907.2.6.2 Group I-2 Occupancies—General

A manual and automatic fire alarm system shall be installed in Group I-2 occupancies in accordance with Sections 907.2.6.2.through 907.2.6.2.4.

Initiation of the fire alarm system shall be by manual and automatic means. Approved automatic fire detectors shall be installed in laundry and soiled linen rooms, boiler and furnace rooms, mechanical and electrical rooms, shops, laboratories, kitchens, locker rooms, janitors' closets, trash-collection rooms, storage rooms, lounges, gift shops, and similar areas. Hospitals, nursing homes (both intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities), board and care homes, and detoxification facilities shall be provided with smoke detection throughout the corridor and areas open to the corridors, other than nurses' stations.

1. Corridor smoke detection shall not be required where the sleeping room smoke detectors required in Section 907.2.6.3.are connected to an approved fire alarm system and activate a general evacuation signal.
2. Manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required at exits from patient sleeping areas if located at all nurses' stations or other constantly attended staff locations, provided such fire alarm boxes are visible and continuously accessible and provided that travel distances horizontally on the same floor shall not exceed 200 feet to reach a manual fire alarm box.

Activation of the fire alarm system or automatic sprinkler system shall initiate a signal that is distinctive from audible signals used for other purposes in the same building. Such signal is intended to notify staff and need not meet the minimum sound pressure levels required for general evacuation fire alarm notification. In addition, activation of the fire alarm system shall immediately transmit an alarm to an approved central station or remote station service.

1. In lieu of audible notification appliances, visible notification appliances shall be allowed to be used in critical care areas.
2. Where occupants are incapable of evacuating themselves because of age, physical/mental disabilities, or physical restraint, only the attendants or other personnel required to evacuate occupants from a zone, area, floor, or building shall be required to be notified. This notification shall include means to readily identify the zone, area, floor, or building in need of evacuation.
3. Where total evacuation of occupants is impractical due to building configuration, only the occupants in the affected zones shall be initially notified. Provisions shall be made to selectively notify occupants in other zones to afford orderly evacuation of the entire building.

Smoke detectors shall be installed in patient sleeping rooms of hospitals and nursing homes. Such detectors' primary power shall be other than battery power. Actuation of such detectors shall cause a visual display on the corridor side of the room where the detector is located and shall cause a distinct audible and visual alarm at the nurses' station attending the room. Such detectors may be part of the facility's fire alarm system, nurses' call system, or a standalone system.

Integral smoke detectors for automatic door-closing devices on sleeping room doors can be installed only if they also meet all of the requirements in Section 907.2.6.2.3.

For Group I-2 facilities other than hospitals and nursing homes, single station smoke alarms shall be installed in resident sleeping rooms.