Fire alarm systems

150 Pages·2015·13.38 MB·English

by  Keough, Robert J.

NIST NCSTAR1-4C
Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the
World Trade Center Disaster
Alarm Systems
Fire
Robert J. Keough
Raymond A. Grill
National Institute of Standards and Technology • TechnologyAdministration • U.S. DeportmentofCommerce

NIST NCSTAR1-4C
Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the
World Trade Center Disaster
Alarm Systems
Fire
Robert J. Keough
Raymond A. Grill
RolfJensen andAssociates
September 2005
U.S. DepartmentofCommerce
Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary
TechnologyAdministration
Michelle O'Neill, Acting UnderSecretaryfor Technology
National Institute ofStandards and Technology
William Jeffrey, Director
Disclaimer No. 1
Certain commercial entities, equipment, products, or materials are identified in this document in orderto describe a
procedure or concept adequately orto trace the history ofthe procedures and practices used. Such identification is
not intended to imply recommendation, endorsement, or implication thatthe entities, products, materials, or
equipment are necessarily the best available forthe purpose. Nordoes such identification imply a finding offaultor
negligence by the National Institute ofStandards and Technology.
Disclaimer No. 2
The policy of NIST is to use the International System of Units (metric units) in all publications. In this document,
however, units are presented in metric units orthe inch-pound system, v\/hichever is prevalent in the discipline.
Disclaimer No. 3
Pursuantto section 7 ofthe National Construction SafetyTeam Act, the NIST Directorhas determined that certain
evidence received by NIST in the course ofthis Investigation is "voluntarily provided safety-related information" that is
"not directly related to the building failure being investigated" and that"disclosure ofthat information w/ould inhibitthe
voluntary provision ofthattype ofinformation" (15 USC 7306c).
In addition, a substantial portion ofthe evidence collected by NIST in the course ofthe Investigation has been
provided to NIST under nondisclosure agreements.
Disclaimer No. 4
NISTtakes no position as to whetherthe design or construction ofa WTC building was compliant with anycode
since, due to the destruction ofthe WTC buildings, NIST could not verifythe actual (or as-built) construction, the
properties and condition ofthe materials used, orchanges to the original construction made overthe life ofthe
buildings. In addition, NIST could not verify the interpretations ofcodes used by applicable authorities in determining
compliance when implementing building codes. Where an Investigation report states whether a system was
designed or installed as required by a code provision, NIST has documentary oranecdotal evidence indicating
whetherthe requirement was met, or NIST has independently conducted tests oranalyses indicating whetherthe
requirement was met.
Use in Legal Proceedings
No part ofany report resulting from a NIST investigation into a structural failure orfrom an investigation underthe
National Construction Safety Team Act may be used in any suit oraction for damages arising out ofany matter
mentioned in such report (15 USC 281a: as amended by P.L. 107-231).
National institute ofStandards and Technoiogy National Construction Safety Team Act Report 1-4C
Natl. Inst. Stand. Techno!. Natl. Constr. Sfty. Tm. Act Rpt. 1-4C, 148 pages (September2005)
CODEN: NSPUE2
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 2005
Forsale bythe Superintende—nt of Documents, U.S. Gov—ernment Printing Office
Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-0001
Abstract
This report was prepared to support the investigation ofactive fire protection systems as part ofthe
National Institute ofStandards and Technology (NIST) World Trade Center (WTC) Investigation.
The purpose ofthis report is to document the design, installation, and modifications to the fire detection
and alann system for buildings 1, 2, and 7 ofthe WTC, including system performance during the
September 1 1, 2001, attack.
Keywords: Fire alarm systems, fire protection, smoke detection, voice communication. World Trade
Center.
NISTNCSTAR 1-4C. WTC Investigation iii
Abstract
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iv NISTNCSTAR 1-4C, WTC Investigation
1
Table of Contents
Abstract iii
List ofFigures ix
List ofTables xi
List ofAcronyms and Abbreviations xiii
Glossary xv
Preface xvii
Executive Summary xxvii
Chapter 1
Introduction 1
1.1 Purpose 1
1.2 History ofFire Alarm Systems 1
WTC
1.3 1, 2, and 7 Introduction 2
Chapter2
Normal Operations and Fire Emergency Response 9
2.1 Fire Command Station 9
2.2 WTC 1 and WTC 2 Operations Command Center 10
2.3 Fire Prevention and Fire Preparedness Procedures 10
2.3.1 Fire Drills 10
2.3.2 Training Exercises 10
