CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY E-NEWZONE
Code Corner
ABOUT CODE CORNER
CCFS would like to
remind you to check
with your local
“Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ)”
for questions and
opinions concerning
your local Fire and
Building Codes.
The information
contained in this ar-
ticle is supplied as a
courtesy by the Inter-
national Code Council
(ICC) and is based on
the International Fire
and Building Codes
and their respective
commentaries.
Your local codes or
ordinances may vary.
PAGE 28
SECTION 907
FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS PART 2
907.2.1.1 System initia-
tion in Group A occupan-
cies with an occupant
load of 1,000 or more.
Activation of the fire alarm
in Group A occupancies
with an occupant load of
1,000 or more shall initiate
a signal using an emergen-
cy voice/alarm communi-
cations system in accord-
ance with Section
907.5.2.2.
Exception: Where ap-
proved, the prerecorded
announcement is allowed
to be manually deactivat-
ed for a period of time,
not to exceed 3 minutes,
for the sole purpose of
allowing a live voice an-
nouncement from an ap-
proved, constantly at-
tended location.
In order to afford au-
thorized personnel the
ability to selectively
evacuate or manage oc-
cupant relocation in
large assembly venues,
this section requires the
fire alarm system to op-
erate through an emer-
gency voice/alarm com-
munications system. The
exception allows the au-
tomatic alarm signals to
be overridden for live
voice instructions if the
live voice instructions do
not exceed 3 minutes.
The location from which structures is challenging
the live voice announce- because of the building
ment originates must be area and the number and
constantly attended and diversity of occupants.
approved by the fire code Provisions were added in
official (see also com- the code to require cap-
mentary, Section tioned messages in these
907.5.2.2). In terms of buildings and grandstands
the applicability of this when public address (PA)
section, it is not as spe- systems are prescribed by
cific as Section 907.2.1. the accessibility require-
More specifically, the ments.
concept of fire areas
does not apply. Credit is IBC Section 1108.2.7.3
not given to reduce the sets forth requirements
occupant load through for audible PA systems in
the use of the fire area stadiums, arenas and
concept (see commen- grandstands. It requires
tary, Section 907.2). that equivalent text in-
formation be provided to
907.2.1.2 Emergency the audience and that
voice/alarm communica- the delivery time for
tion system captions. Sta- these messages be the
diums, arenas and grand- same as those broadcast
stands required to caption from the PA system.
audible public announce- These requirements ap-
ments shall be in accord- ply to pre-recorded and
ance with Section real-time messages. Sec-
907.5.2.2.4. tion 1108.2.7.3 of the
2012 edition of the IBC
also requires captioning
Court case prompted a of messages in stadiums,
change to the code and arenas and grandstands
the IBC. The court ruled that have more than
that persons with hearing 15,000 fixed seats.
impairments who attend
events at stadiums, Because messages being
grandstands and arenas broadcast can include
require a means of equiv- instructions to building
alent communications in or site occupants explain-
lieu of the public address ing the actions they need
system. Providing occu- to take in the event of an
pant notification in these emergency, the require-
CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY E-NEWZONE
About the 2012 Edition
… The Center will be
publishing sections of the
2012 IFC for your review
and comparison. Please
note that CCFS is not
suggesting you adopt this
new regulation. Any
regulations used in your
state/organization should
be in accordance with the
recommendations set
forth by your
local Building
Regulations
Organization and State
Fire Marshal’s Office.
The excerpts from The
2009 and 2012 Interna-
tional Fire Code are re-
printed with the permis-
sion of the International
Code Council.
All rights reserved.
