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IS 15908 (2011): Selection, Installation and Maintenance of
Control and Indicating Equipments for Fire Detection and
Alarm System--Code of Practice. ICS 13.220.10
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1515908:2011
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Indian Standard
SELECTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
OF CONTROL AND INDICATING EQUIPMENTS
FOR FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM
SYSTEM - CODE OF PRACTICE
les 13.220.10
© BIS 2011
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
September 20 I I Price Group 8
Fire Fighting Sectional Committee, CED 22
FOREWORD
This Indian Standard "vas adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the Fire Fighting
Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
In fire alarm systems, control and indicating (C and 1) equipment are the backbone of the entire network and
performs three important functions, namely;
a) Continuous and automatic monitoring and control of circuits external to the equipment (such as fire
detection and lIre alarm device circuits) and also supply of power to these circuits.
b) Indication of fire signals, fault signals and their location.
c) Manual control to facilitate actions sLich as testing, disablement of devices, triggering of fire signals,
silencing of audible fire warning and resetting the system after a fire signal.
As these facilities are required by different people at different times all these facilities need not always be provided
at a single location. For example according to the premises, indication of faults might be required by an engineering
personnel, who might not require detailed infol111atio11 on fire signals whereas accurate infonnation on the location
of a tire is essential to the safety/security personnel, who might need in specific information about system fault(s).
In small and simple systems the control indicating and power supply equipment for the system normally is
hOllsed within a single enclosure. In large and complex premises, the main control equipment circuitry might be
installed at one location, power supplies might be distributed around the building, while main indicating equipment
incorporating certain basic controls is installed at another location, such as near a main entrance to the building
and lastly repeat indicating equipment (with or without control) may be installed at other locations (such as
security or control rooms).
Since premises vary in size, complexity and fire strategy, it is essential that the nature and location of manual
controls and all indicating equipment, in particular, is suitable for the fire and evacuation procedure that are to be
adopted and for the person that shall use lhe system, including security or safety staff and tire-fighter attending
a fire. Location of control circuitry and power supplies shall more likely to be determined by engineering
considerations and the preference of the personnel who are going to use the system.
For the purpose of deciding whether a pmticular requirement of this standard is complied \vith, the final value
observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS 2 ; 1960
. Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised),. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off
value should be the same as that of specified value in this standard.
IS 15908 : 2011
Indian Standard
SELECTION, INSTALLATION AND -MAINTENANCE
OF CONTROL AND INDICATING EQUIPMENTS
FOR FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM
SYSTEM - CODE OF P.RACTICE
1 SCOPE d) Where there are multiple entrances to a
complex building, there shall also be
1.1 This standard covers planning, design, maintenance
consultation with the external fire brigade
and performance criteria for control and indicating
regarding the possible need for repeat control
equipments for tire detection and alarm systems.
and/or indicating equipment.
1.2 This standard covers minimum level of protection. e) In buildings which are not continuously
Nothing in this standard prevents to install systems occupied, location of indicating equipment in
designed for higher degree of protection, for special a location that shall be visible to the fire
risks, etc. brigade from outside the building can be of
benefit particularly if there is a facility for
2 REFERENCES
transrnission of alarms to an alarm receiving
The standards listed at Annex A contain provisions centre.
which through reference in this text, constitute
3.2 All control indicating and pOVv'er supply equipment
provisions of this standard. At the time of publication,
that is likely to need routine attention for maintenance
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are
shall be located in readily accessible locations that
subject to revision and parties to agreements based on
facilitate safe maintenance work.
this standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the 3.3 The surrounding ambient illumination level in the
standards indicated at Annex A. vicinity of all control and indicating equipment shall
be such that visual indications can be clearly seen,
3 LOCATIONS OF CONTROL AND INDICATING controls easily operated and any instructions or legends
EQUIPlVIENT (all be easily read. Whl~re this is impracticable, suitable
illumination backed up by an emergency source shall
3.1 The following requirements shall be followed by
be made available.
the user and installers before locating control and
indicating equipment: 3.4 The surrounding ambient noise level in the vicinity
of all control and indicating equipment shall not be
a) Indicating equipment, in conjunction with
such as to prevent audible indications (sllch as the fault
suitable manual control facilities, shall be
warning sounder) from being heard.
located at an appropriate location for bOlh
safety staff and fire-fighters responding to a 3.5 The fire ;:llann control and indicating equipment,
fire signal. power supply equipment for the control and indicating
h) The location shall normally comprise an area equipment and other essential control facilities shall
on the ground floor close to the entrance to be located in safe areas. so that the equipment is
the building likely to be used by the fire unlikely to be involved in a fire before adequate
fighters, or a suitably located, continuously \varning has been given.
