HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Memo from Fire Inspector to Coucnil, Smoke Detections required qG
M E M O FIRE DEPARTMENT\INSPECTION DIVISION
CITY OF AMES
TO: Mayor Tedesco and members of the City Council
FROM: John Dethrow, Fire Inspector
DATE: June 19, 1998
SUBJECT: Smoke Detectors required by the adoption of the 1997 code
Attached are copies of the 1991 Uniform Fire Code, 1994 Uniform Building Code and the
1997 Uniform Fire Code in regards to changes in requirements of the "Code".
The 1994 Uniform Building Code requires detectors in new homes and those that are
remodeled. The homestead exemption requires owner occupied homes to have them and
the city's rental code covers all others.
The 1997 Fire Code now requires single station detectors in all dwellings in our
jurisdiction.
I view this as a positive encouragement since smoke detectors have long been recognized
as an essential tool to saving lives.
1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
10.401-10.501
of 150 feet from a water supply on a public street,as measured by an approved
' route around the exterior of the facility or building,on site fire hydrants and mains
capable of supplying the required fire flow shall be provided when required the
chief.
Type of Water Supply
Sec.10.402.Water supply may consist of reservoirs,pressure tanks,elevated
j € tanks,water mains or other fixed systems capable of providing the required fire
flow.In setting the requirements for fire flow, the chief may be guided by the
e provision in Appendix III-A.
Fire Hydrants
Sec.10.403.The location,number and type of fire hydrants connected to a water
supply capable of delivering the required fire flow shall be provided on the�ublic
• street or on the site of the premises or both to be protected as required and approved
by the chief.Fire hydrants shall be accessible to the fire department apparatus by
jroads meeting the requirements of Division II.
For fire safety during construction,alteration or demolition of a building,see
Section 87.103(c).
Division V
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF
FIRE-PROTECTION AND LIFE-SAFETY SYSTEMS
General
a Sec.10.501.(a)Type Required.The chief is authorized to designate the type
and number of fire appliances to be installed and maintained in and upon all
buildings and premises in the jurisdiction other than �rivatc d�a lle<mgs• This
designation shall be based upon the relative severityA�of probable fire,including the
idity with which it rap associatefr
d with such building or premises and shalspread.Such apliances shall be of a type suitablhave
the probable class of fire
approval of the chief.
(b) Special Hazards. For occupancies of an especially hazardous nature or
to the normal hazard of the occupancy,or
where special hazards exist in addition
where access for fire apparatus is unduly difficult,the chief is authorized to require
additional safeguards consisting of additional fire appliance units,more than one
type of appliance,or special systems suitable for the protection of the hazard
involved.Such devices or appliances may consist of automatic fire alarm systems,
!r automatic sprinkler or water spray systems,standpipe and hose,fixed or portable
fire extinguishers,suitable fire blankets,breathing apparatus,
manual or automatic
! ; nated or dry chemical or other special
covers, carbon dioxide, foam, haloge
ch systems are provided, they shall be
fire-extinguishing systems. Where su
: designed and installed in accordance with the applicable Uniform Fire Code
Standards.
64
310.7-310.9.2 1994 UNIFORM BUILDING COD
4.The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a water closet, lavatory and 1
bathtub or shower.
310.8 Shaft and Exit Enclosures. Exits shall be enclosed as specified in Chapter 10.
Elevator shafts.vent shafts,dumbwaiter shafts,clothes chutes and other vertical openings shall
be enclosed and the enclosure shall be as specified in Section 711.
In nonsprinklered Group R,Division 1 Occupancies,corridors serving an occupant load of 10 or
more shall be separated from corridors and other areas on adjacent floors by not less than approved
fixed wired glass set in steel frames or by 20-minute smoke-and draft-control assemblies which are
automatic closing by smoke detection.
r310.9 Smoke Detectors and Sprinkler Systems.
310.9.1 Smoke detectors.
310.9.1.1 General. Dwelling units, congregate residences and hotel or lodging house guest
rooms that are used for sleeping purposes shall be provided with smoke detectors.Detectors shall be
installed in accordance with the approved manufacturer's instructions.
310.9.1.2 Additions,alterations or repairs to Group R Occupancies. When the valuation of an
addition,alteration or repair to a Group R Occupancy exceeds$1,000 and a permit is required,or
when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing Group R Occupancies,smoke
detectors shall be installed in accordance with Sections 310.9.1.3,310.9.1.4 and 310.9.1.5 of this
section.
' EXCEPTION: Repairs to the exterior surfaces of a Group R Occupancy are exempt from the require-
ments of this section.
310.9.1.3 Power source. In new construction,required smoke detectors shall receive their pri-
mary power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source and
shall be equipped with a battery backup.The detector shall emit a signal when the batteries are low.
Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for over-
current protection. Smoke detectors may be solely battery operated when installed in existing
buildings;or in buildings without commercial power;or in buildings which undergo alterations,
repairs or additions regulated by Section 310.9.1.2.
310.9.1.4 Location within dwelling units. In dwelling units,a detector shall be installed in each
sleeping room and at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to each separate
sleeping area.When the dwelling unit has more than one story and in dwellings with basements,a
detector shall be installed on each story and in the basement.In dwelling units where a story or base-
ment is split into two or more levels,the smoke detector shall be installed on the upper level,except ;
that when the lower level contains a sleeping area,a detector shall be installed on each level.When
sleeping rooms are on an upper level,the detector shall be placed at the ceiling of the upper level in
close proximity to the stairway. In dwelling units where the ceiling height of a room open to the
hallway serving the bedrooms exceeds that of the hallway by 24 inches(610 mm)or more,smoke
detectors shall be installed in the hallway and in the adjacent room.Detectors shall sound an alarm
audible in all sleeping areas of the dwelling unit in which they are located.
310.9.1.5 Location in efficiency dwelling units,congregate residences and hotels. In efficien-
cy dwelling units,hotel suites and in hotel and congregate residence sleeping rooms,detectors shall
be located on the ceiling or wall of the main room or each sleeping room.When sleeping rooms
within an efficiency dwelling unit or hotel suite are on an upper level,the detector shall be placed at
the ceiling of the upper level in close proximity to the stairway.When actuated,the detector shall
sound an alarm audible within the sleeping area of the dwelling unit or congregate residence,hotel
suite,or sleeping room in which it is located.
310.9.2 Sprinkler and standpipe systems. When required by Section 904.2.1 or other provi-
sions of this code,automatic sprinkler systems and standpipes shall be designed and installed as
specified in Chapter 9.
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1997 UNIFORM -CODE—, 1007.2.7.1.1
1007.2.9.2.4
B 1. At automatic-closing doors in smoke barriers and one-hour 1007.2.8 Group NI Occupancies. See Section 1007.2.12.
Bfire-resistive occupancy separations(see UBC Sections 308.2.2.1 1007.2.9 Group R Occupancies.
Band 308.8),13
I
B 2. In waiting areas which are open to corridors(see UBC Sec- 1007.2.9.1 New Group R Occupancies.
B tion 1007.5). 1007.2.9.1.1 General. Group R Occupancies shall be provided
When actuated,alarm-initiating devices shall activate an alarm with fire alarm systems in accordance with Section 1007.2.9.
signal which is audible throughout the building. Group R, Division 1 Occupancies shall be provided with a manual
and automatic fire alarm system in apartment houses three or more
EXCEPTION: Visual alarm-signaling devices are allowed to sub- stories in height or containing 16 or more dwelling units,in hotels
stitute for audible devices in patient use areas. three or more stories in height or containing 20 or more guest
B 1007.2.7.1.2 Patient room smoke detectors. Smoke detectors rooms, and in congregate residences three or more stories in
B which receive their primary power from the building wiring shall height or having an occupant load of 20 or more. See also Sec-
B be installed in patient sleeping rooms of hospital and nursing tion 1007.2.12.
B homes.Actuation of such detectors shall cause a visual display on EXCEPTIONS: 1. A manual fire alarm system need not be pro-
B the corridor side of the room in which the detector is located and vided in buildings not over two stories in height when all individual
B _
B shall cause an audible and visual alarm at the respective nurses' dwelling units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces are separated
B station. When single-station detectors and related devices are from each other and public or common areas by at least one-hour fire-
6 combined combined with a nursing call system,the nursing call system shall resistive occupancy separations and each individual dwelling unit or
B be listed for the intended combined use. guest room has an exit directly to a public way.exit court or yard.
B I. A separate fire alarm system need not be provided in buildings
B EXCEPTION: [n rooms equipped with automatic door closers
g which are protected throughout by an approved supervised fire sprin-
B having integral smoke detectors on the room side,the integral detector kler system conforming with the Building Code and having a local
B may substitute for the room smoke detector,provided it performs the alarm to notify all occupants.
required alerting functions.
1007.2.9.1.2 Manual fire alarm boxes. Manual fire alarm
1007.2.7.2 Division 3 Occupancies. boxes are not required for interior corridors having smoke detec-
1007.2.7.2.1 General. Group I,Division 3 Occupancies shall be tors as specified in Section 1007.2.9.1.3.
provided with a manual and automatic fire alarm system installed 1007.2.9.1.3 Smoke detectors. Smoke detectors shall be
for alerting staff in accordance with Section 1007.2.7.2. See also provided in all common areas and interior corridors serving as a
Section 1007.2.12. required means of egress for an occupant load of 10 or more.
