200507 East Boston's Savings Bank 473 Harvard St Brookline MA FP Narrative 1904010 (1)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
STATE BUILDING CODE
780 CMR, 9TH EDITION
CHAPTER 9
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
780 CMR – 901.2.1
NARRATIVE REPORT
PROJECT NAME: East Boston Savings Bank
473 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446
DATE OF ISSUE: Updated May 8, 2020
USE GROUP: B – Business
NEW ENGLAND ENGINEERING
30 TURNPIKE ROAD, SUITE 1
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
780 CMR 901.2.1 Narrative Report
Project Name: East Boston Savings Bank 473 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
2
901.7.1.1
(1.a) BASIS (METHODOLOGY) OF DESIGN
This project is evaluated using the “Work Area Method” method of the 2015 International Existing
Building Code (IEBC), as adopted and amended by Massachusetts and as referenced by Chapter 34
of the Massachusetts State Building Code for existing buildings. Chapter 3 of the IEBC addresses the
Work Area Method. Since the project area is below the 50% of the ground floor footprint, and
also below the 33% threshold regarding the definition of major alterations in state fire and
building code regulations and official state fire code interpretations there will be no upgrading
of existing base-building systems (including sprinkler and fire alarm) outside of the project work
area as part of this project.
The project space was previously a Starbucks Cafe. The new use will be retail banking with a lower
hazard of combustible storage. There is no sprinkler in the existing project space. There is an existing
fire alarm system that will be reused for the project space.
The project space new automatic fire alarm system will have two construction phases. Phase 1 will be
with automatic 135F heat detectors for fire alarm coverage during construction, and Phase 2 will be
with permanent smoke detectors (except in normally occupied employee lounge and private
offices where a smoke detector can be activated by a toaster or a personal appliance where
nuisance false alarm can occur) with final completed automatic fire alarm system testing.
(1.b) SEQUENCE OF OPERATION
Fire Alarm
A. There is an existing fire alarm system with the existing FACP located at Christo’s
Dry Cleaning and Tailoring back exit.
B. A new Fire Alarm system initiating and notifying appliance layout has been designed
for the project space.
C. During construction new fire alarm system heat detectors will be utilized instead of
single station smoke detectors to avoid nuisance alarms, and provide coverage for
the entire building.
D. The operation of a manual station or activation of any automatic alarm initiating
device (system smoke detector, system heat detector) shall initiate a system-wide
response according to established response procedures and as follows:
a. Initiate the transmission of the alarm to the Brookline Fire Department via the
existing Masterbox 2871 connection.
b. Sound an approved evacuation tone throughout the building.
c. Activate all visual signals shall activate throughout the building. Flash an alarm
LED and sound an audible signal at the FACP. Upon Acknowledgment, the alarm
LED shall light steadily and the audible shall silence. Subsequent alarms shall
re-initiate this sequence.
d. Visually indicate the alarm initiating device type and location via the LCD display
at the Fire Alarm Panel location and notify which zone has gone into alarm at the
Fire Alarm Remote Annunciator.
e. Operate prioritized outputs to release all magnetically held smoke doors and
magnetically locked doors throughout the building.
f. All system events shall be stored in an event history file.
g. Activate the exterior weatherproof beacon.
F. In the event of any System Trouble condition such as a device removed, loss of
AC Power or wiring fault, a system Trouble condition shall occur as follows:
a. Flash a Trouble LED and sound an audible tone at the FACP and each
network panel. Upon Acknowledgment, the LED shall light steadily and the
audible shall silence. Subsequent Trouble conditions shall re-initiate this
sequence.
780 CMR 901.2.1 Narrative Report
Project Name: East Boston Savings Bank 473 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
3
b. Initiate reporting of the event to the approved Central Monitoring Station.
c. Visually indicate the device type and location via the LCD display located at
the FACP.
d. Visually annunciate the type of initiating device and its zone, floor or area
as required on all system annunciators. In addition, a Trouble LED and an
audible tone will sound. Upon Acknowledgment, the LED shall light steadily
and the audible shall silence. Subsequent Trouble conditions shall re-initiate
this sequence.
e. Record the event in the event history log. All restorations shall likewise be
recorded.
(1.c) SYSTEM ACCEPTANCE TESTING (Bookline FD Requires 3rd Party Licensed to perform
the Fire Alarm Testing per 2013 NFPA 72 Section 7.5.8.1)
Fire Alarm
A. Preliminary Tests
1. The Contractor shall notify the Owner’s Representative 5 business days
before the Preliminary tests are to be conducted.
2. The Contractor shall perform insulation testing (megger), continuity and loop
resistance checks on all system conductors to determine that the system is
free from grounded, shorted, or open circuits. These tests shall be conducted
prior to the installation of fire alarm equipment. Loop resistance measurement
shall verify that the loop resistance does not exceed the manufacturer’s
specified limits. Corrections shall be made and the system shall be retested
to assure if deficiencies are found.
3. The Contractor and fire alarm system manufacturer shall perform
complete functional and operational performance tests. Testing shall
include verification that the circuits and components are electrically
supervised and operate as intended.
4. A written report shall be submitted detailing the results of all preliminary
testing shall accompany the request for Final Acceptance Test. The written
Preliminary Test Report shall be submitted with:
a. The Operations and Maintenance Manual for the system.
b. The record (as-built) drawings shall be sent to engineer and fire
department for review and on-site inspection and device
placement verification prior to any final acceptance test.