manned control room from which at least
3.6 It is preferable to provide detection system for the
initial control of any fire incident, by safety
enclosure where C and I equipment is installed though
staff and/or the fire fighters, shall be
it is compulsory if installed in a part of the protected
implemented.
building.
c) In complex premises, there shall be
consultation between the user, installer and 3.7 On or adjacent to indicating equipment there shall
the fire fighters, regarding the location of all be a diagrammatic representation of the building
control and indicating equipment and the showing at least the building entrance, the main
htcilities provided. circulation area and the division into zones. Where the
IS 15908 : 20U
division into zones is not provided, a correctly mains supply needs to be reliable and capable
orientated plan of the premises shall be displayed. for supplying the largest load that can be
Nan:: - See also 6 for additional requirements. placed on it lInder normal, fire and fault
conditions.
4 GUIDELINES FOR NETWORKED FIRE b) The design of the main supply to the system
ALARM SYSTKlVIS needs to be slich that it is unlikely to be
affected by faults on other circuits or
a) The functions of the control and indicating
equipment, or by isolation of supplies in the
equipment are not centralized in one location
building for maintenance or economy in
or paneL but distributed amongst a number
consumption of electricity.
of sub-panels located remotely from each
other. These panels are than inter-connected c) The main supply shall need to be backed up
by a network which usually serves as a data by a standby supply that is able to support
highway. Snmc sub-panels may simply act as the system while the main supply is restored
'data gathering' panels and provide no or fault in the mains supply is corrected. The
indications. Others may be fully functional standby supply also needs to be reliable, and
control and indicating panels. Control and transfer between the two supplies shall not
indicating panels configured so as to 'stand affect the operation of the system.
alone' and continue to operate nonnally in the d) Failure of the main supply may occur when
event of a failure of the communications links the premises are unoccupied and the system
between sub-panels. might be inoperative on re-occupation. It is
b) Networked system is usually installed in the important that (he presence of a power supply
following circumstances to the system is indicated by a visual indicator
at the indicating equipment to enable total
I) Where the fire alarm system is large and
power failure to be identified by the personnel.
beyond the capacity of single control and
indicating equipment. and e) There shall be a need to set some practical
limit on the duration of standby batteries.
1) Where there is a need for centralized
However, when the premises are not occupied
monitoring and/or control of a number
for longer durations, the limit recommended
of fire alarm systems in different
in this standard could be insufficient to cater
buildings in the same vicinity (for
for the longest periods for which premises
example 011 the same site).
might be unattended. TIle user shall need to
c) The effect of the communication link and the
consider this aspect and arrange frequent
implications for fire alarm operation shall
or check on the batteries or consider the need
depend onlhe configuration the networking
for standby batteries with a longer duration.
system, the lype of net\vork and whether or
f) If the premises are provided with emergency
not the network forms part of the critical
supply through a diesel generator or a captive
signal path.
power plant and if the process in the risk is
d) Ring or loop network are more resilient to
continuous, then the capacity of the standby
communities failures than redial type
batteries may be reduced provided the circuits
network, peer to peer netvv·ork with a central
served by the generator include that of the
processor controlling panel to panel
alarm system.
communications.
g) In some complex buildings, sllch as shopping
e) If all sub-panel can function as 'stand alone'
centre, additional indicating equipment, such
fire alarm system and do not depend on the
as color graphics terminals, not essentials for
network to facilities primary alarm functions
compliance with this standard, may be
(for example sounding lhe alarm initiating
provided to assist the lIser in the monitoring
other activities), a communications failure
and control of fire incidents. Stand-by supply
shall have no signi rican! effect and the
shall take care of this equipment also.
network can be considered as an ancillary
circuit. NOTE - Detailed requircments for the above arc listed
in various clauses.
5 POWER SUPPLIES
5.2 Power Requirements
5.1 General
The system shall derive its power from either,
a) Power supply for the fire alarm system shall
a) mains electricity supply single phase (normal
normally be uerived from the low voltage
IS 15908 : 2011
supply), or the standby power supply that shall full load operation for at least 30 min. The
be immediately available in the event of full load would be defined as that caused by
failure of normal supply and shall be the operation of all the alarm sounders
automatically connected (automatic switch - operating simultaneously, operation of a
over) so as to maintain the equipment in ready detector in at least 25 percent of zones (with
condition of taking the maximum load. The a minimum of two zones) and the operation
standby shall be derived mostly from of the fault indicator. The operation of trigger
exclusive secondary batteries where captive devices in further zones shall not result in
power generation (like automatically started cancellation of fire alarms existing at that
generation, continuously running generation) time.
