Both the IBC and NFPA 101 contain exceptions <br />that allow fire departments to approve their radio <br />systems as a substitute for two-way telephone sys- <br />tems. For a radio system to be equivalent, the <br />radio signals should be operable in the same areas <br />(the command center and each remote jack or <br />handset location). To exercise this option, design- <br />ers or building owners should test radio signals <br />and document of successful results. Signal retrans- <br />mission devices may be necessary; this is dis- <br />cussed further in the section, Firefighter Radio <br />Signal Retransmission Systems, on page 61. <br />n <br />Considerations - Fire Department <br />Communications Systems <br />■ Locate control panel in fire command center. <br />■ Locate jacks or handsets in stairs, elevator <br />cars, elevator lobbies, standby power rooms, <br />fire pump rooms, and areas of refuge. <br />■ When a fire department is willing to allow its <br />radio system to substitute, specify a signal <br />transmission analysis and retransmission <br />devices, if required. <br />FIRE COMMAND CENTERS <br />Building or fire codes typically require high-rise <br />buildings to have a dedicated room or other loca- <br />tion containing fire alarm and related fire protection <br />control equipment. These are called "Fire <br />Command Centers" in NFPA 72 and in the IBC. The <br />term "Central Control Station" is used in NFPA 101 <br />and NFPA 5000. Yet another term, "Emergency <br />Command Center, " is used in NFPA 1. Industry also <br />uses the expression "Fire Control Room. " <br />Both the IBC and NFPA 72 require the room <br />containing the fire command center to be one- <br />hour fire-rated. These rooms often have exterior <br />entrances which should be prominently marked <br />(Figure 6.9). NFPA 72 and NFPA 101 permit lobbies <br />or other approved locations instead of a dedicated, <br />fire-rated room. The IBC requires the room to be at <br />least 96 square feet, with a minimum dimension of <br />8 feet. NFPA 72 requires at least a three-foot clear- <br />ance in front of all control equipment. <br />The IBC contains a comprehensive list of equip- <br />ment required in a fire command center. The lists <br />in NFPA 1, NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 are about half <br />as long, and all of these items are on the list in the <br />IBC as well. The additional items in the IBC may <br />greatly assist firefighters in their operations. These <br />include: a work table, building plans, fire protection <br />system plans, and controls for air handling equip- <br />ment, smoke control systems, and the generator <br />(Figure 6.10). <br />If a building has multiple fire command centers, <br />visual indicators should show, at a glance, which <br />fire command center is in control at any given time. <br />(Fig. 6.10) Fire <br />command center <br />with fire alarm <br />and communica- <br />tions equipment, <br />a work table, and <br />adequate work <br />space for the inci- <br />dent command <br />staff. <br />0 <br />5a <br />(Fig. 6.9) Fire command center next to main entrance. <br />The sign on the room should be visible to responding <br />firefighters. <br />Considerations - Fire Command Centers <br />■ Use a dedicated room unless the local fire <br />department permits and sanctions another <br />location. <br />■ Include all fire protection control panels and <br />supporting equipment. <br />■ Provide visual cross-reference indicators for <br />multiple command centers. <br />OSHA <br />Occupational Safety and <br />Health Administration <br />174 <br />