Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Fire Alarm Requirements for Group I-1 Occupancy

Group I-1 (Institutional)

Systems required to be monitored per the 2021 IFC section 907.6.6.

A manual fire alarm system (Manual fire alarm boxes) along with an automatic smoke detection system that activates the occupant notification system (horns, strobes, sounders, speakers, chimes, mass notification, etc.)

Automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in corridors, waiting areas open to corridors and habitable spaces other than kitchens and sleeping units.

Exceptions:

Manual fire alarm boxes in sleeping units shall not be required at the exits if manual fire alarm boxes are located at all care providers’ stations or other approved staff locations. Note: the manual fire alarm boxes must be visible/accessible and the travel distance to any Manual fire alarm box shall not exceed 200 feet.

If the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) allows, the occupant notification systems are not required to be activated where private mode signaling is used in accordance with NFPA 72.

Smoke detection in habitable areas is not required where the Group I-1 facility is equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Smoke detection is not required for exterior balconies.

Smoke Alarms

Single Station Smoke Alarms shall be installed in accordance with section 907.2.11

UL 268 Automatic Smoke Detection Requirements:

System smoke detectors shall be provided for all of the following applications:

Above control panels and power supplies
For the purpose of elevator capture
On all HVAC units over 2,000 CFM (Duct Detector)
For releasing service
Fire Smoke Dampers
Delayed egress locks

Smoke detectors shall be installed throughout resident housing areas, including sleeping units, contiguous day rooms, group activity spaces as well as other spaces normally accessible to residents.

Exceptions:

If approved and if it provides equivalent protection, you can use other methods to obtain detection to avoid tampering or damage to the detectors. This includes but is not limited to placing detectors behind protective guards or in the exhaust duct from inmate cells.

Sleeping units in Use Conditions 2 and 3 as described in Section 308 of the IBC International Building Code

When equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, smoke detectors are not required in sleeping units that have four or fewer occupants in smoke compartments.

Fire Alarm Notification Requirements:

Using a sound pressure meter or dB Meter, verify you comply with the following:

Public Mode Audibility: You must have 15 dB above average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level for at least 60 seconds whichever is greater.

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