is readily and certainly available, such as in
NOTE - Where failure of norll1<l1 mains supply is !lot
process plants, industrial complexes and other likely to be made good within 2·~ h due to long
occupancies, a standby can be derived from unattended/unoccupied periods, the system inspection
there. frequency lllC.lCd to be arranged at intervals such that in
the event of normal mains supply failure, at least 24 h
b) C and I equipment shall be connected to the standby capacity remains at the lime of next inspection.
mains via a switch-fuse or MCCB reserved
f) standby power supply derived from exclusive
solely for the purpose, its cover being painted
back-up batteries shall have provision of
red and labeled 'FrRE ALARM - DO NOT
automatic charging and automatic load
SWITCH OFF'. Switch-fuse shall be
switch-over whenever normal mains supply
contained in a securely closed box and the
rails. It shall be ensured that charging
condition of 'Main-on' shall be indicated by
conditions are matched to the system. The rate
a new lamp. The voltage and ampere ratings
of battery charging shall be such that, having
shall be compatible with the requirements of
discharged to its final voltage, the battery can
various parts of the system and power capacity
comply with the recommendations of 5.2 (e)
of the power supplies shall meet the maximum
after a charging period of 24 h.
load likely to be placed on the system.
g) external batteries shall be properly mounted.
Where the user requires isolating the building
The best practice shall be to mount t.hem on a
during closed hours, a separate supply shall
be provided for the fire alarm system that shall metal stand at a well ventilated location.
not normally be isolating during closed hours. h) every isolator, switch and protective device
that is capable of disconnecting the mains
c) minimum capacity of the normal mains
supply shall be calculated so as to meet the supply to the fire alarm system, shall be
situated in a position inaccessible to
total power consumption of the entire system
in quiescent condition plus that of all the antiauthority pers~)ns or be protected against
unauthorized operations by persons without
sounders and 25 percent zones in alarm
a speciaJ tool.
condition.
j) voltage of the batteries shall be monitored and
d) main connection to the system shaII be
arranged such that the mains supply to the low voltage indicated 011 C and I equipment.
system (which is through exclusive s\vitch k) capacity of the battery shall he as per
('use) is not interrupted as a result of switching calculations shown in Annex B.
off mains power to premises/other services. m) where distributed power supplies for fire
Prov isions made for normal and standby alarm system to power sounders, beam
power supply shall be such that the s\vitch detectors, etc, are installed, It shall be
over from one supply to another is automatic mandatory that the entire system be povvered
and each is capable of supplying the largest from the C and I panel power/back up and
load to be placed on them under nonnal, fire the same shall be monitored.
and fault conditions. Further, the power
6 CABLES AND THEIR INSTALLATIONS AND
supply for the fire alarm system shall be
CIRClllTS
totally dedicated and shall not be connected
to other loads.
6.1 General
e) standby power supply shall be capable of
maintaining the system in normal operation a) The components of most fire alaml systems
for a period of not less than 48 h after the are connected by cables and wiring and hence,
failure of normal mains supply after which cables are most important link between fire
sufficient capacity would remain to provide detection devices and the control centre. It is
IS 15908 : 20U
essential that the cables used for Loop shall be of Class A wiring. Class A
interconnection of devices and the control wiring shall be return loop. Tapping may be
centre remain operational and maintain circuit used from the loop as Class B wiring.
integrity for adequate c1urution with inherent
NOTE - See Fig. I for wiring details.
capability to resist direct exposure to fire.
Conventional (Non -Addressable)
Detection System -Class B Wiring
DETECTOR BASE DETECTOR BASE END OF LINE
,.----...., RESISTOR
CONTROL
UNIT
INITIATING
DEVICE
CIRCUIT
1 A Correct Wiring Method - Two Wire Detectors
Conventional (Non -Addressable)
Detection System -Class B Wiring
CIRCUIT WIRING CIRCUIT WIRING BENT
LOOPED UNDER BACK ON ITSELF AND
ONE TERMINAL SECURED IN ONE NOTCH
END OF LINE
0+----..,...----------,,..------.., RESISTOR
CONTROL
UNIT
INITIATING
DEVICE
CIRCUIT
1 B Incorrect Wiring Method - Two Wire Detectors
FIG. I WIRING DETAILS FOR FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM (Continued)
IS 15908 : 2011
RELAY / CONTROL
MODULE
24V DC
*
/ HOOTER
U I
...J
(fJ
ili +~~--~--~--~--~--,-~--~--~--~--~~
z
«
0..
o...J
cr:
I-
25 +
1----'---1---'---""--.....
o
ADDRESSABLE
PULL STATION
* Loop Powered Hooter/Sounder
Or
* Separate Powered Hooter
1 C Addressable Fire Detection and Alarm System - Class A Wiring
ZONE ADDRESSABLE
RELAY! CONTROL
MODULE
/-~,-AO-DL-JL-E *
./ -H-OO-T-E-R
U /
...J /
(fJ
...J +
UJ t----'----'----'----'---'
Z«
0..
o...J
n::
I6-
+
I----L.---I---"--""--.....
