Hospitals & Healthcare

Facilities
SUMMER ED I TI O N
Contents
3 — How automation is being used for health care buildings

8 — How AI can improve building automation system implementation

12 — How to use best practices to illuminate a NICU

18 — How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements

26 — How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

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How automation is being used
for health care buildings  Back to TOC

The adoption of automation and smart technologies in healthcare facilities

is transforming project work, but challenges persist because of data security
concerns and HIPAA compliance.

Respondents:
John Blanton, PE, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Certus, Dallas, Texas;
Brian Evan, PE, Associate, Wold Architects & Engineers, Saint Paul, Minnesota;
Kristie J. Tiller, PE, LEED, AP, Associate, Director of Mechanical Engineering, Lockwood,
Andrews and Newnam Inc., Dallas, Texas;
Tim Willoughby, PE, Mechanical Engineering Principal, HDR, Omaha, Nebraska

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How automation is being used for health care buildings

J ohn Blanton passed away unexpectedly shortly after responding to these questions.  Back to TOC
John’s legacy will continue to positively impact those he worked with and our
industry for many years to come.

From your experience, what systems within hospitals, health

care facilities and medical campus projects are benefiting from
automation that previously might not have been?
John Blanton: We’ve been automating most heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) and plumbing systems for a long time. To do so we’ve been controlling how
they operate in conjunction with each other and within the facility to optimize perfor-
mance and have been using trends for preventive maintenance. However, electrical
system preventive maintenance, such as annual thermographic scanning of electrical
connections, is traditionally done manually. The thermal scans help identify any po-
tential faulty or loose connection points and must be done while electrical equipment
is energized, which poses a safety risk to the technician and is challenging in a 24/7
health care application. We are now able to add built in temperature sensors directly
onto the busbars of the equipment that continuously monitor and transmit the connec-
tion health to a building automation system. When an abnormal temperature rise in
conductors is detected, it will alert the operator, thus automating the tedious mainte-
nance of traditional thermal scanning.

Tim Willoughby: Hospital systems, such as medical gas skids, domestic hot water
systems, mixing valves and domestic water booster systems, are migrating from send-
ing a general alarm from a set of simple contacts to communicating across the entire
network. This expansion provides the operator numerous points of information for the
particular system.
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How automation is being used for health care buildings

 Back to TOC
What types of system integration and/or interoperability
issues have you overcome for these projects and how did you
do so?
John Blanton: Back when system automation was mainly limited to packaged HVAC
equipment, the communication protocol typically was also limited to one or two
sources, such as BACnet or transmission control protocol/internet protocol. With the
integration between many different systems, such as lighting, power monitoring and
real time locating system, the data exchanged between different components vary.
Communication protocols now consist of 0-10 volt/pulse width modulation, power over
Ethernet, digital addressable lighting interface, digital multiplex, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,
ZigBee, Ethernet and Modbus. Many of these different communication protocols oper-
ate at different ranges, frequencies and speeds. Tying them together under a common
platform requires a full understanding of the system integration goals and what the
different limitations are.

In what way is the need for more smart technology and

features in such buildings affecting your work on these
projects?
John Blanton: Hospitals contain a vast amount of secure data, including information
that is required to be protected from fraud and theft under the Health Insurance Porta-
bility and Accountability Act (HIPAA). When working with smart technologies in a health
care application, full building integration is not always feasible because of concerns
with HIPAA compliance. The requirements that govern patient privacy are closely mon-
itored and adhered to by health care facility network infrastructure engineers, and they
are typically hesitant to allow any other outside systems to reside on their network. 5
How automation is being used for health care buildings

 Back to TOC

Operating rooms present unique challenges in

implementing automation in hospitals. Courtesy: HDR

Has the internet of things (IoT) come up in discussion or been

implemented on such projects? How has this integration
impacted the project? If so, please give an example.
Tim Willoughby: HDR has developed an integration specification that projects the
requirements to achieve a successful integrated project, which acts as a roadmap
for project integration. The integration is easy for mechanical system to the building
management control system (BMCS). The more complicated integration non-me-
chanical systems include lighting controls, power monitoring, switchgear, automatic
transfer switch and more. These complex systems require more coordination between
disciplines. In one instance, operators will require generator information through the
BMCS, yet there is also a desire for cybersafe systems. With the generator system
being an integral life safety system, the owner often desires the system to be stand-
alone from the BMCS.
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How automation is being used for health care buildings

