Equipment using gas and related gas piping shall be in accordance with NFPA 54 or NFPA 58 unless such installations are approved existing installations, which shall be permitted to be continued in service.
Electrical wiring and equipment shall be in accordance with NFPA 70 unless such installations are approved existing installations, which shall be permitted to be continued in service.
Emergency generators and standby power systems shall be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 110.
Stored electrical energy systems shall be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 111.
Air-conditioning, heating, ventilating ductwork, and related equipment shall be in accordance with NFPA 90A or NFPA 90B, as applicable, unless such installations are approved existing installations, which shall be permitted to be continued in service.
Ventilating or heat-producing equipment shall be in accordance with NFPA 91, NFPA 211, NFPA 31, NFPA 54, or NFPA 70, as applicable, unless such installations are approved existing installations, which shall be permitted to be continued in service.
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Where required by another section of this Code, commercial cooking operations shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 96 unless such installations are approved existing installations, which shall be permitted to be continued in service.
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Ventilating systems in laboratories using chemicals shall be in accordance with NFPA 45.
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Where required by another section of this Code, smoke control systems shall be designed, installed, inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 92, NFPA 204, or nationally recognized standards, engineering guides, or recommended practices, as approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
Acceptance testing shall be performed by a special inspector in accordance with Section 9.13.
An elevator, other than an elevator in accordance with 7.2.13, shall not be considered a component in a required means of egress but shall be permitted as a component in an accessible means of egress.
Except as modified herein, new elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and moving walks shall be in accordance with the requirements of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.
Elevators in accordance with ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7, Performance-Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, shall be deemed to comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, or ASME A17.3, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators.
For other than elevators used for occupant-controlled evacuation in accordance with Section 7.15 and other than existing elevators, the elevator corridor call station pictograph specified in 2.27.9 of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, shall be provided at each elevator landing.
All new elevators shall conform to the fire fighters' emergency operations requirements of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.
All existing elevators having a travel distance of 25 ft (7620 mm) or more above or below the level that best serves the needs of emergency personnel for fire-fighting or rescue purposes shall conform to the fire fighters' emergency operations requirements of ASME A17.3, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators.
The number of elevator cars permitted in a hoistway shall be in accordance with 8.6.9.4.
Elevator machine rooms that contain solid-state equipment for elevators, other than existing elevators, having a travel distance exceeding 50 ft (15 m) above the level of exit discharge, or exceeding 30 ft (9.1 m) below the level of exit discharge, shall be provided with independent ventilation or air-conditioning systems to maintain temperature during fire fighters' emergency operations for elevator operation (see 9.4.3). The operating temperature shall be established by the elevator equipment manufacturer's specifications. When standby power is connected to the elevator, the machine room ventilation or air-conditioning shall be connected to standby power.
Elevators shall be subject to periodic inspections and tests as specified in ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.
All elevators equipped with fire fighters' emergency operations in accordance with 9.4.3 shall be subject to a monthly operation with a written record of the findings made and kept on the premises as required by ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.
The elevator inspections and tests required by 9.4.6.1 shall be performed at frequencies complying with one of the following:
- Inspection and test frequencies specified in Appendix N of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
- Inspection and test frequencies specified by the authority having jurisdiction
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Waste chutes and laundry chutes shall be separately enclosed by walls or partitions in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.3.
Chute intake openings shall be protected in accordance with Section 8.3.
Chute service opening rooms shall be separated from other spaces in accordance with Section 8.7.
The requirements of 9.5.1.1 through 9.5.1.4 shall not apply where otherwise permitted by the following:
- Existing installations having properly enclosed service chutes and properly installed and maintained chute intake doors shall be permitted to have chute intake doors open to a corridor or normally occupied space.
- Waste chutes and laundry chutes shall be permitted to open into rooms not exceeding 400 ft2 (37 m2) that are used for storage, provided that the room is protected by automatic sprinklers.
Waste chutes, laundry chutes, and incinerators shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 82 unless such installations are approved existing installations, which shall be permitted to be continued in service.
The provisions of Section 9.6 shall apply only where specifically required by another section of this Code.
Fire alarm systems shall be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with the applicable requirements of NFPA 70 and NFPA 72 unless it is an approved existing installation, which shall be permitted to be continued in use.
A manual fire alarm box shall be provided as follows, unless modified by another section of this Code.