U
* Loop Powered Hooter/Sounder
Or
* Separate Powered Hooter
1 D Addressable Fire Detection and Alarm System - Class A Wiring With
Class B Tapping
FIG. I WIRING DETAILS FOR FIRE DETECTiON AND ALAR"'I SYSTEM
IS 15908 : 20U
b) It is essential that all interconnections operate I) breakdown of cable insulation of other
correctly at the time of a fire. This is circuit and/or fire alarm circuit:
particularly important in the case of cahles 2) a fire caused by a fault on another circuit:
that link control and indicating equipment to
3) electromagnetic interference to any fire
manual call points. automatic fire detectors
alarm circuit as a result of the
and fire alarm devices. and that transmit
proximately of another circuit: and
signals to an alarm receiving centre.
4) damage resulting from the need for other
c) It is not normally possible to predict, with any
circuit to be installed in. or removed from,
accuracy. those areas of a building in which
ducts or trucking containing a fire alarm
fire can or C<1nnot occur. At the design stage.
circuit.
the exact rOllte that cables shall follow may
11) In order to facilitate identification of fire alarm
also be unknown. Therefore to ensure that
circuit, cable shall preferably be red in colour,
cables used remain operational for an
unless another form of colour coding is
adequate duration. cables, with an inherent
appropriate. By this means, the poss ible need
ability (0 resist attack by fire, need to be used
for appropriate segregation can be identified,
throughout.
and there shall be less likelihood of
d) The integrity of the mains supply to the system
inadvertent manual interference with the
is also regarded as essential. even though the
circuit of fire alarm systems.
system has a standby supply. Accordingly,
mains supply circuits need to be adequately 6.2 Cables
protected against the effects or fire. 6.2.1 The electrical characteristics of all cable, such as
e) The probability of disablement of any part of voltage drop, current carrying capacity, impedance and,
the lIre alarm system as a result of mechanical \vhere appropriate, ability to transmit data shall be
damage to cables can be reduced by the use suitable for the system.
of sutrlciently robust cables. careful selection
The cable specification for fire alarm system is as
of cable routes and by the provision of
follows:
protection against mechanical damage in
areas where cables are susceptible to a) Armoured or unarmollred FRLS cables of
mechanical damage. rvlonitoring of circuits minimum 2 x 1.5 rnm:~ ATe cables for
does not ensure that cable faults shall not conventional fire alarm and multistrand
occur, but is essential to minimize the time twisted pair shielded cables for addressable
between occurrence and identification (and fire alarm system.
hence repair) of the fault. Monitoring of b) PYC insulated copper conductor cables
circuilS and protection of cables against conforming to IS 694 having minimum
damage are, therefore. complementary 1.5 mm2 cross-sectional area, i r stranded at
precautions, rather th~ll1 altematives. least 0.5 mm2 cross-section shall be used.
f) It is the responsibility of the designer to ensure c) Rubber insulated braided cables conforming
that the dedrical characteristics of the cables, to IS 9968 (Part I).
including current carrying capacity and
d) Armoured PYClrubber insulated cables
voltage drop are suitable for the system. The
conforming to IS 1554 (Part 1).
choice of cable and routes selected shall need
e) Mineral Insulated (MI) cables with overall
to take into account the need to avoid
LSF (Low Smoke and Fumes).
electrollla~netic interference from other
cables and SOllrce of electromagnetic NOTE -- It is strongly recornmended to use cahles
radiation. particularly in the case of the system mentioned under item 'e' above for certain specific
occupancies like Oil and Hydrocarbon Industries (high
in whil'h cables are used to be comhalive with
hazard, high fire potential), Airports (high hazard and also
the characteristics of the data transmission for large public presence), Jetty (high hazard. high fire
example speed and waveform and remain so pOlential), P\)w\;~r Plants (crilic:ill{lf use), Metro Railways
far an adeqllate length of time during the (underground and large public presence, life safety), and
wht.'re huge public gathering is anticipated like Shopping
relevant ex posure to Ii re for category of cable.
malls, Multiplex and large assembly halls (life safety)
g) The circuit of fire alarm systems shall need etc, where either the lire load is high or the intolerance of
to be segregated from the cable of the other d()wmime for the occupancy or life safety is foremost.
circuit to minirnize any potential for other 6.2.2 The cables used shall be exclusively for fire
circuit to cause rnalfunction of the fIre alarm detection system. The multi-core cables shall not be
system arising from. shared for other low voltage or high voltage circuits.
6
