Fire Alarm Installers

Installation Guide

For consistent, reliable installations

c 2008 Daniel Larson

Preface
The purpose of this publication is to establish both uniform standards for the installation of our
fire alarm systems, and define some minimum guide-lines for our installers and sub-contractors.
These methods and procedures are to insure a proper, consistent, and efficient installation on all
our projects, regardless, if company personnel or sub-contractors are doing the installation.
We will describe and illustrate all aspects of the installation process, including; mounting back
boxes, installing raceway, pulling and securing your wire runs, properly labeling each circuit and
termination, and the fire alarm panel lay-out.

Table of Contents
Section 1:
Wall Mounted Back Boxes for; - Flush mounted devices
Manual Pull Stations
Horns and Strobes
Speakers and Strobes
Modules
Duct Detector Test/Reset Switches or Alarm LED
Annunciators

Section 2:
Back box conduit stub-ups for; - Flush mounted devices
Horns, Horn/Strobes, Speakers, Speaker/Strobes
Manual Pull Stations

Section 3:
Wall penetrations
Sheet rock extended to the hard deck
Sheet rock to just above ceiling
Fire rated walls
Sleeves

Section 4:
Fastening to steel
Steel beams, trusses, and columns

Section 5:
Ceiling Mounted Device Back Boxes
T-Bar mounted back boxes
Hard lid mounted back boxes

Section 6:
Fire Sprinkler Riser and OS&Y
Riser and OS&Y

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Section 7:
Cut-in Boxes
Sheet rock extend to just above ceiling
Sheet rock extends to deck

Section 8:
Wiring Methods (Securing to steel)
Horizontal wire run on split truss
Perpendicular wire run to mounted box
90 degrees to horizontal wire run
Securing to steel shelf or lip

Section 9:
Wiring Methods (Securing to wood)
Horizontal wire runs

Section 10:
Wire protection
Basic wire protection in metal raceway

Section 11:
Labeling circuits and terminations

Section 12:
Fire panel lay-outs
Large systems w/voice
Large systems
Medium systems
Smaller systems

Section 13:
Dos and Donts

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SECTION 1
Wall Mounted Back Boxes for; Flush mounted devices
Manual Pull Stations
Specifications:
Standard 4 X 4 - Steel Junction Box or 4 X 4 Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket
knock-outs on boxes
Mount 48 to center A.F.F.
Single Gang Mud Ring extension varies
Figure 1A - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or wood
studs.

Figure 1A
Figure 1B: Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2X 4 studs.
The actual mounting height is 48 AFF to the center of the device, or the center of the
mechanism.

Figure 1B:

CAD Symbols;

-4-

Horns and Strobes

Specifications:
Standard 4 X 4 - Steel Junction Box or 4 X 4 Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket
knock-outs on boxes
Mount 84 to center A.F.F
Double Gang Mud Ring extension varies
Figure 1C - Illustrates the recommended hardware used to mount the Horns and Horn/Strobes.
Both the Gentex and System Sensor products can also be mounted to 4 X 4 extension rings and
single gang mud rings however; the double gang mud ring is our standard.

Figure 1C:

. Figure 1D - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2X 4
studs. The mounting height is 84 AFF to the center of the device. NFPA allows for some
variances depending on the notification appliance, for consistency we use 84 AFF as our
standard

Mount
84 AFF

Mount
84 AFF

Figure 1D:
CAD Symbols; H/S

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Speakers and Strobes

Specifications:
Standard 4 X 4 - Steel Junction Box or 4 X 4 Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket
knock-outs on boxes
Mount 84 to center A.F.F
Extension Ring 1 or 2 extension
Figure 1E - Illustrates the hardware used to mount Speakers and Speaker/Strobes. The back of
the speakers on both; the Gentex and System Sensor product, have a portion of the speaker that
protrudes into the back box.

Figure 1E

Figure 1F - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2X 4 studs.
The mounting height is 84 AFF to the center of the device. NFPA allows for some variances
depending on the notification appliance, for consistency we use 84 AFF as our standard

Figure 1F

CAD Symbols; SP/S S SP S

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Modules
Specifications:
Standard 4 X 4 - Steel Junction Box or 4 X 4 Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket
knock-outs on boxes
Mount 48 to center A.F.F (May vary refer to plans)
Extension Ring 1 or 2 extension
Figure 1G - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or wood
studs.

Figure 1G

Figure 1H - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2X 4
studs. The actual mounting height is 48 AFF to the center of the device, this may vary, check
plans.

