The provisions of this chapter shall specify
where fire protection systems are required and shall apply to
the design, installation and operation of fire protection systems.
Fire protection systems shall
be installed, repaired, operated and maintained in accordance
with this code and the International Fire Code.
Any fire protection system for which an exception or reduction to the provisions of this code has been granted shall be considered to be a required system.
Any fire protection system for which an exception or reduction to the provisions of this code has been granted shall be considered to be a required system.
Exception: Any fire protection system or portion thereof
not required by this code shall be permitted to be installed
for partial or complete protection provided that such system
meets the requirements of this code.
Persons shall not remove or modify
any fire protection system installed or maintained under the
provisions of this code or the International Fire Code without
approval by the building official.
Threads provided for fire department connections
to sprinkler systems, standpipes, yard hydrants or
any other fire hose connection shall be compatible with the
connections used by the local fire department.
Fire protection systems shall be
tested in accordance with the requirements of this code and
the International Fire Code. When required, the tests shall be
conducted in the presence of the building official. Tests
required by this code, the International Fire Code and the
standards listed in this code shall be conducted at the expense
of the owner or the owner's authorized agent. It shall be
unlawful to occupy portions of a structure until the required
fire protection systems within that portion of the structure
have been tested and approved.
Where required, fire protection
systems shall be monitored by an approved supervising station
in accordance with NFPA 72.
Automatic sprinkler
systems shall be monitored by an approved supervising
station.
Exceptions:
- A supervising station is not required for automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.
- Limited area systems serving fewer than 20 sprinklers.
Fire alarm systems required
by the provisions of Section 907.2 of this code and Sections
907.2 and 907.9 of the International Fire Code shall
be monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance
with Section 907.6.6.
Exceptions:
- Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.11.
- Smoke detectors in Group I-3 occupancies.
- Supervisory service is not required for automatic sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings.
Supervision and monitoring of emergency
alarm, detection and automatic fire-extinguishing
systems in Group H occupancies shall be in accordance
with the International Fire Code.
Where buildings, or portions thereof, are
divided into fire areas so as not to exceed the limits established
for requiring a fire protection system in accordance
with this chapter, such fire areas shall be separated by fire
barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section
711, or both, having afire-resistance rating of not less than
that determined in accordance with Section 707.3.10.
Where provided, fire
pump rooms and automatic sprinkler system riser rooms shall
be designed with adequate space for all equipment necessary
for the installation, as defined by the manufacturer, with sufficient
working room around the stationary equipment. Clearances
around equipment to elements of permanent
construction, including other installed equipment and appliances,
shall be sufficient to allow inspection, service, repair
or replacement without removing such elements of permanent
construction or disabling the function of a required fire resistance-rated assembly. Fire pump and automatic sprinkler
system riser rooms shall be provided with a door(s) and unobstructed
passageway large enough to allow removal of the
largest piece of equipment.
following terms are defined in Chapter
2:
[F] ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
[F] ALARM SIGNAL.
[F] ALARM VERIFICATION FEATURE.
[F] ANNUNCIATOR.
[F] AUDIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
[F] AUTOMATIC.
[F] AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] AUTOMATIC SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEM.
[F] AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
[F] AUTOMATIC WATER MIST SYSTEM.
[F] A VERA GE AMBIENT SOUND LEVEL.
[F] CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.
[F] CEILING LIMIT.
[F] CLEAN AGENT.
[F] COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE.
[F] CONSTANTLY ATTENDED LOCATION.
[F] DELUGE SYSTEM.
[F] DETECTOR, HEAT.
[F] DRY-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT.
[F] ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM.
[F] ELEVATOR GROUP.
[F] EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM.
[F] EMERGENCY VOICE/ALARM COMMUNICATIONS.
[F] FIRE ALARM BOX, MANUAL.
[F] FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT.
[F] FIRE ALARM SIGNAL.
[F] FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
FIRE AREA.
[F] FIRE COMMAND CENTER.
[F] FIRE DETECTOR, AUTOMATIC.
[F] FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM.
[F] FIRE SAFETY FUNCTIONS.
[F] FOAM-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] HALOGENATED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] INITIATING DEVICE.
[F] MANUAL FIRE ALARM BOX.
[F] MULTIPLE-STATION ALARM DEVICE.
[F] MULTIPLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM.
[F] NOTIFICATION ZONE.
[F] NUISANCE ALARM.
PRIVATE GARAGE.
[F] RECORD DRAWINGS.
[F] SINGLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM.
[F] SMOKE ALARM.
[F] SMOKE DETECTOR.
[F] SMOKEPROOF ENCLOSURE.
[F] STANDPIPE SYSTEM, CLASSES OF.
[F] SUPERVISING STATION.
[F] SUPERVISORY SERVICE.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL-INITIATING DEVICE.
[F] TIRES, BULK STORAGE OF.
[F] TROUBLE SIGNAL.
[F] VISIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
[F] WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] WIRELESS PROTECTION SYSTEM.
[F] ZONE.
[F] ZONE, NOTIFICATION.
[F] ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
[F] ALARM SIGNAL.
[F] ALARM VERIFICATION FEATURE.
[F] ANNUNCIATOR.
[F] AUDIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
[F] AUTOMATIC.
[F] AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] AUTOMATIC SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEM.
[F] AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
[F] AUTOMATIC WATER MIST SYSTEM.
[F] A VERA GE AMBIENT SOUND LEVEL.
[F] CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.
[F] CEILING LIMIT.
[F] CLEAN AGENT.
[F] COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE.
[F] CONSTANTLY ATTENDED LOCATION.
[F] DELUGE SYSTEM.
[F] DETECTOR, HEAT.
[F] DRY-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT.
[F] ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM.
[F] ELEVATOR GROUP.
[F] EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM.
[F] EMERGENCY VOICE/ALARM COMMUNICATIONS.
[F] FIRE ALARM BOX, MANUAL.
[F] FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT.
[F] FIRE ALARM SIGNAL.
[F] FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
FIRE AREA.
[F] FIRE COMMAND CENTER.
[F] FIRE DETECTOR, AUTOMATIC.
[F] FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM.
[F] FIRE SAFETY FUNCTIONS.
[F] FOAM-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] HALOGENATED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] INITIATING DEVICE.
[F] MANUAL FIRE ALARM BOX.
[F] MULTIPLE-STATION ALARM DEVICE.
[F] MULTIPLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM.
[F] NOTIFICATION ZONE.
[F] NUISANCE ALARM.
PRIVATE GARAGE.
[F] RECORD DRAWINGS.
[F] SINGLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM.
[F] SMOKE ALARM.
[F] SMOKE DETECTOR.
[F] SMOKEPROOF ENCLOSURE.
[F] STANDPIPE SYSTEM, CLASSES OF.
Class I system.
Class II system.
Class III system.
[F] STANDPIPE, TYPES OF.Class II system.
Class III system.
[F] SUPERVISING STATION.
[F] SUPERVISORY SERVICE.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL-INITIATING DEVICE.
[F] TIRES, BULK STORAGE OF.
[F] TROUBLE SIGNAL.
[F] VISIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
[F] WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
[F] WIRELESS PROTECTION SYSTEM.
[F] ZONE.
[F] ZONE, NOTIFICATION.
Automatic sprinkler systems shall comply
with this section.
Alternative automatic
fire-extinguishing systems complying with Section 904
shall be permitted instead of automatic sprinkler protection
where recognized by the applicable standard and
approved by the fire code official.
Approved automatic sprinkler
systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in
the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through
903.2.12.
Exception: Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings
used exclusively for telecommunications equipment,
associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries
and standby engines, provided those spaces or areas are
equipped throughout with an automatic smoke detection
system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated
from the remainder of the building by not less than 1 -hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707
or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed
in accordance with Section 711, or both.
An automatic sprinkler system shall
be provided throughout buildings and portions thereof
used as Group A occupancies as provided in this section.
For Group A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 occupancies, the automatic
sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the story where the fire area containing the Group A-1, A-2,
A-3 or A-4 occupancy is located, and throughout all stories
from the Group A occupancy to, and including, the
levels of exit discharge serving the Group A occupancy.
For Group A-5 occupancies, the automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided in the spaces indicated in Section
903.2.1.5.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided for fire areas containing Group
A-1 occupancies and intervening floors of the building
where one of the following conditions exists:
- The fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
- The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
- The fire area contains a multitheater complex.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided for fire areas containing Group
A-2 occupancies and intervening floors of the building
where one of the following conditions exists:
- The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464.5 m2).
- The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.
- The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided for fire areas containing Group
A-3 occupancies and intervening floors of the building
where one of the following conditions exists:
- The fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
- The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided for fire areas containing Group
A-4 occupancies and intervening floors of the building
where one of the following conditions exists:
- The fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
- The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided for Group A-5 occupancies in the
following areas: concession stands, retail areas, press boxes and other accessory use areas in excess of 1,000
square feet (93 m2).
Where
an occupied roof has an assembly occupancy with an
occupant load exceeding 100 for Group A-2 and 300
for other Group A occupancies, all floors between the
occupied roof and the level of exit discharge shall be
equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
Exception: Open parking garages of Type I or Type
II construction.
An automatic sprinkler
system shall be provided where multiple fire areas of
Group A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 occupancies share exit or
exit access components and the combined occupant
load of theses fire areas is 300 or more.
An automatic
sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the entire
floor containing an ambulatory care facility where either
of the following conditions exist at any time:
- Four or more care recipients are incapable of self-preservation, whether rendered incapable by staff or staff has accepted responsibility for care recipients already incapable.
- One or more care recipients that are incapable of self-preservation are located at other than the level of exit discharge serving such a facility.
An automatic sprinkler system shall
be provided for Group E occupancies as follows:
- Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 12,000 square feet (1115 m2) in area.
- Throughout every portion of educational buildings
below the lowest level of exit discharge serving that
portion of the building.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a
Group F-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions
exists:
- A Group F-1 fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- A Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
- The combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2).
- A Group F-1 occupancy used for the manufacture of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m2).
An automatic
sprinkler system shall be provided throughout
all Group F-1 occupancy fire areas that contain woodworking
operations in excess of 2,500 square feet
(232 m2) in area that generate finely divided combustible
waste or use finely divided combustible materials.
An automatic sprinkler system shall
be installed in group H occupancies unless the requirements
of section 903.2.5.4 are met for buildings containing
consumer fireworks.
R 408.30442
R 408.30442
An automatic
sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings
containing Group H-5 occupancies. The design of the
sprinkler system shall be not less than that required by
this code for the occupancy hazard classifications in
accordance with Table 903.2.5.2.
Where the design area of the sprinkler system consists of a corridor protected by one row of sprinklers, the maximum number of sprinklers required to be calculated is 13.
Where the design area of the sprinkler system consists of a corridor protected by one row of sprinklers, the maximum number of sprinklers required to be calculated is 13.
| LOCATION | OCCUPANCY HAZARD CLASSIFICATION |
| Fabrication areas | Ordinary Hazard Group 2 |
| Service corridors | Ordinary Hazard Group 2 |
| Storage rooms without dispensing | Ordinary Hazard Group 2 |
| Storage rooms with dispensing | Extra Hazard Group 2 |
| Corridors | Ordinary Hazard Group 2 |
An automatic sprinkler
system shall be provided in buildings, or portions
thereof, where cellulose nitrate film or pyroxylin plastics
are manufactured, stored or handled in quantities
exceeding 100 pounds (45 kg).
Buildings used
for the retail sale of consumer fireworks shall be provided
with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with the Michigan fireworks safety act, 2011 PA 256,
MCL 28.451 to 28.471.
R 408.30442
R 408.30442
An automatic sprinkler system shall
be provided throughout buildings with a Group I fire area.
Exceptions:
- An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be permitted in Group I-1 Condition 1 facilities.
- An automatic sprinkler system is not required where Group I-4 day care facilities are at the level of exit discharge and where every room where care is provided has not fewer than one exterior exit door.
- In buildings where Group I-4 day care is provided on levels other than the level of exit discharge, an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be installed on the entire floor where care is provided, all floors between the level of care and the level of exit discharge, and all floors below the level of exit discharge other than areas classified as an open parking garage.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group
M occupancy where one of the following conditions
exists:
- A Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
- The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2).
- A Group M occupancy used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).
An automatic sprinkler
system shall be provided in accordance with the
International Fire Code in all buildings of Group M
where storage of merchandise is in high-piled or rack
storage arrays.
An automatic sprinkler system installed
in accordance with section 903.3 shall be provided
throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.
Exception: Camp buildings in remote areas without
municipal water supply that meet all of the following:
R 408.30442- Not more than 1 story, 2,000 square feet (186 m2) and 25 occupants.
- Are used not more than 5 months in a year.
- Shall be provided with not less than 2 exits in compliance with section 1019.
- Shall not be provided with cooking equipment.
