General Background:  	The State Fire Board has been requested to review the current 
technology surrounding wireless fire alarm devices and systems. This request was referred to the Subcommittee of Fire Protection Systems and Elevators. The Subcommittee Chairman, Keith Burlingame, thereupon conducted a series of meetings in which all interested parties were invited to attend, comment, and submit their suggested revisions to the fire alarm sections of the fire code to allow for the use of the wireless technology. The subcommittee reported its progress to the full board throughout the course of its meetings. Finally, the subcommittee made its recommendations to the full board during a series of open meetings in which all interested parties, both in favor of and against the amendments, were provided an opportunity to be heard.    


Board’s Determination:	As a result of the subcommittee and full board hearings on this matter, the Board hereby grants a blanket variance in order to allow for the installation of wireless devices and systems in accordance with the following amendments to Chapter 13 of the Rhode Island Uniform Fire Code. Accordingly, Chapter 13 of the Rhode Island Uniform Fire Code is hereby amended as follows:	


(Add) 13.8.10.4.5.1

A Low-Power Radio (Wireless) System shall be defined as a system or part of a system that can transmit and receive signals without the aid of wire.  It can consist of wireless control panels, receivers, repeaters, initiating devices, audible and/or visible notification appliances, monitor modules and control modules.

(Add) 13.8.10.4.5.1.1

Low-Power Radio (Wireless) Systems shall comply with all provisions of this Chapter.  All systems shall be UL listed as a commercial or industrial fire alarm system – systems listed only for household or residential applications shall not be permitted.

EXCEPTION: Wireless components of the system shall not be required to comply with section 13.8.10.6; however, any hard-wired component(s) of the system including initiating device circuits, notification appliance circuits, signaling line circuits or auxiliary circuits shall fully comply with section 13.8.10.6.

(Add) 13.8.10.4.5.1.2	Definitions:

(1) LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) CONTROL PANEL: A component in the system that transmits, receives, and/or processes wireless signals.

(2) LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) RECEIVER: A stand-alone (field located) device, or an integral part of the fire alarm control panel that receives wireless signals.

(3) LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) REPEATER: A component used to relay signals between receivers, wireless control panels, or wireless initiating devices, or all the above.  The wireless repeater can be capable of providing supervised outputs for both control and restoring functions.

(4) LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) TRANSMITTER – INITIATING DEVICE: Any device that communicates with associated control/receiving equipment via low power radio signals.

(5) PIN POINT SENSOR IDENTIFICATION: All wireless initiating devices and repeaters must be individually addressed to the receiver/control unit.  No zoning or grouping of wireless initiating devices or repeaters shall be allowed without written approval of the AHJ.

 
(6) CLASS “A” SIGNALING: Defined as creating and providing dual communication paths from repeater to repeater, repeater to control panel, receiver to control panel, or any combination of repeaters, receivers or control panels whereby the outage of a single repeater and/or receiver at any given time shall not compromise the signaling integrity of the installation.

(Add) 13.8.10.4.5.2		PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

1.	LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) CONTROL PANEL: The Control Panel shall be an UL Listed 864 (UOJZ) Control Units/System and must comply with the provisions of NFPA 72 § 6.16.