 Back to TOC
Cybersecurity and vulnerability are increasing concerns.
Are you encountering worry/resistance around wireless
technology and IoT as the prevalence of such features
increases? How are you responding to these concerns?
John Blanton: We frequently hear about cyberattacks on different companies and
when a large health care system is the subject of the attack, the neighboring facilities
tend to have impulsive reactions as well. This tends to unintentionally have a backward
effect on the progress toward fully integrated health care facilities. As the design engi-
neer, we must be aware of the risks (real or perceived) and consult our clients on a safe
solution. While relatively new, the UL 2900-1: Standard for Software Cybersecurity for
Network-Connectable Products provides guidance for safeguarding these networks.
Having an awareness of the standard and what products choose to comply provides a
step in the right direction.

Tim Willoughby: HDR utilizes our integration specification roadmap when trying to
achieve a successfully integrated project. The integration calls for a partnership with
the owner’s IT to ensure the controls and monitoring systems meet the requirements
for cybersafe systems. The discussion of wireless technology certainly is a topic at the
top of the list for the integration team.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer

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How AI can improve building
automation system implementation  Back to TOC

Artificial intelligence (AI) can make building automation systems (BAS)

more efficient and improve energy use and knowledge.

E mbracing artificial intelligence (AI) tools is critical for engineers that are using
building automation systems (BAS) in their day-to-day operations. A panel of
experts discussed how they’ve used AI in the presentation “The Evolution and
Implementation of AI Applications in the BAS industry” at AHR Expo at McCormick
Place in Chicago.

AI uses in the modern business world

Jacob Fenley, area market leader at Cochrane Supply, said modern business have
modern expectations due to increased and sophisticated demand and most are still
trying to get up to speed with those expectations. Workers, he said, can benefit
from large language model (LLM) tools such as ChatGPT to get more productivity
out of their time.

AI tools also can help bridge the growing skills gap that has been a major challenge
for engineers. Fenley said companies can leverage AI to support modern and
legacy BAS systems. This also helps BAS contractors and service providers reduce
ramp-up and training times for new technicians. BAS distributors and manufacturers
can use AI to boost tech support capabilities and response times.

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How AI can improve building automation system implementation

 Back to TOC
Moving towards full autonomy with digital twins
Troy Harvey, CEO and founder at PassiveLogic, emphasized how hi company is moving
the building automation industry, built on AI, toward full autonomy.

AI, he said, will be the foundation of buildings with an emphasis on collaborative soft-
ware workflows, intelligent resource networks and autonomous building platforms. At
the center of it all will be AI and digital twins.

Today’s AI systems are based on deep learning, which is trained rather than pro-
grammed and is a method of programming using simple repeating functions trained
from data using differentiable programming.

In general, that’s not a bad way

for AI to learn, but the approach is
impractical for a BAS or building
management system (BMS) be-
cause every building is unique and
no one model fits all. There are
many different data sets and it’s a
slow training data generation. Left to right: Keith Gipson, CEO/Founder at facil.ai;
Jacob Fenley, area market leader at Cochrane Supply;
Digital twins, which are designed to Troy Harvey, CEO/Founder at PassiveLogic.
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology
create a digital representation of a
physical place with a digital version,
can help with the process by providing
a generative AI model with the pre- 9
How AI can improve building automation system implementation

trained knowledge and helping AI inferencing with a cycle of deduction, induction and  Back to TOC
abduction. All this leads to autonomy.

“All this lets us solve the workflow problem,” Harvey said. “But AI has to do something
useful. We all live in part of a building workflow.”

Generative autonomy, Harvey said, can help merge multiple systems into a single-world
view that is managed, aggregated, automated, coordinated and optimized in real time.

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Digital twins can play a major role in improving building automation systems (BAS).
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media and Technology
How AI can improve building automation system implementation

 Back to TOC
Using AI to improve opportunity and efficiency
Keith Gipson, CEO/ and founder at facil.ai, said AI applications in the BAS industry can
help building owners and managers because buildings are the largest energy users
and 30% of the energy consumed is wasted. Many buildings also lack connectivity and
the building and refrigeration controls are not operating at their peak efficiency poten-
tial.

