Height Requirements for Fire Alarm Pull Station Installation
When you operate a restaurant or a facility where it is mandatory to have fire safety, you will need to install a fire suppression system. The safety of your employees and guests is always a top priority. If you plan to run your business in a hassle-free manner without violating safety and building codes, you should invest in a fire protection system that is ideal for the specific needs of your commercial facility. Fire sprinkler installation, fire alarm installation and portable fire extinguishers are all crucial parts of the system that keeps people and assets safe from the dangers of fire. You must have seen fire alarm pull stations on the walls on restaurant buildings, large commercial kitchens and many industrial facilities. These alarm-initiating devices form a vital part of a modern fire suppression system installed in a facility.
At Nationwide Fire Protection (NFP) in Denver, CO, we often educate restaurant owners and facility managers on the various aspects of fire protection. In this article, we will discuss the ideal height at which a fire alarm pull station should be installed as per the essential fire safety code requirements.
Who Needs Fire Alarm Pull Stations
Before we start discussing fire alarm pull station height, let us first understand which businesses need to install these devices.
Fire alarm installation is required in almost every building. These fire safety devices are both automatic and manual. In addition to the automatic initiation devices, you need to install manually operated fire alarm systems too. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it is mandatory to have additional life safety safeguard in order to deal with an emergency. If you have only one safeguard and it fails to initiate in the event of an emergency, the result can be disastrous. This is exactly why you should install a manually operated fire alarm pull station installed in your commercial kitchen or restaurant, apart from an automatic one.
Business owners need to adhere to all the building codes and fire safety codes in order to safeguard their workers, visitors and guests. What type of fire suppression you will need depends on how you use a building or premises and how it has been constructed. Based on your ideal needs, you may need to install Pyro Chem fire suppression, Ansul fire suppression, Amerex fire suppression, Buckeye fire suppression, Range Guard or Kidde fire suppression system.
To find out more about fire safety and fire alarm pull station installation for commercial facilities such as restaurants and commercial kitchens, reach out to one of our specialists at NFP in Denver, CO.
Placement of Fire Alarm Pull Stations
When it comes to fire alarm installation, the placement of the device should be done exactly as per the code requirements. These devices are designed to protect people and properties against fire. However, it is actually how you place the pull station that will ensure your protection in an emergency.
Fire protection specialists are fully aware of every bit of the building and fire safety codes to accurately install fire alarm devices. If you plan to get the protection you need during a fire breakout, you must seek the help of experts to get the pull station installed in a proper and correct manner. The installation should be done at a height that makes it easy for occupants of a restaurant building or facility to easily find and pull the alarm to send warning signals to others.
Three important placement guidelines include:
- Conspicuous
- Unobstructed
- Accessible
The installation of the fire alarm pull station should be carried out while following these three criteria. The pull station must be installed in a way that it is easily visible and accessible without any kind of instructions both to people with and without disabilities. If the device is mounted on the wall in a wrong or incorrect way, the whole purpose of having these devices will be defeated.
Manual Pull Station Mounting Height
The installation guidelines in regard to the pull station height are clearly issued and mentioned by the NFPA. The NFPA 72 or the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code requires the manually operable part of the fire alarm system to be installed at a minimum height of 42 inches (1.07 m). The pull station height should not be more than 48 inches (1.22 m) from the finished floor.
Apart from this, one fire alarm pull station should be installed within 5 ft (1.5 m) of the exit doorway of the building. With buildings with multiple floors, this applies to each floor of the building or facility.
If you are getting a fire alarm system or fire detection system designed, these height requirements must be followed. Restaurant fire system and fire extinguisher service provider or professional will carry out the entire installation procedures exactly as per the NFPA guidelines. Proper and accurate installation is essential for all commercial establishments and facilities to ensure the highest level of protection to workers, staff, visitors and other occupants.
If you look for more details and guidelines in this regard, get in touch with one of our highly trained fire safety specialists at NFP in Denver, CO. Our experts will explain everything in full detail for you.
NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
There are various names by which a fire alarm pull station is known. The NFPA calls it a manually actuated alarm initiating device. It is also referred to as a fire alarm station, fire box, pull station, call point etc.
For complete details on pull station height, you should check out Section 17.15 of the 2022 edition of NFPA 72.
The fire alarm system is required by a number of codes listed in the NFPA. Other codes that make installing fire alarms mandatory in a commercial establishment include NFPA 1, Life Safety Code, Fire Code, Building Construction and Safety Code etc. If you plan for new restaurant construction or have one already, you will need to abide by all the relevant NFPA codes. The codes can be difficult for a layman to read and understand. For clarity of meaning, you will always need the help of an experienced technician who has an in-depth understanding of the same.
