A.7.6 The waterflow detection device and the audible alarm device do not have to be listed. The local waterflow alarm is intended to be a single alarm audible from the outside of the building. It can be mounted on the outside of the home or within the building close to the outside. This should not limit its use to prevent interior or remote notification. Interconnection with a smoke alarm or remote monitoring might improve notification, but is considered too costly to mandate for every system installed in accordance with this standard. It is not the intent of this standard to require central station monitoring or a fire alarm system.Also, the "enhanced content" from NFPALink seems relevant:
An exterior alarm can be of benefit in areas where a neighbor could alert the fire department or to enhance the ability for an assisted rescue by a passerby.
A waterflow test is normally conducted using the system drain. Figure A.6.2(a), Figure A.6.2(b), and Figure A.6.2(c) show examples of this arrangement
For most residential applications, NFPA 13D expects that smoke alarms or a smoke detection system will be installed throughout the dwelling in accordance with NFPA 72. Smoke alarms and smoke detection systems aid in the early detection of a fire and notification of building occupants.Always worth looking into the "why" when it comes to NFPA.
NFPA 13D does not require the installation of a waterflow alarm where smoke alarms or a smoke detection system is present. However, the use of a waterflow alarm allows for the prompt notification of sprinkler activation or any other inadvertent sprinkler system waterflow such as broken pipe. This is especially beneficial if no occupants are in the dwelling. If properly arranged, such notification allows immediate response to the waterflow situation and minimizes water damage. The annex text for Section 7.6 was revised in the 2010 edition to clarify the intent of the standard with respect to the purpose of the waterflow alarm. The intent is to ensure that the flow of water in the system sounds an alarm so that someone outside the home can hear it. If nobody is home, this alarm could alert neighbors or others of a problem in the house and prompt them to notify the fire department or other authorities.
If waterflow alarms are installed, it is not the intent of NFPA 13D to require the use of a central station or other monitoring service. Such services facilitate the notification of personnel who can respond to the waterflow situation, regardless of whether the waterflow represents a fire or not. This notification occurs even when occupants in the dwelling are not present. Such monitoring fees add to the cost of the system and are not essential for life safety purposes; they should, however, be considered by all owners of residential sprinkler systems because they significantly reduce emergency response time to both fire and unintentional waterflow situations.
Over the years, some jurisdictions have amended this section of NFPA 13D to require waterflow alarms for all systems where residential sprinkler systems are mandated in a community. In such areas, waterflow alarms must be installed.
Parsley Consulting
500 West Mechanic Street
Harrisonville, Missouri 64701-2235
Phone: (760) 745-6181
Visit the website
NFPA-13D (2016 ed,) Section 7.6
George Medina Jr.
Sr. Fire Sprinkler DesignerSINGLETON FIRE PROTECTION INC.Office: (818) 252-5744Cell: (323) 906-5701
Business Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 01:39:15 PM PST, Jeff Werre <[email protected]> wrote:
I cannot get my question to post on the page I want it to post so I am going to try it here-
Does NFPA 13D REQUIRE a local alarm (bell)?
If you say yes, where are you getting that requirement?
Thank you-
Jeff Werre
Fire Plan Reviewer/Fire Inspector
Building/Development Services Department
City of Goodyear
1900 North Civic Square
Goodyear, AZ 85395
o 602 316-0704
w goodyearaz.gov
From: Tim Easter <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 7:44 AM
To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Fdc help
⚠ This email arrived from an external source - Please exercise caution when opening any attachments or clicking on links
7 FDC total. 6 risers and 6 out 7 FDC feed these risers.
On Tue, Feb 4, 2025, 9:03 AM Fpdcdesign <[email protected]> wrote:
How many systems in the building?
Todd Williams
Fire Protection Design/Consulting
Stonington, CT
860-608-4559
On Feb 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM, <Tim Easter> wrote:
Can't find any piping above ceiling. May have been abandoned, but can't prove it. What's steps to find system fdc belongs to? Thks
On Tue, Feb 4, 2025, 7:31 AM Mike Watts <[email protected]> wrote:
Follow fdc piping or pump in fdc and see what system flows water. Add sign once done.
Mike Watts
Sprinkler Service Manager
Firetrol Protection Systems
512-687-0115 Office
512‐660-4411 Cell
From: Tim Easter <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 6:27:13 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Fdc help
We have a fdc on building. No sign. How do we test the fdc to determine what it supplies? Looking for procedure. Thanks.
We have a fdc on building. No sign. How do we test the fdc to determine what it supplies? Looking for procedure. Thanks.
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