15.10.460 Fire protection systems.
A. General. Systems, devices and equipment to detect a fire, actuate an alarm, or suppress or control a fire or any combination thereof shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with the International Fire Code.
1. Automatic Sprinkler Systems. Inspection, testing and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems shall be in accordance with NFPA 25.
2. Fire Department Connection. Where the fire department connection is not visible to approaching fire apparatus, the fire department connection shall be indicated by an approved sign mounted on the street front or on the side of the building. Such signage shall have the letters “FDC” on the sign, not less than six (6) inches (one hundred fifty-two (152) mm) high, and words in letters not less than two (2) inches (fifty-one (51) mm) high, or an arrow to indicate the location of the connection. Such signs shall be subject to the approval of the fire code official.
B. Single- and Multiple-Station Smoke Alarms. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in existing Group I-1 and R occupancies in accordance with subsections (B)(1) through (B)(3) of this section.
1. Where Required. Existing Group I-1 and R occupancies shall be provided with single-station smoke alarms in accordance with subsections (B)(1)(c)(1) through (B)(1)(c)(4) of this section. Interconnection and power sources shall be in accordance with subsections (B)(2) and (B)(3) of this section.
Exceptions:
a. Where the code that was in effect at the time of construction required smoke alarms and smoke alarms complying with those requirements are already provided.
b. Where smoke alarms have been installed in occupancies and dwellings that were not required to have them at the time of construction, additional smoke alarms shall not be required; provided, that the existing smoke alarms comply with requirements that were in effect at the time of installation.
c. Where smoke detectors connected to a fire alarm system have been installed as a substitute for smoke alarms.
(1) Group R-1. Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in all of the following locations in Group R-1:
(A) In sleeping areas.
(B) In every room in the path of the means of egress from the sleeping area to the door leading from the sleeping unit.
(C) 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 (1) full story below the upper level.
(2) Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and I-1. Single- or 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:
(A) On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
(B) In each room used for sleeping purposes.
(C) 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 (1) full story below the upper level.
(3) Installation Near Cooking Appliances. Smoke alarms shall not be installed in the following locations unless this would prevent placement of a smoke alarm in a location required by subsection (B)(1)(c)(1) or (B)(1)(c)(2) of this section:
(A) Ionization smoke alarms shall not be installed less than twenty (20) feet (six thousand ninety-six (6,096) mm) horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
(B) Ionization smoke alarms with an alarm-silencing switch shall not be installed less than ten (10) feet (three thousand forty-eight (3,048) mm) horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
(C) Photoelectric smoke alarms shall not be installed less than six (6) feet (one thousand eight hundred twenty-nine (1,829) mm) horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
(4) Installation Near Bathrooms. Smoke alarms shall be installed not less than three (3) feet (nine hundred fourteen (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 subsection (B)(1)(c)(1) or (B)(1)(c)(2) of this section.
2. Interconnection. Where more than one (1) smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling or sleeping unit, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one (1) 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 (1) alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
Exceptions:
a. Interconnection is not required in buildings that are not undergoing alterations, repairs or construction of any kind.
b. Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to be interconnected where alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
3. Power Source. Single-station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring; provided, that 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. 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.
Exceptions:
a. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing buildings where no construction is taking place.
b. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in buildings that are not served from a commercial power source.
c. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes.
4. Smoke Detection System. Smoke detectors listed in accordance with UL 268 and provided as part of the building’s fire alarm system shall be an acceptable alternative to single- and multiple-station smoke alarms and shall comply with the following:
a. The fire alarm system shall comply with all applicable requirements in Section 907 of the International Fire Code.
5. Activation of a smoke detector in a dwelling or sleeping unit shall initiate alarm notification in the dwelling or sleeping unit in accordance with Section 907.5.2 of the International Fire Code.
6. Activation of a smoke detector in a dwelling or sleeping unit shall not activate alarm notification appliances outside of the dwelling or sleeping unit; provided, that a supervisory signal is generated and monitored in accordance with Section 907.6.5 of the International Fire Code.