Body
Unit Policy
Title
Facilities Services: Fire Alarm Detection and Suppression Systems Policy
Introduction
Purpose
Scope
Policy
Health & Safety Responsibility for Fire Alarms
- Investigation of all fire calls and complaints regarding safety for public gatherings at University facilities.
- Review of renovation plans for conformity to the Life Safety Standards of the National Fire Protection Association Codes and the North Carolina State Building Code.
- Development and coordination of procedures and standards for occupational safety and fire prevention.
Facilities Services Responsibility for Fire Alarms
The Life Safety Shop in the Building Services Section is responsible for maintenance and repair of buildings and building systems, including fire alarm detection systems.
The Life Safety Shop in the Building Services Section is additionally responsible for the review of construction and/or renovation plans for conformity to the Life Safety Standards of the National Fire Protection Association Codes and the North Carolina State Building Code, commissioning and acceptance inspections on installations of new and/or replaced systems.
Installation of Fire Alarm and Detection
New FAD systems may be installed by contract with consultation of the Design & Construction Section of the Facilities Services Division or by UNC Facilities Planning & Construction. A Life Safety Shop representative will participate in commissioning inspections of the system before acceptance.
Preventive Maintenance Inspection of Fire Alarms
- The Environment, Health and Safety Department's Fire Safety Officer is responsible for scheduling with the building occupants and witnessing the required NFPA Annual inspection of FAD systems.
- The Facilities Services Life Safety Shop is responsible for all visual and operational NFPA inspections of FAD systems.
- FAD deficiencies are corrected by the Facilities Services Life Safety Shop.
- Reports of deficiencies are made to the Facilities Services Life Safety Shop through the Customer Service Work Reception Center.
- Scheduling of FAD systems inspections is maintained on the automated PM system.
Fire Alarm Response
The UNC Environment, Health & Safety Department's Fire Safety Officer investigates all fire calls, and deficiencies are reported to the Facilities Services Life Safety Shop through the Customer Service Work Reception Center.
The Facilities Services Life Safety Shop will respond to fire alarms at the request of the Customer Service Work Reception Center, the University's Public Safety Department, the Chapel Hill Fire Department and/or the UNC Environment, Health & Safety Department's Fire Safety Officer.
Outside normal working hours, the Facilities Services Life Safety Shop Technician on standby duty responds to requests from the University's Public Safety Department, the UNC Environment, Health & Safety Department's Fire Safety Officer, and/or appropriate Facilities Services personnel to check or repair FAD systems. If the problem requiring immediate attention cannot be resolved, the Technician notifies the Environment, Health & Safety Department of the specific system impairment and/or the loss of fire detection.
Responsibilities for Other Aspects of Fire Alarm Suppression Systems
- The Facilities Services Life Safety Shop is responsible for all visual and operational NFPA inspections of all UNC suppression systems.
- Emergency repairs and minor maintenance, as defined by the NC License Board of Examiners for Maintenance Technicians, of sprinkler systems with the exception of the control systems remain the responsibility of the Facilities Services Construction/Maintenance Section. All other repairs or modifications, as defined by the NC License Board of Examiners, shall be performed by a licensed contractor by the State of North Carolina.
- The Facilities Services Life Safety Shop maintains control systems which activate the opening/closing of valves, and other automatic aspects of sprinkler systems.
- The Facilities Services Life Safety Shop is responsible for all visual and operational NFPA inspections of all UNC fire pumps. HVAC Systems is responsible for the fire pump and jocky pump motors and all air compressors that support dry pipe sprinkler systems.
- The Facilities Services Life Safety Shop is responsible for special extinguishing systems such as Halon and FM200 Chemical Suppression Systems.
- The UNC Health & Safety Department is responsible for dry powder kitchen suppression systems testing and maintenance.
- The Facilities Services Training Manager arranges training sessions to familiarize technicians on standby duty.
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Mark Bristol
Telephone: 919-843-5577