- Provided with a manual fire alarm system and smoke alarms throughout in compliance with NFPA 72 as listed in chapter 35. For cabins sleeping 4 or fewer occupants only, smoke alarms are required.
- Storage and equipment rooms shall be protected by a 1-hour fire partition.
- Compliance with all applicable requirements of the code.
An automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 shall
be permitted in Group R-3 occupancies.
An automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with section
903.3.1.3 shall be permitted in adult foster care
family homes or adult foster care small group homes
for 6 or fewer persons receiving care that are within a
single-family dwelling and licensed in accordance with
the adult foster care facility licensing act, 1979 PA 218,
MCL 400.701 to 400.737.
R 408.30442
R 408.30442
An automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with section
903.3.1.3 shall be permitted in child care organizations
that are within a single-family dwelling and licensed in
accordance with the child care organizations act, 1973
PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.127a, as follows:
- Foster family homes licensed under the child care organizations act, 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.127a, that provide care for more than 4 but fewer than 7 minor children.
- Foster care family group homes licensed under the child care organizations act, 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.127a, that provide care for more than 4 but fewer than 7 minor children.
- Family child care homes licensed under the child care organizations act, 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.127a, that provide care for fewer than 7 minor children.
- Group child care homes licensed under the child care organizations act, 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.127a, that provide care for more than 6 but not more than 12 minor children.
An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a
Group S-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions
exists:
- A Group S-1 fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- A Group S-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
- The combined area of all Group S-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2).
- A Group S-1 fire area used for the storage of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).
- A Group S-1 occupancy used for the storage of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m2).
An automatic sprinkler
system shall be provided throughout all buildings used
as repair garages in accordance with Section 406, as
shown:
- Buildings having two or more stories above grade plane, including basements, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 10,000 square feet (929 m2).
- Buildings not more than one story above grade plane, with afire area containing a repair garage exceeding 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- Buildings with repair garages servicing vehicles parked in basements.
- A Group S-1 fire area used for the repair of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).
Buildings and
structures where the area for the storage of tires
exceeds 20,000 cubic feet (566 m3) shall be equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
An
automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout
buildings classified as enclosed parking garages in accordance
with Section 406.6 where either of the following
conditions exists:
- Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
- Where the enclosed parking garage is located
beneath other groups.
Exception: Enclosed parking garages located beneath Group R-3 occupancies.
An
automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout
buildings used for storage of commercial motor
vehicles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet
(464 m2).
In all
occupancies other than Group U, an automatic sprinkler
system shall be installed for building design or hazards in
the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through
903.2.11.6.
An automatic
sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all stories, including basements, of all buildings where the
floor area exceeds 1,500 square feet (139.4 m2) and
where there is not provided not fewer than one of the
following types of exterior wall openings:
- Openings below grade that lead directly to ground level by an exterior stairway complying with Section 1011 or an outside ramp complying with Section 1012. Openings shall be located in each 50 linear feet (15240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall in the story on at least one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15240 mm).
- Openings entirely above the adjoining ground level totaling not less than 20 square feet (1.86 m2) in each 50 linear feet (15240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall in the story on at least one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15240 mm). The height of the bottom of the clear opening shall not exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from the floor.
Openings shall have a minimum dimension of not
less than 30 inches (762 mm). Such openings shall
be accessible to the fire department from the exterior
and shall not be obstructed in a manner such that fire
fighting or rescue cannot be accomplished from the
exterior.
Where
openings in a story are provided on only one side and
the opposite wall of such story is more than 75 feet
(22860 mm) from such openings, the story shall be
equipped throughout with an approved automatic
sprinkler system, or openings as specified above shall
be provided on not fewer than two sides of the story.
Where any portion of a
basement is located more than 75 feet (22860 mm)
from openings required by Section 903.2.11.1, or
where walls, partitions or other obstructions are
installed that restrict the application of water from
hose streams, the basement shall be equipped throughout
with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
An automatic
sprinkler system shall be installed at the top of
rubbish and linen chutes and in their terminal rooms.
Chutes shall have additional sprinkler heads installed at
alternate floors and at the lowest intake. Where a rubbish
chute extends through a building more than one
floor below the lowest intake, the extension shall have
sprinklers installed that are recessed from the drop area
of the chute and protected from freezing in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1. Such sprinklers shall be
installed at alternate floors, beginning with the second
level below the last intake and ending with the floor
above the discharge. Chute sprinklers shall be accessible
for servicing.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be
installed throughout a building that has a floor level
which has an occupant load of 30 or more occupants
and which is located 30 feet (9144 mm) or more above
the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
Exceptions:
R408.30445- Open parking structures.
- Occupancies in group F-2.
- Existing buildings having occupied floor levels
not more than 55 feet (16764 mm) in
height above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access, where the local unit of
government complies with the following
parameters:
- The local unit of government having a municipal fire department with an ISO rating of 3 or lower, employing a fulltime career fire fighting staff.
- The governing body of the local unit of government has passed a resolution affirming the use of this exception and filed that resolution with the department of licensing and regulatory affairs, bureau of construction codes.
Where required by the International Mechanical Code,
automatic sprinklers shall be provided in ducts conveying
hazardous exhaust or flammable or combustible
materials.
Exception: Ducts where the largest cross-sectional
diameter of the duct is less than 10 inches (254 mm).
An
automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in commercial
kitchen exhaust hood and duct systems where
an automatic sprinkler system is used to comply with
Section 904.
In addition to the requirements of Section 903.2, the
provisions indicated in Table 903.2.11.6 require the
installation of a fire suppression system for certain
buildings and areas.
| SECTION | SUBJECT |
| 402.5, 402.6.2 | Covered and open mall buildings |
| 403.3 | High-rise buildings |
| 404.3 | Atriums |
| 405.3 | Underground structures |
| 407.6 | Group I-2 |
| 410.7 | Stages |
| 411.4 | Special amusement buildings |
| 412.3.6 | Airport traffic control towers |
| 412.4.6, 412.4.6.1, 412.6.5 |
Aircraft hangars |
| 415.11.11 | Group H-5 HPM exhaust ducts |
| 416.5 | Flammable finishes |
| 417.4 | Drying rooms |
| 419.5 | Live/work units |
| 424.3 | Children's play structures |
| 507 | Unlimited area buildings |
| 509.4 | Incidental uses |
| 1029.6.2.3 | Smoke-protected assembly seating |
| IFC | Sprinkler system requirements as set forth in IFC Section 903.2.11.6 of the International Fire Code |
Automatic sprinkler
systems required during construction, alteration and demolition
operations shall be provided in accordance with
Chapter 33 of the International Fire Code.
Sprinkler systems shall be designed
and installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 unless
otherwise permitted by Sections 903.3.1.2 and 903.3.1.3
and other chapters of this code, as applicable.
Where the
provisions of this code require that a building or portion
thereof be equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with this section, sprinklers
shall be installed throughout in accordance with
NFPA 13 except as provided in Sections 903.3.1.1.1
and 903.3.1.1.2.
Automatic sprinklers
shall not be required in the following rooms or
areas where such rooms or areas are protected with
an approved automatic fire detection system in
accordance with Section 907.2 that will respond to
visible or invisible particles of combustion. Sprinklers
shall not be omitted from a room merely
because it is damp, of fire-resistance-rated construction
or contains electrical equipment.
- A room where the application of water, or flame and water, constitutes a serious life or fire hazard.
- A room or space where sprinklers are considered undesirable because of the nature of the contents, where approved by the fire code official.
- Generator and transformer rooms separated from the remainder of the building by walls and floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
- Rooms or areas that are of noncombustible construction with wholly noncombustible contents.
- Fire service access elevator machine rooms and machinery spaces.
- Machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces associated with occupant evacuation elevators designed in accordance with Section 3008.
In Group R occupancies,
other than Group R-4 occupancies, sprinklers
shall not be required in bathrooms that do not exceed
55 square feet (5 m2) in area and are located within
individual dwelling units or sleeping units, provided
that walls and ceilings, including the walls and ceilings
behind a shower enclosure or tub, are of noncombustible
or limited-combustible materials with a
15-minute thermal barrier rating.
Automatic
sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies up to
and including four stories in height in buildings not
exceeding 60 feet (18,288 mm) in height above grade
plane shall be permitted to be installed throughout in
accordance with NFPA 13R.
The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from the horizontal assembly creating separate buildings.
The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from the horizontal assembly creating separate buildings.
Sprinkler protection
shall be provided for exterior balconies,
decks and ground floor patios of dwelling units and
sleeping units where the building is of Type V construction,
provided there is a roof or deck above.
Sidewall sprinklers that are used to protect such
areas shall be permitted to be located such that their
deflectors are within 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches
(152 mm) below the structural members and a maximum
distance of 14 inches (356 mm) below the
deck of the exterior balconies and decks that are
constructed of open wood joist construction.
Sprinkler
protection shall be provided in open-ended corridors
and associated exterioer stairways and ramps as
specified in Section 1027.6, Exception 3.
Automatic
sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family
dwellings; Group R-3, Group R-4 Condition 1 and
townhouses shall be permitted to be installed throughout
in accordance with NFPA 13D.
Where automatic sprinkler systems are required by this
code, quick-response or residential automatic sprinklers
shall be installed in all of the following areas in accordance
with Section 903.3.1 and their listings:
- Throughout all spaces within a smoke compartment containing care recipient sleeping units in Group I-2 in accordance with this code.
- Throughout all spaces within a smoke compartment containing treatment rooms in ambulatory care facilities.
- Dwelling units and sleeping units in Group I-1 and R occupancies.
- Light-hazard occupancies as defined in NFPA 13.
Automatic sprinklers
shall be installed with due regard to obstructions that will
delay activation or obstruct the water distribution pattern.
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in or under covered
kiosks, displays, booths, concession stands, or equipment
that exceeds 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. Not less than a 3-foot (914 mm) clearance shall be maintained between
automatic sprinklers and the top of piles of combustible
fibers.
Exception: Kitchen equipment under exhaust hoods
protected with a fire-extinguishing system in accordance
with Section 904.
Automatic sprinkler systems shall
be automatically actuated unless specifically provided for
in this code.
Water supplies for automatic
sprinkler systems shall comply with this section and the
standards referenced in Section 903.3.1. The potable water
supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance
with the requirements of this section and the International
Plumbing Code. For connections to public waterworks
systems, the water supply test used for design of fire protection
systems shall be adjusted to account for seasonal
and daily pressure fluctuations based on information from
the water supply authority and as approved by the fire
code official.
Where the domestic
service provides the water supply for the automatic
sprinkler system, the supply shall be in accordance with
this section.
A
single combination water supply shall be allowed provided
that the domestic demand is added to the sprinkler
demand as required by NFPA 13R.
Fire hose threads and fittings
used in connection with automatic sprinkler systems shall
be as prescribed by the fire code official.
Fire department
connections for automatic sprinkler systems shall be
installed in accordance with Section 912.
Limited
area sprinkler systems shall be in accordance with the standards listed in Section 903.3.1 except as provided in
Sections 903.3.8.1 through 903.3.8.5.
Limited area sprinkler
systems shall not exceed 20 sprinklers.
R 408.30403
R 408.30403
Only
areas classified by NFPA 13 as Light Hazard or Ordinary
Hazard Group 1 shall be permitted to be protected
by limited area sprinkler systems.
Where a limited area
sprinkler system is installed in a building with an automatic
wet standpipe system, sprinklers shall be supplied
by the standpipe system. Where a limited area
sprinkler system is installed in a building without an
automatic wet standpipe system, water shall be permitted
to be supplied by the plumbing system provided
that the plumbing system is capable of simultaneously
supplying domestic and sprinkler demands.
Control valves shall not be
installed between the water supply and sprinklers
unless the valves are of an approved indicating type
that are supervised or secured in the open position.
Hydraulic calculations in
accordance with NFPA 13 shall be provided to demonstrate
that the available water flow and pressure are
adequate to supply all sprinklers installed with discharge
densities corresponding to the hazard classification.
R 408.30403
R 408.30403
Valves
controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems,
pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressures
and waterflow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be
electrically supervised by a listed fire alarm control unit.
Exceptions:
- Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.
- Limited area sprinkler systems in accordance with Section 903.3.8.
- Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R where a common supply main is used to supply both domestic water and the automatic sprinkler system, and a separate shutoff valve for the automatic sprinkler system is not provided.
- Jockey pump control valves that are sealed or locked in the open position.
- Control valves to commercial kitchen hoods, paint spray booths or dip tanks that are sealed or Jocked in the open position.
- Valves controlling the fuel supply to fire pump engines that are sealed or locked in the open position.
- Trim valves to pressure switches in dry, preaction and deluge sprinkler systems that are sealed or locked in the open position.
Alarm, supervisory and trouble
signals shall be distinctly different and shall be automatically
transmitted to an approved supervising station or,
where approved by the fire code official, shall sound an
audible signal at a constantly attended location.