AI and machine learning (ML) can help companies optimize their HVAC systems by
combining that with proportional-integral-derivative (PID) tuning. Within AI, building
managers can use iterative learning control, which uses computational algorithms and
ML modeling techniques to perform a control task in repetitive processes, which makes
it ideal for PID loop tuning.

This is part of a larger effort to make buildings more efficient and effective in their
energy usage and ensuring all energy use is cataloged and understood.

“What we can do is have digital maturity and apply modern technology to the situa-
tion,” Gipson said. “Everything we’re doing in building controls is wrong. Why not use
the building infrastructure to cool the building?”

Chris Vavra
Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.

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How to use best practices
to illuminate a NICU  Back to TOC

New guidelines address the complex lighting needs of newborn infants,

birthing women, family members and hospital staff

A dvancements in standard care and technology options present lighting design

teams with unique challenges.

Hospitals can now choose from a growing array of lighting equipment for maternal
and newborn care units. Among these options, designers must find an ideal balance of
intensity, color, direction and placement for different users who often have unique —
sometimes competing — lighting preferences.

To assist hospitals with navigating these design decisions, the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI)/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) will soon be releasing
RP-29-22 Recommended Practice: Lighting Hospital and Healthcare Facilities. RP-29-22
will include guidance to address the sensitive nature and complex lighting preferences
of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and delivery units.

Lighting design and health impacts

At birth, newborns emerge to find a bright, noisy hospital environment. Lighting can
be especially irritating for premature babies. Pupil responses do not fully develop until
around the 35th week of development. Many infants struggle to process blue light for
weeks after.

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How to use best practices to illuminate a NICU
Figure 1: Ideal lighting conditions can promote
newborn infants’ health and recovery.
Courtesy: Burns Engineering
Continuous bright light affects sleep  Back to TOC
cycles. Lighting levels can also undermine
alertness, regulation of circadian rhythms
and feeding patterns. Overstimulation
may result in greater agitation, lower
blood-oxygen levels and sub-optimal
weight gain.
Lighting can have a major impact on la-
bor and delivery as well. Birthing women
thrive in relaxing environments. Dimmed
lighting and changing colors can help to
provide distraction and calm, potentially
lowering heart rates for the woman and
child, which may facilitate an unmedicat-
ed birth.
History of NICU lighting
NICU lighting design has changed signifi-
cantly over the past century.
After World War II, evolving hospital
standards led many NICUs to stop isolat-
ing premature infants, instead grouping
them within large rooms. Bright overhead
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How to use best practices to illuminate a NICU

lights stayed on 24/7, enabling medical teams to tell if babies were turning pike or  Back to TOC
blue. At the time, it was one of the few ways to determine if infants needed oxygen.

In the 1980s, many hospitals applied research suggesting NICU environments should
mimic conditions within the womb. Dim incandescent lighting replaced harsh fluores-
cent bulbs.

The shift away from bright lights improved conditions for infant development. New-
borns and birthing women thrive within softly lit, calming environments. But darker
rooms are not necessarily the best conditions for delivering medical care.

Continuous dark lighting creates new

challenges:

• Sleeping newborns are often unin-

tentionally jolted awake when lights
are turned on during routine assess-
ments.

• Insufficient daytime ambient light

can disrupt infants’ sleep/wake cycle,
affecting their mood and possibly Figure 2: Ambient lighting levels in infant
spaces should be adjustable through a range
diminishing weight gain.
of at least 10 lux (0.9 footcandles) to no more
than 600 lux (185.8 footcandles).
• Constantly dim lighting can serious- Courtesy: Burns Engineering
ly disrupt daytime workers’ circadian
rhythm, potentially contributing to seri-
ous health impairments.
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How to use best practices to illuminate a NICU

 Back to TOC
NICU and delivery unit lighting best practices
NICU design best practice currently is to use indirect, diffuse and adjustable lighting.
NICUs are the only critical-care environment where indirect lighting is recommended
to achieve ambient v levels.

