Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 9 - Fire Protection Systems › Section 907 - FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS › Subsection 907.5 - Occupant notification systems

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
A fire alarm system shall annunciate at the panel and shall
				  initiate occupant notification upon activation, in accordance with Sections
				  907.5.1 through 907.5.2.3.4. Where a fire alarm system is required by another
				  section of this code, it shall be activated by: [F]
1. Automatic fire detectors.
2. Sprinkler waterflow devices.
3. Manual fire alarm boxes.
4. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
Exception:
Where notification systems are
				  allowed elsewhere in Section 907 to annunciate at a
constantly attended
				  location
.
907.5.1
Presignal feature.
A presignal feature shall not be installed
				unless
approved
by the fire code official and the fire
				department. Where a presignal feature is provided, a signal shall be
				annunciated at a
constantly attended location
approved
by the fire department, in order that occupant
				notification can be activated in the event of fire or other emergency.
				[F]
907.5.2
Alarm
				notification appliances.
Alarm notification appliances shall be provided
				and shall be
listed
for their purpose. [F]
907.5.2.1
Audible alarms.
Audible alarm notification appliances shall be provided and emit a distinctive
				sound that is not to be used for any purpose other than that of a fire alarm.
				[F]
Exception:
Visible alarm notification appliances
				  shall be allowed in lieu of audible alarm notification appliances in critical
				  care areas of Group I-2 occupancies.
907.5.2.1.1
Average sound
				pressure.
The audible alarm notification appliances shall provide a
				sound pressure level of 15 decibels (dBA) above the average ambient sound level
				or 5 dBA above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60
				seconds, whichever is greater, in every
occupiable space
within the building. The minimum sound pressure levels shall be: 75 dBA in
				occupancies in Groups R and I-1; 90 dBA in mechanical equipment rooms and 60
				dBA in other occupancies.
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. 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 not be required.
907.5.2.2
Emergency
				voice/alarm communication systems.
Emergency voice/alarm communication
				systems required by this code shall be designed and installed in accordance
				with NFPA 72. The operation of any automatic fire detector, sprinkler waterflow
				device or manual fire alarm box shall automatically sound an alert tone
				followed by voice instructions giving
approved
information and
				directions for a general or staged evacuation in accordance with the building's
				fire safety and evacuation plans required by Section 404 of the
International Fire Code
. In high-rise buildings, the system
				shall operate on a minimum of the alarming floor, the floor above and the floor
				below. Speakers shall be provided throughout the building by paging zones. At a
				minimum, paging zones shall be provided as follows:
1. Elevator groups.
2.
Exit stairways
.
3. Each floor.
4.
Areas of refuge
as
				defined in Section 1002.1.
Exception:
In Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies, the
				  alarm shall sound in a constantly attended area and a general occupant
				  notification shall be broadcast over the overhead page.
907.5.2.2.1
Manual override.
A
				manual override for emergency voice communication shall be provided on a
				selective and all-call basis for all paging zones. [F]
907.5.2.2.2
Live voice messages.
The emergency voice/alarm communication system shall also have the capability
				to broadcast live voice messages by paging zones on a selective and all-call
				basis. [F]
907.5.2.2.3
Alternate uses.
The emergency voice/alarm communication system
				shall be allowed to be used for other announcements, provided the manual fire
				alarm use takes precedence over any other use. [F]
907.5.2.2.4
Emergency power.
Emergency voice/alarm communication systems shall be provided with an
approved
emergency power source. [F]
907.5.2.3
Visible
				alarms.
Visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in
				accordance with Sections 907.5.2.3.1 through 907.5.2.3.4. [F]
Exceptions:
1. Visible alarm notification appliances are
				not required in
alterations
, except where an existing fire
				alarm system is upgraded or replaced, or a new fire alarm system is
				installed.
2. Visible alarm
				notification appliances shall not be required in
exits
as
				defined in Section 1002.1.
3.
				Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required in elevator cars.
907.5.2.3.1
Public and common
				areas.
Visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in public
				areas and common areas. [F]
907.5.2.3.2
Employee work areas.
Where employee work areas have audible alarm coverage, the notification
				appliance circuits serving the employee work areas shall be initially designed
				with a minimum of 20-percent spare capacity to account for the potential of
				adding visible notification appliances in the future to accommodate hearing
				impaired employee(s). [F]
907.5.2.3.3
Groups I-1 and R-1.
Group I-1 and R-1
dwelling
units
or
sleeping units
in accordance with Table 907.5.2.3.3 shall be
				provided with a visible alarm notification appliance, activated by both the
				in-room smoke alarm and the building fire alarm system. [F]
TABLE 907.5.2.3.3 VISIBLE ALARMS [F]
NUMBER OF SLEEP UNITS
SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS WITH VISIBLE
							 ALARMS
6 to 25
2
26 to 50
4
51 to 75
7
76 to 100
9
101 to 150
12
151 to 200
14
201 to 300
17
301 to 400
20
401 to 500
22
501 to 1,000
5% of total
1,001 and over
50 plus 3 for each 100 over 1,000
907.5.2.3.4
Group R-2.
In Group
				R-2 occupancies required by Section 907 to have a fire alarm system, all
dwelling units
and
sleeping units
shall be
				provided with the capability to support visible alarm notification appliances
				in accordance with ICC A117.1. [F]