Section 12-A907. FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS

 

Strike Section 907.3.3 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 907.3.3 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows:

 

907.3.3 Elevator emergency operation.  Automatic fire detectors and all fire alarm system components installed for elevator emergency operation shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of ASME A17.1 and NFPA 72.  Smoke detectors shall not be installed in unsprinklered elevator hoistways unless they are installed to activate the elevator hoistway smoke relief equipment.

Strike Section 907.6.3.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Sections 907.6.3.1 through 907.6.3.1.1.2.1 to the Building Code to read as follows:

907.6.3.1 Zoning indicator panel. A zoning indicator panel and the associated controls shall be provided in an approved location that is readily discernible and readily accessible to the responding fire department.  The visual zone indication shall lock in until the system is reset and shall not be canceled by the operation of an audible alarm-silencing switch.  Zoning indicator panels shall include remote annunciator panels and zoning displays that are integral to the fire alarm control equipment.

907.6.3.1.1 Remote annunciator panels.  Where remote annunciator panels are required, they shall be provided at the main entrance, at each designated fire department entrance, and where specified by Section 907.6.3.1.1.2.  Remote annunciator panels shall be provided as follows:

 

907.6.3.1.1.1 Directory-style display.  A directory-style annunciator shall be provided in buildings with more than one story above or below grade and in buildings with more than one zone per floor.  The directory-style annunciator shall consist of either an alpha-numeric LCD display or an approved directory-style panel with individual lamps.  As a minimum, the annunciator shall indicate related floor, zone and status conditions using readily identifiable designations in plain English text.

 

Exception:  Where a graphic display with individual lamps is provided in accordance with Section 907.6.3.1.1.2.1.

 

907.6.3.1.1.2 Graphic display.  A graphic annunciator display shall be provided at the main entrance, and in the fire command center or at the fire alarm control panel locations where there is no fire command center, for buildings of the following types:

 

1. High-rise buildings. 

 

2. Covered mall buildings.

 

3. Nursing homes and hospitals.

 

4. Buildings of any occupancy where three or more exits are provided per floor level above or below the level of exit discharge.

 

5. Buildings comprised of more than one street address with separate entrances.

 

6. Buildings with Group A occupancies of greater than 1000 persons.

 

907.6.3.1.1.2.1 Graphic display features.  Graphic annunciator displays shall consist of an integrated graphic annunciator panel, or, where approved in buildings not more than four stories above or two stories below the fire department entrance, a directory-style annunciator panel with a permanently mounted graphic diagram.  Graphic annunciator displays shall be fabricated of a durable material and shall incorporate the following features:

 

1.A graphic diagram that identifies:

 

1.1 Building address.

 

1.2 North arrow.

 

1.3 Building floor plan outline of each general type, where the orientation of each diagram is consistent with the annunciator location.

 

1.4 Fire alarm zoning.

 

1.5 Location of exit stairways and labeled with designations that are consistent with Section 1022.9 and labeled to indicate stairways that provide roof access.

 

1.6 Location of elevator banks.

 

1.7 Location of elevator machine room

 

1.8 Location of the annunciator with “YOU ARE HERE” marker.

 

1.9 Location of fire command center or fire alarm control equipment.

 

1.10 Location of fire department connections.

 

2.Individual lamps that identify each associated device, floor, zone, and system status condition.  Lamp colors shall be coordinated with the associated system conditions as follows: red for alarm; yellow or amber for supervisory; and yellow or amber for system trouble. Green lamps shall be permitted to indicate annunciator power supervision.  A push-button style switch shall be provided for lamp test operation.

 

3.Audible alert sounder that locally annunciates alarm, trouble, and supervisory conditions, with alert silencing-switch that is accessible to authorized personnel only.

 

Exception:  An audible sounder is not required for an annunciator panel where the required audible annunciation is provided by fire alarm control equipment that is located adjacent to the annunciator.

 

 

authority

Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 2782 (March 28, 2014 – Part 2).

EditorNote

The District of Columbia Building Code (2013), referred to as the “Building Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Building Code as amended by the District of Columbia Building Code Supplement (2013)(12 DCMR A). The International Building Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at:http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000001&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.