Control technologies make infinite lighting adjustments possible for NICU and delivery
unit environments. Colors and intensity levels can gradually change over the course of
the day, supporting the circadian system of infants, families and care providers.

To prevent light sources from shining directly into an infant’s sensitive eyes, LEDs can
now be placed in seemingly every imaginable location — from the ceiling and walls to
within side walls, headwalls, cabinets and beds. Light shields or diffusers can further
reduce glare.

For procedural lighting, dedicated fixtures at the infant bed can aid health care pro-
viders’ abilities to perform assessments and critical tasks. Design standards suggest
no more than 2% of light output should extend beyond the illumination field, ensuring
task lights do not increase lighting levels for other babies located in the room.

Within delivery rooms, innovative lighting installations are going far beyond minimum
standards. Multisensory rooms may twinkle like a night sky, cast patterns of a relaxing
range of colors or feature sky-and-cloud panels that give the appearance of sunlight
filling the room. More units are incorporating biophilic lighting that recreates natural
elements to reduce stress and that supports the hospital’s healing environment.

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How to use best practices to illuminate a NICU

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Figure 3: Neonatal intensive care unit design best practice is to use indirect,
diffuse and adjustable lighting. Courtesy: Brad Greenlee

Updated IES recommendations on lighting best practices

Release of new IES recommendations marks a significant step forward in promoting the
health and well-being of newborn infants and birthing mothers. The revised guidelines
acknowledge the sensitive nature of these environments, striking a balance between
the needs and preferences of different users, including infants, family members and
medical providers.

More specifically, the IES health care committee is revising ANSI/IES RP-29-20, Section
8.3.1.5 Nursery Units, to provide concise guidelines on color rendering metrics, light-
ing control application methods and ambient lighting practices.
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How to use best practices to illuminate a NICU

Recommendations include, for example, deviation from the color rendering measures  Back to TOC
included in Facility Guidelines Institute Recommended Standards for Newborn ICU
Design. It is now accepted that NICU color fidelity (Rf) should be greater than or equal
to 80 — with a color gamut (Rg) between or equal to 97 and 110.

Adopting the new IES recommendations will ultimately support care delivery. When
incorporated into hospital designs, restorative lighting conditions can promote new-
born infants’ health, establish comforting environments for families and support the
practical needs of care providers.

Julie Johnson
Julie Johnson is a Senior Engineering Specialist, Health Care Lighting Design at Burns
Engineering.

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How to utilize suites under
NFPA 101 requirements  Back to TOC

Suites are a great design option that allow for operational flexibility in
health care facilities, while still meeting NFPA 101 requirements

F or health care facilities complying with the conditions of participation for Centers
for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), the 2012 edition of NFPA 101: Life Safety
Code is required to address life safety requirements within a facility. NFPA 101 provides
a flexible design and an operational option for a collection of rooms, called suites.

While this option is also described in the International Building Code, this article will
be focused only on NFPA 101 requirements. The use of suites is unique to health care
occupancies and is often a term that is used generally and misunderstood.

What is a suite?
In general, a suite is a collection of rooms that are grouped together or adjacent to
each other. NFPA 101 Section 3.3.272.5 defines a patient care suite as, “a series of
rooms or spaces, or a subdivided room separated from the remainder of the building
by walls and doors.” While this definition has been tweaked in newer editions of NFPA
101, it remains somewhat general to allow flexibility in its use.

By grouping rooms together in a suite, the code permits certain exemptions from
other requirements typical to a health care occupancy that may otherwise negatively
impact patient care procedures, increase cost or result in additional inspection, testing
and maintenance impacts for certain features of the facility.
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How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements

NFPA 101 defines three different types of suites — patient care sleeping suites, patient  Back to TOC
care nonsleeping suites and nonpatient care suites:

• Patient care sleeping suites: These will contain “one or more sleeping beds intend-
ed for overnight sleeping” as defined by NFPA 101. An example in a hospital may
include an intensive care unit (ICU).

• Patient care nonsleeping suites: These are used for treating patients, but are not in-
tended for overnight sleeping, according to NFPA 101. Examples in a hospital may
include a radiology department, an outpatient clinic within a hospital or, potentially,
an emergency department.