- For new alarm system installations, the manual fire alarm box shall be located within 60 in. (1525 mm) of exit doorways.
- For existing alarm system installations, the manual fire alarm box either shall be provided in the natural exit access path near each required exit or within 60 in. (1525 mm) of exit doorways.
For fire alarm systems using automatic fire detection or waterflow detection devices to initiate the fire alarm system in accordance with Chapters 11 through 43, not less than one manual fire alarm box, located as required by the authority having jurisdiction, shall be provided to initiate a fire alarm signal. This paragraph does not permit the omission of manual fire alarm boxes in accordance with other provisions of this Subsection unless specifically permitted by Chapters 11 through 43.
Where a total (complete) coverage smoke detection system is required by another section of this Code, automatic detection of smoke in accordance with NFPA 72 shall be provided in all occupiable areas in environments that are suitable for proper smoke detector operation.
Where required by another section of this Code, single-station and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be in accordance with NFPA 72 unless otherwise provided in 9.6.2.10.3, 9.6.2.10.4, 9.6.2.10.6, or 9.6.2.10.7.
Where automatic smoke detection is required by Chapters 11 through 43, smoke alarms shall not be used as a substitute.
The interconnection of smoke alarms shall apply only to new construction as provided in 9.6.2.10.9.
Unless otherwise provided in 9.6.2.10.6, smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within an area of exclusion determined by a 10 ft (3.0 m) radial distance along a horizontal flow path from a stationary or fixed cooking appliance, unless listed for installation in close proximity to cooking appliances. Smoke alarms and smoke detectors installed between 10 ft (3.0 m) and 20 ft (6.1 m) along a horizontal flow path from a stationary or fixed cooking appliance shall be equipped with an alarm-silencing means or use photoelectric detection. [72:29.8.3.4(4)]
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Smoke alarms or smoke detectors that use photoelectric detection shall be permitted for installation at a radial distance greater than 6 ft (1.8 m) from any stationary or fixed cooking appliance when the following conditions are met:
- The kitchen or cooking area and adjacent spaces have no clear interior partitions or headers.
- The 10 ft (3.0 m) area of exclusion would prohibit the placement of a smoke alarm or smoke detector required by other sections of NFPA 72. [72:29.8.3.4(4)]
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Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within a 36 in. (910 mm) horizontal path from a door to a bathroom containing a shower or tub unless listed for installation in close proximity to such locations. [72:29.8.3.4(6)]
System smoke detectors in accordance with NFPA 72 and arranged to function in the same manner as single-station or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be permitted in lieu of smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms, other than battery-operated smoke alarms as permitted by other sections of this Code, shall be powered in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 72.
In new construction, where two or more smoke alarms are required within a dwelling unit, suite of rooms, or similar area, they shall be arranged so that operation of any smoke alarm shall cause the alarm in all smoke alarms within the dwelling unit, suite of rooms, or similar area to sound, unless otherwise permitted by one of the following:
- The requirement of 9.6.2.10.9 shall not apply where permitted by another section of this Code.
- The requirement of 9.6.2.10.9 shall not apply to configurations that provide equivalent distribution of the alarm signal.
The alarms described in 9.6.2.10.9 shall sound only within an individual dwelling unit, suite of rooms, or similar area and shall not actuate the building fire alarm system, unless otherwise permitted by the authority having jurisdiction.
Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be connected to the building fire alarm system for the purpose of annunciation in accordance with NFPA 72.
Occupant notification shall be provided to alert occupants of a fire or other emergency where required by other sections of this Code.
Occupant notification shall be in accordance with 9.6.3.3 through 9.6.3.10.2, unless otherwise provided in 9.6.3.2.1 through 9.6.3.2.4.
Elevator lobby, hoistway, and associated machine room smoke detectors used solely for elevator recall, and heat detectors used solely for elevator power shutdown, shall not be required to activate the building evacuation alarm if the power supply and installation wiring to such detectors are monitored by the building fire alarm system, and if the activation of such detectors initiates a supervisory signal at a constantly attended location.
Smoke detectors used solely for closing dampers or heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system shutdown shall not be required to activate the building evacuation alarm, provided that the power supply and installation wiring to the detectors are monitored by the building fire alarm system, and the activation of the detectors initiates a supervisory signal at a constantly attended location.
