A.
If not specified or otherwise required by the adopted codes, all
new nonresidential construction greater than or equal to 1,000 square
feet in floor area, cumulative renovations of structures, or creation
of live/work units shall install an approved fire alarm system.
B.
All fire alarm systems required by codes and Town ordinances shall
provide for automatic emergency forces notification.
C.
All existing fire alarm systems must be maintained in a manner consistent
with their original approval and acceptance.
D.
All new and replacement fire alarm systems with 10 or more initiation
devices shall be of the addressable type.
E.
If not specified by the adopted codes, all construction shall require
the installation of early-warning devices, i.e., heat, smoke, or beam
detectors throughout the code areas. In addition to the locations
specified within the adopted codes, the Town of Bedford requires devices
to meet the manufacturer's spacing requirements or a maximum
spacing of 30 feet in all code areas.
F.
Fire Alarm System Requirements.
(1)
The Fire Alarm shall be separate from non-life-safety monitoring
systems.
(2)
When the silence alarm feature is activated, visual strobes shall
continue while audio will silence.
(3)
The fire drill feature shall be programmed into FACP for the owner's
use.
(4)
Trouble signals and supervisory notification shall report to the
owner. Alarms shall report to the Bedford Fire Department through
a central monitoring system. The monitoring company shall call (603)472-5160
ext. 0 to report alarms.
(5)
FACP, annunciator, and pull stations shall be keyed to a Cat-30 Key.
(6)
Red lens strobe/beacon shall be located above the Knox-Box® in the area of the annunciator/FACP (additional
strobes may be required when the strobe is not readily visible from
the street).
(7)
Heat detectors shall be installed in all restrooms, breakrooms, and
kitchenettes. Heat detectors in restrooms may be omitted in sprinklered
buildings.
(8)
120V single-station smoke alarms shall be installed in breakrooms
and kitchenettes (these devices shall not be connected to the fire
alarm system).
(9)
Elevators shall be programmed to recall to the primary floor upon
activation of any initiation devices except for the device in the
elevator lobby of the primary floor, which shall initiate a recall
to the secondary floor.
(10)
Activation of a single-duct smoke detector shall initiate a
supervisory alarm and shut down the affected HVAC unit; activation
of two or more duct detectors shall initiate an alarm and building
evacuation.
(11)
Activation of a single-system carbon monoxide alarm shall initiate
an alarm; activation of two or more system carbon monoxide alarms
shall initiate an alarm and building evacuation.
A.
The Fire Chief shall assess fines when personnel and equipment are
dispatched to a structure due to false alarm system notifications
being received by the Bedford Communications Center due to system
malfunctions or inadvertent triggering of initiation devices. The
fines to be assessed for false alarms within any twelve-month period
are as follows:
B.
If, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, the automatic initiation and subsequent dispatch of personnel and equipment is due to blatant disregard for the protection of alarm system integrity and the lack of prudent precautions to prevent inadvertent device initiation, then the fine shall be the maximum fine amount from § 130-10A for each and every event.
C.
The Fire Chief shall assess a $500 fine for each false alarm caused
by construction (grinding, sanding, painting, welding, woodworking,
etc.) or fire alarm/sprinkler system testing and maintenance. Fines
shall be billed to the permit holder or owner of record. A stop-work
order may be imposed until all fees have been paid.
D.
The Fire Chief has the right to waive any or all false alarm assessments
if determined to be in the best interest of the Town of Bedford.