• Nonpatient care suites: These are for suites that do not treat patients. Examples in a
hospital may include administration departments, staff locker rooms or the facilities
department.

Each suite type has specific requirements because of the different occupants located
within each suite.

Figure 1: Suites within a hospital facility

are used to comply with NFPA 101
requirements while keeping patient
comfort and care as a top priority.
Courtesy: Jacia Phillips, Henderson
Engineers 19
How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements

 Back to TOC
Why utilize suites?
Habitable rooms: NFPA 101 Section 18.2.5.6.1 requires, “every habitable room to have
an exit access door leading to an exit access corridor.” This is because most occupants
in a health care facility are incapable of self-preservation and require a defend-in-place
evacuation strategy. Staff is required to support evacuation, either horizontally or vertical-
ly in the facility.

Corridors, which lead to exits, become a very critical component of egress, and this
requirement for discharge limits how certain departments/units in hospitals can be
designed. One way to get around this requirement is by utilizing suites. Suites permit
occupants to exit through several rooms to get to a point where an exit access door is re-
quired, meaning that not every habitable room within the suite is required to have direct
access to a corridor. This allows designers and staff more flexibility to support patient
care while still maintaining a safe environment.

Corridors: An important feature of suites is that corridors are not required within suites.
In new health care facilities, corridors are required to be a minimum of 8 feet wide with
limited allowances for fixed furniture, wheeled equipment or projections.

In a suite, these circulation spaces (often called halls or something similar) indicate to the
authority having jurisdiction that corridors are not part of the suite and that those re-
quirements do not need to be met. This allows these circulation spaces to be reduced to
a width that is needed for evacuation, to functionally support the space or is at least 36
inches. This also allows for some amount of equipment to be located within the space so
long as there is a plan to promptly remove or relocate during an evacuation event), which
is not allowed in a corridor. 20
How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements
Every corridor also requires access to two
approved exits, without passing through
any intervening rooms or spaces other
than corridors or lobbies per NFPA 101.
Suites will allow intervening rooms to be
utilized before entering a corridor.
 Back to TOC
Figure 2: This diagram shows a suite of
rooms grouped together, in this case
for a specific modality of treatment.
Courtesy: Henderson Engineers
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How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements

Operationally, the removal of corridors and their associated requirements are a posi-  Back to TOC
tive for facilities staff. In a corridor, walls must be sealed to limit the transfer of smoke
under NFPA 101.

Additionally, corridor doors are required to:

• Resist the passage of smoke.

• Maintain an undercut of 1 inch or less.

• Maintain positive latching.

For rooms located around a circulating space in a suite, there are no corridor walls or
doors, which allows for doors that meet the functional requirements of the space (e.g.,
pressurized spaces) without requiring the additional inspection, testing and mainte-
nance listed above. Walls may contain gaps for equipment or other items required for
patient care or treatment.

Figure 3: Every corridor requires access

to two approved exits, without passing
through any intervening rooms or
spaces other than corridors or lobbies,
per NFPA 101.
Courtesy: Geoffrey Lyon,
Henderson Engineers 22
How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements

For example, it is common to see ICU patient rooms utilizing horizontal sliding doors  Back to TOC
in lieu of traditional swinging doors. These types of doors can be provided with a
latching function, but run into challenges operationally due to the need to move beds
in and out of these spaces often. By utilizing suites, these doors are allowed to only
meet the requirements needed for functionality or for other code requirements (pres-
surization, etc.).

Flexibility: Rooms in a suite do not require separation from the circulating space (un-
less for other code reasons, such as a hazardous room). If these rooms were outside a
suite, they would need to be located directly off a corridor, which has a requirement for
physical separation with a wall and door.

An example may include an opening area with treatment bays that would require walls
and doors (physical separation) for each bay if located directly on a corridor. There are
some exceptions for nurse stations or waiting spaces that are allowed in a corridor, but
the flexibility of a suite will allow many other spaces to also be open within the suite.

Specific suite requirements

Separation: NFPA 101 requires that all suites are separated from other portions of the
building by walls and doors meeting the requirements for corridor separation. Internal
walls within the suite are required to be noncombustible, limited-combustible or
partitions constructed with fire-retardant treated wood enclosed with noncombustible
or limited-combustible materials. They shall not be required to be fire rated unless
required by other portions of the code (e.g., hazardous area).