PAGE 29
Code Corner
ments of NFPA 72 are code change requires a rate at which the hazard
applicable for captioning one-way MNS where in- can develop;
systems. Such a system structions are broadcast
falls within the scope of by personnel authorized • The anticipated threats,
Chapter 24 of NFPA 72, to distribute messages. including natural, techno-
of “Emergency Commu- This could include fire- logical and intentional
nication Systems.” NFPA fighters during a fire events;
72 defines an emergency event; the system could • The reliability and per-
communications system be used by law enforce- formance of the MNS;
(ECS) as a system de- ment officers during a
signed for life safety domestic terrorism inci- • Security of the MNS and
that indicates the exist- dent or a weather event its components;
ence of an emergency like a tornado warning.
and communicates the • How the building or
The design of the com-
appropriate response staff implement the risk
and action. The ECS is pliant MNS in Chapter 24 analysis, including the use
required to be classified of NFPA 72 is not pre- of the MNS; and
as either a one- or two- scriptive—a MNS is a per-
• How emergency ser-
way path system. It can formance- based design.
vices, such as the fire ser-
be within a building or Accordingly, fire code
vice and law enforcement
over a wide area or can officials should require
agencies, can employ the
be targeted to a particu- their design to be sealed
MNS.
lar group of recipients. by a registered profes-
The messages that will sional engineer. Section In a stadium or arena, the
be broadcast are based 24.7 of the standard re- captioning system is re-
on an emergency re- quires the preparation
quired to be a component
sponse plan developed of a risk analysis based of the emergency voice/
during a risk analysis by on the nature and antici- communication alarm sys-
the project stakeholders pated risks of the facili- tem (EV/ACS). Such a sys-
and is approved by the ty. The risk analysis is
tem is required by Section
fire code official. part of the design brief, 907.2.1.1 in Group A occu-
which will serve as the pancies with an occupant
The NFPA 72 ECS re- basis of the system de- load of 1,000 or more.
quirements are based on sign and is a required
in-building or wide-area design document. NFPA The requirement in Sec-
occupant notification. 72 requires the following tion 907.5.2.2.4 specifies
Wide-area systems could elements included in the the captioning system
include the entire area risk analysis: would be connected to
of a jurisdiction. For a the EV/ ACS. The fire
stadium, arena or grand- • The number of persons alarm control unit will
stand captioning, NFPA within the building, ar- require a listed interface
72 defines these as mass ea, space, campus or
unit capable of displaying
notification systems region; text messages. Textual
(MNS). In the context of • The character of the visible appliances are al-
the NFPA 72 require- lowed by NFPA 72 when
occupancy, such as
ments, this particular unique hazards and the used in conjunction with
CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY E-NEWZONE

Code Corner
audible, visual or both height and distance from story buildings, or where
types of notification ap- the persons viewing it. a substantial number of
pliances. In the public occupants are above or
mode, textual visible 907.2.2 Group B. A manu- below the level of exit
appliances are located to al fire alarm system shall discharge, increase the
ensure readability by the be installed in Group B oc- difficulty of alerting the
building occupants. Such cupancies where one of the occupants of a fire. This
a system can display mes- following conditions exists: is especially true in non-
sages using televisions or 1. The combined Group B sprinklered buildings
light-emitting diode occupant load of all floors with given occupant load
(LED) marquee signs. is 500 or more. thresholds. Group B occu-
pancies include a specific
The design concept of 2. The Group B occupant use called ambulatory
MNS is relatively new in load is more than 100 per- care facilities which pre-
the design community. sons above or below the sent a higher level of life
Captioning systems might lowest level of exit dis- hazard than the typical
utilize components that charge. Group B occupancy. The
are not listed for fire fact that the care recipi-
alarm service so the de- 3. The fire area contains ents of such facilities
sign will be required to an ambulatory care facili- may be rendered incapa-
comply with Section ty. ble of self-preservation
24.2.2.21 of NFPA 72 for for limited periods of
textual visible notifica- Exception: Manual fire
alarm boxes are not re- time makes the need for
tion appliances. Emer- a fire alarm system criti-
gency textual messages quired where the building
cal. Section 907.2.2 re-
take precedence over any is equipped throughout
with an automatic sprin- quires a manual alarm
nonemergency text mes- system any time a fire
sages. Under NFPA 72, kler system installed in
accordance with Section area contains a ambula-
these devices require a tory care facility. See the
primary and secondary 903.3.1.1 and the occu-
pant notification appli- commentary to Section
power supply. If the de- 202, definition of
vices are not monitored ances will activate
throughout the notifica- “Ambulatory care facili-
for integrity or loss of ty” and Section
communications by an tion zones upon sprinkler
water flow. 907.2.2.1.
autonomous control or a
fire alarm control unit, Group B occupancies The exception does not
the appliance must clear- eliminate the fire alarm
generally involve individ-
ly display its status. The uals or groups of people system, but rather per-
size of characters dis- in separate office areas. mits it to be initiated
played must comply with As a result, the occu- automatically by the
the requirements in NFPA sprinkler waterflow
pants are not necessarily
72. The NFPA 72 size, aware of what is going on switch(es) instead of by
character and font re- in other parts of the the manual fire alarm
quirements are based on building. Group B build- boxes.
