questionable conditions discovered during the Annual Fire/General Safety Review to the responsible department;  
  2. Retaining all documentation for fixed fire suppression testing, maintenance and inspections from appropriate departments;
  3. Responding to requests for Red Tag Permits in a timely manner;
  4. Informing the City of Chicago Fire Department when a system with a city tie is taken out of service;
  5. Informing the University of Chicago Police department when a system is taken out of service;
  6. Training appropriate personnel in fire watch procedures; and
  7. Reviewing the policy and procedure to ensure compliance.

Licensed Contractors are responsible for:

  1. Performing appropriate inspection and maintenance of fixed fire suppression systems when scheduled by appropriate department; and
  2. Providing documentation for appropriate departments when appropriate inspections and maintenance is complete.

Contractors and sub-contractors are responsible for complying with these procedures.

Fire Detection System Components

This policy shall cover all components of fire detection systems including, but not limited to:

  1. Fire alarm panel;
  2. Fire alarm annunciator panel;
  3. Detection devices, such as heat and smoke detectors; and
  4. Manual pull stations.

Where Fire Detection is Required

Fire Alarm systems are installed as needed on a per building basis.  Buildings classified as institutional, schools, hotels, dormitories, and high-rises (greater than 80 feet) are required by City of Chicago code to have fire alarm systems installed. 

Alarm Sounding Devices

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) under NFPA 72, code 6-3.4, the National Fire Alarm Code, requires the following for sleeping areas which shall be adopted by the University of Chicago:

“Where audible appliances are installed to signal sleeping areas, they shall have a sound level of at least 15 dBA above the average ambient sound level or 5 dBA above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60 seconds or a sound level of at least 70 dBA, whichever is greater, measured at the pillow level in occupiable area.”

Monthly Inspection and Testing

All fire detection systems shall be inspected and tested monthly.  The monthly inspection and testing of fire detection systems shall be in accordance with Chapter 72 "National Fire Alarm Code" of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Annual Testing

All fire detection systems shall be tested at least annually by a designated departmental employee (e.g., building engineer or electrician) or private contractor knowledgeable in the operations and function of the system.

Criteria for the annual testing shall be in accordance with Chapter 72 "National Fire Alarm Code" of the National Fire Protection Association.

The following test shall be conducted at 15 years and every 5 years thereafter.

Two fixed temperature detectors for every 100 present shall be removed and tested by an approved testing laboratory.  The two fixed temperature detectors removed for testing shall be replaced with two new fixed temperature heat detectors.  If the tested fixed rate temperature heat detectors fail, all fixed rate detectors in the building's fire detection system shall be replaced.

Fire Detection Impairment Policy

All fire detection systems and their components that require being shut down due to maintenance and/or testing shall follow the appropriate notification and fire watch procedures according to this policy and Appendix B - "Fire Alarm Maintenance Shutdown/Reactivation Procedures". 

Before Shutdown

Shutting down fire detection equipment shall be planned and limited to an eight hour time period. 

Before the shut down of fire detection equipment, the supervisor of the employee performing the work shall follow these procedures:

  1. Notify Environmental Health and Safety of the shutdown twenty-four hours in advance of the fire detection impairment; and
  2. Obtain a Red Tag Permit from Environmental Health and Safety prior to impairment.

Notification Process

To obtain permission to shut down a fire detection system, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 702-9999 prior to the start of the project.

Before the shutdown of the fire detection equipment, a representative from Environmental Health and Safety shall:

  1. Notify the City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Communications to inform them of the building’s 911 status;

  2. Notify the University Police Dispatch Center to inform them of fire alarm impairment; and

  3. Ensure proper steps are taken in training personnel responsible for fire watch procedures. 

During the Shutdown – Fire Watch

During the shutdown of the fire detection equipment, a fire watch shall be implemented by the original person requesting the fire detection system to be shutdown.  The individual performing the fire watch shall be trained by Environmental Health and Safety in the following:

  1. Portable fire extinguisher procedures;
  2. Procedures for reporting an emergency;
  3. Evacuation procedures; and
  4. Hazard recognition.

The fire watch shall consist of the following during the impairment:

  1. Periodically inspecting the areas and rooms within the affected building(s) to ensure hazards do not exist;
  2. Ensuring adequate fire protection equipment is available and in working condition; and
  3. Limiting hazardous work practices such as welding, cutting, brazing or the usage of open flame.

Restoring the System

Upon completion of the work, the supervisor of the employee performing the work or his/her designee shall be responsible for:

  1. Notifying Environmental Health and Safety that the system has been restored by calling 702-9999; and
  2. Ensuring all fire detection is placed back into automatic service.

Upon notification of restored impairment, Environmental Health and Safety shall:

  1. Notify the City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Communications to inform them of the reactivation of the city tie connection; and
  2. Notify the University's Police Dispatch Center to inform them of the reactivation of the fire alarm system.

Documentation

All monthly and annual testing reports of fire detection systems shall be maintained by Environmental Health and Safety.  The appropriate department shall forward all monthly and annual testing, maintenance and inspection reports to Environmental Health and Safety.

Fire Alarm Deactivation/Reactivation Procedures

All fire detection systems shall be turned off and reset in accordance with procedures found in Appendix A - "Fire Alarm Deactivation/Reactivation Procedures".

 

 

Section 4 Index

 Table of Contents


Environmental Health and Safety
Issued:  01/24/96
Revised:  03/06/09