Healthcare facilities require fire alarm and detection specifications at a higher level than in other buildings, according to an article on the Consulting - Specifying Engineer website.
Critical facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, require protection using an increased level of fire alarm and detection compared to many other types of facilities, the article said.
Requirements are related to patient care, emergency procedures and the unique nature and large areas in critical-care facilities.
Zoning of fire alarm systems is also critical in healthcare occupancies, like nursing homes. The best design practice for these facilities is to match the fire alarm zones to the smoke compartments, the article said.