Smoke detectors located at doors for the exclusive operation of automatic door release shall not be required to activate the building evacuation alarm, provided that the power supply and installation wiring to the detectors are monitored by the building fire alarm system, and the activation of the detectors initiates a supervisory signal at a constantly attended location.
Detectors in accordance with 22.3.4.3.1(2) and 23.3.4.3.1(2) shall not be required to activate the building evacuation alarm.
Unless otherwise provided in 9.6.3.5.1 through 9.6.3.5.8, notification signals for occupants to evacuate shall be by audible and visible signals in accordance with NFPA 72 and ICC/ANSI A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, or other means of notification acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Areas not subject to occupancy by persons who are hearing impaired shall not be required to comply with the provisions for visible signals.
Visible-only signals shall be provided where specifically permitted in health care occupancies in accordance with Chapters 18 and 19.
Visible signals shall not be required in lodging or rooming houses in accordance with Chapter 26.
Visible signals shall not be required in elevator cars.
The general evacuation alarm signal shall operate in accordance with one of the methods prescribed by 9.6.3.6.1 through 9.6.3.6.3.
The general evacuation alarm signal shall operate throughout the entire building other than the locations described in 9.6.3.6.4 and 9.6.3.6.5.
Where total evacuation of occupants is impractical due to building configuration, only the occupants in the affected zones shall be initially notified, and provisions shall be made to selectively notify occupants in other zones to afford orderly evacuation of the entire building, provided that such arrangement is approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
Where occupants are incapable of evacuating themselves because of age, physical or mental disabilities, or physical restraint, all of the following shall apply:
- The private operating mode, as described in NFPA 72 shall be permitted to be used.
- Only the attendants and other personnel required to evacuate occupants from a zone, area, floor, or building shall be required to be notified.
- Notification of personnel as specified in 9.6.3.6.3(2) shall include means to readily identify the zone, area, floor, or building in need of evacuation.
The general evacuation signal shall not be required in elevator cars.
Audible alarm notification appliances shall produce signals that are distinctive from audible signals used for other purposes in a given building.
Automatically transmitted or live voice evacuation or relocation instructions shall be permitted to be used to notify occupants and shall comply with either 9.6.3.9.1 or 9.6.3.9.2.
Automatically transmitted or live voice evacuation or relocation instructions shall be in accordance with NFPA 72.
Where permitted by Chapters 11 through 43, automatically transmitted or live voice announcements shall be permitted to be made via a voice communication or public address system that complies with all of the following:
- Occupant notification, either live or recorded, shall be initiated at a constantly attended receiving station by personnel trained to respond to an emergency.
- An approved secondary power supply shall be provided for other than existing, previously approved systems.
- The system shall be audible above the expected ambient noise level.
- Emergency announcements shall take precedence over any other use.
Unless otherwise permitted by another section of this Code, audible and visible fire alarm notification appliances shall comply with either 9.6.3.10.1 or 9.6.3.10.2.
Where required by another section of this Code, emergency forces notification shall be provided to alert the municipal fire department and fire brigade (if provided) of fire or other emergency.
Where emergency forces notification is required by another section of this Code, the fire alarm system shall be arranged to transmit the alarm automatically via any of the following means acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and shall be in accordance with NFPA 72:
For other than existing installations, where fire alarm systems are required to provide emergency forces notification, supervisory signals and trouble signals shall sound and be visibly displayed either at an approved, remotely located receiving facility or at a location within the protected building that is constantly attended by qualified personnel.
Emergency control functions shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 72.
Where required by another section of this Code, the following functions shall be actuated:
Operator controls, alarm indicators, and manual communications capability shall be installed at a convenient location acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Alarm annunciation at the control center shall be by means of audible and visible indicators.
For the purposes of alarm annunciation, each floor of the building, other than floors of existing buildings, shall be considered as not less than one zone, unless otherwise permitted by 9.6.7.4.4, 9.6.7.4.5, 9.6.7.4.6, or another section of this Code.
Where a floor area exceeds 22,500 ft2 (2090 m2), additional fire alarm zoning shall be provided, and the length of any single fire alarm zone shall not exceed 300 ft (91 m) in any direction, except as provided in 9.6.7.4.1 through 9.6.7.4.6, or as otherwise modified by another section of this Code.
Where permitted by another section of this Code, fire alarm zones shall be permitted to exceed 22,500 ft2 (2090 m2), and the length of a zone shall be permitted to exceed 300 ft (91 m) in any direction.
