Fire Alarm Requirements for Licensed R-2.1 Occupancy

Group R-2.1 “Licensed”: (Residential)

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

If the “Licensed” R-2.1 facility houses more than six non-ambulatory, elderly clients shall be equipped with a manual and automatic fire alarm system.

Manual Fire Alarm Box Requirements:

Manual fire alarm boxes at all exits.

Travel distance to any manual fire alarm box cannot exceed 200 feet.

UL 268 Automatic Smoke Detection Requirements:

Smoke and/or heat detectors installed throughout

If ALL of the following conditions exist then the facility can be provided with the same requirements of a Group R-2 facility.

The facility is equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system that activates the occupant notification system.

A manual fire alarm system.

Single or multiple station smoke alarms installed inside each sleeping unit as well as outside each sleeping unit within immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.

Fire Alarm Notification Requirements:

520 Hz low frequency sounders shall be installed in all sleeping areas.  Horns can be provided in common areas including but not limited to corridors, public restrooms, elevator lobbies, etc.  Emergency voice/alarm communications systems shall be provided for high rise applications.  High rise buildings are classified by the International Building Code as a structure that has occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Note:  “Licensed” R-2.1 occupancies are required to be pre-wired for future adaptability.  This means you need to install either a conduit raceway or the necessary cable for the possibility that any room may convert to an accessible unit in the future.

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.

Private Mode Audibility: You must have 10 dB above average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level for at least 60 seconds whichever is greater.

Sleeping Area Audibility: You must have 15 dB above average ambient sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level for at least 60 seconds or a minimum of 75 dB whichever is greater.

Group A Fire Alarm Requirements
Group B Fire Alarm Requirements
Group E Fire Alarm Requirements
Group F Fire Alarm Requirements
Group H Fire Alarm Requirements
Group I-1 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group I-2 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group I-2.1 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group I-3 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group I-4 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group Licensed R-2.1 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group M Fire Alarm Requirements
Group R-1 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group R-2 and R-2.1 Fire Alarm Requirements
Group R-4 Fire Alarm Requirements