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How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements

Patient care sleeping suites: This suite  Back to TOC

type allows for patients that will be sleeping
overnight; therefore, requirements are
enhanced to address additional defend-in-
place and/or evacuation time required.

Criteria includes the following:

• Constant staff supervision is required.

• Direct supervision is required from a

“normally attended location within the
suite” for the patient sleeping rooms.
Any patient sleeping rooms without
Figure 4: Nonpatient care suites have specific
direct supervision requires smoke de- requirements outlined in NFPA 101.
tection. Courtesy: Henderson Engineers

• Maximum size of 7,500 square feet or 10,000 square feet where both direct visual
supervision and total smoke detection is provided.

• Sleeping suites exceeding 1,000 square feet require two remotely located exit
access doors. One exit access door shall be direct to a corridor. The other can be
into an adjacent suite, an exit stairway, exit passageway or an exterior door.

Exit travel distance from any point of the sleeping suite to an exit access door is
limited to 100 feet. However, the number of intervening rooms within the suite is not
limited.
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How to utilize suites under NFPA 101 requirements

Patient care nonsleeping suites: Patients treated in this suite type do not sleep over-  Back to TOC
night, which means requirements differ somewhat from patient care sleeping suites.

Some considerations include the following:

• Maximum size of 10,000 square feet. Newer editions of NFPA 101 have modified
this requirement to allow up to 12,500 square feet or 15,000 square feet. However,
this is not currently allowed by CMS.

• Nonsleeping suites exceeding 2,500 square feet require two remotely located exit
access doors. One exit access door shall be direct to a corridor. The other can be
into an adjacent suite, an exit stairway, exit passageway or an exterior door.

• Exit travel distance from any point of the nonsleeping suite to an exit access door
is limited to 100 feet. However, the number of intervening rooms within the suite is
not limited.

Nonpatient care suite: This suite type does not contain patient treatment or sleeping
uses. NFPA 101 requires that the egress provisions for this suite type follow the primary
use and occupancy contained within. For example, Figure 4 shows a pharmacy suite
and an office suite (staff only, no patients) that are permitted to follow business occu-
pancy requirements for egress.

Mark Chrisman
Mark Chrisman is the health sector executive at Henderson Engineers. A 20-year
industry veteran, Chrisman oversees strategy for the company’s health care projects
nationwide.
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How new fire alarm system
technologies are advancing safety  Back to TOC

With a focus on improving safety, efficiency and adaptability, innovations in

fire alarm systems are a remarkable leap forward in safeguarding lives and
property

T he built environment is undergoing a transformative phase in fire safety with the

onset of new technologies in fire alarm systems. Recognizing the imperative nature
of these systems, recent advancements are tailored to enhance not only the accuracy
of fire detection, but also the speed and effectiveness of emergency responses, with
the overall goal of preserving life and protecting property.

Smart detection systems

Smart detection systems represent a significant advancement in fire alarm technology,
incorporating advanced sensors and intelligent algorithms to enhance the accuracy
and efficiency of fire detection. These systems use cutting-edge technologies, includ-
ing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to distinguish between real threats
and false alarms, which helps to provide more reliable and responsive solutions.

Smart detection systems often use multisensor technology, integrating different types
of sensors such as smoke, heat and gas detectors. This approach allows the system
to analyze multiple environmental factors for a more accurate assessment of potential
fire hazards. Some smart detection systems incorporate air quality sensors to monitor
changes in the atmosphere. This can include the detection of particles, gases or other
anomalies that may indicate the presence of a fire or potential fire signatures.
26
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

The use of AI and machine learning help with pattern recognitions, which identify  Back to TOC
specific smoke and fire signatures. AI algorithms analyze patterns or trends in the data
collected by sensors and enable the system to distinguish between normal conditions for
a given environment as compared to deviations from the norm. Identifying fire or smoke
conditions minimizes the chance of a false alarm scenario. The machine learning aspect
teaches the system to adapt and improve over time. This continuous learning enhances
the ability of a smart detection system to identify emerging fire risks and streamline the
response strategies.

