It is of utmost importance to ensure that all people have equal access to safety measures when a fire breaks out. To accomplish this, we must accommodate different types of people based on their individual needs and abilities. From older people to disabled people, your fire alarm system should be designed in a way that is usable by anyone and everyone. According to the census bureau, around 44 million Americans have a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means designing a fire alarm system involves accounting for a wide range of disabilities and needs.
Accommodating vulnerable populations not only makes the world more accessible for everyone, but it protects everyone’s sacred right to life. As such, the ADA is a law that protects disabled individuals from discrimination. Among the rights granted by this law are new standards that make fire safety systems accessible for disabled people. For instance, fire alarm systems must account for disabilities such as mobility, visual, and hearing impairments. This means to fully understand the motivations behind the NFPA 72 codes, you should know what are the ADA requirements for fire alarm systems. In this blog, we will discuss what you need to protect people with a disability and become compliant with NFPA and ADA standards.
The national standards for fire alarm systems have been influenced by the ADA, both in the NFPA 72 itself and in many local jurisdictions. For audible notification appliances, the maximum allowable sound shall have a sound level no more than 110 dB at the minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance. This rule prevents ear pain and confusion during emergency events.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), at least 50 percent of all public entrances should be accessible, and all entrances required by fire codes should be accessible. To clarify, an accessible exit is one that has a continuous path, especially so people in wheelchairs may independently exit. For instance, all individual stores in a public shopping center or strip should also have their own accessible exit. This rule is enforced, even when the store is located within a greater mall or shopping building. Since people with disabilities may visit, be employed or be a resident in any building, emergency management plans with specific provisions to ensure their safe evacuation should also play an important role in fire and life safety plans.
Braille text in an elevator for accessibility
You require strobes when upgrading, replacing, or installing a fire alarm system on premises. The requirements from the NFPA 72 state that the top of the strobe must be between 80 and 96 inches above the floor, and not more than 4 inches from the ceiling. However, the ADA also sets additional requirements for strobes. For one, if more than two strobes are in the same field of view, they must be synchronized to avoid triggering photosensitive epilepsy. Synchronization means that your strobes will light up at the same time, which lowers the overall frequency of flashes. Equally important, the FACP handles synchronization, so it’s up to the engineer to ensure that the panel and strobes support the same synchronization protocol. As a final note, additional care should be taken when placing strobes along a window or storefront glazing, which may intensify the strobe flash rate due to reflection.
Candela rating of the strobe depends on the room size and layout to ensure the visual signal can be seen from all locations in the room. A minimum intensity of 75 candelas was previously mentioned in ADA guidelines for general areas, but current guidelines now defer to the NFPA 72. Thus, the requirement for minimum candela rating will depend on the size of your room (NFPA 18.5.5). Of course, sleeping areas will require ratings of 110 candelas if located more than 24 inches from the ceiling, and 177 candelas if installed within 24 inches from the ceiling. Visual signaling is extremely important for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when a fire is occurring.
Mounting height is a common challenge when discussing accessibility. According to the NFPA 72, pull stations should be mounted between 42 and 48 inches above the floor. However, sometimes the construction of your building makes mounting manual stations on the wall at lower heights impossible or challenging. If possible, buildings or new sections of a building should be constructed in a way that allows mounting a manual station on the wall. If this isn’t possible, you may mount a manual station on a freestanding pedestal or stanchion. Additionally, you may want to consider wireless options like the Notifier NGB-12WL for situations where running wires is not possible. Always make sure your manual station plan fits your local code requirements, and always get approval from your local AHJ before deciding how to install your pull stations.
Pull stations should be accessible at any height and even if a person has weakness in their arms. Thus, fire alarm pull stations themselves must adhere to certain conditions. To start, the pull station lever must be operable with one hand. Second, the force to activate the pull lever cannot be greater than five pounds. These measures ensure that the lever won’t be too heavy for older people or disabled occupants. For the same reason, the lever cannot require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, which may cause injury for some physically disabled populations. Finally, the pull lever should be within reach between 15 and 48 inches above the finish floor or ground. This ensures that the pull station won’t be too high for someone on a wheelchair to operate.
As a final note, many pull stations, pull station covers, and devices include braille text for accessibility to blind people. For instance, the Fire-Lite BG-12 pull station features braille text on the finger-hold area and handle top for accessibility purposes. This is a great feature because the ADA mandates fire alarm signage and devices to be accessible to individuals with visual impairments. However, if your pull station doesn’t include braille text, you can also add a cover that indicates how to operate the device. Thus, adding a cover not only protects your devices from vandalism, dust, and dirt, but also serves as a way to make your system more accessible.
ADA compliance in fire alarm systems is critical for inclusive safety. ADA compliance is not merely a legal obligation, but a fundamental aspect of preserving the rights of your building’s occupants. By meeting ADA and NFPA 72 standards for accessible design, from visible strobes to reachable pull stations, we can guarantee that everyone has equal access to life-saving alerts. Accessible fire safety protects everyone, regardless of ability.
Ultimately, a proactive approach to fire safety—incorporating proper system design, regular maintenance, and staff training—is essential to minimize the risk of fire hazards. By adhering to fire safety codes and regulations, you not only protect lives but also create a safer, more resilient environment for those who rely on your care. At FireAlarm.com, our expert team is ready to assist you with system design, installation, inspection, and maintenance services tailored to your needs. Reach out to us today to discuss how we can get your business compliant with the codes.
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