---
title: Fire Alarm Takeoff
tags:
  - occupational/takeoff
  - status/draft
  - type/guide
---
# Fire Alarm Takeoff

> [!important]
> Complete [[emergency-systems-research]] before beginning takeoff.

> [!info]
> This note is intended for practice specific to [[pdi-estimating]].
> See [[fire-alarm]] for information about fire alarm systems.

* `System` = "FA - Fire Alarm"

## Assembly Selection

Free Air < PVC in Slab < EMT

_High Rise (Steel & slab):_ Free air in Units, use conduit elsewhere.[^1]
_Mid Rise, High Density (Wood frame):_ Free air, conduit only where required.

[^1]: [[2026-02-26_10-06-19]]

## Backbone

Include [[sleeving-takeoff]] as necessary.

`COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/...

### Fire Command Center

1. * `Area` = As shown.
    * `Phase` = As shown.

    .../`HEAD END EQUIP`/`... HEAD END`

### Generator Room

1. * `Area` = Same as FACR.
    * `Phase` = Same as FACR.

    .../`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`GENERATOR ROOM ...`

### Fire Pump Room

1. * `Area` = Same as FACR.
    * `Phase` = Same as FACR.

    .../`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE PUMP ROOM ...`

### Elevator Control Rooms

> Also "Elevator Machine Room (EMR)"

* `Area` = Same as FACR.
* `Phase` = Same as FACR.

For each Elevator Control Room (ECR):

1. .../`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`ELEV CONTROL ROOM ...`
    * **Count** = 1

2. .../`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`FACR TO ELEV CONTROL RM ...`
    * **Length** = Length measured from the most distant points of the FACR and ECR.
        * Input adder length to reach the level of the ECR (Minimum 15ft).

### Elevator Shafts

* `Area` = Same as FACR.
* `Phase` = Same as FACR.

For each elevator shaft:

1. .../`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`ELEV SHAFT ...`
    * **Count** = 1

2. .../`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`FACR TO ELEV SHAFT ...`
    * **Length** = Length measured from the most distant points of the FACR and elevator shaft.
        * Input adder length to reach the level of the shaft (Minimum 15ft).

> [!important] Counting Elevator Shafts
> Adjacent elevators may be in the same or parallel shafts.
> Count the shafts accordingly:
>
> ```
> +-----------------------------+--------------------------------+
> |                             |                                |
> | || +--------+ +--------+ || | || +--------+ || +--------+ || |
> | || | Elev 1 | | Elev 2 | || | || | Elev 1 | || | Elev 2 | || |
> | || +--------+ +--------+ || | || +--------+ || +--------+ || |
> | ||=======================|| | ||============||============|| |
> |           1 shaft           |            2 shafts            |
> +-----------------------------+--------------------------------+
> ```

### FACR to Stairwells

> [!info]
> This is for the Flow/Tamper modules in the stairwells

For each stairwell:

1. * `Area` = Same as FACR.
    * `Phase` = Same as FACR.

    .../`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`FACR TO STAIRWELLS 1" CONDUIT ...`
    * **Length** = Length measured from the most distant points of the FACR and stairwell.
        * Input adder length to reach the level of the stairwell (Minimum 15ft).

## Terminal Cabinets

`COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`TERMINAL CABINET`/`ACE D ACCESSORY CABINET ENCLOSURE ...`

* _Garden Style, High Density:_ (2) 1"C
* _High Rise:_ (2) 2"C

1. Horizontal:

    * `Area` = Same as FACR.

    `... HORIZONTAL RUN`
    * **Length** = Length measured from FACR to all electrical rooms

2. Vertical:

    * `Area` = "Typical - Building All Levels"

    `... RISER`
    * **Length** = 10ft

## Annunciator Panels

> [!info] Also Known As
> * Fire Alarm Annunciator (FAA)
> * Fire Alarm Annunciator Panel (FAAP)

 1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`ANNUNCIATORS`/`REMOTE SERIAL ANNUNCIATOR ...`
    * **Length** = Length measured from the FACR to FAA or Lobby

## Central Monitoring Loop

* `System` = "FAR - Fire Alarm Loop"

> [!important]
> Garden Style only.
>
> Fire Alarm Control Panels from each building will send a signal to a central location.
>
> In case of an emergency,
> the fire department will go to the central fire alarm station
> and find out what the issue is.

## Devices

### Smoke Detectors

1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`INITIATING DEVICES WITH WIRE - ...`/`SMOKE DETECTOR W/ BASE - ...`
    * **Count:** As shown, otherwise (1) every stairwell at every level.

### Pull Stations

1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`INITIATING DEVICES WITH WIRE - ...`/`PULL STATION - ...`
    * **Count:** As shown, otherwise (1) every stairwell at every level and every exterior exit.

### Flow/Tamper Switches

1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`INITIATING DEVICES ...`/`ADDRESSABLE DUAL MONITOR MODULE - FLOW/TAMPER - ...` (No free-air)
    * **Count:** As shown, otherwise (1) every stairwell at every level.

### Magnetic Door Holders

1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`INDICATING DEVICES WITH WIRE - ...`/`MAGNETIC DOOR HOLDER - ...`
    * **Count:** As shown, otherwise (2) every set of double doors.
        (Typical of elevator lobbies and corridors)

### Horns, Speakers, and Strobes

1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`INDICATING DEVICES WITH WIRE - ...`/`INDOOR HORN STROBE - ...`

_Design Build (method 1):_
* Count every 75 ft,
    * measure with circles on Bluebeam
    * or divide relevant SF area by 4415
        * $\pi(\frac{75}{2})^2 \approx 4415$
* every elevator lobby, and
* every BOH room on the first floor and garage levels.

_Design Build (alternative method):_
* 15ft from end of corridor,
* then every 50ft

## Fire/Smoke Dampers (FSD's)

> [!info]
> Refers to fire, smoke, and combination fire/smoke dampers.

In [[pdi-building-types#High Rise|high rise construction]],
usually found on every level with units.

> [!tip]
>  If possible, use
> * `Area` = "Typical - Fire Smoke Dampers"
> with quantity per level as shown.

For each damper, take off both

1. * `System` = "FA - Fire Alarm"

    `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`INITIATING DEVICES ...`/`ADDRESSABLE OUTPUT RELAY CONTROL MODULE ...`

2. * `System` = "EL - Electrical"

    `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`MISC ASSEMBLIES`/`FSD ...`