PAGE 30 the location of the dis- ings with large occupant
play in relation to the 907.2.2.1 Ambulatory
loads, even in single- care facilities. Fire areas
CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY E-NEWZONE
Code Corner
containing ambulatory
care facilities shall be pro-
vided with an electronical-
ly supervised automatic
smoke detection system
installed within the ambu-
latory care facility and in
public use areas outside of
tenant spaces, including
public corridors and eleva-
tor lobbies.
Exception: Buildings
equipped throughout
with an automatic sprin-
kler system in accord-
ance with Section
903.3.1.1 provided the
occupant notification
appliances will activate
throughout the notifica-
tion zones upon sprinkler
water flow.
Years ago, few surgical
procedures were per-
formed outside of a hos-
pital. Today, complex
outpatient surgeries con-
ducted outside of a hos-
pital are commonplace.
They are performed in
facilities often called
“day surgery centers” or
“ambulatory surgical
centers” because pa-
tients are able to walk in
and walk out the same
day. Procedures render
care recipients tempo-
rarily incapable of self-
preservation by applica-
tion of nerve blocks, se-
dation or anesthesia;
PAGE 31 however, they do typi-
cally recover quickly.
The IBC identifies health building would not re-
care Group I occupancies quire smoke detection in
as including a 24-hour the individual tenant
stay. Without a 24-hour spaces but instead in the
stay, these surgery cen- public areas, such as lob-
ters were classified as by or lounge areas.
Group B, which allowed
the care providers to The exception does not
render an unlimited eliminate the fire alarm
number of people inca- system, but rather per-
pable of self- mits it to be initiated
preservation with no automatically by the
more protection than a sprinkler water flow
business office. Since switch(es) instead of by
these types of facilities manual fire alarm boxes.
contain distinctly differ-
907.2.3 Group E. A manu-
ent hazards to life safe- al fire alarm system that
ty than other Group B
initiates the occupant no-
occupancies, they are tification signal utilizing
now required to have a
an emergency voice/
higher level of life safe- alarm communication sys-
ty and fire protection as
tem meeting the require-
evidenced by the re- ments of Section 907.5.2.2
quirements of this sec- and installed in accord-
tion, as well as Section ance with Section 907.6
903.2.2 and the con- shall be installed in Group
struction provisions of E occupancies. When auto-
the code. matic sprinkler systems or
This section more specif- smoke detectors are in-
ically states that any stalled, such systems or
time a fire area contains detectors shall be con-
an ambulatory care fa- nected to the building fire
cility, the fire area alarm system.
should be provided with
Exceptions:
a supervised smoke de-
tection system in the 1. A manual fire alarm
ambulatory care facility system is not required in
and in public use areas Group E occupancies
outside of tenant spaces. with an occupant load of
Therefore, in a medical 30 or less.
office building, for ex-
ample, the ambulatory 2. Manual fire alarm box-
care facility contained es are not required in
within would have a full Group E occupancies
coverage system. The where all of the follow-
other offices in the ing apply:
CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY E-NEWZONE
PAGE 32
Code Corner
2.1. Interior corridors
are protected by smoke
detectors.
2.2. Auditoriums, cafe-
terias, gymnasiums and
similar areas are pro-
tected by heat detec-
tors or other approved
detection devices.
2.3. Shops and laborato-
ries involving dusts or
vapors are protected by
heat detectors or other
approved detection de-
vices.
3. Manual fire alarm box-
es shall not be required
in Group E occupancies
where the building is
equipped throughout with
an approved automatic
sprinkler system installed
in accordance with Sec-
tion 903.3.1.1, the emer-
gency voice/alarm com-
munication system will
activate on sprinkler wa-
ter flow and manual acti-
vation is provided from a
normally occupied loca-
tion.