Where the system serves more than one building, each building shall be annunciated separately.
Where permitted by another section of this Code, the alarm zone shall be permitted to coincide with the permitted area for smoke compartments.
For new ceiling installations, drop-out ceilings as referenced in NFPA 13, Subsection 8.15.15, shall be prohibited.
Sprinkler piping serving not more than six sprinklers for any hazardous area shall be permitted to be connected directly to a domestic water supply system having a capacity sufficient to provide 0.15 gpm/ft2 (6.1 mm/min) throughout the entire enclosed area.
Sprinkler piping serving hazardous areas as described in 9.7.1.2 shall be provided with an indicating shutoff valve, supervised in accordance with 9.7.2 or NFPA 13, and installed in an accessible, visible location between the sprinklers and the connection to the domestic water supply.
Where supervised automatic sprinkler systems are required by another section of this Code, supervisory attachments shall be installed and monitored for integrity in accordance with NFPA 72 and a distinctive supervisory signal shall be provided to indicate a condition that would impair the satisfactory operation of the sprinkler system.
In any occupancy where the character of the fuel for fire is such that extinguishment or control of fire is accomplished by a type of automatic extinguishing system in lieu of an automatic sprinkler system, such extinguishing system shall be installed in accordance with the applicable standard referenced in Table 9.8.1.
Table 9.8.1 Fire Suppression System Installation Standards
| Fire Suppression System | Installation Standard |
|---|---|
| Low-, medium-, and high-expansion foam systems | NFPA 11, Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam |
| Carbon dioxide systems | NFPA 12, Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems |
| Halon 1301 systems | NFPA 12A, Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems |
| Water spray fixed systems | NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection |
| Deluge foam-water sprinkler systems | NFPA 16, Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems |
| Dry chemical systems | NFPA 17, Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems |
| Wet chemical systems | NFPA 17A, Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems |
| Water mist systems | NFPA 750, Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems |
| Clean agent extinguishing systems | NFPA 2001, Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems |
Where required by another section of this Code, portable fire extinguishers shall be selected, installed, inspected, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10.
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Where required by another section of this Code, standpipe and hose systems shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 14.
Sprinkler impairment procedures shall comply with NFPA 25.
Where required by the AHJ and Chapters 11 through 43, installations involving two or more integrated fire protection or life safety systems shall be tested to verify the proper operation and function of such systems in accordance with 9.11.4.1.1 and 9.11.4.1.2.
Where required by 9.3.5 or the AHJ and Chapters 11 through 43, the following integrated fire protection and life safety systems shall be tested in accordance with 9.11.4.1 and 9.11.4.2.1 through 9.11.4.2.2:
- Integrated fire protection and life safety systems in high-rise buildings
- Integrated fire protection and life safety systems that include a smoke control system
For new buildings, integrated testing in accordance with NFPA 4 shall be conducted prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
For existing buildings, integrated testing in accordance with NFPA 4 shall be conducted at intervals not exceeding 10 years unless otherwise specified by an integrated system test plan prepared in accordance with NFPA 4.
Where required by another section of this Code, carbon monoxide (CO) detection and warning equipment shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 720.
Where required by another section of this Code, special inspections and tests shall be performed to verify the operation of the fire protection system in its final condition for acceptance by the authority having jurisdiction.
The special inspector's relevant experience in the design, installation, and testing of the fire protection systems shall be documented.
The design documents shall provide the procedures and methods to be used and items subject to special inspections and tests.
The special inspector shall submit an inspection and test report to the authority having jurisdiction and registered design professional (RDP) in responsible charge.
Where required by the AHJ and Chapters 11 through 43, a risk analysis for mass notification systems shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 24 of NFPA 72 and the provisions of 9.14.2 through 9.14.4.
The purpose of the mass notification system shall be to communicate information about emergencies including, but not limited to, fire, human-caused events (accidental and intentional), other dangerous situations, accidents, and natural disasters.
The emergency action plan, risk assessment report, and accompanying documentation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction by the registered design professional (RDP). The format and content of the documentation shall be acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Where required by the authority having jurisdiction, an independent review of the emergency action plan, risk assessment, and the accompanying documentation by one or more individuals possessing expertise in risk characterization for accidental and intentional hazards shall be performed.
The completed emergency action plan in accordance with Section 4.8 shall be used for the design of the mass notification/emergency communications system.