Exceptions:
- Underground key or hub valves in roadway boxes provided by the municipality or public utility are not required to be monitored.
- Backflow prevention device test valves located in limited area sprinkler system supply piping shall be locked in the open position. In occupancies required to be equipped with a fire alarm system, the backflow preventer valves shall be electrically supervised by a tamper switch installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and separately annunciated.
An approved audible device, located
on the exterior of the building in an approved location,
shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system.
Such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be activated
by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler
of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a
fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic
sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system.
Approved supervised
indicating control valves shall be provided at the point of
connection to the riser on each floor in high-rise buildings.
Sprinkler systems shall
be tested and maintained in accordance with the International
Fire Code.
Automatic fire-extinguishing systems,
other than automatic sprinkler systems, shall be designed,
installed, inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with
the provisions of this section and the applicable referenced
standards.
Automatic fire-extinguishing
systems installed as an alternative to the required automatic
sprinkler systems of Section 903 shall be approved by the fire
code official.
Automatic fire-extinguishing
systems shall not be considered alternatives for
the purposes of exceptions or reductions allowed for automatic
sprinkler systems or by other requirements of this
code.
Each
required commercial kitchen exhaust hood and duct system
required by Section 609 of the International Fire
Code or Chapter 5 of the International Mechanical Code
to have a Type I hood shall be protected with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system installed in accordance
with this code.
Automatic fire-extinguishing systems
shall be installed in accordance with this section.
Electrical wiring shall be in
accordance with NFPA 70.
Automatic fire-extinguishing systems
shall be automatically actuated and provided with a
manual means of actuation in accordance with Section
904.11.1. Where more than one hazard could be simultaneously
involved in fire due to their proximity, all hazards
shall be protected by a single system designed to protect
all hazards that could become involved.
Exception: Multiple systems shall be permitted to be
installed if they are designed to operate simultaneously.
Automatic equipment
interlocks with fuel shutoffs, ventilation controls, door
closers, window shutters, conveyor openings, smoke and
heat vents and other features necessary for proper operation
of the fire-extinguishing system shall be provided as
required by the design and installation standard utilized for
the hazard.
Where alarms are
required to indicate the operation of automatic fire-extinguishing
systems, distinctive audible and visible alarms
and warning signs shall be provided to warn of pending
agent discharge. Where exposure to automatic-extinguishing
agents poses a hazard to persons and a delay is
required to ensure the evacuation of occupants before
agent discharge, a separate warning signal shall be provided
to alert occupants once agent discharge has begun.
Audible signals shall be in accordance with Section
907.5.2.
Where a building fire alarm system
is installed, automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall
be monitored by the building fire alarm system in accordance
with NFPA 72.
Automatic fire-extinguishing
systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with
the provisions of this section prior to acceptance.
Prior to conducting final acceptance
tests, all of the following items shall be inspected:
- Hazard specification for consistency with design hazard.
- Type, location and spacing of automatic- and manual-initiating devices.
- Size, placement and position of nozzles or discharge orifices.
- Location and identification of audible and visible alarm devices.
- Identification of devices with proper designations.
- Operating instructions.
Notification appliances, connections
to fire alarm systems and connections to
approved supervising stations shall be tested in accordance with this section and Section 907 to verify proper
operation.
The audibility
and visibility of notification appliances signaling
agent discharge or system operation, where required,
shall be verified.
Connections to protected
premises and supervising station fire alarm systems shall
be tested to verify proper identification and retransmission
of alarms from automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
Wet-chemical extinguishing
systems shall be installed, maintained, periodically
inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 17A and their
listing. Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.
Dry-chemical extinguishing
systems shall be installed, maintained, periodically
inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 17 and their
listing. Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.
Foam-extinguishing systems shall
be installed, maintained, periodically inspected and tested in
accordance with NFPA 11 and NFPA 16 and their listing.
Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.
Carbon dioxide extinguishing
systems shall be installed, maintained, periodically
inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 12 and their
listing. Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.
Halogenated extinguishing systems
shall be installed, maintained, periodically inspected
and tested in accordance with NFPA 12A and their listing.
Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.
Clean-agent fire-extinguishing
systems shall be installed, maintained, periodically
inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 2001 and their
listing. Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.
Automatic water mist systems shall be designed and
installed in accordance with Sections 904.11.1.1 through
904.11.1.4.
Automatic water mist systems
shall be designed and installed in accordance with
NFPA 750 and the manufacturer's instructions.
Automatic water mist systems
shall be automatically actuated.
Connections
to a potable water supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the International Plumbing
Code.
Where a secondary
water supply is required for an automatic sprinkler
system, an automatic water mist system shall be
provided with an approved secondary water supply.
Supervision and alarms shall be provided as
required for automatic sprinkler systems in accordance
with Section 903.4.
Monitoring shall be provided
as required for automatic sprinkler systems in
accordance with Section 903.4.1.
Alarms shall be provided as
required for automatic sprinkler systems in accordance
with Section 903.4.2.
Floor control
valves shall be provided as required for automatic
sprinkler systems in accordance with Section 903.4.3.
Automatic water
mist systems shall be tested and maintained in accordance
with the International Fire Code.
The automatic
fire-extinguishing system for commercial cooking systems
shall be of a type recognized for protection of commercial
cooking equipment and exhaust systems of the type and
arrangement protected. Preengineered automatic dry- and
wet-chemical extinguishing systems shall be tested in accordance
with UL 300 and listed and labeled for the intended
application. Other types of automatic fire-extinguishing systems
shall be listed and labeled for specific use as protection
for commercial cooking operations. The system shall be
installed in accordance with this code, its listing and the manufacturer's installation instructions. Automatic fire-extinguishing
systems of the following types shall be installed in
accordance with the referenced standard indicated, as follows:
- Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems, NFPA 12.
- Automatic sprinkler systems, NFPA 13.
- Foam-water sprinkler system or foam-water spray systems, NFPA 16.
- Dry-chemical extinguishing systems, NFPA 17.
- Wet-chemical extinguishing systems, NFPA 17A.
Exception: Factory -built commercial cooking recirculating
systems that are tested in accordance with UL 710B
and listed, labeled and installed in accordance with Section
304.1 of the International Mechanical Code.
A manual actuation
device shall be located at or near a means of egress
from the cooking area not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) and
not more than 20 feet (6096 mm) from the kitchen exhaust
system. The manual actuation device shall be installed not
more than 48 inches (1200 mm) or less than 42 inches
(1067 mm) above the floor and shall clearly identify the hazard protected. The manual actuation shall require a
maximum force of 40 pounds (178 N) and a maximum
movement of 14 inches (356 mm) to actuate the fire suppression
system.
Exception: Automatic sprinkler systems shall not be
required to be equipped with manual actuation means.
The actuation of
the fire suppression system shall automatically shut down
the fuel or electrical power supply to the cooking equipment.
The fuel and electrical supply reset shall be manual.
Where carbon
dioxide systems are used, there shall be a nozzle at the top
of the ventilating duct. Additional nozzles that are symmetrically
arranged to give uniform distribution shall be
installed within vertical ducts exceeding 20 feet (6096
mm) and horizontal ducts exceeding 50 feet (15240 mm).
Dampers shall be installed at either the top or the bottom
of the duct and shall be arranged to operate automatically
upon activation of the fire-extinguishing system. Where
the damper is installed at the top of the duct, the top nozzle
shall be immediately below the damper. Automatic carbon
dioxide fire-extinguishing systems shall be sufficiently
sized to protect against all hazards venting through a common
duct simultaneously.
Commercial-type
cooking equipment protected by an automatic carbon
dioxide-extinguishing system shall be arranged to shut
off the ventilation system upon activation.
Automatic sprinkler systems protecting commercial-type cooking equipment shall be supplied from a separate,
readily accessible, indicating-type control valve that
is identified.
Sprinklers used for
the protection of fryers shall be tested in accordance
with UL l99E, listed for that application and installed
in accordance with their listing.
In Group I-2 Condition 1, occupancies where cooking
facilities are installed in accordance with Section 407.2.6 of
this code, the domestic cooking hood provided over the cooktop
or range shall be equipped with an automatic fire-extinguishing
system of a type recognized for protection of
domestic cooking equipment. Preengineered automatic extinguishing
systems shall be tested in accordance with UL 300A
and listed and labeled for the intended application. The system
shall be installed in accordance with this code, its listing
and the manufacturer's instructions.
A portable
fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 shall be
installed within a 30-foot (9144 mm) distance of travel
from domestic cooking appliances.
Standpipe systems shall be
installed in accordance with this section and NFPA 14. Fire
department connections for standpipe systems shall be in
accordance with Section 912.
Class III standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout buildings where the floor level of the
highest story is located more than 30 feet (9144 mm)
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access,
or where the floor level of the lowest story is located more
than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the highest level of fire
department vehicle access.
Exceptions:
Exceptions:
- Class I standpipes are allowed in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
- Class I manual standpipes are allowed in open parking garages where the highest floor is located not more than 150 feet (45720 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
- Class I manual dry standpipes are allowed in open parking garages that are subject to freezing temperatures, provided that the hose connections are located as required for Class II standpipes in accordance with Section 905.5.
- Class I standpipes are allowed in basements equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
- In determining the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access, it shall not be required to consider
either of the following :
- Recessed loading docks for four vehicles or less.
- Conditions where topography makes access from the fire department vehicle to the building impractical or impossible.
Class I automatic wet standpipes
shall be provided in nonsprinklered Group A buildings
having an occupant load exceeding 1,000 persons.
Exceptions:
- Open-air-seating spaces without enclosed spaces.
- Class I automatic dry and semiautomatic dry standpipes or manual wet standpipes are allowed in buildings that are not high-rise buildings.
Covered
mall and open mall buildings shall be equipped throughout
with a standpipe system where required by Section
905.3.1. Mall buildings not required to be equipped with a
standpipe system by Section 905.3.1 shall be equipped
with Class I hose connections connected to the automatic
sprinkler system sized to deliver water at 250 gallons per
minute (946.4 L/min) at the most hydraulically remote
hose connection while concurrently supplying the automatic
sprinkler system demand. The standpipe system
shall be designed to not exceed a 50 pounds per square
inch (psi) (345 kPa) residual pressure loss with a flow of
250 gallons per minute (946.4 L/min) from the fire department
connection to the hydraulically most remote hose
connection. Hose connections shall be provided at each of
the following locations:
- Within the mall at the entrance to each exit passageway or corridor.
- At each floor-level landing within interior exit stairways opening directly on the mall.
- At exterior public entrances to the mall of a covered mall building.
- At public entrances at the perimeter line of an open mall building.
- At other locations as necessary so that the distance to reach all portions of a tenant space does not exceed 200 feet (60960 mm) from a hose connection.
Stages greater than 1,000 square feet
in area (93 m2) shall be equipped with a Class III wet
standpipe system with 11⁄2-inch and 21⁄2-inch (38 mm and
64 mm) hose connections on each side of the stage.
Exception: Where the building or area is equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, a 11⁄2-inch (38 mm) hose connection shall be installed in
accordance with NFPA 13 or in accordance with NFPA
14 for Class II or III standpipes.
The 11⁄2-inch (38 mm)
hose connections shall be equipped with sufficient
lengths of 11⁄2-inch (38 mm) hose to provide fire protection
for the stage area. Hose connections shall be
equipped with an approved adjustable fog nozzle and
be mounted in a cabinet or on a rack.
Underground buildings
shall be equipped throughout with a Class I automatic
wet or manual wet standpipe system.
Standpipes in marinas
and boatyards shall comply with Chapter 36 of the
International Fire Code.
Buildings or structures that have rooftop gardens or landscaped
roofs and that are equipped with a standpipe system
shall have the standpipe system extended to the roof
level on which the rooftop garden or landscaped roof is
located.
Class I standpipe hose connections shall be provided in all of
the following locations:
- In every required interior exit stairway, a hose connection shall be provided for each story above and below grade. Hose connections shall be located at an intermediate landing between stories, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.
- On each side of the wall adjacent to the exit opening of
a horizontal exit.
Exception: Where floor areas adjacent to a horizontal exit are reachable from an interior exit stairway hose connection by a 30-foot (9,144 mm) hose stream from a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30,480 mm) of hose, a hose connection shall not be required at the horizontal exit. - In every exit passageway, at the entrance from the exit
passageway to other areas of a building.
Exception: Where floor areas adjacent to an exit passageway are reachable from an interior exit stairway hose connection by a 30-foot (9,144 mm) hose stream from a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30,480 mm) of hose, a hose connection shall not be required at the entrance from the exit passageway to other areas of the building. - In covered mall buildings, adjacent to each exterior public entrance to the mall and adjacent to each entrance from an exit passageway or exit corridor to the mall. In open mall buildings, adjacent to each public entrance to the mall at the perimeter line and adjacent to each entrance from an exit passageway or exit corridor to the mall.