Smart detection systems can also be integrated with other building automation systems,
providing seamless coordination for response to alarm conditions. Examples of these
responses are activation of fire doors; heating, ventilation and air conditioning shutdown;
and lighting systems that can respond to specific activation devices and provide visibility
to help contain the spread of smoke and fire to promote timely and safe egress. These
systems can be part of a networked infrastructure that promotes real-time communica-
tion between various building systems, shortening and coordinating fire alarm system
responsiveness while also allowing for centralized monitoring and control.

Remote monitoring capabilities allow authorized personnel to observe system status and
receive alerts or notifications, including increasingly active diagnostic tools that provide
real-time analytics on device health or performance characteristics. This provides timely
and accurate information regarding system maintenance frequencies to ensure systems
remain reliable and fully operational.

These systems can be customized with a host of different configurable settings, including
device sensitivity and response parameters based on specific needs or within which the
environment they are installed. This type of adaptability ensures a well-tuned system
27
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

that can address any unique characteristics or features of these different spaces. This  Back to TOC
customization also can include detailed logging and report generation that provides
analytics and statistics relative to system operation and real-time system health checks
or even post-incident analytics that can provide valuable information to personnel to
improve response in future activity.

These smart detection systems represent the next generation of intelligent approach
fire alarm technologies. By leveraging emerging advanced sensors, including AI and
machine learning, these systems provide greater accuracy in detecting fire scenarios,
thereby reducing the likelihood of false alarms and improving overall safety in various
environmental conditions, from residential construction to emerging and complex
technology facilities.

Wireless technologies
Another emerging area is the advancement of wireless technologies that have con-
tributed to significant improvements for fire alarm system implementation in many
industries. Some of the key trending wireless technologies come from the use of mesh
networking, low-power wireless tech, 5G networks, enhanced security protocols, edge
computing and increased range.

Mesh networking allows devices to communicate with each other, creating a self-heal-
ing and resilient network, which ensures that if one device fails or is obstructed, the
network can reroute signals through alternative paths and continuous connectivity. This
enhances the reliability of wireless fire alarm systems by providing a robust and reliable
communication pathway that guarantees detection and notification devices can pro-
vide uninterrupted communication. 28
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

Low-power wireless technologies  Back to TOC

have seen improvements as well,
with technologies like Zigbee and
Z-wave providing extended battery
life for some fire alarm devices.
These longer lasting battery de-
vices that run on low-power tech-
nology help reduce maintenance
requirements and further enhance
the overall reliability of the system.

Connectivity, like 5G and counting,

offers faster and more reliable
networks for wireless connectivity
Figure 1: Newer addressable panels have increased device with ever lower latency. Fire alarm
count capabilities and advanced programming options for
complex protection needs. Courtesy: CDM Smith systems can benefit from this
technology to enable quicker data
transmission and more responsive communication between devices. This is highly
relevant in emergency situations where timely and accurate alerts can be crucial to
occupant notification for evacuation or other action. Additionally, better connectivity
seeks to enhance interoperability and simplify integration with other building systems.

Enhanced security protocols, like Wi-Fi Protection Access 3, or cybersecurity protocols

that protect radio frequencies (RFs), provide stronger and more robust encryption and
protection from outside threats. Fire alarm systems using improved security protocols
are extremely important to ensure these systems maintain integrity and the ability to
29
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

ensure confidentiality of transmitted data within the wireless system. These types of  Back to TOC
protocols are necessary to safeguard against outsider threats from unauthorized per-
sonnel and prevent tampering.

Fire alarm systems can also use edge computing to enable faster data analysis and
decision-making at the device level. Edge computing is a style that involves processing
data closer to the source, reducing latency and improving response times. This can be
of value for real-time monitoring and facilitating rapid response in potential fire events.
Combined with the previously mentioned AI and machine learning, it can continue to
enhance the ability of devices to process and make complex decisions that increase
the complexity and ability for accurate detection.

Figure 2: Cellular
communication allows for
reliable connectivity, even in
difficult locations, providing
convenient solutions to

30
challenging conditions.
Courtesy: CDM Smith
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

Advances in RF technologies and antenna design, along with system extenders, have  Back to TOC
increased the range of wireless devices. Extended wireless range allows for better and
more reliable coverage in larger buildings and reduces the number of devices neces-
sary to ensure continuous and consistent monitoring.

