Page 163 - 2018_IFC

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

visible alarm notification appliances shall be pro- 907.5.2.3 Visible alarms. Visible alarm notification
vided in accordance with NFPA 72 and audible appliances shall be provided in accordance with Sec-
alarm notification appliances shall not be required. tions 907.5.2.3.1 through 907.5.2.3.3.
907.5.2.2 Emergency voice/alarm communication Exceptions:
systems. Emergency voice/alarm communication sys- 1. Visible alarm notification appliances are not
tems required by this code shall be designed and required in alterations, except where an exist-
installed in accordance with NFPA 72. The operation of ing fire alarm system is upgraded or replaced,
any automatic fire detector, sprinkler waterflow device or a new fire alarm system is installed.
or manual fire alarm box shall automatically sound an 2. Visible alarm notification appliances shall not
alert tone followed by voice instructions giving be required in exits as defined in Chapter 2.
approved information and directions for a general or
staged evacuation in accordance with the building’s fire 3. Visible alarm notification appliances shall not
safety and evacuation plans required by Section 404. In be required in elevator cars.
high-rise buildings, the system shall operate on at least 4. Visual alarm notification appliances are not
the alarming floor, the floor above and the floor below. required in critical care areas of Group I-2,
Speakers shall be provided throughout the building by Condition 2 occupancies that are in compli-
paging zones. At a minimum, paging zones shall be ance with Section 907.2.6, Exception 2.
provided as follows:
907.5.2.3.1 Public use areas and common use
1. Elevator groups. areas. Visible alarm notification appliances shall be
provided in public use areas and common use areas.
2. Interior exit stairways.
Exception: Where employee work areas have
3. Each floor. audible alarm coverage, the notification appli-
4. Areas of refuge as defined in Chapter 2. ance circuits serving the employee work areas
shall be initially designed with not less than 20-
Exception: In Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies, the percent spare capacity to account for the potential
alarm shall sound in a constantly attended area and a of adding visible notification appliances in the
general occupant notification shall be broadcast over future to accommodate hearing-impaired
the overhead page.
employee(s).
907.5.2.2.1 Manual override. A manual override 907.5.2.3.2 Groups I-1 and R-1. Habitable spaces
for emergency voice communication shall be pro- in dwelling units and sleeping units in Group I-1 and
vided on a selective and all-call basis for all paging R-1 occupancies in accordance with Table
zones.
907.5.2.3.2 shall be provided with visible alarm
907.5.2.2.2 Live voice messages. The emergency notification. Visible alarms shall be activated by the
voice/alarm communication system shall have the in-room smoke alarm and the building fire alarm
capability to broadcast live voice messages by pag- system.
ing zones on a selective and all-call basis. TABLE 907.5.2.3.2
VISIBLE ALARMS
907.5.2.2.3 Alternative uses. The emergency voice/ SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS WITH
alarm communication system shall be allowed to be NUMBER OF SLEEPING UNITS VISIBLE ALARMS
used for other announcements, provided that the
6 to 25 2
manual fire alarm use takes precedence over any
other use. 26 to 50 4
51 to 75 7
907.5.2.2.4 Emergency voice/alarm communica-
tion captions. Where stadiums, arenas and grand- 76 to 100 9
stands have 15,000 fixed seats or more and provide 101 to 150 12
audible public announcements, the emergency/voice
151 to 200 14
alarm communication system shall provide pre-
recorded or real-time captions. Prerecorded or live 201 to 300 17
emergency captions shall be from an approved loca- 301 to 400 20
tion constantly attended by personnel trained to 401 to 500 22
respond to an emergency.
501 to 1,000 5% of total
907.5.2.2.5 Emergency power. Emergency voice/ 1,001 and over 50 plus 3 for each 100 over 1,000
alarm communications systems shall be provided
with emergency power in accordance with Section 907.5.2.3.3 Group R-2. In Group R-2 occupancies
1203. The system shall be capable of powering the required by Section 907 to have a fire alarm system,
required load for a duration of not less than 24 each story that contains dwelling units and sleeping
hours, as required in NFPA 72. units shall be provided with the future capability to

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