- Where the roof has a slope less than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33.3-percent slope), a hose connection shall be located to serve the roof or at the highest landing of an interior exit stairway with access to the roof provided in accordance with Section 1011.12.
- Where the most remote portion of a nonsprinklered floor or story is more than 150 feet (45,720 mm) from a hose connection or the most remote portion of a sprinklered floor or story is more than 200 feet (60,960 mm) from a hose connection, the fire code official is authorized to require that additional hose connections be provided in approved locations.
Risers and laterals of Class I
standpipe systems not located within an interior exit stairway shall be protected by a degree of fire resistance equal
to that required for vertical enclosures in the building in
which they are located.
In buildings where more
than one standpipe is provided, the standpipes shall be
interconnected in accordance with NFPA 14.
Class II standpipe hose connections shall be accessible and
located so that all portions of the building are within 30 feet
(9144 mm) of a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30480 mm) of
hose.
In Group A-1 and A-2
occupancies having occupant loads exceeding 1,000 persons,
hose connections shall be located on each side of any
stage, on each side of the rear of the auditorium, on each
side of the balcony and on each tier of dressing rooms.
Fire-resistance-rated protection of
risers and laterals of Class II standpipe systems is not
required.
A minimum 1-inch (25 mm) hose shall be allowed to be used for hose
stations in light-hazard occupancies where investigated
and listed for this service and where approved by the fire
code official.
Class III standpipe systems shall have hose connections
located as required for Class I standpipes in Section
905.4 and shall have Class II hose connections as required in
Section 905.5.
Risers and laterals of Class III
standpipe systems shall be protected as required for Class I
systems in accordance with Section 905.4.1.
In buildings where more
than one Class III standpipe is provided, the standpipes
shall be interconnected in accordance with NFPA 14.
Cabinets containing fire-fighting equipment
such as standpipes, fire hoses, fire extinguishers or fire
department valves shall not be blocked from use or obscured
from view.
Cabinets
shall be identified in an approved manner by a permanently
attached sign with letters not less than 2 inches (51
mm) high in a color that contrasts with the background
color, indicating the equipment contained therein.
Exceptions:
- Doors not large enough to accommodate a written sign shall be marked with a permanently attached pictogram of the equipment contained therein.
- Doors that have either an approved visual identification clear glass panel or a complete glass door panel are not required to be marked.
Cabinets shall be
unlocked.
Exceptions:
- Visual identification panels of glass or other approved transparent frangible material that is easily broken and allows access.
- Approved locking arrangements.
- Group I-3.
Dry standpipes shall not be
installed.
Exception: Where subject to freezing and in accordance
with NFPA 14.
Valves controlling water supplies
shall be supervised in the open position so that a change
in the normal position of the valve will generate a supervisory
signal at the supervising station required by Section 903.4.
Where a fire alarm system is provided, a signal shall be transmitted
to the control unit.
Exceptions:
- Valves to underground key or hub valves in roadway boxes provided by the municipality or public utility do not require supervision.
- Valves locked in the normal position and inspected as provided in this code in buildings not equipped with a fire alarm system.
Standpipe systems required
during construction and demolition operations shall be provided
in accordance with Section 3311.
Portable fire extinguishers shall
be installed in all of the following locations:
- In Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4 and S occupancies.
Exception:In Group R-2 occupancies, portable fire extinguishers shall be required only in locations specified in Items 2 through 6 where each dwelling unit is provided with a portable fire extinguisher having a minimum rating of 1-A:10-B:C. - Within 30 feet (9144 mm) of commercial cooking equipment.
- In areas where flammable or combustible liquids are stored, used or dispensed.
- On each floor of structures under construction, except Group R-3 occupancies, in accordance with Section 3315.1 of the International Fire Code.
- Where required by the International Fire Code sections indicated in Table 906.1.
- Special-hazard areas, including but not limited to laboratories, computer rooms and generator rooms, where required by the fire code official.
| IFC SECTION | SUBJECT |
| 303.5 | Asphalt kettles |
| 307.5 | Open burning |
| 308.1.3 | Open flames-torches |
| 309.4 | Powered industrial trucks |
| 2005.2 | Aircraft towing vehicles |
| 2005.3 | Aircraft welding apparatus |
| 2005.4 | Aircraft fuel-servicing tank vehicles |
| 2005.5 | Aircraft hydrant fuel-servicing vehicles |
| 2005.6 | Aircraft fuel-dispensing stations |
| 2007.7 | Heliports and helistops |
| 2108.4 | Dry cleaning plants |
| 2305.5 | Motor fuel-dispensing facilities |
| 2310.6.4 | Marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities |
| 2311.6 | Repair garages |
| 2404.4.1 | Spray-finishing operations |
| 2405.4.2 | Dip-tank operations |
| 2406.4.2 | Powder-coating areas |
| 2804.3 | Lumberyards/woodworking facilities |
| 2808.8 | Recycling facilities |
| 2809.5 | Exterior lumber storage |
| 2903.5 | Organic-coating areas |
| 3006.3 | Industrial ovens |
| 3104.12 | Tents and membrane structures |
| 3206.10 | High-piled storage |
| 3315.1 | Buildings under construction or demolition |
| 3317.3 | Roofing operations |
| 3408.2 | Tire rebuilding/storage |
| 3504.2.6 | Welding and other hot work |
| 3604.4 | Marinas |
| 3703.6 | Combustible fibers |
| 5703.2.1 | Flammable and combustible liquids, general |
| 5704.3.3.1 | Indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids |
| 5704.3.7.5.2 | Liquid storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids |
| 5705.4.9 | Solvent distillation units |
| 5706.2.7 | Farms and construction sites-flammable and combustible liquids storage |
| 5706.4.10.1 | Bulk plants and terminals for flammable and combustible liquids |
| 5706.5.4.5 | Commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments-fuel dispensing |
| 5706.6.4 | Tank vehicles for flammable and combustible liquids |
| 5906.5.7 | Flammable solids |
| 6108.2 | LP-gas |
Portable fire extinguishers
shall be selected and installed in accordance with this section
and NFPA 10.
Exceptions:
Exceptions:
- The distance of travel to reach an extinguisher shall not apply to the spectator seating portions of Group A-5 occupancies.
- In Group I-3, portable fire extinguishers shall be permitted to be located at staff locations.
The minimum sizes and
distribution of portable fire extinguishers for occupancies
that involve primarily Class A fire hazards shall comply
with Table 906.3(1).
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
| LIGHT (Low) HAZARD OCCUPANCY |
ORDINARY (Moderate) HAZARD OCCUPANCY |
EXTRA (High) HAZARD OCCUPANCY |
|
| Minimum rated single extinguisher | 2-Ac | 2-A | 4-Aa |
| Maximum floor area per unit of A |
3,000 square feet |
1,500 square feet |
1,000 square feet |
| Maximum floor area for extinguisherb |
11,250 square feet |
11,250 square feet |
11,250 square feet |
| Maximum distance of travel to extinguisher |
75 feet | 75 feet | 75 feet |
- Two 21⁄2-gallon water -type extinguishers shall be deemed the equivalent of one 4-A rated extinguisher.
- Annex E.3.3 of NFPA 10 provides more details concerning application of the maximum floor area criteria.
- Two water-type extinguishers each with a 1-A rating shall be deemed the equivalent of one 2-A rated extinguisher for Light (Low) Hazard Occupancies.
Portable fire extinguishers
for occupancies involving flammable or combustible
liquids with depths less than or equal to 0.25-inch (6.4
mm) shall be selected and placed in accordance with Table
906.3(2).
Portable fire extinguishers for occupancies involving flammable or combustible liquids with a depth of greater than 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) shall be selected and placed in accordance with NFPA 10.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
Note: For requirements on water -soluble flammable liquids and alternative sizing criteria, see Section 5.5 of NFPA 10.
Portable fire extinguishers for occupancies involving flammable or combustible liquids with a depth of greater than 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) shall be selected and placed in accordance with NFPA 10.
| TYPE OF HAZARD |
BASIC MINIMUM EXTINGUISHER RATING |
MAXIMUM DISTANCE OF TRAVEL TO EXTINGUISHERS (feet) |
| Light (Low) |
5-B 10-B |
30 50 |
| Ordinary (Moderate) |
10-B 20-B |
30 50 |
| Extra (High) | 40-B 80-B |
30 50 |
Note: For requirements on water -soluble flammable liquids and alternative sizing criteria, see Section 5.5 of NFPA 10.
Portable fire extinguishers
for Class C fire hazards shall be selected and
placed on the basis of the anticipated Class A or B hazard.
Fire extinguishers provided
for the protection of cooking grease fires shall be of an
approved type compatible with the automatic fire-extinguishing
system agent and in accordance with Section 904.12.5 of
the International Fire Code.
Portable fire extinguishers
for occupancies involving combustible metals
shall be selected and placed in accordance with NFPA 10.
Portable fire extinguishers
shall be located in conspicuous locations where they will be
readily accessible and immediately available for use. These
locations shall be along normal paths of travel, unless the fire
code official determines that the hazard posed indicates the
need for placement away from normal paths of travel.
Portable fire
extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view.
In rooms or areas in which visual obstruction cannot be completely
avoided, means shall be provided to indicate the locations
of extinguishers.
Hand-held portable fire
extinguishers, not housed in cabinets, shall be installed on the
hangers or brackets supplied. Hangers or brackets shall be
securely anchored to the mounting surface in accordance with
the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Cabinets used to house portable fire
extinguishers shall not be locked.
Exceptions:
- Where portable fire extinguishers subject to malicious use or damage are provided with a means of ready access.
- In Group I-3 occupancies and in mental health areas in Group I-2 occupancies, access to portable fire extinguishers shall be permitted to be locked or to be located in staff locations provided the staff has keys.
Portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight not
exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be installed so that their
tops are not more than 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor.
Hand-held portable fire extinguishers having a
gross weight exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be
installed so that their tops are not more than 3.5 feet (1067
mm) above the floor.
The clearance between the
floor and the bottom of installed hand-held portable fire
extinguishers shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm).
Wheeled fire extinguishers shall
be conspicuously located in a designated location.
This section covers the application,
installation, performance and maintenance of fire alarm systems
and their components.
Construction documents
for fire alarm systems shall be of sufficient clarity to
indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed
and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions
of this code, the International Fire Code and
relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, as determined
by the fire code official.
Shop drawings
for fire alarm systems shall be submitted for review and
approval prior to system installation, and shall include, but
not be limited to, all of the following where applicable to
the system being installed:
- A floor plan that indicates the use of all rooms.
- Locations of alarm-initiating devices.
- Locations of alarm notification appliances, including candela ratings for visible alarm notification appliances.
- Design minimum audibility level for occupant notification.
- Location of fire alarm control unit, transponders and notification power supplies.
- Annunciators.
- Power connection.
- Battery calculations.
- Conductor type and sizes.
- Voltage drop calculations.
- Manufacturers' data sheets indicating model numbers and listing information for equipment, devices and materials.
- Details of ceiling height and construction.
- The interface of fire safety control functions.
- Classification of the supervising station.
Systems and components shall be
listed and approved for the purpose for which they are
installed.
An approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with
the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in
new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections
907.2.1 through 907.2.23 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other requirements
are provided by another section of this code.
Not fewer than one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or waterflow detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers, a single fire alarm box shall be installed.
Not fewer than one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or waterflow detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers, a single fire alarm box shall be installed.
Exceptions:
- The manual fire alarm box is not required for fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator recall control and supervisory service.
- The manual fire alarm box is not required for Group R-2 occupancies unless required by the fire code official to provide a means for fire watch personnel to initiate an alarm during a sprinkler system impairment event. Where provided, the manual fire alarm box shall not be located in an area that is accessible to the public.
A manual fire alarm system that
activates the occupant notification system in accordance
with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group A occupancies
where the occupant load due to the assembly occupancy
is 300 or more. Group A occupancies not separated
from one another in accordance with Section 707.3.10
shall be considered as a single occupancy for the purposes
of applying this section. Portions of Group E occupancies
occupied for assembly purposes shall be provided with a
fire alarm system as required for the Group E occupancy.
Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required
where the building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances
will activate throughout the notification zones
upon sprinkler water flow.
Activation
of the fire alarm in Group A occupancies with an
occupant load of 1,000 or more shall initiate a signal
using an emergency voice/alarm communications system
in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.
Exception: Where approved, the prerecorded
announcement is allowed to be manually deactivated
for a period of time, not to exceed 3 minutes,
for the sole purpose of allowing a live voice
announcement from an approved, constantly
attended location.
Stadiums, arenas and grandstands
required to caption audible public announcements shall
be in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.4.
A manual fire alarm system shall be
installed in Group B occupancies where one of the following
conditions exists:
- The combined Group B occupant load of all floors is 500 or more.
- The Group B occupant load is more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
- The fire area contains an ambulatory care facility.
Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required
where the building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances
will activate throughout the notification zones
upon sprinkler water flow.
