e requirement of a PUSH TO
EXIT sign is what suddenly caught
the inspector's attention. Maybe
this inspector recently attended a
code update class and this issue was
brought to the forefront.
e existing pull-boxes are actually
more of a deterrent than a pushbut-
ton would be. It takes a commitment
from someone to pull a handle and
break a glass rod; on the other hand,
it takes much less nerve (impulse
control) to push (accidently lean
against) a big button.
When responding to the inspec-
tor and/or a written citation, I would
tactfully give the inspector an out.
Show them Chapter One of the Fire
Code, section 104.11, where they
have been given discretion to give the
thumbs up to any "design or method
of construction [that] is satisfactory
and complies with the intent and pro-
visions of this code" as below:
"e provisions of this code are not
intended to prevent the installation
of any material or to prohibit any
design or method of construction not
specifically prescribed by this code,
provided that any such alternative
has been approved. An alternative
material, design or method of
June 2017 www.SecurityInfoWatch.com / Security Dealer & Integrator 47
construction shall be approved where
the building official finds that the
proposed design is satisfactory
and complies with the intent of the
provisions of this code, and that the
material, method or work offered is,
for the purpose intended, at least the
equivalent of that prescribed in this
code in quality, strength, effectiveness,
fire resistance, durability and safety."
Of all the above counterpoints,
the first sentence in section 104.11
should do it. If nothing else, the
installation clearly has existing,
approved equipment that meets
OBC/OFC 104.11.
Wildfire Worries
Perhaps you are aware of the wild
forest fires in recent years – mostly
in our western states. While the issue
of property loss/damage is not my
primary focus, the safety of lives is of
grave concern.
A reader recently asked: "We have
a high fire danger weather alert on
the news – this is a common occur-
rence and it seems we are headed for
a very dry summer. Are there any
systems available that could be put on
the perimeter of a property to alert the
homeowners that a fire is near in the
event they do not smell the smoke?"
I am interested about the various
methods readers may have used to
address this growing safety concern.
Please email me at greg@firealarm.
org, or contact SD&I; Editor in Chief
Paul Rothman (prothman@secdealer.
com) with details – both successes
and failures – of any installations
you have tried. I will share them in a
future column. ■
» Greg Kessinger (greg@firealarm.
org) has been SD&I;'s fire alarm and
codes expert and a regular contributor
for more than 15 years.
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