1007.2.7.2.2 System initiation. Actuation of an automatic 1007.2.9.1.4 Heat detectors. Heat detectors shall be provided
fire-extinguishing system,a manual fire alarm box or a fire detec- in common areas such as recreational rooms, laundry rooms,
for shall initiate an approved fire alarm signal which automatically furnace rooms, and similar areas in accordance with UFC
notifies staff. Presignal systems shall not be used. Standard 10-2.
1007.2.7.2.3 Manual Fire alarm boxes. 1007.2.9.1.5 Visual signaling devices. Guest rooms for persons B
with hearing impairments shall be provided with visible and audi- B
1. General. Manual fire alarm boxes need not be located in ble alarm-indicating appliances, activated by both the in-room B
accordance with Section 1007.3.3.1 when they are provided at smoke detector and the building fire alarm system. B
staff-attended locations having direct supervision over areas
where manual fire alarm boxes have been omitted. 1007.2.9.1.6 Single-station smoke detectors. Approved B
single-station smoke detectors shall be installed in dwelling units, B
2. Locking of manual fire alarm boxes. Manual fire alarm B
congregate residences and hotel or lodging house guest rooms in B
boxes are allowed to be locked in areas occupied by detainees, accordance with the Building Code. B
provided that staff members are present within the subject area
and have keys readily available to operate the manual fire alarm Single-station smoke detectors shall not be connected to a fire
boxes. alarm system. See also Section 1007.2.9.1.5.
EXCEPTION: Connection of such detectors for annunciation
1007.2.7.2.4 Smoke detection. An approved automatic smoke- only.
detection system shall be installed throughout resident housing 1007.2.9.2 Existing Group R Occupancies.
areas,including sleeping areas and contiguous day rooms,group _
activity spaces and other common spaces normally accessible to 1007.2.9.2.1 General. Existing Group R Occupancies not
residents. already provided with single-station smoke dectors shall be pro-
EXCEPTION: Other approved smoke-detection arrangements vided with approved single-station smoke detectors. Installation
providing equivalent protection,such as placing detectors in exhaust shall be in accordance with Section 1007.2.9.2.
ducts from cells or behind protective grilles,are allowed when neces- 1007.2.9.2.2 Installation. Approved single-station smoke de-
sary to prevent damage or tampering. tectors shall be installed in existing dwelling units,congregate res-
1007.2.7.2.5 Zoning and annunciation. Alarm and trouble sig idences, and hotel an o g g ouse gues rooms.
nals shall be annunciated at an approved constantly attended loca-
tion.Such signals shall indicate the zone of origin. 1007.2.9.2.3 Power source. In Group R Occupancies, single-
station smoke detectors shall be either battery operated or may
Separate zones shall be provided for individual fire-protectio receive their primary power from the building wiring provided
systems,buildings, floors,cell complexes and sections of floors that such wiring is served from a commercial source.When power
compartmented by smoke-stop partitions. is provided by the building wiring,the wiring shall be permanent
1007.2.7.2.6 Monitoring. The fire alarm system shall be moni- and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for
tored by an approved central,proprietary or remote station service overcurrent protection.
