NFPA 72 states that the Fire Command Center is “The principal attended or unattended location where the status of the detection, alarm communications, and control systems is displayed and from which the system(s) can be manually controlled. ” Below we have a Fire Command Center at a high-rise office building in lower Manhattan. The engineers designed the fire alarm system with two Fire Command Centers (Primary and Secondary). The intent of having a secondary fire command center is to be used as a redundant command center in the event of an emergency. Only one FCC can have full control of the system at any given time. By default (under normal conditions), the primary FCC will have control; a key must be operated at the secondary FCC to allow the secondary FCC to take control of the system (pictured below). Once the secondary FCC takes control of the system, all functionality will be disabled at the primary FCC; because of this, a visual indication shall be provided at both FCC indicating which FCC is in control as stipulated by NFPA 72:
24.4.1.5.4 If there are multiple in-building fire emergency voice/alarm communications control locations, only one shall be in control at any given time.
24.4.1.5.5 The location having control of the system shall be identified by a visible indication at that location.
NYC codes (FDNY Technology Management Bulletins) goes even further into the requirements of two FCC by requiring each FCC to have a separate connection to Central Stations (separate phone lines (2) and separate accounts).
Looking for our NICET Fire Alarm System Exam Study Guides?
Level 1 –>> http://firealarmscertified.com/fire-alarms-systems-nicet-level-1-exam-study-guide/
Level 2 –>> http://firealarmscertified.com/nicet-fire-alarm-systems-level-2-study-guide/
