2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide

CHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

SECTION 907 FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS

[F] 907.4 Initiating devices.  ...

[F] 907.4.2 Manual fire alarm boxes.  ...

[F] 907.4.2.2 Height.  The height of the manual fire alarm boxes shall be a minimum of 42 inches (1067 mm) and a maximum of 48 inches (1219 mm) measured vertically, from the floor level to the activating handle or lever of the box. Manual fire alarm boxes shall also comply with Section 11B-309.4.

Exception: [DSA-AC]  In existing buildings there is no requirement to retroactively relocate existing manual fire alarm boxes to a minimum of 42 inches (1067 mm) and a maximum of 48 inches (1219 mm) from the floor level to the highest point of the activated handle or lever of the box. Manual fire alarm boxes shall also comply with 11B-309.4.

Advisory 907.4.2.2 Height.  CBC Section 11B-309.4 requires controls and operating mechanisms to be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist (must be operable by persons with limited manual dexterity). The maximum effort to activate controls shall be no greater than 5 pounds-force. ◼

[F] 907.5 Occupant notification systems.  ...

[F] 907.5.2 Alarm notification appliances.  ...

[F] 907.5.2.3 Visible alarms. Visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in accordance with Sections 907.5.2.3.1 through 907.5.2.3.5.

Exceptions:

1.     In other than Group I-2 and I-2.1, 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.

2.     Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required in enclosed exit stairways, exterior exit stairs and exterior exit ramps.

3.     Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required in elevator cars.

[F] 907.5.2.3.1 Public and common use areas. Visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in public use areas and common use areas, including but not limited to:

1. Sanitary facilities including restrooms, bathrooms and shower rooms

2. Music practice rooms

3. Band rooms

4. Multipurpose rooms

5. Occupational shops

6. Occupied rooms where ambient noise impairs hearing of the fire alarm

7. Meeting rooms

8. Occupied rooms where ambient noise impairs hearing of the fire alarm

9. Lobbies

10. Meeting rooms

11. Classrooms

Advisory 907.5.2.3.1 Public and common use areas.  This list is not exhaustive. In new construction, all public- and common-use areas shall have visible alarms if audible alarms are provided. ◼

[F] 907.5.2.3.2 Employee work areas.  Where employee work areas have audible alarm coverage, the notification appliance circuits serving the employee work areas shall be initially designed with a minimum of 20-percent spare capacity to account for the potential of adding visible notification appliances in the future to accommodate hearing impaired employee(s).

[F] 907.5.2.3.3 Groups R-1 and R-2.1.  Group R-1 and R-2.1 dwelling units or sleeping units in accordance with Table 907.5.2.3.3 shall be provided with a visible alarm notification appliance, activated by both the in-room smoke alarm and the building fire alarm system.

[F] TABLE 907.5.2.3.3 VISIBLE ALARMS

[F] 907.5.2.3.4 Group R-2.  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 NFPA 72.  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.

907.5.2.3.5 Groups R-2.1, R-3.1 and R-4.  Protective social care facilities which house persons who are hearing impaired, shall be provided with notification appliances for the hearing impaired installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and which shall activated upon initiation of the fire alarm system or the smoke alarms.