Figure 1H

CAD Symbols; AIM M ARM C

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Duct Detector Test/Reset Switches or Alarm LED

Specifications:
Standard 4 X 4 - Steel Junction Box or 4 X 4 Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket
knock-outs on boxes
Mount 48 to center A.F.F.
Single Gang Mud Ring extension varies
Figure 1J - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or wood
studs.

Figure 1J
Figure 1K - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2X 4
studs. The actual mounting height is 48 AFF to the center of the device, this may vary, check
plans.

Figure 1K

CAD Symbols; Duct Test DT Duct LEDDL

-8-

Annunciators
Specifications:
Standard 4 X 4 - Steel Junction Box or 4 X 4 Steel Junction Box w/ Bracket
knock-outs on boxes
Mount 50 to center A.F.F.
Single Gang Mud Ring extension varies
(Note: The annuciators back box is supplied by the manufacture and can be flush or surface
mounted, using the manufactures trim-ring we surface mount to the flush assembly specified
below.)
Figure 1L - Illustrates the proper hardware for mounting the back boxes to either steel or wood
studs.

Figure 1L
Figure 1M - Illustrates the proper positioning and mounting of the back boxes to the 2X 4
studs. The actual mounting height is 50 AFF to the center of the device; this may vary, and
check plans for special ADA regulations.

50
50

Figure 1M

CAD Symbols; Annunciator FAA

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SECTION 2
Back box conduit stub-up assemblies
Back boxes mounted at 84 AFF
Specifications:
Non- Fire Rated Walls, dropped ceiling (sheet rock does not extend to deck)
Back box assemblies mounted at 84 AFF
insulated box connectors
EMT stubbed up no less than 4 above top of sheet rock
EMT bushing on end of stub-up
Types of devices; Horns, Horn/Strobes, Strobes, Speakers, and Speaker/Strobes
(Note: In some cases additional brackets may be required to secure the conduit.)
Figure 2A Illustrates the EMT stub-up assembly from the mounted device box to above the
ceiling line. We established this standard for three main reasons; to protect our conductors and
prevent ground faults caused by careless sheet-rockers, ease of replacing or adding conductors,
we can still install our conductors after the sheetrock is in place.

Above Ceiling

EMT Bushing

EMT Bushing

3/4 EMT Conduit

3/4 EMT Conduit

secure w/ 3/4 single screw strap

Bracket mounted 1 above JBox

secure w/ 3/4 single screw strap

Bracket mounted 1 above JBox

3/4 EMT Insulated Connector

3/4 EMT Insulated Connector

84 To Center AFF

Finished Floor

Figure 2A

(The type of mud rings will vary for the type of device being installed; a double gang is used in
this illustration.)
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Back boxes mounted at 48 AFF

Specifications:
Non- Fire Rated Walls, dropped ceiling (sheet rock does not extend to deck)
Back box assemblies mounted at 48 AFF
insulated box connectors
EMT stubbed up no less than 4 above top of sheet rock
EMT bushing on end of stub-up
Types of devices; Manual Pull Stations, Modules, and Duct Test Switches
(Note: In some cases additional brackets may be required to secure the conduit.)
Figure 2B Illustrates the EMT stub-up assembly from the mounted device box to above the
ceiling line. Again we established this standard for three main reasons; to protect our conductors
and prevent ground faults caused by careless sheet-rockers, ease of replacing or adding
conductors, we can still install our conductors after the sheetrock is in place.
EMT Bushing

EMT Bushing

Above Ceiling

3/4 EMT Conduit

secure w/ 3/4 single screw strap

Bracket mounted 1 above JBox

3/4 EMT Insulated Connector

3/4 EMT Conduit

secure w/ 3/4 single screw strap

Bracket mounted 1 above JBox

3/4 EMT Insulated Connector

48 To Center AFF

Finished Floor

Figure 2B

(The type of mud rings will vary for the type of device being installed; a double gang is used in
this illustration.)
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Perimeter Door Back boxes mounted at 48and 84 AFF

Specifications:
Non- Fire Rated Walls, dropped ceiling (sheet rock does not extend to deck)
Back box assemblies mounted at 48 and 84 AFF
insulated box connectors
EMT stubbed up no less than 4 above top of sheet rock
EMT bushing on end of stub-up
Types of devices; Manual Pull Stations, and Notification devices
Figure 2C Illustrates the EMT stub-up assembly from the mounted device box to above the
ceiling line. This configuration is usually used at perimeter door locations, where we have a
Notification appliance mounted above a Manual Pull Station.

