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 Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016)
 Title 51. Enterprise Services, Department of (Building Code Council)
 Chapter 51-54A. State Building Code adoption and amendment of the 2015 edition of the International Fire Code.

  Section 51-54A-0907. Fire alarm and detection systems.  

Latest version.
  • 907.2.3 Group E. A manual fire alarm system that initiates the occupant notification signal utilizing an emergency voice/alarm communication system meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group E occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system.
    EXCEPTIONS:
    1. A manual fire alarm system is not required in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.
     
    2. Emergency voice/alarm communication systems meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall not be required in Group E occupancies with occupant loads of 100 or less, provided that activation of the manual fire alarm system initiates an approved occupant notification signal in accordance with Section 907.5.
     
    3. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required in Group E occupancies where all of the following apply:
     
    3.1 Interior corridors are protected by smoke detectors.
     
    3.2 Auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums and similar areas are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
     
    3.3 Shops and laboratories involving dusts or vapors are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
     
    4. Manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required in Group E occupancies where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the emergency voice/alarm communication system will activate on sprinkler water flow and manual activation.
    907.2.6 Group I. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system shall be installed in Group I occupancies. An automatic smoke detection system that notifies the occupant notification system shall be provided in accordance with Sections 907.2.6.1, 907.2.6.2, 907.2.6.3.3 and 907.2.6.4.
    EXCEPTIONS:
    1. Manual fire alarm boxes in resident or patient sleeping areas of Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies shall not be required at exits if located at nurses' control stations or other constantly attended staff locations, provided such stations are visible and continually accessible and that travel distances required in Section 907.4.2 are not exceeded.
     
    2. Occupant notification systems are not required to be activated where private mode signaling installed in accordance with NFPA 72 is approved by the fire code official.
    907.2.6.1 Group I-1. An automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in corridors, waiting areas open to corridors and habitable spaces other than sleeping units and kitchens. The system shall be activated in accordance with Section 907.4.
    EXCEPTIONS:
    1. For Group I-1 Condition 1 occupancies, smoke detection in habitable spaces is not required where the facility is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
     
    2. Smoke detection is not required for exterior balconies.
    907.2.6.4 Group I-4 occupancies. A manual fire alarm system that initiates the occupant notification signal utilizing an emergency voice/alarm communication system meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group I-4 occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system.
    EXCEPTIONS:
    1. A manual fire alarm system is not required in Group I-4 occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.
     
    2. Emergency voice alarm communication systems meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall not be required in Group I-4 occupancies with occupant loads of 100 or less, provided that activation of the manual fire alarm system initiates an approved occupant notification signal in accordance with Section 907.5.
    907.5.2.1.2 Maximum sound pressure. The maximum sound pressure level for audible alarm notification appliances shall be 110 dBA at the minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance. For systems operating in public mode, the maximum sound pressure level shall not exceed 30 dBA over the average ambient sound level. Where the average ambient noise is greater than 95 dBA, visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 72 and audible alarm notification appliances shall be required.
    907.10 NICET: National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.
    907.10.1 Scope. This section shall apply to new and existing fire alarm systems.
    907.10.2 Design review: All construction documents shall be reviewed by a NICET III in fire alarms or a licensed professional engineer (PE) in Washington prior to being submitted for permitting. The reviewing professional shall submit a stamped, signed, and dated letter; or a verification method approved by the local authority having jurisdiction indicating the system has been reviewed and meets or exceeds the design requirements of the state of Washington and the local jurisdiction (effective July 1, 2017).
    907.10.3 Testing/maintenance: All inspection, testing, maintenance and programing not defined as "electrical construction trade" by chapter 19.28 RCW shall be completed by a NICET II in fire alarms (effective July 1, 2017).
    [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-055, § 51-54A-0907, filed 1/16/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and 19.27.031. WSR 14-24-091, § 51-54A-0907, filed 12/1/14, effective 5/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-063, § 51-54A-0907, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]
RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-055, § 51-54A-0907, filed 1/16/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and 19.27.031. WSR 14-24-091, § 51-54A-0907, filed 12/1/14, effective 5/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-063, § 51-54A-0907, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.