Covering Fire Alarm Pull Station
 

I live in an apartment and when it was built, a fire alarm pull station was installed right next to the front door. The problem: It is only 3 1/2 feet off the ground. I'm assuming they needed to consider that anyone could live here and account for people in wheel chairs but what about kids? I have a 19 month old son who is nearly 3 ft tall. As much as I would like to say he would listen to me when I told him never to touch it unless there is a fire, I live in reality. He hasn't discovered it yet but it is only a matter of time.

The question is, can anyone tell me how I can cover the pull station to prevent his access but not break a fire codes by completely preventing its use? I looked up fire alarm covers but all I could find were covers which sound an alarm when opened (from underneath). It would scare him the first time but become a game after that.

maybe some kind of glass cover thats made to be broken to get to it...

Perhaps a shelf immediately underneath the alarm, about a foot deep? That should cut off his angle on accessing the lever without inconveniencing someone in a wheelchair.

Redlemon, nope, I am sure that alarm pull stations need to be free from obstructions from all sides at least a metre blah blah blah so a shelve would not work.

You need a glass case that JStrider was talking about. If your child is going to pull it for a prank, (s)he will need to break some shit to do it. There is a mental barrier there for pranksters... yes, they are actually destroying something instead of just flipping a switch/pushing a button.

These glass cases are psychologically proven to prevent all but the real badasses. If your little one is still fucking with it, you need to have a real heart-to-heart (or in the case of my childhood, a little foot-to-ass and fist-to-face).

Several codes apply to this situation, NFPA 72, ADA, Life Safety 101, and perhaps a state/local standard.

Per NFPA 72: 2.8.1 The operable part of each manual fire alarm box shall be not less than 3 1/2 ft (1.1 m) and not more than 4 1/2 ft (1.37 m) above floor level.

Any type of vandal/tamper/weather cover must be UL listed for that purpose. Homemade solutions aren't UL listed unless the installed has gone to the trouble of having a UL field evaluation performed.

Any cover designed to be broken must meet ADA standards with respect to the amount of force required for that breakage, just as the manual fire alarm box cannot require more than a certain amount of energy, measured in foot/pounds to operate it, and cannot require gripping or twisting motions of the hand. The hinged covers with sounders may not require more than 5 foot pounds to operate under ADA.

Does this criteria need to be met in this situation? In my case: the fire alarm is installed in the apartment where no one but my family or the manager (in an emergency) are the only ones who have access to it; there are no disabled people living in the apartment; and the cover is only temporary until we move or the kids are old enough to know not to touch it.

Yes the code still applies, however I seriously doubt that the local fire marshal or building inspector is going to be inspecting this w/o your prior knowledge. So while the code does still apply, it's almost impossible to enforce after the building is occupied.

I wouldn't go quite that far WRT the last sentence. That's dependent on where the OP is located and what local codes and ordinances apply regarding occupancies subject to coverage with a fire alarm system. Most of the places where I've installed or serviced fire alarm systems undergo periodic regular inspections by code enforcement personnel, and if I observed the occupant doing something which adversely affected the system, I'd give them a friendly word once to make the problem go away. If I saw it a second time, I'd report it to the AHJ.

Okay, so I need to follow the rules. So.....I guess it is time to start shopping. Thanks for all of your help.

It is difficult to enforce after the building is occupied because of the fact those inspections are typically scheduled inspections, especially if this is inside his apartment. As long as there is nothing there during inspection he's fine.

I have no affiliation with this site, but I went searching on Google just to see what I could find and ran across a company that at least had a good listing of Fire Alarm covers:
http://www.wrhw.com/catalog/customer/home.php?cat=320

I KNOW that I have seen the versions that you have to break the glass with the little metal stick before you can release the alarm handle before. I lived on college campuses for about 7 years (4 years undergrad, then 3 years while the wife worked in college housing) in resident halls and I remember at least one of the halls we lived in had this type of alarm to at least deter all but those who are determined to do something vandalistic.

I would suggest one of the covers that has a glass front with the little metal handle to break the glass. I think that would be something not most children would attempt just out of curiosity.

Why don't you notify/involve your landlord?

-bear

I'm saving it as a last resort. My biggest reason is that he isn't very good at his job. He took over in Spring and has failed to show me that he can do what is required. I've already complained to the building owners about his lack of ability and his poor attitude but he is still employed.

If I can't find an alternative solution, I will probably break down and call him.

If he pulls the alarm once, he certainly won't pull it a second time. Also, I haven't heard of toddlers pulling fire alarms before; perhaps it just isn't that tempting.

It may not happen often but he has already tried standing on his chair and reaching for the box. While you are probably right that one pull would do it, I'm trying to prevent it from happening at all.

Spanxxx: I had seen the cover you suggested but that brings up a new problem.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/f6twister/alarmcover.jpg">

With my son standing at just below 3ft already and the alarm at 3 1/2, won't that leave the "hammer" within his reach? I'm assuming that the hammer either isn't removable or, since it is necessary, illegal to remove.

Find out what happens when the cord is pulled.

It is possible that the entire fire department could turn up at your door with axes in hand, sirens blazing, power hose in your face.

Is there a fine for pulling the cord when there's no fire?

What's the worst that could happen?

I'd leave the cord as it is, you might need it.

They would probably be understanding if it was pulled by a little kid. Hell, take him by the fire dept. and let them give him a tour and a lecture. And if he is that young, perhaps you shouldn't leave him that unattended - and I'm assuming you meant the alarm is outside your apartment door. If it's not, perhaps you could have it moved outside the door? Just a thought...

Usually the hammer is not hanging like that, but hooks flush into the side. so you'd have to unhook it before using it. And pulling on it won't do anything, unless he pulls really hard I guess, then the entire thing might come out of the wall. How strong is he? :)