| CODE: | 1997 State Regulation for Barrier-Free Facilities
1997 Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Fire Code Standards |
| SECTION: | UBC Section 1106.15 Visual Alarms
UFC Section 1007.2.12.10 UFC Standard 10-2 |
| QUESTION: | 1. UBC Section 1106.15.2 states "Visible alarms
shall be located…at an interval of not more than 50 feet horizontal, in
rooms, corridors, and hallways." Both the ADA and UFC Standard 10-2, which
is based on NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm Code, require visible alarm spacing
of not more than 100 feet. Is it the intent of the state code to double
the requirement of the ADA and NFPA 72?
2. Can UFC Standard 10-2, which is based on NFPA 72, be used for the design of visual fire alarm notification systems required by UBC Section 1106.15? 3. Does UFC Section 1007.2.12.10 in and of itself require a fire alarm system? |
| ANSWER: | 1. No. The intent was to comply with the ADA
so that UBC Section 1106.15.2 Visible alarms would require that
a person at any location in a room, corridor or hallway be within 50 feet
of a visible alarm. This intent is clarified by state amendment UFC Section
1007.2.12.10.2.2 Visible alarms, by specifying the location of visible
alarms per nationally recognized standards including NFPA 72. The ADA or
NFPA 72 requirements could be approved as an alternate providing substantially
equivalent accessibility by applying UBC Section 1101.4 Alternate Methods.
2. Yes, wherein the UFC Standard 10-2 design provides for substantially equivalent or greater accessibility, it could be used by applying UBC Section 1101.4 Alternate Methods. 3. No. UFC Section 1007.2.12.10 contains language taken from the building code barrier-free regulations and was included in the fire code as a convenience for fire officials. It is not intended to be used to require a fire alarm system where one is not otherwise required but as Section 1007.2.12.10.1 General indicates, it only applies where both (1) an alarm system is required and (2) accessibility is required per UBC Chapter 11. |
| SUPERSEDES: | None |
| REQUESTED BY: | City of Spokane |