From: "Bill" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house alt.home.repair
Subject: Re: commerical building fire sprinklers
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2006 08:16:51 -0800

Fire sprinklers have what is called a "flow switch". This switch trips if 
one sprinkler head pops. A sprinkler head can pop because of a fire or 
sometimes for a non fire event.

If it is a non fire (nearby high heat furnace or whatever) which causes the 
sprinkler head to pop and this happens on a Friday night, there could be a 
lot of water damage by Monday! So it is a good idea to have the sprinkler 
flow switch monitored by an alarm company.

As to monitoring of the flow switch, fire departments will sometimes require 
a "dedicated direct" line. This line does not dial any number, but instantly 
sends a signal to a monitoring company or directly to the fire department.

In the past there have been commercial building fires where many people 
died. Fire departments have their requirements to prevent these things from 
happening again. So for some situations like potential loss of many lives 
(like high-rise buildings), a direct dedicated line will be required. 
Dial-up lines will not cut it. Sometimes "all circuits" can be busy and the 
signal will not get through. Also can depend on if hazardous materials are 
stored or manufactured at the building. Something where the fire department 
needs to know as soon as possible when there is a fire. Seconds could save 
lives in these cases.

And then insurance companies want to minimize losses in the case of a fire 
or a head which pops in a non fire situation. Sometimes you are required to 
have a "U.L. Grade [something] rated fire system. This can include a 
dedicated direct line. Usually these go to an alarm company and the alarm 
company will have a direct line to the fire department. (Very fast reporting 
of alarm.)

So if you have an alarm company, check with them. Also check with the local 
fire department and your insurance company. If you want to save money, ask 
your insurance company what you can install (alarms, fire extinguishers, 
etc.) which will give you lower rates. Then weigh the cost of the additional 
protection against the savings in insurance rates.


 wrote in message
> Last year we purchased a brand new industrial/office building in Orange
> County, CA. The building came with fire sprinklers installed and there
> is also a phone line dedicated to call 911 should a fire occur. We are
> paying for this phone line apart from the regular phone lines that we
> are paying for our normal office use.
> I am wondering if there is any mandatory code requirement to have this
> fire service phone line standby at all times? Or is it OK to disconnect
> this phone line service, but of course, keeping the sprinklers.
>
> Any tips are welcome.
>
> Thanks
>