Section 404.3.3 ad-
dresses the development
and implementation of
lockdown plans. These
requirements were devel-
oped to ensure that the
level of life safety inside
of the building is not re-
duced or compromised
during a lockdown. In
order for a building to
safely function in a lock-
down condition, the code cation appliances and did
requires a means of com- not require the added
munication between the capabilities that an EV/
established central loca- ACS provides.
tion and each secured
area. Section 404.3.3.1 Section 907.2.3 sets
does not prescribe the forth the requirements
means of communication, for automatic fire alarm
which could include the and detection system
use of text messages to requirements in Group E
cell phones/mobile devic- occupancies. Section
907.2.3 prescribes the
es, e-mail messages or
the use of pre- installation of an EV/ACS
as opposed to a tradition-
established audio or visu-
al signals. The provisions al horn/strobe occupant
notification system.
in Section 404.3.3 are not
specific to Group E occu- Exception 1 exempts
pancies—they are appli- Group E occupancies from
cable to all occupancies requiring a fire alarm
that develop and imple- system when the occu-
ment lockdown plans. pant load is less than 30.
This would exempt small
Because of concerns of
school campus safety day care centers that
serve children older than
serving kindergarten
through 12th grade stu- 21 /2 years of age or a
small Sunday school
dents, specific require-
ments were put into the classroom at a place of
religious worship.
2012 edition of the IBC
and the code for en- Exception 2 exempts
hanced communication manual fire alarm boxes
between the school ad- in interior corridors, la-
ministrators, teachers boratories, auditoriums,
and students when a cafeterias, gymnasiums
lockdown plan is activat- and similar spaces based
ed in Group E occupan- on the installation of
cies. As a result, emer- heat/smoke detectors.
gency voice/alarm com- This is not an exception
munication systems (EV/ from the EV/ACS but
ACS) are prescribed in simply an exemption of
Group E occupancies. locations requiring manu-
Previously the code al fire alarm boxes. The
would have permitted applicability of Exception
the manual fire alarm 2 is independent of
system to use audible whether an automatic
and visible alarm notifi- sprinkler system is in-
CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY E-NEWZONE
Code Corner
stalled. If an automatic
smoke detection system
is installed, it must be
connected to the build-
ing fire alarm system.
Exception 3 allows the
omission of the manual
fire alarm boxes in
Group E occupancies
equipped throughout
with an automatic sprin-
kler system if the actua-
tion of the sprinkler sys-
tem will activate the
EV/ ACS. See Section
903.2.3 for sprinkler re-
quirements in Group E
buildings.
907.2.4 Group F. A manu-
al fire alarm system that
activates the occupant
notification system in ac-
cordance with Section
907.5 shall be installed in
Group F occupancies
where both of the follow-
ing conditions exist:
1. The Group F occupan-
cy is two or more stories
in height; and
2. The Group F occupan-
cy has a combined occu-
pant load of 500 or more
above or below the low-
est level of exit dis-
charge.
Exception: Manual fire
alarm boxes are not re-
quired where the build-
ing is equipped through-
PAGE 33 out with an automatic
sprinkler system installed 907.2.5 Group H. A manu-
in accordance with Sec- al fire alarm system that
tion 903.3.1.1 and the activates the occupant
occupant notification notification system in ac-
appliances will activate cordance with Section
throughout the notifica- 907.5 shall be installed in
tion zones upon sprinkler Group H-5 occupancies
water flow. and in occupancies used
for the manufacture of
This section is intend- organic coatings. An auto-
ed to apply to large mul- matic smoke detection
tistory manufacturing system shall be installed
facilities. For this rea- for highly toxic gases, or-
son, a manual fire alarm ganic peroxides and oxi-
system would be re- dizers in accordance with
quired only if the build- Chapters 60, 62 and 63,
ing were at least two respectively.
