HospitalInspections.org

Actual National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard: Fire alarm system components shall be permitted to share control equipment or shall be able to operate as stand alone subsystems, but in any case, they shall be arranged to function as a single system. NFPA 72 section 3-8.1
Actual NFPA standard: Trouble Signals. Trouble signals and their restoration to normal shall be indicated within 200 seconds at the locations identified in 1-5.4.6.1 or 1-5.4.6.2 Trouble signals required to indicate at the protected premises shall be indicated by distinctive audible signals. These audible trouble signals shall be distinctive from alarm signals. If an intermittent signal is used, it shall sound at least once every 10 seconds, with a minimum duration of ? second. An audible trouble signal(s) shall be located in an area where it is likely to be heard. NFPA 72 section 1-5.4.6
Actual NFPA standard: Distinctive Signals. Fire alarms, supervisory signals, and trouble signals shall be distinctively and descriptively annunciated. NFPA 72 section 1-5.4.4

This Standard is not met as evidenced by:

Based on performance testing and staff interview it was determined the facility failed to maintain all components of the facility fire alarm system in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72.

Findings include:

1. On 05/01/12 at approximately 11:05 a.m., the automatic dialing system for the hospitals fire alarm system was inspected. During this inspection, the primary and secondary phone lines when disconnected from the dialing system would not send a "trouble" signal to the fire alarm annunciator panel located at the nurse station.

2. These findings were discussed with the maintenance director on 05//01/12 at approximately 11:30 a.m. and he agreed the fire alarm annunciator would not receive a trouble signal in the event the primary and secondary phone line become disconnected.

Actual National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard: Fire alarm system components shall be permitted to share control equipment or shall be able to operate as stand alone subsystems, but in any case, they shall be arranged to function as a single system. NFPA 72 section 3-8.1
Actual NFPA standard: Trouble Signals. Trouble signals and their restoration to normal shall be indicated within 200 seconds at the locations identified in 1-5.4.6.1 or 1-5.4.6.2 Trouble signals required to indicate at the protected premises shall be indicated by distinctive audible signals. These audible trouble signals shall be distinctive from alarm signals. If an intermittent signal is used, it shall sound at least once every 10 seconds, with a minimum duration of ? second. An audible trouble signal(s) shall be located in an area where it is likely to be heard. NFPA 72 section 1-5.4.6
Actual NFPA standard: Distinctive Signals. Fire alarms, supervisory signals, and trouble signals shall be distinctively and descriptively annunciated. NFPA 72 section 1-5.4.4

This Standard is not met as evidenced by:

Based on performance testing and staff interview it was determined the facility failed to maintain all components of the facility fire alarm system in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72.

Findings include:

1. On 05/01/12 at approximately 11:05 a.m., the automatic dialing system for the hospitals fire alarm system was inspected. During this inspection, the primary and secondary phone lines when disconnected from the dialing system would not send a "trouble" signal to the fire alarm annunciator panel located at the nurse station.

2. These findings were discussed with the maintenance director on 05//01/12 at approximately 11:30 a.m. and he agreed the fire alarm annunciator would not receive a trouble signal in the event the primary and secondary phone line become disconnected.