a.	The low power radio transmission from the Control Panel shall be in compliance with the applicable section of FCC  Part 15.  If there is interference to the system causing multiple false alarms or numerous trouble indications that cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the AHJ, the wireless system shall be removed and a hard-wired system installed in compliance with the Code.  The contractor shall notify the owner of this requirement in writing prior to the installation of the wireless system.
b.	The Control Panel shall have the capability of sending command signals to wireless repeaters and/or repeaters or wireless control modules for the activation of required functions within the building(s) unless accomplished by hard-wired methods.
c.	The Control Panel shall have the capability of sending command signals to wireless repeaters and/or receivers or wireless control modules for the restoring of the control functions performed by the repeaters or modules unless accomplished by hard-wired methods.
d.	The Control Panel shall have the capability of connection as part of its UL Listing, to a municipal connection in accordance with § 13.8.10.7 for municipally connected systems.
e.	The Control Panel shall have the capability of acknowledging an alarm and restoring the municipal connection while maintaining all other functions, if a municipally connected system.
f.	The Control panel shall have its means of acknowledgement, silence, activation, reset, or any other functions which require manual intervention to be performed by either key switches or other controls secured behind a key-locked cover to prevent unauthorized operation.
g.	The Control Panel shall have the ability to maintain and recall alarm history of the system.
h.	The Control Panel shall display and identify all alarm signals from the wireless initiating devices inclusive of alarm, type and exact location.
i.	The maximum allowable response delay from activation of an initiating device to activation of required alarm functions shall be ten (10) seconds.
j.	The Control Panel shall display any trouble signal associated with a wireless repeater and/or receiver or initiating device inclusive of tamper, low battery, end of line violation, AC power loss to a repeater and/or receiver, interference, and test timer reporting.
k.	For local systems, the Control Panel and all devices and appliances shall provide twenty-four (24) hours of battery backup in normal standby mode, followed by five (5) minutes of alarm operation.
l.	For municipally connected systems, the Control Panel and all devices and appliances shall provide sixty (60) hours of battery backup in normal standby mode, followed by five (5) minutes of alarm operation.
m.	The battery charger shall be listed to charge the batteries in accordance with NFPA 72-2002.
n.	A smoke detector shall be installed in the vicinity of all wireless control panels in accordance with § 13.8.10.5.13.

2.	LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) REPEATER: The Repeater(s) shall be UL Listed 864 (UOXX), Control Unit Accessories/Systems and must comply with the provisions of NFPA 72 § 6.16.

a.	The low power radio transmission from the repeater shall be in compliance with the applicable section of FCC Part 15.
b.	The repeater shall be listed for use with the listed control panel.
c.	When repeaters are used, the system must provide for a Class “A” signaling as defined in § 13.8.10.4.5.1.2(5).  An alternative communications path shall exist between the wireless control panel and peripheral devices used to establish initiation, indication, control, and annunciation.
d.	When the means of transmission to a wireless control panel is accomplished by means other than air, such as through wiring, the requirements of § 13.8.10.6 shall apply.  A redundant path must be established requiring the installation of a second repeater in order to establish a redundant communication path back to the control panel.
e.	Reception of an unwanted (interfering) signal which is continuous for a period of twenty (20) seconds or more shall cause the repeater to report this condition to the control panel at intervals not exceeding two hundred (200) seconds.
f.	Loss of primary AC power to a repeater shall cause a distinct indication at the control panel and shall latch until a normal condition is restored.
g.	For local systems, the repeater shall provide twenty-four (24) hours of battery backup in normal standby mode, followed by five (5) minutes of alarm operation.
h.	For municipally connected systems, the repeater shall provide sixty (60) hours of battery backup in normal standby mode, followed by five (5) minutes of alarm operation.
i.	A smoke detector shall be installed in the vicinity of all wireless repeaters in accordance with § 13.8.10.5.13.

3.	LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) RECEIVER: The Receiver(s) shall be UL Listed 864 (UOXX), Control Unit Accessories/Systems and must comply with the provisions of NFPA 72 § 6.16.

