Fire Alarm Sound And Lighting Override Systems
N. J. Department of Community Affairs - Division of Fire Safety - Fire Code Enforcement Bulletin 2009-1 (section II)
N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.9
(a) An automatic fire alarm system shall be installed as required below in
accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. 9. In all
buildings or portions thereof of Use Group A-2 (nightclubs) with an occupant
load of 100 or more that are not otherwise required to have an automatic
fire suppression system. i. If the alarm is activated by smoke detectors, it
shall be activated by either two cross-zoned smoke detectors within a single
area or a single smoke detector monitored by an alarm verification zone or
an approved equivalent method and the smoke detectors shall be of a type
designed to reduce the possibility of false notifications based on the
conditions present in the area protected.
Subchapter 4 Nightclub Retrofits Page 5 of 6 ii.
The automatic fire alarm system shall be tied to the
performance sound system and to the house lights in such a way that
activation of the fire suppression system mutes the performance sound system
and restores the intensity of illumination to that required by N.J.A.C.
5:70-4.11(i)2.* Nightclubs with an occupancy of 100 up to
299 persons, are required to have an automatic fire alarm system installed
as required above. This would include any premises that reduced its occupant
load using N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.7(2)i. It is important to note that activation of
the fire alarm system immediately mutes the sound system and brings house
lights back up to the minimum required levels for egress. This would include
any permanently installed sound systems as well as any sound equipment
brought in by outside performers. Monitoring of the fire alarm system will
be accomplished by using one of the methods listed in N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.7(k),
as required by the Fire Official. Further guidance on system monitoring is
provided in Bulletin 2006-02. I
*our emphasis