or by transmission of a local alarm which will give audible and vi- 1007.2.9.2.4 Locations within existing Group R Oceupan-
sual signals at an approved constantly attended location. eies. In dwelling units,detectors shall be mounted on the ceiling
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a 1007.2.9.2.4 1997 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
?-1007.2.12.8
or wall at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving 3. At each connection to a vertical duct or riser serving two or B access to each separate sleeping area.Where sleeping rooms are more stories from a return-air duct or plenum of an air-condition- B
on an upper level,the detector shall be placed at the center of the ing system. In Group R, Division 1 Occupancies, an approved e
ceiling directly above the stairway. Detectors shall also be smoke detector is allowed to be used in each retum-air riser carry- f
installed in the basement of dwelling units having a stairway ing not more than 5,000 cubic feet per minute(2360 Us)and sere- B
which opens from the basement into the dwelling. ing not more than 10 air-inlet openings; and B
In hotel, lodging house and congregate residence sleeping 4. For Group R, Division 1 Occupancies, in all interior corri- B
rooms, detectors shall be located on the ceiling or wall of each dors serving as a means of egress for an occupant load of 10 or B
sleeping room. more. B
B
E
1007.2.10 Group S Occupancies. See Section 1007.2.12. 1007.2.12.2.3 Emergency voice alarm-signaling system. The 6
operation of any automatic fire detector,sprinkler or water-flow B
1007.2.11 Group U Occupancies. No requirements. device shall automatically sound an alert tone followed by voice B
instructions giving appropriate information and directions on a B
1007.2.12 Special uses and conditions. general or selective basis to the following terminal areas: B
B
1007.2.12.1 Amusement buildings. 1. Elevators, B
e
F
1007.2.12.1.1 General. An approved smoke-detection system 2. Elevator lobbies, t
h
shall be provided in amusement buildings in accordance with Sec- B
g 3. Corridors, B
lion 1007.2.12.1. e
4. Exit stairways, B
EXCEPTION: In areas where ambient conditions will cause a B
smoke-detection system to alarm,an approved alternate type of auto- 5. Rooms and tenant spaces exceeding 1,000 square feet B
matic detector shall be installed. (93 m2)in area, B
B
B
1007.2.12.1.2 Alarm system. Activation of any single smoke 6. Dwelling units in apartment houses, B
B
detector, the automatic sprinkler system or other automatic fire-
7. Hotel guest rooms or suites, and B detection device shall immediately sound an alarm in the building e
at a constantly supervised location from which the manual opera- 8. Areas of refuge.(As defined in the Building Code.) B
lion of systems noted in Section 1007.2.12.1.3 can be initiated. B
A manual override for emergency voice communication shall B
1007.2.12.1.3 System response. The activation of two or more be provided for all paging zones. B
smoke detectors,a single smoke detector monitored by an alarm The emergency voice alarm-signaling system shall be designed B
verification zone, the automatic sprinkler system or other ap- and installed in accordance with the Building Code and UFC B
proved fire-detection device shall automatically: Standard 10-2. E
B
1. Stop confusing sounds and other visual effects, 1007.2.12.2.4 Fire department communication system. A B
2. Activate approved directional exit marking,and two-way,approved fire department communication system shall B
be provided for fire department use. It shall operate between the B
3. Cause illumination of the means of egress with light of not central control station and elevators,elevator lobbies,emergency B
less than 1 footcandle(10.8 Ix)at the walking surface. and standby power rooms and at entries into enclosed stairways. B
1007.2.12.1.4 Public address system. The public address sys- 1007.2.12.3 Buildings with atriums. Actuation of an atrium
tem is also allowed to serve as an alarm. smoke-control system required by the Building Code shall initiate
B 1007.2.12.2 High-rise buildings. an audible fire alarm signal in designated portions of the building.
BB 1007.2.12.4 High-piled combustible storage uses. When
1007.2.12.2.1 General. Group B office buildings and Group R, required by Article 81,high-piled combustible storage uses shall
B Division 1 Occupancies,each having floors used for human occu- be provided with an automatic fire-detection system.
B pancy located more than 75 feet(22 860 mm)above the lowest
B level of fire department vehicle access,shall be provided with an 1007.2.12.5 Special egress-control devices. When special e
B automatic fire alarm system and a communication system in ac- egress-control devices are installed on exit doors, an automatic 6 B cordance with Section 1007.2.12.2. smoke-detection system shall be installed throughout the build- B
BB ing.(See UBC Section 1003.3.1.10.) B
1007.2.12.2.2 Automatic fire alarm system. Smoke detectors B
e shall be provided in accordance with Section 1007.2.12.2.2. 1007.2.12.6 Corridors in office uses. When required by the B
B Smoke detectors shall be connected to an automatic fire alarm sys- Building Code for corridors in lieu of one-hour corridor construc- B
B tem. The actuation of any detector required by Section tion,smoke detectors shall be installed within office corridors in B
e 1007.2.12.2.2 shall operate the emergency voice alarm-signaling accordance with their listing.The actuation of any detector shall E
B system and shall place into operation all equipment necessary to activate alarms audible in all areas served by the corridor. (See B
B prevent the recirculation of smoke. Smoke detectors shall be UBC Section 1004.3.4.3, Exception 4.) B
Blocated as follows: 1007.2.12.7 Aerosol storage uses. When required by Article
B 1. In every mechanical equipment, electrical, transformer, 88,aerosol storage rooms and general purpose warehouses con-
B telephone equipment, elevator machine or similar room, and in taining aerosols shall be provided with an approved manual alarm
B elevator lobbies.Elevator lobby detectors shall be connected to an system.
B alarm verification zone or be listed as a releasing device; e
B 1007.2.12.8 Smoke-control systems. An approved automatic e
B 2. In the main return-air and exhaust-air plenum of each air- smoke-detection system shall be provided when required by the B
eB conditioning system.Such detectors shall be located in a service- Building Code for automatic control of a smoke-control system. B
able area downstream of the last duct inlet; (See UBC Section 905.9.) IS
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