a.	The low power radio transmission from the receiver shall be in compliance with the applicable section of FCC Part 15.
b.	The receiver shall be listed for use with the listed control panel.
c.	When the means of transmission from a field located receiver to a wireless control panel is accomplished by means other than air, such as through wiring, the requirements of § 13.8.10.6 shall apply.
d.	When stand-alone receivers are used, the system must provide for a Class “A” signaling as defined in § 13.8.10.4.5.1.2(5).  An alternative communications path shall exist between the wireless control panel and the stand-alone receiver(s) used to establish initiation, indication, control, and annunciation.
EXCEPTION:	Class “A” signaling shall not be required on local fire alarm systems meeting the requirements of § 13.8.10.4.1 where the receiver is hardwired to the control panel.
e.	A redundant path must be established requiring the installation of a second receiver at each receiving point in order to establish a redundant communication path back to the control panel.  
EXCEPTION:	A second redundant receiver shall not be required on local fire alarm systems meeting the requirements of § 13.8.10.4.1 where the receiver is hardwired to the control panel.
f.	Reception of an unwanted (interfering) signal which is continuous for a period of twenty (20) seconds or more shall cause the receiver to report this condition to the control panel at intervals not exceeding two hundred (200) seconds.
g.	Loss of primary AC power to a receiver shall cause a distinct indication at the control panel and shall latch until a normal condition is restored.
h.	For local systems, the receiver shall provide twenty-four (24) hours of battery backup in normal standby mode, followed by five (5) minutes of alarm operation.
i.	For municipally connected systems, the receiver shall provide sixty (60) hours of battery backup in normal standby mode, followed by five (5) minutes of alarm operation.
j.	A smoke detector shall be installed in the vicinity of all receivers in accordance with § 13.8.10.5.13.

4.	LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) SMOKE DETECTOR: Smoke detectors shall be UL Listed 268 (UROX), Smoke – Automatic Fire Detectors.

a.	The low power radio transmission from the smoke detector shall be in compliance with the applicable section of FCC Part 15.
b.	The smoke detector shall be listed for use with the listed control panel.
c.	Smoke detectors shall have the ability to send initial and repeat alarms.
d.	Smoke detectors shall have the ability of sending a supervisory signal indicating the obscuration level has reached a threshold that may cause a false alarm if maintenance is not performed.
e.	Smoke detectors shall have the ability of manually initiating a test routine to verify signal strength to the nearest repeater, receiver or control panel.
f.	The minimum battery life of a smoke detector shall be one (1) year under normal operation.
g.	In the event of a low battery, the smoke detector must be able to remain operable for a minimum of seven (7) days and this condition must be displayed at the control panel indicating a low battery signal and the exact device.
h.	Low battery signals shall be sent no less than once every four (4) hours for a minimum of seven (7) days.
i.	Smoke detectors shall be supervised for tamper (removal).  This signal shall be sent to the control panel and indicate a tamper condition and the exact device.  This condition must continue to report no less than every two hundred (200) seconds or latch until restored.
j.	Smoke detectors installed on a removable ceiling tile must have the ability to indicate the removal of the tile through a tamper indication.
k.	Smoke detectors shall send test signals not less than once every ninety (90) minutes.

5.	LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) HEAT DETECTOR: Heat detectors shall be UL Listed 521 (UQGD), Heat – Automatic Fire Detectors.

a.	The low power radio transmission from the heat detector shall be in compliance with the applicable section of FCC Part 15.
b.	The heat detector shall be listed for use with the listed control panel.
c.	Heat detectors shall have the ability to send initial and repeat alarms.
d.	Heat detectors shall be of the following types:
1.	Combination rate-of-rise and one hundred thirty-five degree (135°) to one hundred forty degree (140°) F fixed temperature.
2.	Automatic one hundred ninety degree (190°) to two hundred degree (200°) F fixed temperature.
e.	Heat detectors shall have the ability of manually initiating a test routine to verify signal strength to the nearest repeater, receiver or control panel.
f.	The minimum battery life of a heat detector shall be one (1) year under normal operation.
g.	In the event of a low battery, the heat detector must be able to remain operable for a minimum of seven (7) days and this condition must be displayed at the control panel indicating a low battery signal and the exact device.
h.	Low battery signals shall be sent no less than once every four (4) hours for a minimum of seven (7) days.
i.	Heat detectors shall be supervised for tamper (removal).  This signal shall be sent to the control panel and indicate a tamper condition and the exact device.  This condition must continue to report no less than every two hundred (200) seconds or latch until restored.
j.	Heat detectors installed on a removable ceiling tile must have the ability to indicate the removal of the tile through a tamper indication.
k.	Heat detectors shall send test signals not less than once every ninety (90) minutes.