Fire areas
containing ambulatory care facilities shall be provided
with an electronically supervised automatic smoke
detection system installed within the ambulatory care
facility and in public use areas outside of tenant spaces,
including public corridors and elevator lobbies.
Exception: Buildings equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1, provided the occupant notification
appliances will activate throughout the notification
zones upon sprinkler waterflow.
A manual fire alarm system that initiates
the occupant notification signal utilizing an emergency
voice/alarm communication system meeting the
requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance
with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group E
occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke
detectors are installed, such systems or detectors shall be
connected to the building fire alarm system.
Exceptions:
- A manual fire alarm system is not required in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.
- Emergency voice/alarm communication systems meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall not be required in Group E occupancies with occupant loads of 100 or less, provided that activation of the manual fire alarm system initiates an approved occupant notification signal in accordance with Section 907.5.
- Manual fire alarm boxes are not required in
Group E occupancies where all of the following
apply:
- Interior corridors are protected by smoke detectors.
- Auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums and similar areas are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
- Shops and laboratories involving dusts or vapors are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
- Manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required in
Group E occupancies where all of the following
apply:
- The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
- The emergency voice/alarm communication system will activate on sprinkler waterflow.
- Manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.
A manual fire alarm system that
activates the occupant notification system in accordance
with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group F occupancies
where both of the following conditions exist:
- The Group F occupancy is two or more stories in height.
- The Group F occupancy has a combined occupant load of 500 or more above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
A manual fire alarm system that
activates the occupant notification system in accordance
with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group H-5 occupancies
and in occupancies used for the manufacture of
organic coatings. An automatic smoke detection system
shall be installed for highly toxic gases, organic peroxides
and oxidizers in accordance with Chapters 60, 62 and 63,
respectively, of the International Fire Code.
Fire alarm systems in consumer fireworks
(1.4G) facilities used for the retail sale of consumer
fireworks storage shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the code for the manufacture, transportation,
storage, and retail sales of fireworks and pyrotechnic
articles, NFPA 1124, as referenced by the
Michigan fireworks safety act, 2011 PA 256, MCL
28.451 to 28.471.
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A manual fire alarm system that activates
the occupant notification system in accordance with
Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group I occupancies.
An automatic smoke detection system that activates the
occupant notification system in accordance with Section
907.5 shall be provided in accordance with Sections
907.2.6.1, 907.2.6.2 and 907.2.6.3.3.
Exceptions:
- Manual fire alarm boxes in sleeping units of Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies shall not be required at exits if located at all care providers' control stations or other constantly attended staff locations, provided such stations are visible and continuously accessible and that the distances of travel required in Section 907.4.2.1 are not exceeded.
- Occupant notification systems are not required to be activated where private mode signaling installed in accordance with NFPA 72 is approved by the fire code official and staff evacuation responsibilities are included in the fire safety and evacuation plan required by Section 404 of the International Fire Code.
In Group I-1 occupancies, an
automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in
corridors, waiting areas open to corridors and habitable
spaces other than sleeping units and kitchens. The
system shall be activated in accordance with Section
907.5.
Exceptions:
- For Group I-1 Condition 1 occupancies, smoke detection in habitable spaces is not required where the facility is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
- Smoke detection is not required for exterior balconies.
Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance
with Section 907.2.11.
An automatic smoke detection
system shall be installed in corridors in Group I-2
Condition l facilities and spaces permitted to be open
to the corridors by Section 407.2. The system shall be
activated in accordance with Section 907.4. Group I-2
Condition 2 occupancies shall be equipped with an
automatic smoke detection system as required in Section
407.
Exceptions:
- Corridor smoke detection is not required in smoke compartments that contain sleeping units where such units are provided with smoke detectors that comply with UL 268. Such detectors shall provide a visual display on the corridor side of each sleeping unit and shall provide an audible and visual alarm at the care providers' station attending each unit.
- Corridor smoke detection is not required in smoke compartments that contain sleeping units where sleeping unit doors are equipped with automatic door-closing devices with integral smoke detectors on the unit sides installed in accordance with their listing, provided that the integral detectors perform the required alerting function.
Group I-3 occupancies
shall be equipped with a manual fire alarm system
and automatic smoke detection system installed for
alerting staff.
Actuation of an
automatic fire-extinguishing system, automatic
sprinkler system, a manual fire alarm box or a fire
detector shall initiate an approved fire alarm signal
that automatically notifies staff.
Manual
fire alarm boxes are not required to be located in
accordance with Section 907.4.2 where the fire
alarm boxes are provided at staff-attended locations
having direct supervision over areas where manual
fire alarm boxes have been omitted.
Manual fire alarm boxes are
allowed to be locked in areas occupied by detainees,
provided that staff members are present
within the subject area and have keys readily
available to operate the manual fire alarm boxes.
An automatic smoke detection system shall be
installed throughout resident housing areas, including
sleeping units and contiguous day rooms, group
activity spaces and other common spaces normally
accessible to residents.
Exceptions:
- Other approved smoke detection arrangements providing equivalent protection, including, but not limited to, placing detectors in exhaust ducts from cells or behind protective guards listed for the purpose, are allowed when necessary to prevent damage or tampering.
- Sleeping units in Use Conditions 2 and 3 as described in Section 308.
- Smoke detectors are not required in sleeping units with four or fewer occupants in smoke compartments that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
A manual fire alarm system that
activates the occupant notification system in accordance
with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group M occupancies
where one of the following conditions exists:
- The combined Group M occupant load of all floors is 500 or more persons.
- The Group M occupant load is more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
Exceptions:
- A manual fire alarm system is not required in covered or open mall buildings complying with Section 402.
- Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will automatically activate throughout the notification zones upon sprinkler water flow.
During times that
the building is occupied, the initiation of a signal from
a manual fire alarm box or from a waterflow switch
shall not be required to activate the alarm notification
appliances when an alarm signal is activated at a constantly
attended location from which evacuation
instructions shall be initiated over an emergency voice/
alarm communication system installed in accordance
with Section 907.5.2.2.
A manual
fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification
system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be
installed in Group R-1 occupancies.
Exceptions:
- A manual fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height where all individual sleeping units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces to those units are separated from each other and public or common areas by not less than 1-hour fire partitions and each individual sleeping unit has an exit directly to a public way, egress court or yard.
- Manual fire alarm boxes are not required throughout the building where all of the following conditions are met:
An
automatic smoke detection system that activates the
occupant notification system in accordance with Section
907.5 shall be installed throughout all interior corridors
serving sleeping units.
Exception: An automatic smoke detection system is
not required in buildings that do not have interior
corridors serving sleeping units and where each
sleeping unit has a means of egress door opening
directly to an exit or to an exterior exit access that
leads directly to an exit.
Single- and multiple-station
smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with
Section 907.2.11.
A manual
fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification
system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be
installed in Group R-2 occupancies where any of the
following conditions apply:
- Any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located three or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge.
- Any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located more than one story below the highest level of exit discharge of exits serving the dwelling unit or sleeping unit.
- The building contains more than 16 dwelling units or sleeping units.
Exceptions:
- A fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height where all dwelling units or sleeping units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces are separated from each other and public or common areas by not less than 1-hour fire partitions and each dwelling unit or sleeping unit has an exit directly to a public way, egress court or yard.
- Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and the occupant notification appliances will automatically activate throughout the notification zones upon a sprinkler water flow.
- 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 1027.6, Exception 3.
Single- and multiple-station
smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with
Section 907.2.11.
An automatic smoke detection system that
activates the occupant notification system in accordance
with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group R-2 occupancies operated by a college or university for
student or staff housing in all of the following locations:
- Common spaces outside of dwelling units and sleeping units.
- Laundry rooms, mechanical equipment rooms and storage rooms.
- All interior corridors serving sleeping units or
dwelling units.
Exception: An automatic smoke detection system is not required in buildings that do not have interior corridors serving sleeping units or dwelling units and where each sleeping unit or dwelling unit either has a means of egress door opening directly to an exterior exit access that leads directly to an exit or a means of egress door opening directly to an exit.
Fire alarm systems and smoke
alarms shall be installed in Group R-4 occupancies as
required in Sections 907.2.10.1 through 907.2.10.3.
A manual
fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification
system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be
installed in Group R-4 occupancies.
Exceptions:
- A manual fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height where all individual sleeping units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces to those units are separated from each other and public or common areas by not less than 1-hour fire partitions and each individual sleeping unit has an exit directly to a public way, egress court or yard.
- Manual fire alarm boxes are not required throughout the building where all of the following conditions are met:
- Manual fire alarm boxes in resident or patient sleeping areas shall not be required at exits where located at all nurses' control stations or other constantly attended staff locations, provided such stations are visible and continuously accessible and that the distances of travel required in Section 907.4.2.1 are not exceeded.
An automatic smoke detection system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section
907.5 shall be installed in corridors, waiting areas
open to corridors and habitable spaces other than
sleeping units and kitchens.
Exceptions:
- Smoke detection in habitable spaces is not required where the facility is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
- An automatic smoke detection system is not required in buildings that do not have interior corridors serving sleeping units and where each sleeping unit has a means of egress door opening directly to an exit or to an exterior exit access that leads directly to an exit.
Single- and multiplestation
smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance
with Section 907.2.11.
Listed single- and multiple-station smoke alarms complying
with UL 217 shall be installed in accordance with Sections
907.2.11.1 through 907.2.11.6 and NFPA 72.
Single- or multiple-station
smoke alarms shall be installed in all of the following
locations in Group R-1:
- In sleeping areas.
- In every room in the path of the means of egress from the sleeping area to the door leading from the sleeping unit.
- In each story within the sleeping unit, including basements. For sleeping units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
Singleor
multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and
maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and I-1 regardless
of occupant load at all of the following locations:
- On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
- In each room used for sleeping purposes.
- In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
Smoke alarms shall not be installed in the following
locations unless this would prevent placement of a smoke alarm in a location required by Section
907.2.11.1 or 907.2.11.2:
- Ionization smoke alarms shall not be installed less than 20 feet (6096 mm) horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
- Ionization smoke alarms with an alarm-silencing switch shall not be installed less than 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
- Photoelectric smoke alarms shall not be installed less than 6 feet (1829 mm) horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
Smoke
alarms shall be installed not less than 3 feet (914 mm)
horizontally from the door or opening of a bathroom
that contains a bathtub or shower unless this would prevent
placement of a smoke alarm required by Section
907.2.11.1 or 907.2.11.2.
Where more than one
smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual
dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Group R or I-1
occupancies, 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. Physical
interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be
required where listed wireless alarms are installed and
all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The
alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over
background noise levels with all intervening doors
closed.
In new construction,
required smoke alarms shall receive their primary
power from the building wiring where such wiring is
served from a commercial source and shall be equipped
with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral
strobes that are not equipped with battery backup shall
be connected to an emergency electrical system in
accordance with Section 2702. 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 not required to be
equipped with battery backup where they are connected
to an emergency electrical system that complies
with Section 2702.
Smoke detectors
listed in accordance with UL 268 and provided as
part of the building fire alarm system shall be an
acceptable alternative to single- and multiple-station
smoke alarms and shall comply with the following:
- The fire alarm system shall comply with all applicable requirements in Section 907.
- Activation of a smoke detector in a dwelling unit or sleeping unit shall initiate alarm notification in the dwelling unit or sleeping unit in accordance with Section 907.5.2.
- Activation of a smoke detector in a dwelling unit or sleeping unit shall not activate alarm notification appliances outside of the dwelling unit or sleeping unite, provided that a supervisory signal is generated and monitored in accordance with Section 907.6.6.
Within
each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, a single-station
smoke alarm shall be installed in all of the following
locations:
R 408.30446
- In each sleeping room or each area directly outside the sleeping room.
- On each floor level including the basement level.
R 408.30446
The
required equipment for smoke alarms shall consist
of the following:
R 408.30446
- Installation. Smoke alarm devices shall be listed and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation requirements, the provisions of the code, and the provisions of NFPA 72 as listed in chapter 35.
- Power Source. The equipment shall be
operable by power from 1 of the following
primary sources:
- The building wiring provided the wiring is served from a commercial source and is equipped with a battery backup. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.
- A non-rechargeable battery able to power the smoke alarm in the normal condition for a life of 5 years.
- A rechargeable battery, with proper charging, able to power the alarm for a life of 5 years.
- A commercial use alarm system with battery backup listed and approved in accordance with the commercial fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72, as adopted by reference in this rule.
- Audible Alarm Notification. The activation of the alarm signal shall produce a sound that is audible in all occupiable dwelling areas.
- Testing and Maintenance. The owner of a dwelling unit, in which required or optional fire detection or fire protection systems equipment is installed, shall be responsible for the proper operation, testing, and maintenance of the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions included with the equipment. The occupant of rental dwelling units shall be responsible for the periodic operational testing and periodic cleaning of the installed equipment within the rental unit in accordance with the testing instructions provided in the manufacturer's instructions for the equipment. If the system fails, breaks, or is out of service, it shall be repaired and functional within 30 days.