B. Final Acceptance Test
1. The Contractor shall notify the Owner’s Representative a minimum of 5
business days before the Final Acceptance tests are to be conducted to allow
scheduling of observation if desired.
2. The Contractor shall notify the Brookline Fire Department a minimum of 10
business days before the Final Acceptance tests are to be conducted to allow
scheduling of observation if desired with device placement verified as-built
drawings of project space. Fire department shall have at minimum no
less than 5 working days to review the as-built drawings prior to
scheduling the final acceptance test.
3. The Fire Alarm System, other systems and equipment associated with the
fire alarm system and accessory equipment shall be tested in accordance
with NFPA 72. The listed tests in NFPA 72 shall be conducted as well as
manufacturer and job specific procedures to verify that the circuits and
components are electrically supervised and operate as intended.
4. The test shall include but shall not be limited to the following:
a. Visual inspection of all wiring connections
b. Test of each function of the control panel
c. Test of each circuit in both trouble and normal modes
d. Tests of each alarm initiating device in both normal and
trouble conditions. Open the circuits at each alarm-initiating device to
780 CMR 901.2.1 Narrative Report
Project Name: East Boston Savings Bank 473 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
4
test the wiring supervisory feature.
e. Tests of each control circuit and device
f. Tests of each alarm notification appliance, in both. Open the circuit
at each notification appliance to test the wiring supervisory feature.
g. Tests of the primary and secondary power supplies and associated
loss of each.
h. Complete operational tests under emergency power
supply.
i. Ground fault monitoring circuit function.
j. Measurement of sound pressure levels in all areas of the
protected space.
5. A written report shall be submitted detailing the results of all final
testing including:
a. Final System Acceptance in accordance with NFPA 72
requirements shall be formally documented utilizing a form similar to
“Record of Completion” as included in NFPA 72.
(2) BUILDING SITE ACCESS
Building site access is existing to remain from Harvard Street and will not be affected by this
project.
(3) FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND WATER SUPPLY INFORMATION
The fire hydrant location is existing about 30 feet away from the front of the building next
to the parking lot entrance.
(4) FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
There is no automatic sprinkler system for the building.
(5) AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS CONTROL EQUIPMENT LOCATION
Not Applicable.
(6) STANDPIPE SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
There is no standpipe system for this building, and the building roof is below 30 feet above
street level.
(7) STANDPIPE SYSTEM HOSE VALVE DESCRIPTION
Not applicable since there is no standpipe system for this building.
(8) FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS
Masterbox existing and not affected by this project.
(9) FIRE PROTECTION SIGNALING SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
A. A new fire alarm system layout has been designed for initiation device monitoring and
evacuation signal initiation as part of the existing base building fire alarm system. The
new initiation devices and notification devices will tie in to the existing FACP located
on the back exit of Christo’s Dry Cleaning.
1. Initiation devices shall Smoke and heat detectors located in accordance
with NFPA and Building Code requirements. Smoke detectors shall be analog
addressable to provide means of alarm verification and define maintenance
cycles. Heat detectors shall be conventional type with as corresponding
monitor modules (located in a heated space) to provide means of alarm
verification.
2. Alarm notification shall be via horn/strobe units in compliance with ADA
requirements for strobe illumination levels. All area strobes shall be
synchronized.
3. Wiring methods for all fire alarm initiation and notification circuits shall be code
compliant wiring. MC shall be listed for fire alarm service and identified with
continuous red markings. RGS, and EMT conduits shall be identified as fire
alarm service by red spray painted couplings and junction box covers.
B. Fire department notification shall be via existing Masterbox 2871 connection.
780 CMR 901.2.1 Narrative Report
Project Name: East Boston Savings Bank 473 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
5
(10) FIRE PROTECTION SIGNALING SYSTEMS CONTROL EQUIPMENT AND
ANNUNCIATOR LOCATION
The existing FACP is located on the existing first floor back entrance.
The existing remote alarm annunciator is located on the side of the building facing the parking
lot near the buildings electrical service.
(11) SMOKE CONTROL / EXHAUST SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
There are no smoke control/exhaust systems for the project space.
(12) SMOKE CONTROL / EXHAUST SYSTEMS CONTROL EQUIPMENT LOCATIONS
Not Applicable.
(13) BUILDING LIFE SAFETY SYSTEM SPECIAL FEATURES
There are no special life safety features for this project space.
(14) FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Class A-B-C Portable Fire Extinguishers for the Light Hazard Occupancy shall be specified on
the Architectural Plans by the Architect of Record.
(15) FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS CONTROL LOCATIONS
Class A-B-C Portable Fire Extinguishers shall be located at exit and not more than 75 apart
per NFPA 10 by the Architect of Record.
(16) FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT ROOM LOCATION
Not Applicable.
(17) FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION AND OPERATION SIGNS
Not Applicable.
(18) FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ALARM/SUPERVISORY SIGNAL TRANSMISSION METHOD
Not Applicable.
(19) FIRE COMMAND CENTER LOCATION
There is no fire command center.
(20) EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
There an existing Notifier AFP-200 FACP located on back exit of Cristo’s Dry Cleaners.
(21) CARBON MONOXIDE SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
There are no fossil fuel appliances or HVAC used for the project space, therefore no carbon
monoxide detection has been designed for this project.
(22) Emergency responder radio coverage type/location.
The existing building does not have emergency responder radio coverage systems.
END OF NARRATIVE