 
6.	LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) SUPERVISED NORMALLY-OPEN MONITOR MODULES: Monitor modules shall be UL Listed 864 (UOXX), Control Unit Accessories System.

a.	The low power radio transmission from the monitor module shall be in compliance with the applicable section of FCC Part 15.
b.	The monitor module shall be listed for use with the listed control panel.
c.	The monitor module shall have the ability to send both initial and repeat alarms.
d.	Monitor modules shall be connected to normally open supervised contacts.
e.	A single module can only monitor one (1) normally open contact or device.
f.	Monitor modules shall automatically reset.
g.	The line integrity from the monitor module to the connected device shall be supervised and shall comply with 13.8.10.6.  The wiring between the module and the connected device shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation.
h.	Violation of the circuit shall cause a transmission to the control panel at a minimum of every two hundred (200) seconds.
i.	The minimum battery life of a monitor module shall be one (1) year under normal operating conditions.
j.	In the event of a low battery, the monitor module must remain operative for a minimum of seven (7) days and this condition must be displayed at the control panel indicating a low battery condition and the exact device.
k.	Low battery signals shall be sent no less than once every four (4) hours for a minimum of seven (7) days.
l.	Monitor modules shall have the ability of manually initiating a test routine to verify the signal strength to the nearest repeater and/or receiver or control panel.
m.	Monitor modules must be supervised for removal and a signal must be sent to the control panel indicating a tamper condition and the exact device.  This condition must continue to report not less than every two hundred (200) seconds or latch until restored.
n.	Monitor modules shall send test signals not less than once every ninety (90) minutes.

 
7.	LOW-POWER RADIO (WIRELESS) MANUAL FIRE ALARM BOX: Manual Fire Alarm Boxes shall be dual-action and UL Listed 38 (UNIU), Boxes Non-Coded.

a.	The low power radio transmission from the manual fire alarm box shall be in compliance with the applicable section of FCC Part 15.
b.	The manual fire alarm box shall be listed for use with the listed control panel.
c.	The manual fire alarm box shall have the ability to send both initial and repeat alarms.
d.	The minimum battery life of a manual fire alarm box will be one (1) year under normal operating conditions.
e.	In the event of a low battery, the manual fire alarm box shall remain operable for a minimum of seven (7) days, and transmit a signal to the control panel indicating a low battery condition and the exact device.
f.	Manual fire alarm boxes shall have the ability to manually initiate a test routine to verify signal strength at the nearest repeater and/or receiver or control panel.
g.	Manual fire alarm boxes must be supervised for removal and a signal must be sent to the control panel indicating a tamper condition and the exact device.  This condition must continue to report not less than every two hundred (200) seconds or latch until restored.
h.	Manual fire alarm boxes shall send test signals not less than once every ninety (90) minutes.

(Add) 13.8.10.4.5.3		DESIGN, INSPECTION, TESTING & CERTIFICATION

1.	The system shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and all local code requirements.
2.	Submitted with the AHJ documents for plans review shall be a drawing indicating the type and quantity of repeaters and/or receivers.  Inclusive shall be a diagram of the repeater and/or receivers and the Class “A” Signaling verification in the design, as defined in § 13.8.10.4.5.1.2(5).
3.	The installing contractor shall be certified by the equipment manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative and such certification shall be filed with the plan review documents.
4.	Operating & Equipment Manuals shall be located at the protected premise at a location approved by the local AHJ.
5.	The system acceptance testing shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements, NFPA 72, Chapter 10, Table 10.4.2.2(22) and § 13.8.10.8, System Acceptance.
6.	Periodic testing shall be done in accordance with the manufacturers written documentation, and at least quarterly in accordance with § 13.8.10.9, Maintenance of the System.