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Survivability Requirements
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Survivability Requirements

National Fire Protection Association
National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA)

NFPA® 72 2022
  • Editor's Note: The 2022 edition of the Code provides new survivability requirements for area of refuge two-way ECSs. The requirements of 24.3.14.4.3 through 24.3.14.4.6.4 provide pathway survivability guidance depending on the fire resistance of a building. Installation requirements for Class N and Class X, where used, are also spelled out. When these systems are installed for use by occupants staying in the area of refuge during a fire emergency, it is important that the circuits remain survivable for at least the same time as the fire rating of the building construction.

  • 24.3.14.10: Elevator landing two-way emergency communications systems installation of all circuit pathways between all elevator lobbies and other room(s) or rated enclosure(s) containing related control equipment required for occupant communications shall comply with the requirements of 24.3.14.4.3 through 24.3.14.4.6.4.

  • 24.3.14.4.3*: Where the building is constructed with a fire resistance rating that is equal to or greater than 2 hours, the installation shall comply with 24.3.14.4.6 or provide a pathway survivability of Level 2 or Level 3.

  • 24.3.14.4.4*: Where the building is constructed with a fire resistance rating that is at least 1 hour and less than 2 hours, the installation shall comply with 24.3.14.4.6 or provide a pathway survivability of Level 4.

  • Editor's Note: The 2022 edition of the Code provides new survivability requirements for elevator landing two-way ECSs. The requirements of 24.3.14.4.3 through 24.3.14.4.6.4 provide pathway survivability guidance depending on the fire resistance of the building. Installation requirements for Class N and Class X, where used, are also spelled out.

  • 24.3.14.11: Elevator landing two-way emergency communications systems circuits intended to transmit off-premises shall have a pathway survivability of Level 0, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4.

  • 24.3.14.12: Occupant evacuation elevator lobby two-way wired emergency communications systems installation of communication and control circuit pathways shall have a pathway survivability of Level 3.

  • Editor's Note: New language affecting OEE lobby two-way wired ECSs has been added to the 2022 edition of the Code. In acknowledgement of the importance of these systems, the Code requires that a Level 3 (see 12.4.4) pathway survivability be provided for circuits for these systems.

  • 24.10.4: The remote call stations and the master control station shall communicate with each other via pathways based on their performance capabilities under abnormal (fault) conditions in accordance with the requirements for Class A, Class B, Class N, or Class X pathways specified in Chapter 12. An area of refuge has a temporary use during egress and generally serves as a staging area that provides relative safety to its occupants while potential emergencies are assessed, decisions are made, and mitigating activities are begun. NFPA 101 recognizes any floor in a building protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system as an area of refuge. Circuits connecting the area of refuge communications system to the fire command center must be designed to withstand the attack of ire during the time that the occupants await assistance. Refer to the requirements of 24.3.14.9. If loudspeakers are required where remote area of refuge stations are located, the loudspeakers should be arranged so that their sound pressure levels do not inhibit the effective use of the area of refuge stations.

NFPA® 72 2016
  • 24.3.13.9.1
    Area of Refuge emergency communications systems shall have a pathway survivability of Level 2 or Level 3.
    (Level 1 is permitted where the building is less than 2 hour fire-rated construction)

    • 12.4.3 Pathway Survivability Level 2 shall consist of one or more of the following:
        (1) 2 hour fire-rated circuit integrity (CI) or fire-resistive cable
        (2) 2 hour fire-rated cable system (electrical circuit protective systems)
        (3) 2 hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area
        (4) performance alternatives approved by the authority having jurisdiction

    • 12.4.4 Pathway Survivability Level 3: shall consist of pathways in buildings that are fully protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13 and one or more of the following.
        (1) 2 hour fire-rated circuit integrity (CI) or fire-resistive cable.
        (2) 2 hour fire-rated cable system (electrical circuit protective systems)
        (3) 2 hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area
        (4) performance alternatives approved by the authority having jurisdiction

RATH® provides Area of Refuge Two-Way Communication Code Compliant Solutions
RATH's 2 Hour Fire-Rated cables meet NFPA® 72 2016 RATH’s 2 Hour Fire-Rated cables meet NFPA® 72 2016 Code requirements. UL and LU listed options include single, 2, 3 and 4 pair
Available in UL Listed & LU Standard Options (Single, 2, 3 & 4 Pair)

  • Fire-resistive or fire-rated cable will continue to operate in high temperatures during a building fire
  • Designed to support Life and Fire Safety, this cable offers "survivability" for 2 hours in harsh environments while being fully operational to allow for safe evacuation of building occupants
  • Note: Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) should always be consulted before installation

Survivability Requirements