Exception: Smoke alarms and devices installed
in buildings constructed before November 6,1974 where an installation was approved by the
appropriate enforcing agency under regulations
in effect at the time of the installation shall be
considered to comply with the provisions of the
code.
R 408.30446
An automatic
smoke detection system shall be provided in special
amusement buildings in accordance with Sections
907.2.12.1 through 907.2.12.3.
Activation of any single smoke
detector, the automatic sprinkler system or any other
automatic fire detection device shall immediately activate
an audible and visible alarm at the building at a
constantly attended location from which emergency
action can be initiated, including the capability of manual
initiation of requirements in Section 907.2.12.2.
The activation of two
or more smoke detectors, a single smoke detector
equipped with an alarm verification feature, the automatic
sprinkler system or other approved fire detection
device shall automatically do all of the following:
- Cause illumination of the means of egress with light of not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface level.
- Stop any conflicting or confusing sounds and visual distractions.
- Activate an approved directional exit marking that will become apparent in an emergency.
- Activate a prerecorded message, audible throughout the special amusement building, instructing patrons to proceed to the nearest exit. Alarm signals used in conjunction with the prerecorded message shall produce a sound that is distinctive from other sounds used during normal operation.
An emergency voice/alarm communication
system, which is also allowed to serve as a public
address system, shall be installed in accordance with
Section 907.5.2.2 and be audible throughout the entire
special amusement building.
High-rise buildings
shall be provided with an automatic smoke detection system
in accordance with Section 907.2.13.1, a fire department
communication system in accordance with Section
907.2.13.2 and an emergency voice/alarm communication
system in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.
Exceptions:
- Airport traffic control towers in accordance with Sections 412 and 907.2.22.
- Open parking garages in accordance with Section 406.5.
- Buildings with an occupancy in Group A-5 in accordance with Section 303.1.
- Low-hazard special occupancies in accordance with Section 503.1.1.
- Buildings with an occupancy in Group H-1, H-2 or H-3 in accordance with Section 415.
- In Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies, the alarm shall sound at a constantly attended location and occupant notification shall be broadcast by the emergency voice/alarm communication system.
Automatic
smoke detection in high-rise buildings shall be in
accordance with Sections 907.2.13.1.1 and
907.2.13.1.2.
Area
smoke detectors shall be provided in accordance
with this section. Smoke detectors shall be connected
to an automatic fire alarm system. The activation
of any detector required by this section shall
activate the emergency voice/alarm communication
system in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2. In
addition to smoke detectors required by Sections
907.2.1 through 907.2.10, smoke detectors shall be
located as follows :
- In each mechanical equipment, electrical, transformer, telephone equipment or similar room that is not provided with sprinkler protection.
- In each elevator machine room, machinery space, control room and control space and in elevator lobbies.
Duct
smoke detectors complying with Section 907.3.1
shall be located as follows :
- In the main return air and exhaust air plenum of each air-conditioning system having a capacity greater than 2,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm) (0.94 m3⁄s). Such detectors shall be located in a serviceable area downstream of the last duct inlet.
- At each connection to a vertical duct or riser serving two or more stories from a return air duct or plenum of an air-conditioning system. In Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies, a smoke detector is allowed to be used in each return air riser carrying not more than 5,000 cfm (2.4 m3⁄s) and serving not more than 10 air-inlet openings.
Where a wired communication system is
approved in lieu of an emergency responder radio coverage
system in accordance with Section 510 of the
International Fire Code, the wired fire department
communication system shall be designed and installed
in accordance with NFPA 72 and shall operate between
a fire command center complying with Section 911,
elevators, elevator lobbies, emergency and standby
power rooms, fire pump rooms, areas of refuge and
inside interior exit stairways. The fire department communication
device shall be provided at each floor level
within the interior exit stairway.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in occupancies with
an atrium that connects more than two stories, with smoke
detection installed in locations required by a rational analysis
in Section 909.4 and in accordance with the system
operation requirements in Section 909.17. The system
shall be activated in accordance with Section 907.5. Such
occupancies in Group A, E or M shall be provided with an
emergency voice/alarm communication system complying
with the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2.
An
automatic smoke detection system shall be installed
throughout high-piled combustible storage areas where
required by Section 3206.5 of the International Fire Code.
Lumber, wood structural panel and veneer
mills shall be provided with a manual fire alarm system.
Where a smoke control system is installed in
an underground building in accordance with this code,
automatic smoke detectors shall be provided in accordance
with Section 907.2.18.1.
Not fewer than one
smoke detector listed for the intended purpose shall be
installed in all of the following areas:
- Mechanical equipment, electrical, transformer, telephone equipment, elevator machine or similar rooms.
- Elevator lobbies.
- The main return and exhaust air plenum of each air-conditioning system serving more than one story and located in a serviceable area downstream of the last duct inlet.
- Each connection to a vertical duct or riser serving two or more floors from return air ducts or plenums of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, except that in Group R occupancies, a listed smoke detector is allowed to be used in each return air riser carrying not more than 5,000 cfm (2.4 m3⁄s) and serving not more than 10 airinlet openings.
Activation of the
smoke control system shall activate an audible alarm at
a constantly attended location.
Where the
lowest level of a structure is more than 60 feet (18288
mm) below the finished floor of the lowest level of exit
discharge, the structure shall be equipped throughout with
a manual fire alarm system, including an emergency
voice/alarm communication system installed in accordance
with Section 907.5.2.2.
Where
the total floor area exceeds 50,000 square feet (4645 m2)
within either a covered mall building or within the perimeter
line of an open mall building, an emergency voice/
alarm communication system shall be provided. Emergency
voice/alarm communication systems serving a mall,
required or otherwise, shall be accessible to the fire
department. The system shall be provided in accordance
with Section 907.5.2.2.
Not fewer
than one single-station smoke alarm shall be installed
within a residential aircraft hangar as defined in Chapter 2
and shall be interconnected into the residential smoke
alarm or other sounding device to provide an alarm that
will be audible in all sleeping areas of the dwelling.
An automatic
smoke detection system that activates the occupant
notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall
be provided in airport control towers in accordance with
Sections 907.2.22.1 and 907.2.22.2.
Exception: Audible appliances shall not be installed
within the control tower cab.
Airport traffic
control towers with multiple exits and equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be provided
with smoke detectors in all of the following locations:
- Airport traffic control cab.
- Electrical and mechanical equipment rooms.
- Airport terminal radar and electronics rooms.
- Outside each opening into interior exit stairways.
- Along the single means of egress permitted from observation levels.
- Outside each opening into the single means of egress permitted from observation levels.
Airport traffic control towers with a single exit or
where sprinklers are not installed throughout shall be
provided with smoke detectors in all of the following
locations:
- Airport traffic control cab.
- Electrical and mechanical equipment rooms.
- Airport terminal radar and electronics rooms.
- Office spaces incidental to the tower operation.
- Lounges for employees, including sanitary facilities.
- Means of egress.
- Accessible utility shafts.
An automatic smoke detection
system shall be installed in areas containing stationary
storage battery systems with a liquid capacity of more than
50 gallons (189 L).
Automatic fire detectors utilized
for the purpose of performing fire safety functions shall
be connected to the building's fire alarm control unit where a
fire alarm system is required by Section 907.2. Detectors
shall, upon actuation, perform the intended function and activate
the alarm notification appliances or activate a visible and
audible supervisory signal at a constantly attended location.
In buildings not equipped with a fire alarm system, the automatic
fire detector shall be powered by normal electrical service
and, upon actuation, perform the intended function. The
detectors shall be located in accordance with NFPA 72.
Smoke detectors
installed in ducts shall be listed for the air velocity, temperature
and humidity present in the duct. Duct smoke
detectors shall be connected to the building's fire alarm
control unit when a fire alarm system is required by Section
907.2. Activation of a duct smoke detector shall initiate
a visible and audible supervisory signal at a constantly
attended location and shall perform the intended fire
safety function in accordance with this code and the International
Mechanical Code. In facilities that are required to
be monitored by a supervising station, duct smoke detectors
shall report only as a supervisory signal and not as a
fire alarm. They shall not be used as a substitute for
required open area detection.
Exceptions:
- The supervisory signal at a constantly attended location is not required where duct smoke detectors activate the building's alarm notification appliances.
- In occupancies not required to be equipped with a fire alarm system, actuation of a smoke detector shall activate a visible and an audible signal in an approved location. Smoke detector trouble conditions shall activate a visible or audible signal in an approved location and shall be identified as air duct detector trouble.
Where delayed egress
locks are installed on means of egress doors in accordance
with Section 1010.1.9.7, an automatic smoke or heat
detection system shall be installed as required by that section.
Automatic
fire detectors installed for elevator emergency operation
shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of
ASME A17.1/CSA B44 and NFPA 72.
The wiring to the auxiliary devices
and equipment used to accomplish the fire safety functions
shall be monitored for integrity in accordance with NFPA
72.
In
areas that are not continuously occupied, a single smoke
detector shall be provided at the location of each fire alarm
control unit, notification appliance circuit power extenders,
and supervising station transmitting equipment.
Exception: Where ambient conditions prohibit installation
of a smoke detector, a heat detector shall be permitted.
Manual fire alarm boxes shall
be located not more than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the
entrance to each exit. In buildings not protected by an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, additional manual fire alarm
boxes shall be located so that the exit access travel distance
to the nearest box does not exceed 200 feet (60960 mm).
The height of the manual fire
alarm boxes shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm)
and not more than 48 inches (1372 mm) measured vertically,
from the floor level to the activating handle or
lever of the box.
Manual fire alarm boxes shall be
red in color.
Where fire alarm systems are not
monitored by a supervising station, an approved permanent
sign shall be installed adjacent to each manual fire
alarm box that reads: WHEN ALARM SOUNDS
CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Exception: Where the manufacturer has permanently
provided this information on the manual fire
alarm box.
The fire code official
is authorized to require the installation of listed manual
fire alarm box protective covers to prevent malicious
false alarms or to provide the manual fire alarm box
with protection from physical damage. The protective
cover shall be transparent or red in color with a transparent
face to permit visibility of the manual fire alarm
box. Each cover shall include proper operating instructions.
A protective cover that emits a local alarm signal
shall not be installed unless approved. Protective covers
shall not project more than that permitted by Section
1003.3.3.
Manual
fire alarm boxes shall be accessible, unobstructed,
unobscured and visible at all times.
Where an automatic
smoke detection system is required it shall utilize
smoke detectors unless ambient conditions prohibit such
an installation. In spaces where smoke detectors cannot be
utilized due to ambient conditions, approved automatic
heat detectors shall be permitted.
For conditions
other than specific fire safety functions noted in
Section 907.3, in areas where ambient conditions prohibit
the installation of smoke detectors, an automatic
sprinkler system installed in such areas in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and that is connected
to the fire alarm system shall be approved as
automatic heat detection.
A fire alarm system
shall annunciate at the fire alarm control unit and shall
initiate occupant notification upon activation, in accordance
with Sections 907.5.1 through 907.5.2.3.3. Where a fire alarm
system is required by another section of this code, it shall be
activated by:
- Automatic fire detectors.
- Automatic sprinkler system waterflow devices.
- Manual fire alarm boxes.
- Automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
Exception: Where notification systems are allowed elsewhere
in Section 907 to annunciate at a constantly
attended location.
A presignal feature shall
not be installed unless approved by the fire code official
and the fire department. Where a presignal feature is provided,
a signal shall be annunciated at a constantly
attended location approved by the fire department so that
occupant notification can be activated in the event of fire
or other emergency.
Alarm notification
appliances shall be provided and shall be listed for
their purpose.
Audible alarm notification
appliances shall be provided and emit a distinctive sound that is not to be used for any purpose other than
that of a fire alarm.
Exceptions:
- Audible alarm notification appliances are not required in critical care areas of Group I-2 Condition 2 occupancies that are in compliance with Section 907.2.6, Exception 2.
- A visible alarm notification appliance installed in a nurses' control station or other continuously attended staff location in a Group I-2 Condition 2 suite shall be an acceptable alternative to the installation of audible alarm notification appliances throughout the suite in Group I-2 Condition 2 occupancies that are in compliance with Section 907.2.6, Exception 2.
- Where provided, audible notification appliances located in each occupant evacuation elevator lobby in accordance with Section 3008.9.1 shall be connected to a separate notification zone for manual paging only.
The audible
alarm notification appliances shall provide a
sound pressure level of 15 decibels (dBA) above the
average ambient sound level or 5 dBA above the
maximum sound level having a duration of not less
than 60 seconds, whichever is greater, in every
occupiable space within the building.
The
maximum sound pressure level for audible alarm
notification appliances shall be 110 dBA at the
minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance.
