T50
Low-Power Radio Frequency Fire Alarm Signaling Systems - Technologies, Special Code Requirements, and Proven Applications
Larry Shudak, UL LLC
Scott Barrett, Tyco Fire Protection Products
John Burger, Marriott International Inc

 

The trend in the industry is growing toward using RF communication for all or part of the signaling means in a fire alarm system. Open and closed protocols including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, z-wave, zigbee and manufacturer proprietary means are being utilized. This presentation will review key topics related to the challenges and issues of utilizing RF signaling and highlight the requirements in the various codes and product standards for both commercial and residential applications.


Presented by:

Larry Shudak, UL LLC
Larry Shudak is UL's Principal Engineer for mass notification systems, emergency signaling systems and commercial and residential fire alarm systems,. His responsibilities include developing and maintaining several UL and ULC standards, including ANSI/UL 864, Fire Alarm Control Units and Accessories, CAN/ULC-S527, Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems, and ANSI/UL 985, Household Fire Warning System Units. Larry serves as UL's technical expert on various UL standard technical panels and ULC standards committees. He also represents UL on several NFPA technical committees, including those for NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Larry has worked with various aspects of fire and life safety signaling throughout his entire 40-year career with UL.

Scott Barrett, Tyco Fire Protection Products
Scott Barrett is the general manager of Commercial Wireless Systems International (CWSI), a part of Tyco Fire Protection Products. Scott was involved in the low-power RF signaling fire alarm industry, serving as National Sales Manager and VP of Operation for World Electronics, Inc., from 1981 to 2004. During that time, Scott worked with UL and NFPA committees to establish the standards and performance requirements for low power commercial wireless systems which resulted in NFPA's adoption of low power radio into former standard NFPA 72A. In 2004, Scott founded CWSI. Scott has served on industry advisory boards and is an affiliate member of the International Fire Marshals Association and a member of the industrial section of NFPA. He also serves on the Protected Premise Technical Committee of NFPA.

John Burger, Marriott International Inc
John Burger is a fire protection specialist currently serving as the Manager for Renovations and Property Improvements in the Fire Protection and Life Safety division at Marriott International, Inc. Marriott has accepted several different manufacturers of low-power RF signaling systems as approved vendors. Prior to his employment with Marriott, John spent 30 years in the fire service in Washington DC,, including one year as acting Fire Marshall, and retiring in 2007 as a Deputy Fire Chief.