How to Mount the Back Box
The installation of the fire alarm alarm system begins with the mounting of the back box. Before this box is mounted, the technician will take a look at the make and model of the device that will be installed.
Accurate measurements are key for the successful installation of the pull station or call point installation. Experienced technicians are quite well-versed with taking all these measurements. When measuring the height for installation, the measurement will be taken from the finished floor to the operable part of the fire alarm device. Taking the measurement to the middle of the device is incorrect, and such installations will not be in accordance with NFPA guidelines. Like it has been mentioned, pull station height will be measured from the finished floor. Therefore, the thickness of the floor will be a key factor to be taken into consideration.
When it comes to the installation of the fire alarm pull station, the back box or any other fire protection system, you should rely only on a company or professionals who have extensive experience in this field of work.
Tolerance for Fire Alarm Installation
According to the NFPA 72, there is a tolerance for the installation of the fire alarm system and mounting its components on the wall. You can read about this allowance in 1.6.5 and A.1.6.5. The dimensions for the installation are mentioned in inches. The accuracy of the measurement must be 1 inch. This means that the tolerance allowed would be either plus or minus ½ inch.
As per the tolerance, the maximum height at which the pull station can be installed is 48.5 inch (1.233 m). If you have any confusion in regard to the measurement, you should talk to one of our specialists.
Pull Station Inspection and Testing Requirements
After the fire alarm pull station has been installed, it is crucial to give these devices timely inspection, testing and maintenance. NFPA has specific guidelines about the inspection and maintenance of fire alarm boxes. Visual inspections of these devices are mandatory immediately upon first installation. Then, you should get the inspection done at the interval of every six months.
The purpose of a visual inspection is to find out whether there are any obstructions in accessing the fire alarm boxes. If the covers are not in order, you may need to get them serviced by skilled professionals.
While facility managers can carry out the visual inspections on their own, servicing should always be done by trained professionals. Before the testing procedure begins, the technician will follow some essential steps in order to not disturb occupants of a commercial facility or building. For testing, at least two technicians will be required to work together. It is important to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions while carrying out the testing procedure. According to the NFPA 72 code requirements, manually operated fire alarm boxes should be tested on an annual basis. Fire box testing is just one small part of the overall detailed testing of the entire fire alarm system installed in a restaurant, facility or commercial building.
The testing of fire alarm systems should always be conducted by highly trained and skilled professionals, as this is a complex and comprehensive task. If your facility is located in Denver, CO, you should reach out to NFP for professional testing of your fire alarm systems and other fire protection systems. Our specialists will also review and tell you whether your fire alarm pull stations are adequate in number and whether they are placed correctly throughout the facility.
Select the Right Type of Fire Safety Solutions
There are fire safety solutions designed to fit the specific needs of a variety of facilities, buildings and establishments. As a restaurant owner or facility manager, you should always invest in the right type of fire protection system and get it installed with a high level of precision by experts.
Some well-known fire systems for restaurants include Ansul Fire Suppression, Amerex Fire Suppression, Buckeye Fire Suppression, Range Guard Fire Suppression, Kidde Fire Suppression and Pyrochem Fire Suppression systems. These are complete fire safety solutions to safeguard workers, visitors and properties against a wide range of potential fire hazards in a commercial facility. Modern systems come along with highly sensitive smoke detectors and fire detectors. Depending on what type and size of commercial facility you operate, you will need to select and install the most ideal type of fire systems to suit your day-to-day needs. Experienced professionals will first evaluate your exact needs and create a plan and then custom-design the most suitable fire safety system for your commercial facility.
If you operate a restaurant in Colorado or Utah and do not know which fire suppression system is the most ideal for your exact needs, you should consult one of our experts at Nationwide Fire Protection. We specialize in fire alarm service, fire sprinkler repair, electrical interlocking, fire protection systems, fire restaurant safety and fire restoration as well as restaurant construction services. Feel free to get in touch with one of our experts for further details on our range of services.
Talk to a Restaurant Fire System Specialist
Does your restaurant have the right type of fire suppression system and are your fire alarm systems rightly installed and placed? If you are in need of a high quality and branded fire protection system, head straight to Nationwide Fire Protection in Denver and Utah. Our expertly trained professionals can install all brands, makes and models of fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems and fire suppression systems. Let us help you create a safe and comfortable environment and minimize the risk of potential fire hazards so that you can run your business smoothly.
For your free consultation, you can give our Denver office a phone call or shoot us an email using the contact form on our website.
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