Where the average ambient noise is greater
than 95 dBA, visible alarm notification appliances
shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 72 and
audible alarm notification appliances shall not be
required.
Emergency voice/alarm communication
systems required by this code shall be designed and
installed in accordance with NFPA 72. The operation
of any automatic fire detector, sprinkler waterflow
device or manual fire alarm box shall automatically
sound an alert tone followed by voice instructions giving
approved information and directions for a general
or staged evacuation in accordance with the building's
fire safety and evacuation plans required by Section
404 of the International Fire Code. In high-rise buildings,
the system shall operate on at least the alarming
floor, the floor above and the floor below. Speakers
shall be provided throughout the building by paging
zones. At a minimum, paging zones shall be provided
as follows:
- Elevator groups.
- Interior exit stairways.
- Each floor.
- Areas of refuge as defined in Chapter 2.
Exception: In Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies, the
alarm shall sound in a constantly attended area and a
general occupant notification shall be broadcast over
the overhead page.
A manual override
for emergency voice communication shall be
provided on a selective and all-call basis for all paging
zones.
The emergency
voice/alarm communication system shall
have the capability to broadcast live voice messages
by paging zones on a selective and all-call basis.
The emergency
voice/alarm communication system shall be allowed
to be used for other announcements, provided the
manual fire alarm use takes precedence over any
other use.
Where stadiums, arenas and grandstands
are required to caption audible public
announcements in accordance with Section
1108.2.7.3, the emergency/voice alarm communication
system shall be captioned. Prerecorded or live
emergency captions shall be from an approved location
constantly attended by personnel trained to
respond to an emergency.
Emergency
voice/alarm communications systems shall be provided
with emergency power in accordance with
Section 2702. The system shall be capable of powering
the required load for a duration of not less than
24 hours, as required in NFPA 72.
Visible alarm notification
appliances shall be provided in accordance with
Sections 907.5.2.3.1 through 907.5.2.3.3.
Exceptions:
- Visible alarm notification appliances are not required in alterations, except where an existing fire alarm system is upgraded or replaced, or a new fire alarm system is installed.
- Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required in exits as defined in Chapter 2.
- Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required in elevator cars.
- Visual alarm notification appliances are not required in critical care areas of Group I-2 Condition 2 occupancies that are in compliance with Section 907.2.6, Exception 2.
Visible alarm notification appliances shall be
provided in public use areas and common use areas.
Exception: Where employee work areas have
audible alarm coverage, the notification appliance
circuits serving the employee work areas shall be initially designed with not less than 20-percent spare capacity to account for the potential
of adding visible notification appliances in the
future to accommodate hearing-impaired
employee(s).
Group I-1 and
R-1 dwelling units or sleeping units in accordance
with Table 907.5.2.3.2 shall be provided with a visible
alarm notification appliance, activated by both
the in-room smoke alarm and the building fire alarm
system.
| NUMBER OF SLEEP UNITS |
SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS WITH VISIBLE ALARMS |
| 6 to 25 | 2 |
| 26 to 50 | 4 |
| 51 to 75 | 7 |
| 76 to 100 | 9 |
| 101 to 150 | 12 |
| 151 to 200 | 14 |
| 201 to 300 | 17 |
| 301 to 400 | 20 |
| 401 to 500 | 22 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 5% of total |
| 1,001 and over | 50 plus 3 for each 100 over 1,000 |
In Group R-2 occupancies
required by Section 907 to have a fire alarm
system, all dwelling units and sleeping units shall be
provided with the capability to support visible alarm
notification appliances in accordance with Chapter
10 of ICC A117.1. Such capability shall be permitted
to include the potential for future interconnection
of the building fire alarm system with the unit
smoke alarms, replacement of audible appliances
with combination audible/visible appliances, or
future extension of the existing wiring from the unit
smoke alarm locations to required locations for visible
appliances.
Wiring shall comply with the requirements
of NFPA 70 and NFPA 72. Wireless protection systems
utilizing radio-frequency transmitting devices shall
comply with the special requirements for supervision of
low -power wireless systems in NFPA 72.
The primary and secondary
power supply for the fire alarm system shall be provided
in accordance with NFPA 72.
Exception: Back-up power for single-station and multiple-station smoke alarms as required in Section
907.2.11.6.
The fire
alarm system shall identify the specific initiating device
address, location, device type, floor level where applicable
and status including indication of normal, alarm, trouble
and supervisory status, as appropriate.
Exceptions:
- Fire alarm systems in single-story buildings less than 22,500 square feet (2090 m2) in area.
- Fire alarm systems that only include manual fire alarm boxes, waterflow initiating devices and not more than 10 additional alarm-initiating devices.
- Special initiating devices that do not support individual device identification.
- Fire alarm systems or devices that are replacing existing equipment.
The initiating device status
shall be annunciated at an approved on-site location.
Each floor shall be zoned separately
and a zone shall not exceed 22,500 square feet (2090 m2).
The length of any zone shall not exceed 300 feet (91440
mm) in any direction.
Exception: Automatic sprinkler system zones shall not
exceed the area permitted by NFPA 13.
A zoning indicator
panel and the associated controls shall be provided
in an approved location. The visual zone
indication shall lock in until the system is reset and
shall not be canceled by the operation of an audiblealarm
silencing switch.
In high-rise buildings,
a separate zone by floor shall be provided for each
of the following types of alarm-initiating devices where
provided:
- Smoke detectors.
- Sprinkler waterflow devices.
- Manual fire alarm boxes.
- Other approved types of automatic fire detection devices or suppression systems.
Access shall be provided to each fire
alarm device and notification appliance for periodic
inspection, maintenance and testing.
Fire alarm systems required by
this chapter or by the International Fire Code shall be
monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance
with NFPA 72.
Exception: Monitoring by a supervising station is not
required for:
- Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.11.
- Smoke detectors in Group I-3 occupancies.
- Automatic sprinkler systems in one- and twofamily dwellings.
Automatic telephone-dialing devices used to transmit
an emergency alarm shall not be connected to any fire
department telephone number unless approved by the
fire chief.
Termination of fire alarm monitoring services shall be
in accordance with Section 901.9 of the International
Fire Code.
Upon completion
of the installation, the fire alarm system and all fire alarm
components shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 72.
When the installation of the alarm devices is complete,
each device and interconnecting wiring for multiple-station
alarm devices shall be tested in accordance with the
smoke alarm provisions of NFPA 72.
A record of completion
in accordance with NFPA 72 verifying that the system
has been installed and tested in accordance with the
approved plans and specifications shall be provided.
Operating, testing and maintenance
instructions and record drawings ("as-builts") and
equipment specifications shall be provided at an approved
location.
The maintenance
and testing schedules and procedures for fire alarm and
fire detection systems shall be in accordance with Section
907.8 of the International Fire Code.
Emergency alarms for the
detection and notification of an emergency condition in
Group H occupancies shall be provided in accordance with
Section 415.5.
Emergency alarms for
notification of an emergency condition in an HPM facility
shall be provided as required in Section 415.11.3.5. A continuous
gas detection system shall be provided for HPM gases in
accordance with Section 415.11.7.
A gas detection
system shall be provided to detect the presence of highly toxic
or toxic gas at or below the permissible exposure limit (PEL)
or ceiling limit of the gas for which detection is provided. The
system shall be capable of monitoring the discharge from the
treatment system at or below one-half the immediately dangerous
to life and health (IDLH) limit.
Exception: A gas detection system is not required for
toxic gases when the physiological warning threshold level
for the gas is at a level below the accepted PEL for the gas.
The gas detection system shall initiate
a local alarm and transmit a signal to a constantly
attended control station when a short-term hazard condition
is detected. The alarm shall be both visible and audible
and shall provide warning both inside and outside the
area where gas is detected. The audible alarm shall be distinct
from all other alarms.
Exception: Signal transmission to a constantly
attended control station is not required when not more
than one cylinder of highly toxic or toxic gas is stored.
The gas detection system
shall automatically close the shutoff valve at the
source on gas supply piping and tubing related to the system
being monitored for whichever gas is detected.
Exception: Automatic shutdown is not required for
reactors utilized for the production of highly toxic or
toxic compressed gases where such reactors are:
- Operated at pressures less than 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103.4 kPa).
- Constantly attended.
- Provided with readily accessible emergency shutoff valves.
The automatic closure of shutoff
valves shall be in accordance with the following:
- When the gas-detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a gas cabinet or exhausted enclosure, the shutoff valve in the gas cabinet or exhausted enclosure for the specific gas detected shall automatically close.
- Where the gas-detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a gas room and compressed gas containers are not in gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures, the shutoff valves on all gas lines for the specific gas detected shall automatically close.
- Where the gas-detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a piping distribution manifold enclosure, the shutoff valve for the compressed container of specific gas detected supplying the manifold shall automatically close.
Exception: When the gas-detection sampling point initiating
the gas detection system alarm is at a use location
or within a gas valve enclosure of a branch line
downstream of a piping distribution manifold, the shutoff
valve in the gas valve enclosure for the branch line
located in the piping distribution manifold enclosure
shall automatically close.
Ozone gas-generator
rooms shall be equipped with a continuous gas detection system
that will shut off the generator and sound a local alarm
when concentrations above the PEL occur.
A flammable-gas detection system
shall be provided in repair garages for vehicles fueled by
nonodorized gases in accordance with Section 406.8.5.
Machinery rooms shall contain
a refrigerant detector with an audible and visual alarm.
The detector, or a sampling tube that draws air to the detector,
shall be located in an area where refrigerant from a leak will
concentrate. The alarm shall be actuated at a value not greater than the corresponding TLV-TWA values for the refrigerant
classification shown in the International Mechanical Code
for the refrigerant classification. Detectors and alarms shall
be placed in approved locations. The detector shall transmit a
signal to an approved location.
Emergency alarm
systems in accordance with Section 5307.5.2 of the International
Fire Code shall be provided where required for compliance
with Section 5307.5 of the International Fire Code.
This section applies to
mechanical or passive smoke control systems where they are
required by other provisions of this code. The purpose of this
section is to establish minimum requirements for the design,
installation and acceptance testing of smoke control systems
that are intended to provide a tenable environment for the
evacuation or relocation of occupants. These provisions are
not intended for the preservation of contents, the timely restoration
of operations or for assistance in fire suppression or
overhaul activities. Smoke control systems regulated by this
section serve a different purpose than the smoke- and heatventing
provisions found in Section 910. Mechanical smoke
control systems shall not be considered exhaust systems
under Chapter 5 of the International Mechanical Code.
Buildings, structures
or parts thereof required by this code to have a smoke
control system or systems shall have such systems designed
in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section
909 and the generally accepted and well-established principles
of engineering relevant to the design. The construction
documents shall include sufficient information and detail to
adequately describe the elements of the design necessary for
the proper implementation of the smoke control systems.
These documents shall be accompanied by sufficient information
and analysis to demonstrate compliance with these
provisions.
In
addition to the ordinary inspection and test requirements that
buildings, structures and parts thereof are required to
undergo, smoke control systems subject to the provisions of
Section 909 shall undergo special inspections and tests sufficient
to verify the proper commissioning of the smoke control
design in its final installed condition. The design submission
accompanying the construction documents shall clearly detail
procedures and methods to be used and the items subject to
such inspections and tests. Such commissioning shall be in
accordance with generally accepted engineering practice and,
where possible, based on published standards for the particular
testing involved. The special inspections and tests
required by this section shall be conducted under the same
terms in Section 1704.
A rational analysis supporting the types
of smoke control systems to be employed, their methods of
operation, the systems supporting them and the methods of
construction to be utilized shall accompany the submitted construction documents and shall include, but not be limited
to, the items indicated in Sections 909.4.1 through 909.4.7.
The system shall be designed
such that the maximum probable normal or reverse stack
effect will not adversely interfere with the system's capabilities.
In determining the maximum probable stack
effect, altitude, elevation, weather history and interior
temperatures shall be used.
Buoyancy and
expansion caused by the design fire in accordance with
Section 909.9 shall be analyzed. The system shall be
designed such that these effects do not adversely interfere
with the system's capabilities.
The design shall consider the
adverse effects of wind. Such consideration shall be consistent
with the wind-loading provisions of Chapter 16.
The design shall consider the
effects of the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning
(HVAC) systems on both smoke and fire transport. The
analysis shall include all permutations of systems status.
The design shall consider the effects of the fire on the
HVAC systems.
The design shall consider the effects
of low temperatures on systems, property and occupants.
Air inlets and exhausts shall be located so as to prevent
snow or ice blockage.
All portions of active
or engineered smoke control systems shall be capable of
continued operation after detection of the fire event for a
period of not less than either 20 minutes or 1.5 times the
calculated egress time, whichever is greater.
The design
shall consider the interaction effects of the operation of
multiple smoke control systems for all design scenarios.
