3.02 Fire Alarm Annunciation

Reference: 2022 CFC, Sections 907.6.3 through 907.6.4.4, 2022 NFPA 72

Purpose: To provide information and guidance about fire alarm systems and to set forth interpretations, rules, and supplemental regulations to carry out the application of the pertinent codes and standards.

The California Fire Code outlines annunciation requirements for fire alarm systems.

1. The code requires the system to be divided into alarm zones when required by the authority having jurisdiction. In San Francisco, a general guideline for buildings is that floors/levels will be required to be separate zones when the total number of floors/levels (above and below grade including basements) in the building exceeds four. Also, buildings with large floor areas or unusual designs (i.e. area separation walls) may require additional zoning on a case-by-case basis as required by SFFD.

2. When zoning is required, an LED (light emitting diode) annunciator panel is required in an approved location that will indicate the type of initiating device by floor/level, by device. Manual pull stations, area smoke detectors, duct detectors, elevator lobby smoke detectors, heat detectors, auxiliary alarms, and sprinkler water flow must be initiated separately. The specific LED designations and colors are specified in SFFD 2022 Administrative Bulletin 3.01 for both Low-Rise and High-Rise buildings.

This information is intended as a general guideline only. The Fire Department reserves the right to require zoned (LED – Matrix or Graphic type) annunciation on a case-by-case basis per 2022 Administrative Bulletin 2.01.

The applicant may request to have a Pre-Application meeting with SFFD to discuss specific projects/designs on a case-by case basis