Notification devices
Fire alarm systems have also seen significant advancements and improvements in no-
tification devices. Recent focus has sought to enhance effectiveness, accessibility and
customization, leading to advances in multimodal alerts, advanced voice evacuation
systems, wireless devices, mass notification system integration and targeted alerts.

Multimodal alerts in devices combine visual signals (strobe lights), audible alarms
(sirens, horns or voice) and textual notifications (LED display or signage) to provide ad-
equate notification to individuals with varying sensory abilities in varying environmental
conditions.

Advanced voice evacuation systems provide clear and intelligible voice messages
during events. These devices use AI and machine learning to implement adaptable
messaging based on specific environmental conditions.

Wireless notification devices offer flexibility in installation as well as scalability. Wireless

devices such as alarms, decrease installation time, reduce the cost of wiring and make
the process of retrofitting systems into existing structures easier. These features allow
for maximum flexibility to adapt to changing conditions such as temporary structures.

The increased integration of systems includes combining fire alarm systems with mass 31
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

notification systems that facilitates a more  Back to TOC

unified approach to emergency communica-
tion. This integration ensures that fire alarms
and alerts are part of a multifaceted strategy
for various emergency situations and encour-
ages coordinated responses that allow for
broader communication during emergencies
beyond.

Visual notification devices, such as strobe

lights, have evolved with high-intensity
LED lights and customizable functions for
mass notification. These advancements
improve the visibility and attention-grabbing
capability of visual signals, especially in
environments with high ambient noise where
Figure 3: This older style panel has limited
audible alarms may be less effective. inputs, relays and programming capabilities,
which require more space allocation.
Courtesy: CDM Smith
Customizable alerts allow for building owners
and key stakeholders to tailor the type, du-
ration and intensity of alerts based on site-specific factors, the needs or vulnerabilities
of occupants and the nature of the event. This allows for appropriate alerts for a variety
of different scenarios and reduces the likelihood of panic or mass confusion. When
combined with location-based alerts, different messages or responses to different zones,
such as affected areas versus nonaffected areas, in an emergency situation can contrib-
ute to more efficiency in emergency response and facilitate safer egress for occupants.
32
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

Design and technology advancements of notification appliances, including horns,  Back to TOC
strobes and speakers, have improved the overall performance and reliability. These
improvements contribute to the durability and effectiveness of notification devices,
ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards and regulations, while also creating
more responsive, adaptable and user-friendly notification devices in fire alarm systems.
The goal is to enhance the overall safety of building occupants by providing clear and
timely alerts during emergency situations.

While the benefits are significant, challenges exist, particularly in ensuring regulatory
compliance and addressing potential security concerns in wireless systems. Ongoing
collaboration with regulatory bodies, industry experts and professionals is essential
to navigate these challenges successfully. Systems must be designed, installed and
maintained in accordance with the requirements of the adopted edition of NFPA 72:
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, local requirements and stakeholder or insur-
ance requirements.

Impact of technological advancements

All of these technological advancements are being actively implemented in various
physical environments. New construction projects are integrating these features from
the initial due diligence and planning phase, while existing structures are benefiting
from retrofitting with wireless systems. The adaptability and intelligibility of these inno-
vative next-generation technologies allows buildings of all sizes and types to enhance
their fire and life safety systems and infrastructure.

Smart detection systems, quick and intelligent devices that communicate with other
33
How new fire alarm system technologies are advancing safety

building management systems, new wireless technologies and more effective notifi-  Back to TOC
cation systems are all creating a rapidly changing environment. The more technology
continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, becoming more reliable and intelli-
gent, the more that these systems will innovate and implement new equipment. What
will the next safety breakthrough be?

Jarron Gass and Cristina Aragon-Vandenbent

Jarron Gass, PE, CFPS, is a fire protection discipline leader at CDM Smith. He focuses
on fire suppression and fire alarm design and analysis as well as water supply analysis.
Cristina Aragon-Vandenbent is a certified fire alarm designer specializing in system
integration.

34
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