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I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
I used to live in a house that had that setup.
I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
I used to live in a house that had that setup.
On Tue, 5 Apr 2022 19:20:37 -0700, Aoli <Aoli@Aoli.com> wrote:
I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
I used to live in a house that had that setup.
Not enough info. Is the fan part of an HVAC system or a stand alone
fan? Can you point to an example of the \"whole house fan\"? I don\'t
know if you want a simple thermal fuse such as:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SolarAtticFan-Fire-Safety-Cut-Off-Switch-FSCS-SS/203807520
a shutoff tied into a home automation system which includes fire
sensors, or a mechanical solenoid attached to the main breaker that
turns off the breaker if a fire is detected. This pneumatic system is
made for race cars:
https://timmcamis.com/shop/fire-system-electric-disconnect-kit.html
https://youtu.be/69B1qsnh7Zk
but I suspect there may be something similar for homes.
These might help:
606.4.2 Fan Shutdown
https://up.codes/s/fan-shutdown
Should the HVAC System be Shut Down on Alarm?
https://www.douglaskrantz.com/QFHVACShutdown.html
HVAC Shutdown by Fire Alarm System
https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=119122
My guess(tm) is that it\'s called an \"HVAC fire shutdown\".
https://www.google.com/search?q=hvac+fire+shutdown
and that it requires a fire alarm system to implement.
I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
I used to live in a house that had that setup.
I see what you mean and how it came across. Sorry about that. Now, let me tell you why I did it.Charles Lucas
Clearly, you do not read for content, and are incredibly bored such that you would both involve yourself in random posts and give generally inept advice. And, at the same time inviting abuse.
Not good!
Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
Charles, you need to remember that this venue exists to provide overly complex solutions to simple problems after extensive discussions of picayune and irrelevant issues.
The OP wanted a device to shut off a whole-house exhaust fan if a fire (or smoke) is detected. Depending on what is already there, he has various options. They are not complicated, do not require specialized skills and are not overly costly.
The OP is not discussing an ANSUL system. And, given what I do for a living, I would _NEVER_ even suggest or refer to an ANSUL system in a normal family residence. I would suggest a good Class K fire extinguisher if one is that heavily into it that a standard ABC device would not be appropriate.
Sprinklers? That is an issue in itself. New-Code around here does require residential sprinkler systems under some circumstances. In new construction, they are merely costly. For existing construction, they can be extremely costly. Doing the math on our house as an example, it would take roughly forty (40) heads to include closets, turns, hallways and such. More if I could not use side-spray heads. Would \"city pressure\" be enough, or would I have to boost? 80 psi is required at full-flow, so no, city pressure (60 psi on the third floor - I know) would not be adequate. And, should there be an associated power-failure to the fire - Oops - now I need a fuel-fired pump.. Note that we live in a center-hall colonial built in 1890. Not an easy finagle to get piping anywhere not already established. Even using a flex material (PEX or Vic-Flex).
So, the best advice under other-than-extreme conditions is to keep the smoke-detectors up-to-date, test them regularly, and RESPOND to them when they go off. Have the appropriate fire extinguishers in the appropriate locations, and even fire one off every so often to be familiar with their use. CO Detectors if one burns fuel in unvented or conventionally vented devices, and so forth. KISS
Common sense isn\'t.
Now, you want some irony? About 30 years ago, I was involved in a forensic investigation of a residential fire in a house built in 1795, but fully upgraded over the years. The owner had just upgraded his 100A service to a 200A service so as to install central AC, and also a brand new whole-house fire alarm, with all the bells, whistles, devices and so forth that were current in the 1990s. Local code then required that said fire alarm be powered directly from the mains, without a fuse or breaker. So, what did our clever electrician do? He connected the feed to the alarm (Copper) into the mains at the lugs (Aluminum). This being a fairly standard house in Chestnut Hill, PA, the basement was typically damp. Well, the aluminum started to talk hard to the copper, and between the two of them, sparks started to fly. *POOF*. Took a mere 45 days from installation. The 200A Panel was a puddle of steel on the floor. The fire got hot enough to ignite 200-year-old rough-sawn SLYP joists. Not easy. And, once they get started, they go.
Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
I used to live in a house that had that setup.
I\'m curious - in case of a house fire do you want the attic fan to pull
out the smoke or stop pulling in fresh air?
So. Let\'s start with the OP: I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
On 4/5/2022 7:20 PM, Aoli wrote:
I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
I used to live in a house that had that setup.
I\'m curious - in case of a house fire do you want the attic fan to pull
out the smoke or stop pulling in fresh air?
Charles:
One more try. And I will try not to be snarky. This is a discussion group with a focus on problem-solving with an electronics emphasis. It is also, perforce, done at at distance. Often the initiator of a discussion is not only on another continent, but also subject to different codes, a different environment, and often very different basic systems. Given that this venue is also frequented by those passing as, or attempting to pass as human, with all the associated foibles, peculiarities, assumptions and backgrounds (good, bad and indifferent), there will be the occasional outlier when it comes to advice given.
Generally, >I< attempt to:
a) understand the question.
b) understand the asker\'s purpose for the question.
c) attempt to clarify my understanding if not immediately clear.
Note, I write ONLY for myself. I do not write HOLY WRIT, although I try to be reasonably apt in my advice. And in most aspects of things discussed here, there are many who are vastly more experienced than I.
With all that in mind, only then will I offer advice, and only then to the extent that it is (in my experience/opinion) useful. I was not being snarky at all when I wrote: \"... that this venue exists to provide overly complex solutions to simple problems after extensive discussions of picayune and irrelevant issues.\" That is one of the side-effects of Usenet - that there are those who feel it necessary to not only address the nits, but pick at them as well.
So. Let\'s start with the OP: I have an whole house fan and I want to put a fire shutoff device above
it that would in-line wire power to the fan but I do not know what they
are called or where to find them.
At the present moment, I work in a 600,000 s.f. (557,740 s.m.) medical research facility that is 100% fresh air throughout. So, whereas there no true return-air fans, but exhaust fans. Each one of them (14 in total) has an in-duct smoke detector that will shut it off should it trip. It will _ALSO_ shut off the associated air-handler. The system as a whole moves 46,200,000 c.f. (1,308,238 c.m.) of air per hour (7 changes, on average). Altogether, even if a 50-year-old system, pretty sophisticated and within current codes. So, yes, I understand the wish behind the OP\'s request. And even though this is a BIG system, I have worked with smaller systems as well. And installed any number of related systems either as an owner, or holding the tools for another owner. So, I tried to give a relatable, simple, and directed answer.
I am as good as the next guy at vituperation. And at least as snarky. I admit, even, to enjoying the wordplay when the opportunity presents. In your case, however, you are putting yourself in harm\'s way - however sincerely - by flying off on tangents and not \'stopping\' while on those flights. Nobody here minds extraneous discussions, but with the expectation that, somehow, they are a natural outflow of the thread, a thread of their own, or similar. But when one sees upwards of several dozens of posts comingling fly-poop with pepper and discussing the grain-size of same, hence the \"... venue exists....\" line.
Nor does anyone mind inquiring about old posts. On occasion, I have updated my own reporting long-term results of a procedure, as that may be relevant to some.
It is \"Aim. Ready. FIRE!\". Not \"FIRE!, Ready, Aim.
Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
Thank you for everything, Peter, sir. I understand completely where you are coming from. I shall be more judicious in the future before I respond. I realize I was all over the place on this thread (along with noting and emphasizing particular things- just things to think about, as stated before). Thank you for everything. No harm or irritation intended. Thank you for teaching me a lot here. God Bless You. Have a wonderful day.