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907.3 Where Required—Existing Buildings and Structures
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Fire alarm systems and smoke alarms shall be installed in existing buildings in accordance with Sections 907.3.1 and 907.3.2.
When required by the Existing Building Code of New York State, an approved manual fire alarm system, automatic fire detection system, or heat detection system shall be provided in the occupancies listed in Sections 907.3.1.1 through 907.3.1.8 and installed in accordance with this Code and NFPA 72. Where automatic sprinkler protection is provided in accordance with 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and connected to the building fire alarm, automatic heat detection shall not be required.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group E occupancies in accordance with Section 907.2.3.
Exceptions:
- A building with a maximum area of 1,000 square feet (93 m2) that contains a single classroom and is located no closer than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from another building.
- Group E with an occupant load less than 50.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group I-1 residential care/assisted living facilities.
Exception:
Where each sleeping room has a means of egress door opening directly to an exterior egress balcony that leads directly to the exits in accordance with Section 1014.5, and the building is not more than three stories in height.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group I-2 occupancies in accordance with Section 907.2.6.2.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group I-3 occupancies in accordance with Section 907.2.6.3.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group R-1 hotels and motels more than three stories or with more than 20 sleeping units.
Exception:
Buildings less than two stories in height where all sleeping units, attics and crawl spaces are separated by 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction and each sleeping unit has direct access to a public way, exit court or yard.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group R-1 boarding and rooming houses.
Exception:
Buildings that have single-station smoke alarms meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 907.2.10.1 and where the fire alarm system includes at least one manual fire alarm box per floor arranged to initiate the alarm.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group R-2 occupancies more than three stories in height or with more than 16 dwelling units or sleeping units.
Exceptions:
- Where each living unit is separated from other contiguous living units by fire barriers having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 0.75 hour, and where each living unit has either its own independent exit or its own independent stairway or ramp discharging at grade.
- A separate fire alarm system is not required in buildings that are equipped throughout with an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and having a local alarm to notify all occupants.
- A fire alarm system is not required in buildings that do not have interior corridors serving dwelling units and are protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, provided that dwelling units either have a means of egress door opening directly to an exterior exit access that leads directly to the exits or are served by open-ended corridors designed in accordance with Section 1023.6, Exception 4.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group R-4 residential care/assisted living facilities.
Exceptions:
- Where there are interconnected smoke alarms meeting the requirements of Section 907.2.10 and there is at least one manual fire alarm box per floor arranged to sound continuously the smoke alarms.
- Other manually activated, continuously sounding alarms approved by the code enforcement official.
Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in existing Group R occupancies in accordance with Sections 907.3.2.1 through 907.3.2.3.
Existing Group R occupancies not already provided with single-station smoke alarms shall be provided with approved single-station smoke alarms. Installation shall be in accordance with Section 907.2.10, except as provided in Sections 907.3.2.2 and 907.3.2.3.
Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in Group R-2, R-3 or R-4, or within an individual sleeping unit in Group R-1, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
Exceptions:
- Interconnection is not required in buildings that are not undergoing alterations, repairs or construction of any kind.
- Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to be interconnected where alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
In Group R occupancies, single-station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.
Exception:
Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated: in existing buildings where no construction is taking place; in buildings that are not served from a commercial power source; and in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes.
In addition to all other requirements, portable smoke alarms of both audible and visual design shall be provided in all buildings of Group R-1 occupancy. The number of smoke alarms available shall be three percent of the number of sleeping units with a minimum of one operational smoke alarm per building. Proprietors shall post conspicuously a sign, with letters at least 3 inches (76 mm) in height, at the main desk or other similar station advising of the availability of such smoke alarms. Such smoke alarms shall be in conformity with NFPA 72 and shall have a minimum visible effective intensity rating of 100 candela. Hard wiring of audible/visual smoke alarms into an existing central fire system shall be permitted in lieu of such portable smoke alarms. Where a fire alarm system is required by this code or other applicable law or regulation, visual indicating smoke alarms shall be incorporated into or connected to the fire alarm system, such that visual notification is activated by the system.