ET News Journal -- February 12, 2006

Question #1243

Does NFPA prohibit installing fire alarm pull stations outside of a building?

Answer

NFPA 72 does not prohibit the installation of pull stations outside of the building. They would need to be listed for outdoor application per NFPA 72-2002, Sections 4.3.1, 4.4.4.1 and 4.4.4.2.4. However, the location required for pull stations is addressed in NFPA 72-2002 Section 5.12 and in NFPA 101-2003 Section 9.6.2. Note that Section 9.6.2.3 of NFPA 101-2005 requires manual fire alarm boxes to be provided in the natural exit access path near each required exit. We interpret this to mean inside because once you are outside you are no longer in the exit access path unless the path outside of the exit door is still part of the egress path.

Wayne Moore and Dean Wilson are senior engineers at Hughes Associates, Inc., a leading international provider of engineering and research services to the fire protection field, including fire hazard and risk assessment services, fire protection systems design and testing, code consulting, loss control, and forensic engineering services. Its clientele includes architects, building owners and manufacturing companies in the private sector, as well as the Department of Defense and other governmental bodies. For more information on Hughes Associates and its services, call (410) 737-8677.
Web site address: www.haifire.com.

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