Page 239 - 2018_IFC

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless fied in Table 1103.1 as further enumerated in Sections 1104.2
there is an attic, crawl space or basement avail- through 1104.25, and the building code that applied at the
able that could provide access for interconnection time of construction. Where the provisions of this chapter
without the removal of interior finishes. conflict with the building code that applied at the time of con-
1103.8.3 Power source. Single-station smoke alarms shall struction, the most restrictive provision shall apply. Existing
receive their primary power from the building wiring pro- buildings that were not required to comply with a building
vided that such wiring is served from a commercial source code at the time of construction shall comply with the mini-
and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke mum egress requirements where specified in Table 1103.1 as
alarms with integral strobes that are not equipped with bat- further enumerated in Sections 1104.2 through 1104.25.
tery backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical 1104.2 Elevators, escalators and moving walks. Elevators,
system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batter- escalators and moving walks shall not be used as a compo-
ies are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a dis- nent of a required means of egress.
connecting switch other than as required for overcurrent Exceptions:
protection.
1. Elevators used as an accessible means of egress
Exceptions: where allowed by Section 1009.4.
1. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery 2. Previously approved elevators, escalators and mov-
operated in existing buildings where construction ing walks in existing buildings.
is not taking place.
1104.3 Exit sign illumination. Exit signs shall be internally
2. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery or externally illuminated. The face of an exit sign illuminated
operated in buildings that are not served from a from an external source shall have an intensity of not less
commercial power source. than 5 foot-candles (54 lux). Internally illuminated signs shall
3. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery provide equivalent luminance and be listed for the purpose.
operated in existing areas of buildings undergo- Exception: Approved self-luminous signs that provide
ing alterations or repairs that do not result in the evenly illuminated letters shall have a minimum lumi-
removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes nance of 0.06 foot-lamberts (0.21 cd/m ).
2
exposing the structure, unless there is an attic,
crawl space or basement available that could pro- 1104.4 Power source. Where emergency illumination is
vide access for building wiring without the required in Section 1104.5, exit signs shall be visible under
removal of interior finishes. emergency illumination conditions.
Exception: Approved signs that provide continuous illu-
1103.9 Carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms
shall be installed in existing dwelling units and sleeping units mination independent of external power sources are not
where those units include any of the conditions identified in required to be connected to an emergency electrical sys-
Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6. The carbon monoxide tem.
alarms shall be installed in the locations specified in Section 1104.5 Illumination emergency power. Where means of
915.2 and the installation shall be in accordance with Section egress illumination is provided, the power supply for means
915.4. of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the
premises’ electrical supply. In the event of power supply fail-
Exceptions:
ure, illumination shall be automatically provided from an
1. Carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be solely emergency system for the following occupancies where such
battery operated where the code that was in effect at occupancies require two or more means of egress:
the time of construction did not require carbon mon-
oxide detectors to be provided. 1. Group A having 50 or more occupants.
Exception: Assembly occupancies used exclu-
2. Carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be solely
battery operated in dwelling units that are not served sively as a place of worship and having an occupant
load of less than 300.
from a commercial power source.
2. Group B buildings three or more stories in height,
3. A carbon monoxide detection system in accordance
with Section 915.5 shall be an acceptable alternative buildings with 100 or more occupants above or below a
level of exit discharge serving the occupants or build-
to carbon monoxide alarms.
ings with 1,000 or more total occupants.
1103.10 Medical gases. Medical gases stored and transferred
in health-care-related facilities shall be in accordance with 3. Group E in interior exit access and exit stairways and
ramps, corridors, windowless areas with student occu-
Chapter 53.
pancy, shops and laboratories.
4. Group F having more than 100 occupants.
SECTION 1104 Exception: Buildings used only during daylight
MEANS OF EGRESS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS hours and that are provided with windows for natu-
1104.1 General. Means of egress in existing buildings shall ral light in accordance with the International Build-
comply with the minimum egress requirements where speci- ing Code.

206 2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ®
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