Fire Smokes with Door Holders

While at a seminar the other day for the WBFAA (Western Burglar and Fire Alarm Association) I came across two areas of the hotel with fire alarm code violations.

The first issue involves fire alarm smoke detection and electro-magnetic door holders.  The NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (2010)states the following:

 "2-10.6.5.1.1 If the depth of wall section above the door is 24 inches (610 mm) or less, one ceiling mounted detector shall be required on one side of the doorway only."

"2-10.6.5.1.2* If the depth of wall section above the door is greater than 24 inches (610 mm), two ceiling mounted detectors shall be required, one on each side of the doorway."

Location

"2-10.6.6.1 If ceiling mounted smoke detectors are to be installed on a smooth ceiling for a single or double doorway, they shall be located as follows (Figure 2-10.6.5.3.1 shall apply):

1. On the center line of the doorway.
2. No more than 5 feet (1.5 m) measured along the ceiling and perpendicular to the door way. (Figure 2-10.6.5.1.1 shall apply.)
3. No closer than shown in Figure 2-10.6.5.1.1, parts B, D and F.

As seen in the picture below, the photoelectric fire alarm smoke detector is within 5 feet of the wall.  However, with the header above the door (more than 24 inches) there should be a smoke detector on both sides of the doorway and there was not.  Other doorways within the hotel held open by magnetic door holders did not even have smoke detection. 

It is amazing to me to see some of the bad installations out there and to think of the law suits that could come due to negligence like this.  Read about the other code violation I found here.