2.3.3 Fire Prevention Inspections 10
2.4 Alarm Notification 1
2.5 Fire Safety Plan 11
2.6 Fire Department Response 12
2.6.1 Alarms 12
2.6.2 Communication 13
2.6.3 Support fromNeighboring Fire Departments 13
Chapter3
Original Fire Alarm System Prior to the 1993 Bombing and Modifications
Subsequent to 1993 15
3.1 Fire Alarm System 15
3.1.1 Description 16
NISTNCSTAR 1-4C, WTC Investigation v
Table ofContents
3.2 Smoke Detection and Alarm Systems 22
3.2.1 InteriorReturn Air Smoke Alarm System 22
3.2.2 Elevator Lobby Smoke Alarm System..... 23
3.2.3 Ventilation Smoke Alarm System 23
3.2.4 Tenant Smoke Alarm Systems 27
3.3 Public Address System 27
3.3.1 Speaker System 27
3.4 Public Address Console 30
3.5 SprinklerWaterflow Alann System 31
3.5.1 Component Descriptions 32
3.6 Standpipe Fireline Communication System 33
3.7 Comparison ofthe Pre-1993 and Post-1993 Fire Alarm Systems 35
3.7.1 General 35
3.7.2 Fire Command Station Pre-1993 36
3.7.3 Fire Command Station Post-1993 36
3.7.4 Base Building Fire Alarm SystemPre-1993 37
3.7.5 Base Building Fire Alarm SystemPost-1993 37
3.7.6 Detection, Monitoring, and Control Devices Pre-1993 38
3.7.7 Detection Monitoring, and Control Devices Post-1993 39
3.7.8 Notification Appliance Devices Pre-1993 40
3.7.9 Notification Appliance Devices Post-1993 40
3.7.10 Warden and Standpipe Fireline Communication Systern Pre-1993 40
3.7.11 Warden and Standpipe Fireline Communications System Post-1993 41
Chapter4
Fire Alarm System Performance Requirements 43
4.1 General Fire Alarm Requirements 44
4.2 Fire Command Station Fire Alarm System Functions 44
4.3 Fire Alarm System Functions 44
4.4 Fire Alarm System Installation Criteria 45
Chapters
Fire Alarm System Design, Equipment, Installation, and Performance Criteria 47
WTC WTC
5.1 System Design and Installation Criteria for 1 and 2 48
5.1.1 System Arrangement 48
5.1.2 Design Criteria 49
NISTNCSTAR WTC
vi 1-4C, Investigation
Table ofContents
5.1.3 SpeakerAudibility and Intelligibility 49
5.1.4 Design Guidelines 50
5.1.5 Design Approach 51
5.1.6 Typical Fire Alarm Equipment and Device Locations 53
5.1.7 Typical Fire Alarm Cabinet Connections 53
5.1.8 Typical Fire Alarm Installation Detail 56
5.1.9 Typical Fire Alarm Circuit Routing Criteria 58
5.1.10 Typical Fire Alarm Device Design Detail 58
5.1.11 Typical Fire Alarm Device Riser Detail 62
5.1.12 Installation Acceptance Testing and Commissioning Procedures 63
5.1.13 Quality and Performance Assurance Forms 64
5.1.14 Fire Command Station Performance Standard 66
5.1.15 Fire Command Station Equipment 66
5.1.16 Fire Command Station Design, Installation, and Operation 68
5.2 Base Building Fire AlarmEquipment Performance Standard 69
5.2.1 Base Building Fire Alarm SystemEquipment 69
5.2.2 Base Building Fire Alarm System Design, Installation, and Operation 74
5.3 System Network Transmission Paths Performance Standards 74
5.3.1 Detection, Monitoring, and Control Network Transmission Path Performance 75
5.3.2 Detection, Monitoring, and Control Network Transmission Path Design,
Installation, and Control 77
5.3.3 Typical Detection, Monitoring, and Control Devices 84
5.3.4 Typical Detection, Monitoring, and Control Device Design and Installation 84
5.3.5 Notification Appliance Circuit Network Transmission Path Performance 86
5.3.6 Notification Appliance Circuit Network Transmission Path Design, Installation, and
Control 87
5.3.7 Typical SpeakerNotification Appliance Devices 90
5.3.8 Typical StrobeNotification Appliance Devices 91
5.3.9 Typical Strobe Circuits Equipment and Installation 92
5.3.10 Floor Warden and Fireman TelephoneNetwork Transmission Paths 92
5.3.11 Floor Warden and Fireman Telephone Network Transmission Path Design,
Installation, and Control 93
5.3.12 Typical FloorWarden and Fireman Telephone Devices 96
5.3.13 FloorWarden and Fireman Telephone Station System Design and Installation 96
5.4 Maintenance Performance Standard 97
WTC
5.5 System Design and Installation Criteria for 7 97
NISTNCSTAR 1-4C, WTC Investigation vii
Table ofContents
5.5.1 System Arrangement 98
5.5.2 Design Approach 98
5.5.3 Typical Fire Alarm Equipment and Device Locations 99
5.5.4 Typical Fire Alarm Cabinet Connections 99
5.5.5 Typical Fire Alarm Installation Detail 99
5.5.6 Fire Alarm Device Design Detail 99
5.5.7 Fire Alarm Power Calculations 100
5.5.8 Quality and Perfonnance Assurance Forms 100
5.5.9 Installation Acceptance Testing and Commissioning Procedures 100
5.5.10 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance 100
WTC WTC WTC
5.6 Comparison of 7 Fire Alarni System to 1 and 2 Fire Alarm System 100
Chapter6
Estimates of Performance ofthe Fire Alarm System on September 11, 2001 103
6.1 Analysis Development 103
6.2 Observations 103
6.2.1 Summary ofResults 106
Chapter?
References 109
vm NISTNCSTAR 1-4C, WTC Investigation