Smoke barriers
required for passive smoke control and a smoke control system
using the pressurization method shall comply with Section
709. The maximum allowable leakage area shall be the
aggregate area calculated using the following leakage area
ratios:
- Walls A/Aw = 0.00100
- Interior exit stairways and ramps and exit passageways: A/Aw = 0.00035
- Enclosed exit access stairways and ramps and all other shafts: A/Aw = 0.00150
- Floors and roofs: A/AF = 0.00050
| where: | ||
| A | = | Total leakage area, square feet (m2). |
| AF | = | Unit floor or roof area of barrier, square feet (m2). |
| Aw | = | Unit wall area of barrier, square feet (m2). |
| The leakage area ratios shown do not include openings due to gaps around doors and operable windows. The total leakage area of the smoke barrier shall be determined in accor-dance with Section 909.5.1 and tested in accordance with Section 909.5.2 |
||
Total leakage area of the
barrier is the product of the smoke barrier gross area multiplied
by the allowable leakage area ratio, plus the area of
other openings such as gaps around doors and operable
windows.
Compliance with the
maximum total leakage area shall be determined by
achieving the minimum air pressure difference across the
barrier with the system in the smoke control mode for
mechanical smoke control systems utilizing the pressurization
method. Compliance with the maximum total leakage
area of passive smoke control systems shall be verified
through methods such as door fan testing or other methods,
as approved by the fire code official.
Openings in smoke barriers
shall be protected by automatic-closing devices actuated
by the required controls for the mechanical smoke
control system. Door openings shall be protected by fire
door assemblies complying with Section 716.5.3.
Exceptions:
- Passive smoke control systems with automatic-closing devices actuated by spot-type smoke detectors listed for releasing service installed in accordance with Section 907.3.
- Fixed openings between smoke zones that are protected utilizing the airflow method.
- In Group I-1 Condition 2, Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities, where a pair of opposite-swinging doors are installed across a corridor in accordance with Section 909.5.3.1, the doors shall not be required to be protected in accordance with Section 716. The doors shall be close-fitting within operational tolerances and shall not have a center mullion or undercuts in excess of 3⁄4 inch (19.1 mm), louvers or grilles. The doors shall have head and jamb stops and astragals or rabbets at meeting edges and, where permitted by the door manufacturer's listing, positive-latching devices are not required.
- In Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities, where such doors are special-purpose horizontal sliding, accordion or folding door assemblies installed in accordance with Section 1010.1.4.3 and are automatic closing by smoke detection in accordance with Section 716.5.9.3.
- Group I-3.
- Openings between smoke zones with clear ceiling heights of 14 feet (4267 mm) or greater and bank-down capacity of greater than 20 minutes as determined by the design fire size.
In Group I-1 Condition 2,
Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities, where doors
are installed across a corridor, the doors shall be automatic closing by smoke detection in accordance with
Section 716.5.9.3 and shall have a vision panel with
fire protection-rated glazing materials in fire protection-rated frames, the area of which shall not exceed
that tested.
Ducts
and air transfer openings are required to be protected
with a minimum Class II, 250°F (121°C) smoke
damper complying with Section 717.
The primary mechanical
means of controlling smoke shall be by pressure differences
across smoke barriers. Maintenance of a tenable environment
is not required in the smoke control zone of fire origin.
The minimum
pressure difference across a smoke barrier shall be
0.05-inch water gage (0.0124 kPa) in fully sprinklered
buildings.
In buildings permitted to be other than fully sprinklered, the smoke control system shall be designed to achieve pressure differences not less than two times the maximum calculated pressure difference produced by the design fire.
In buildings permitted to be other than fully sprinklered, the smoke control system shall be designed to achieve pressure differences not less than two times the maximum calculated pressure difference produced by the design fire.
The maximum
air pressure difference across a smoke barrier shall
be determined by required door-opening or closing forces.
The actual force required to open exit doors when the system
is in the smoke control mode shall be in accordance
with Section 1010.1.3. Opening and closing forces for
other doors shall be determined by standard engineering
methods for the resolution of forces and reactions. The
calculated force to set a side-hinged, swinging door in
motion shall be determined by:
| F | = | Fdc + K(WAΔP)/2(W-d) (Equation 9-1) |
| where: | ||
| A | = | Door area, square feet (m2). |
| d | = | Distance from door handle to latch edge of door, feet(m). |
| F | = | Total door opening force, pounds (N). |
| Fdc | = | Force required to overcome closing device, pounds(N). |
| K | = | Coefficient 5.2 (1.0). |
| W | = | Door width, feet (m). |
| ΔP | = | Design pressure difference, inches of water (Pa). |
Where stairways or elevator hoistways are pressurized,
such pressurization systems shall comply with
Section 909 as smoke control systems, in addition to the
requirements of Sections 909.20 of this code and 909.21 of
the International Fire Code.
Where approved by the
fire code official, smoke migration through openings fixed in
a permanently open position, which are located between
smoke control zones by the use of the airflow method, shall
be permitted. The design airflow shall be in accordance with
this section. Airflow shall be directed to limit smoke migration from the fire zone. The geometry of openings shall be
considered to prevent flow reversal from turbulent effects.
Smoke control systems using the airflow method shall be
designed in accordance with NFPA 92.
This method shall not
be employed where either the quantity of air or the velocity
of the airflow will adversely affect other portions of the
smoke control system, unduly intensify the fire, disrupt
plume dynamics or interfere with exiting. In no case shall
airflow toward the fire exceed 200 feet per minute (1.02
m/s). Where the calculated airflow exceeds this limit, the
airflow method shall not be used.
The height of the lowest horizontal
surface of the smoke layer interface shall be maintained
not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) above a walking
surface that forms a portion of a required egress system
within the smoke zone.
The design fire shall be based on a
rational analysis performed by the registered design professional
and approved by the fire code official. The design fire
shall be based on the analysis in accordance with Section
909.4 and this section.
The engineering analysis
shall include the characteristics of the fuel, fuel load,
effects included by the fire and whether the fire is likely to
be steady or unsteady.
Determination of the design
fire shall include consideration of the type of fuel, fuel
spacing and configuration.
The analysis shall
make use of best available data from approved sources and
shall not be based on excessively stringent limitations of
combustible material.
A documented
engineering analysis shall be provided for conditions
that assume fire growth is halted at the time of
sprinkler activation.
Components of exhaust fans
shall be rated and certified by the manufacturer for the
probable temperature rise to which the components will be
exposed. This temperature rise shall be computed by:
| Ts | = | (Qc/mc) + (Ta) (Equation 9-2) |
| where: | ||
| c | = | Specific heat of smoke at smoke layer temperature, Btu/lb °F (kJ/kg·K). |
| m | = | Exhaust rate, pounds per second (kg/s). |
| Qc | = | Convective heat output of fire, Btu/s (kW). |
| Ta | = | Ambient temperature, °F (K). |
| Ts | = | Smoke temperature, °F (K). |
Exception: Reduced Ts as calculated based on the
assurance of adequate dilution air.
Duct materials and joints shall be
capable of withstanding the probable temperatures and
pressures to which they are exposed as determined in
accordance with Section 909.10.1. Ducts shall be constructed
and supported in accordance with the International
Mechanical Code. Ducts shall be leak tested to 1.5
times the maximum design pressure in accordance with
nationally accepted practices. Measured leakage shall not
exceed 5 percent of design flow. Results of such testing
shall be a part of the documentation procedure. Ducts shall
be supported directly from fire-resistance-rated structural
elements of the building by substantial, noncombustible
supports.
Exception: Flexible connections, for the purpose of
vibration isolation, complying with the International
Mechanical Code and that are constructed of approved
fire-resistance-rated materials.
Equipment
shall be located so as to not expose uninvolved portions of
the building to an additional fire hazard. Outside air inlets
shall be located so as to minimize the potential for introducing
smoke or flame into the building. Exhaust outlets
shall be so located as to minimize reintroduction of smoke
into the building and to limit exposure of the building or
adjacent buildings to an additional fire hazard.
Automatic dampers,
regardless of the purpose for which they are installed
within the smoke control system, shall be listed and conform
to the requirements of approved, recognized standards.
In addition to other requirements, beltdriven
fans shall have 1.5 times the number of belts
required for the design duty, with the minimum number of
belts being two. Fans shall be selected for stable performance
based on normal temperature and, where applicable,
elevated temperature. Calculations and manufacturer's
fan curves shall be part of the documentation procedures.
Fans shall be supported and restrained by noncombustible
devices in accordance with the requirements of Chapter
16.
Motors driving fans shall not be operated beyond their nameplate horsepower (kilowatts), as determined from measurement of actual current draw, and shall have a minimum service factor of 1.15.
Motors driving fans shall not be operated beyond their nameplate horsepower (kilowatts), as determined from measurement of actual current draw, and shall have a minimum service factor of 1.15.
Smoke control systems shall be
provided with standby power in accordance with Section
2702.
The standby power source
and its transfer switches shall be in a room separate from
the normal power transformers and switch gears and ventilated directly to and from the exterior. The room shall be
enclosed with not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed
in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or
both.
Elements
of the smoke control system relying on volatile memories
or the like shall be supplied with uninterruptable power
sources of sufficient duration to span 15-minute primary
power interruption. Elements of the smoke control system
susceptible to power surges shall be suitably protected by
conditioners, suppressors or other approved means.
Fire detection
systems providing control input or output signals to mechanical
smoke control systems or elements thereof shall comply
with the requirements of Section 907. Such systems shall be
equipped with a control unit complying with UL 864 and
listed as smoke control equipment.
Control systems for mechanical
smoke control systems shall include provisions for verification.
Verification shall include positive confirmation of
actuation, testing, manual override and the presence of
power downstream of all disconnects. A preprogrammed
weekly test sequence shall report abnormal conditions
audibly, visually and by printed report. The preprogrammed
weekly test shall operate all devices, equipment
and components used for smoke control.
Exception: Where verification of individual components
tested through the preprogrammed weekly testing
sequence will interfere with, and produce unwanted
effects to, normal building operation, such individual
components are permitted to be bypassed from the preprogrammed
weekly testing, where approved by the
building official and in accordance with both of the following:
- Where the operation of components is bypassed from the preprogrammed weekly test, presence of power downstream of all disconnects shall be verified weekly by a listed control unit.
- Testing of all components bypassed from the preprogrammed weekly test shall be in accordance with Section 909.20.6 of the International Fire Code.
In addition to meeting requirements
of NFPA 70, all wiring, regardless of voltage, shall be
fully enclosed within continuous raceways.
Smoke control systems shall be
activated in accordance with this section.
Mechanical smoke control systems using the
pressurization, airflow or exhaust method shall have
completely automatic control.
Passive smoke control
systems actuated by approved spot-type detectors listed
for releasing service shall be permitted.
Where completely automatic
control is required or used, the automatic-control sequences shall be initiated from an appropriately zoned
automatic sprinkler system complying with Section
903.3.1.1, manual controls that are readily accessible to
the fire department and any smoke detectors required by
engineering analysis.
Control air tubing shall be of
sufficient size to meet the required response times. Tubing
shall be flushed clean and dry prior to final connections and
shall be adequately supported and protected from damage.
Tubing passing through concrete or masonry shall be sleeved
and protected from abrasion and electrolytic action.
Control-air tubing shall be harddrawn
copper, Type L, ACR in accordance with ASTM
B42, ASTM B43, ASTM B68, ASTM B88, ASTM B251
and ASTM B280. Fittings shall be wrought copper or
brass, solder type in accordance with ASME B16.18 or
ASME B16.22. Changes in direction shall be made with
appropriate tool bends. Brass compression-type fittings
shall be used at final connection to devices; other joints
shall be brazed using a BCuP-5 brazing alloy with solidus
above 1,100°F (593°C) and liquids below 1,500°F
(816°C). Brazing flux shall be used on copper-to-brass
joints only.
Exception: Nonmetallic tubing used within control
panels and at the final connection to devices provided
all of the following conditions are met:
- Tubing shall comply with the requirements of Section 602.2.1.3 of the International Mechanical Code.
- Tubing and connected devices shall be completely enclosed within a galvanized or paintgrade steel enclosure having a minimum thickness of 0.0296 inch (0.7534 mm) (No. 22 gage). Entry to the enclosure shall be by copper tubing with a protective grommet of neoprene or Teflon or by suitable brass compression to male barbed adapter.
- Tubing shall be identified by appropriately documented coding.
- Tubing shall be neatly tied and supported within the enclosure.Tubing bridging cabinets and doors or moveable devices shall be of sufficient length to avoid tension and excessive stress. Tubing shall be protected against abrasion. Tubing serving devices on doors shall be fastened along hinges.
Control tubing
serving other than smoke control functions shall be
isolated by automatic isolation valves or shall be an independent
system.
Control air tubing shall be tested at
three times the operating pressure for not less than 30 minutes
without any noticeable loss in gauge pressure prior to
final connection to devices.
The detection and
control systems shall be clearly marked at all junctions,
accesses and terminations.