stories in height and had
500 or more occupants Because of the nature
above or below the level and potential quantity of
of exit discharge. An hazardous materials in
unlimited area, two- Group H-5 occupancies, a
manual means of acti-
story Group F occupancy
vating an occupant noti-
complying with Section
fication system is essen-
507.3 of the IBC would
tial for the safety of the
be indicative of an occu-
occupants. In accordance
pancy requiring a manual
with Section 2703.11,
fire alarm system.
the activation of the
Buildings in compliance alarm system must initi-
with Section 507.3 of the ate a local alarm and
IBC, and large manufac- transmit a signal to the
turing facilities in gen- emergency control sta-
eral, however, must be tion. The manual fire
fully sprinklered and alarm system require-
would thus be eligible ment for the building is
for the exception. The in addition to the emer-
exception does not elim- gency alarm require-
inate the fire alarm sys- ments in Section 2703.12
tem but rather permits (see Section 908.2).
it to be initiated auto-
matically by the sprin- Occupancies involved in
kler system waterflow the manufacture of or-
switch(es) instead of by ganic coatings present
the manual fire alarm special hazardous condi-
boxes. tions because of the un-
stable character of the
materials, such as nitro-
cellulose. Good house-
CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY E-NEWZONE
Code Corner
keeping and control of
ignition sources is criti-
cal. Chapter 29 contains
additional requirements
for organic coating manu-
facturing processes.
This section also requires
an automatic smoke de-
tection system in certain
occupancy conditions in-
volving either highly tox-
ic gases or organic perox-
ides and oxidizers. The
need for the automatic
smoke detection system
may depend on the class
of materials and addi-
tional levels of fire pro-
tection provided. This
requirement also assumes
the quantity of materials
is in excess of the maxi-
mum allowable quanti-
ties shown in Tables
5003.1.1(1) and 5003.1.1
(2).
907.2.6 Group I. A manual
fire alarm system that acti-
vates the occupant notifi-
cation system in accord-
ance with Section 907.5
shall be installed in Group I
occupancies. An automatic
smoke detection system
Next Month ...
that activates the occupant
907.2.6.1 Group I-1.
notification system in ac-
An automatic smoke
cordance with Section
detection system shall
907.5 shall be provided in
be
accordance with Sections
907.2.6.1, 907.2.6.2 and
907.2.6.3.3.
PAGE 34
Exceptions:
1. Manual fire alarm
boxes in sleeping units
of Group I-1 and I-2 oc-
cupancies shall not be
required at exits if lo-
cated at all care provid-
ers’ control stations or
other constantly attend-
ed staff locations, pro-
vided such stations are
visible and continuously
accessible and that
travel distances re-
quired in Section
907.4.2.1 are not ex-
ceeded.
2. Occupant notification
systems are not re-
quired to be activated
where private mode
signaling installed in
accordance with NFPA
72 is approved by the
fire code official.
Because the protection
and possible evacuation
of the occupants in Group
I occupancies are most
often dependent on the
response by care provid-
ers, occupancies in Group
I must be protected with
a manual fire alarm sys-
tem and in certain in-
stances, as described in
Sections 907.2.6.1,
907.2.6.2 and 907.2.6.3,
an automatic smoke de-
tection system. In Group
I-1, smoke alarms are
also required in accord-
ance with Section
907.6.1.1.
It is not the intent of this
section to require a
smoke detection system
throughout all Group I
occupancies. Smoke de-
tectors are only generally
required in the corridors
and in waiting rooms that
are open to corridors,
unless noted otherwise.
IFC Committee Interpre-
tation No. 36-03 makes it
clear that the Group I
provisions only require a
manual fire alarm system
with smoke detectors in
selected areas.
To reduce the potential
for unwanted alarms,
manual fire alarm boxes
may be located at the
care providers’ control
stations or another con-
stantly attended loca-
tion.
Exception 1 reduces the
likelihood of accidental
or malicious false alarm
system activations by
manual means by allow-
ing the pull stations to
be located in a more con-
trolled area. It assumes
the approved location is
always accessible by care
providers and within 200
feet (60 960 mm) of trav-
el distance. Exception 2
allows the common prac-
tice in Group I occupan-
cies of only notifying the
care providers instead of
all building occupants in
the event of a fire, sub-
ject to the approval of
the fire code official.