Above Ceiling

84 To Center AFF

48 To Center AFF

Finished Floor

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SECTION 3
Wall Penetrations
Sheet rocked to deck:

5/8 Sheetrock
Penetration

Drawing 99A
In this illustration the sheet rock extends to the deck or roof, the penetration will be just above
the ceiling. A 90 degree bend in the conduit will penetrate the sheet rock just above the ceiling.
A conduit cap is place on the end of the conduit to protect the wire.

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Sheet rocked to just above ceiling:

5/8 Sheet rock

Drawing 99B
In this illustration the sheet rock extends to just above the ceiling, the conduit will extend to just
above the sheet rock. A conduit cap is placed on the end of the conduit to protect the wire.
Always check the plans or check with the GC to make certain that the sheet rock will not extend
to the deck.

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2 hr. rated fire wall- sheet rock to deck:

2X 5/8 Sheet rock

5/8 Sheet rock

Drawing 99C

In this illustration one side of the wall is a 2 hr. rated fire wall, the sheet rock is 1 thick which
extents to the deck. It also has a hard lid drop ceiling. The other side of the wall has 5/8 sheet
rock to the deck, and has a T-bar drop ceiling. You will want to have the conduit penetrate on the
T-bar ceiling side of the wall. This allow to easy access for the wire run.

- 15 -

Horizontal wall penetrations:

Drawing 99D

This illustration shows a couple of different wall penetrations, always use a sleeve. A sleeve is a
short piece of conduit.
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SECTION 4
Securing Back Boxes to Steel
Fastening to steel

Steel Beams - Use Appropriate

Beam Clamps

Split Truss - Use 4 X 1/4

or #20 Toggle Bolts

I Column

Round Column

Secure channel-strut to column, secure boxes to channel-strut.

These illustrations show different ways to secure your boxes to steel columns, trusses, and
beams.
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SECTION 5
Ceiling Mounted Back Boxes
Horn/strobes, smoke and heat detectors, duct detector indicator LEDs.
12 ga. support wire
T-Bar Grid

T-Bar Bracket

4 X 4 Jbox
3 O Mud ring

2 X 4Steel Studs
24 Adjustable Bracket

4 X 4 Jbox
3 O Mud ring

Drawing 112

Note: This procedure is the same for wood studs.

These illustrations show how to secure your boxes to either T-bar or studs for the appropriate
ceiling type. As noted the studs can be either steel or wood.

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SECTION 6
Fire Sprinkler Device Boxes
Fire Sprinkler Riser

Box Offset
Water flow switch
3/4 EMT
Box Offset
Butterfly Valve

Aluminum flex

Single gang box

Outside Stem and Yolk

Liquid tight 3/4
flex conduit

Weatherproof double
gang box

Drawing 130

Note: If the Fire sprinkler riser is outside, use weatherproof boxes and flex.
These illustration show the basic raceway configurations for monitoring the fire sprinkler
system. Always make sure you flex to the device is positioned at the bottom of your box.
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SECTION 7
Cut-in boxes
Sheet rock to just above ceiling:

Drawing 200
In many cases it will be necessary to install a device in a finished wall; in this situation we will
use a cut-in box or old work box. We will use aluminum flex for our raceway. In the
illustration above the sheet rock only extends above the ceiling line, making it easy to secure the
flex to an adjustable bracket.
- 20 -

Drawing 201
When the box is installed and secured in the wall we will trim and secure the flex to the
adjustable bracket above the ceiling as shown in this illustration.

Sheet rock up to deck:

- 21 -

Drawing 202
In many cases the sheet rock will extend to the hard deck or ceiling, in this case we will need to
use two cut-in boxes. The tricky part here is that we do not want to leave a large loop of flex in
the wall. This means when we trim the flex for the second box we will be working very close to
the wall. Ideally we should not leave more than a 4 to 6 loop in the wall. The excess flex in the
wall makes it tricky to pull the wire, but it can be done.

- 22 -

Drawing 203
In this illustration we have trimmed our flex and installed our cut-in boxes in the wall.

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SECTION 8
Wiring Methods (Securing to Steel)
This section illustrates how to use tie wraps to secure your wire. These methods will eliminate
ground faults caused by the insulation being worn or damaged on the metal beams, trusses, and
cross members.
In this illustration the fire cable is tie-wrapped to the tie-wrap going around the beam.

Fire Cable

Tie Wrap

Split Steel Truss

Truss Tie Wrap

Drawing 182

Never tie wrap the cable directly to any metal object, metal expand and constricts with the
changes in temperature, this will eventually wear through the jacket of you cable creating ground
faults.
- 24 -

The illustration below shows the wire run being directed down through the split truss where a
device box will be mounted. The wire is tied in such a manner as to be up off the metal edge.

