AMENDMENTS TO THE BOCA NATIONAL BUILDING CODE/1996

CHAPTER 9 - FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

(Amd) 902.1 General: The following words or terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.

(Amd) Sprinkler system, limited area: An automatic sprinkler system consisting of not more than six sprinklers within a fire area (see Section 907.0).

(Amd) 904.1 Where required: Automatic fire suppression systems shall be installed where required by this code and in the locations indicated in Sections 904.2 through 904.11. Pursuant to section 29-315, C.G.S., automatic fire suppression systems shall be installed in any building or structure more than four stories tall and used for human occupancy, in any hotel or motel with six or more guest rooms and providing sleeping accommodations for more than 16 persons, in any residential building having more than 12 units with 80 percent of the dwelling units available having at least one resident who has attained the age of 65, and in other occupancies as required by the State Fire Marshal in the interest of safety because of special occupancy hazards.

Exceptions:

1. An automatic fire suppression system shall not be required in portions of buildings that comply with Section 406.0 for open parking structures.

2. In telecommunications equipment buildings, an automatic fire suppression system shall not be required in those spaces or areas occupied exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 919.0 and are separated from the remainder of the building with fire separation assemblies consisting of 1-hour fire resistance rated walls and 2-hour fire resistance rated floor/ceiling assemblies.

3. An automatic fire suppression system shall not be required over swimming pool water surfaces located within the room or space of any use group.

(Amd) 904.2 Use Groups A-1, A-3 and A-4: Where a Use Group A-1, A-3 or A-4 fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet in area, an automatic fire suppression system shall be provided as follows:

1. Throughout the entire story or floor level where the A-1, A-3 or A-4 Use Group is located;

2. Throughout all stories and floor levels below the A-1, A-3 or A-4 Use Group; and

3. Throughout all intervening stories and floor levels between the A-1, A-3 or A-4 Use Groups and the highest level of exit discharge that serves Use Group A-1, A-3 or A-4 fire areas, including the highest level of exit discharge.

Exceptions:

1. Naves and chancels of Use Group A-4 where the main floor of the nave or chancel is at the level of exit discharge of the main entrance.

2. Participant sport areas of Use Group A-3 where the main floor of the participant sport area is at the level of exit discharge of the main entrance, and with no audience facilities for more than 300 persons.

(Amd) 904.4 Use Group E: An automatic fire suppression system shall be provided throughout all buildings having a Use Group E fire area which exceeds 20,000 square feet in area. Every portion of Use Group E buildings below the level of exit discharge shall be protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.

(Amd) 904.7 Use Groups M, S-1 and F-1: Throughout all buildings with a Use Group M, S-1 or F-1 fire area, an automatic fire suppression system shall be provided as follows:

1. Where any Use Group M, S-1 or F-1 fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet in area;

2. Where the total combined area of all Use Group M, S-1 and F-1 fire areas on all floors exceeds 24,000 square feet;

3. Where any Use Group M, S-1 or F-1 fire area is more than three stories above grade; or

4. In Use Group M throughout stories below the level of exit discharge where such stories have an area exceeding 2,500 square feet where used for the sale, storage, or handling of combustible goods and merchandise.

Exception: Public garages shall conform to Section 408.0.

(Amd) 904.9 Use Group R-2: An automatic fire suppression system shall be provided throughout all buildings with an occupancy in Use Group R-2 in accordance with Section 906.2.1 or 906.2.2.

Exceptions:

1. Buildings which do not exceed two stories, including basements which are not considered as a story above grade, and with a maximum of 12 dwelling units per fire area. Each dwelling unit shall have at least one door opening to an exterior exit access that leads directly to the exits required to serve that dwelling unit.

2. Existing Use Group R-3 buildings converted to Use Group R-2, which do not exceed three families, and which do not increase the height or area of the existing building.

(Amd) 907.2.1 Within a fire area: A limited area sprinkler system shall be permitted within one fire area provided that six sprinklers or less are required, based on the spacing limitations of NFPA 13 listed in Chapter 35.

(Amd) 907.2.2 Special occupancy areas: A limited area sprinkler system shall be permitted within special occupancy areas as designated in Chapter 4 or within specific occupancy areas as designated in Section 302.1.1, provided that the area is enclosed within fire separation assemblies as required by this code, and six sprinklers or less are required to protect each separately enclosed area. Where nonfireresistance rated separation walls are permitted by Table 302.1.1 to enclose contiguous specific occupancy areas on one floor, the areas shall be considered to be one separately enclosed area for the purpose of determining the number of sprinklers.

(Amd) 915.1 General: Standpipe systems shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 14 listed in Chapter 35. The class of service shall be as specified by the local fire marshal during the 30-day plan review period and reported to the code official.

(Amd) 918.4.1 Use Group A or E: A fire alarm system shall be installed and maintained in all occupancies in Use Group A or E.

Exceptions:

1. A fire alarm system shall not be required for sanctuary and nave areas of churches and similar religious buildings of Use Group A-4.

2. A fire alarm system shall not be required for Assembly occupancies with occupant loads of 300 or fewer persons.

3. A fire alarm system shall not be required for theaters of Use Group A-1 with only one audience-viewing room.

4. A fire alarm system shall not be required for Educational occupancies of Use Group E with a maximum area of 1000 square feet that contain a single classroom and are located not closer than 50 feet from another building.

(Amd) 918.4.2 Use Group B: A fire alarm system shall be installed and maintained in all occupancies in Use Group B where such buildings have occupied floors which are two or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge; or which have floors two or more stories below the highest level of exit discharge; or which have an occupancy of 300 or more total occupants.

(Add) 918.4.6.1 Use Group R-2 Dormitories: A fire alarm system shall be installed and maintained in all Use Group R-2 Dormitories.

(Add) 920.3.2.1 Alterations and additions: When alterations or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the entire building shall be provided with smoke detectors located as required for new dwellings. Such smoke detectors within existing spaces may be battery operated and are not required to be dual powered or interconnected unless other remodeling considerations require removal of wall and ceiling coverings which would facilitate concealed interconnected wiring.

(Add) 920.3.4 Day care and child care occupancies: Single- or multiple-station smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in all day care and child care occupancies in the following locations:

1. In each story in front of doors to the stairways;

2. In the corridors of all floors occupied by the day care or child care occupancy; and

3. In lounges, recreation areas and sleeping rooms in the day care or child care occupancy.

Exception: Day care or child care occupancies housed in one room.

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