STANDATA: Smoke Detectors in Smoke or Fire/Smoke Damper Installation

October 21, 2024

Purpose:

Clarifies whether the National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition (NBC(AE)) requires a smoke detector as part of a smoke or fire/smoke damper operation to be connected to the fire alarm system (FAS).

Discussion

In accordance with Sentence 3.1.8.11.(3) smoke damper and combination smoke/fire dampers must be configured to close automatically upon a signal from an adjacent smoke detector.

The requirements specified in Sentence 3.1.8.11.(3) pertain exclusively to the location of the smoke detector. This provision does not require adhering to any additional fire alarm system requirements. The smoke detector mentioned here is meant to operate as part of the damper system and is not intended to connect to or require the need for a FAS.

As per NBC(AE) Sentence 3.1.8.5.(3) smoke dampers must conform to NFPA 105, Article 6.3.2.4.

Where smoke detectors are used to control smoke dampers or fire/smoke dampers the detectors are required to comply with NFPA 72.

The confusion may stem from the definition of a smoke detector in the NBC(AE) where it is defined as a type of fire detector. A fire detector is defined as a device that sends a signal, to the fire alarm system.

Although the NBC(AE) provides a definition for a fire detector, there are no mandated requirements for a smoke detector serving a smoke damper or combination smoke/fire damper to send a signal to the FAS.

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