Drawing 183
Ground faults are very labor intensive and can be very costly, secure your wire runs properly.

- 25 -

This illustration show how to create a 90 degree turn in your wire run. Notice that the wire does
not touch the metal edge of the split beam.

90 degree
Fire Cable

Beam Tie Wraps

Cable Tie Wraps

Drawing 184

The simple procedures shown in this section for tie wrapping your wire runs will save you time
and ensure a quality installation.

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In this illustration we have a metal tray usually found in a building to support the walls and a
perfect place to run your wire. Here we a showing how to secure your wire with clips, notice that
we use two tie wraps, one around the clip and then one around the wire. The wire is not tied
directly to the metal.

Drawing 187

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SECTION 9
Wiring Methods (Securing to Wood)

J-Hook

Large, Insulated
Romex Staple

These illustrations show two acceptable ways of securing you wire runs to wood.

- 28 -

SECTION 10

Wire Protection
Knock-out Bushing

Knock-out Bushing

EMT Cap

Connector Cap

Insulated Connector

Non-insulated Connector

Drawing 300

It is always important to protect you wire from sharp edges, in these example we are protecting
our wire from our raceway. Each of the devices shown are inexpensive, easy to install, and will
always be used.

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SECTION 11
Labeling Circuits and Terminations
Shrink wrapped labels

Shrink-wrap

In this illustration we are labeling the circuits. See table on page 32 for labeling codes.

- 30 -

Nylon Labels

Nylon Label

-1-2
LC
-S
In this illustration we are labeling the circuits. See table on page 32 for labeling codes.

- 31 -

These tables are to establish consistency.

Label Identification Codes:

Code
PNL
PS
VIP
NAC
SLC
I

Description
Panel
Power Booster
Voice Amplifier
Notification Circuit
Signal Line Circuit
IN

Code
IDC
SBS
VBS
XPNL
Node
O

Device Labeling
Sample:
Device Label
PS1-1-1

Output Orgin
PS
1

Description
Indicating Circuit
S Bus
Voice Bus
Expander Panel
Networked Panel
Out

Description
Circuit
1

Code
H/S
S
SP/S
SP
ANN

Description
Horn and Strobe Combination
Strobe Only
Speaker and Strobe Combination
Speaker Only
Annunciator

Device No.
1

The sample above indicates a notification device on "Power Booster 1", "Circuit 1", and it is "Device 1".
Sample:

Device Label
SLC-1-1

Output Orgin
SLC
1

Circuit

Device No.
1

The sample above indicates "Single Line Circuit 1", "Device 1". The Circuit ID. Is not used.

Circuit Labeling
Sample:
Circuit Label
I-NAC-1-PNL
O-NAC-1-2

Input or Output
"I" In
"O" Out

Description
Source Code
Circuit
NAC
1
NAC
1

In-Orgin / Out-Destination
PNL
2

The sample above indicates the in and out circuits at a notification device. The "In" pair is from the Panel, Notification Circuit 1. The "Out" pair goes
to Device 2.

(-)

(+)

DARK---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LIGHT
BLACK

BROWN

DK. BLUE

DK.PURPLE

RED

ORANGE

LT. BLUE

The darker wire in a pair is the "Negative" ( - ), The lighter wire in a pair is the "Positive" ( + )

Example: In a normal cable pair we have a Black conductor ( - ) and a Red conductor ( + )

- 32 -

LT. PURPLE

YELLOW

WHITE

SECTION 12
Fire Alarm Panel Layouts
Fire Alarm w/ Voice Evacuation
Foot print - 8 h X 6-1/2w
Gutter- 24 X 4 X 4

Drawing 80

- 33 -

Large Fire Alarm System

Foot print - 8 h X 4-1/2w

- 34 -

Medium Fire Alarm System

Foot print- 8 h X 4-1/2w

Drawing 82

- 35 -

Drawing 83

- 36 -

SECTION 13
Donts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Never secure our wire runs to other trades hanging supports or conduit.
Never penetrate a wall with out a sleeve.
Never mount a device without a back box.
Never secure your wire runs directly to metal.
Never pull your wire into a box without the appropriate protection.
Never splice your wire runs in the field.
Never pull your wire runs on a diagonal.

Dos
1. For surface mounted devices, always run your conduit stub-up to above the ceiling or to
the height of you horizontal run.
2. Always check the plans or with the GC for the thickness of the sheet rock being used.
3. Always use the appropriate mud rings on your boxes.
4. Always refer to the Fire plans before starting your project.

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