campus security: [august 2008]
Published: 07/01/2008
- School for Sprinklers
From the article of the same name by: Alpert, Richard, Building Operating Management - Eight years ago, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., embarked on a six-year project to retrofit automatic sprinkler systems and overhaul fire alarm systems in 45 residence halls and fraternity and sorority residences. The project was spread out over multiple years so as not to disrupt students' schedules-installation was primarily done during the summer months-and to ensure that lessons learned early in the project could guide later actions in the project, as well as future projects. The 29 lessons learned and shared include best practices, observations, practical advice, and contractor requirements. They pertain to design, management, installation, and maintenance. They include the development and maintenance of good working relationships between the core project team, local fire department, installing contractors, and building occupants, all crucial for success and meeting tight schedule requirements. A few examples:
- Weekly project meetings and construction walk-downs were essential.
- Charges had to be approved before starting the work.
- The design engineer, Lehigh University staff and each foreman met prior to the start of installation in each building to discuss the routing and work in detail.
- Though code calls for a smoke detector or heat detector to be placed within 5 feet of fire alarm control equipment, the City of Bethlehem allowed the use of area protection since the rooms were fairly small.
- When a device is not working properly, the system emits a "trouble" alert. Code allows multiple devices to be ganged so that they can be observed as a common "trouble" point. Each tamper switch at Lehigh called for its own addressable point so that the school would know which device is sending the "trouble" alert and why.
- To make sure that fire alarm controls and annunciator panels could be read correctly, they were not installed more than 6 feet above the ground. Panel displays were placed no higher than 5 feet. Bypass switches were made available for access control, elevators, horns, strobes, HVAC units, and campus law enforcement.
- Fire alarm junction box covers were painted red so the raceway for the fire alarm could be spotted in a shorter amount of time.
- All fire alarm system equipment that needed 120-volt power was hooked up to emergency power sources. Fire alarm as-built drawings were extremely detailed and were included in the main fire alarm control panel and operations and maintenance handbooks.
Read more >
