Local, State, Federal, and International Building and Fire Safety Regulations Apply
Fire and life safety code regulations dictate the functionality of commercial fire alarm systems such as the type and placement of components as well as the type of monitoring that must occur. In addition to federal and international regulations, businesses must abide by their local and state building and fire safety codes.
The International Code Council
The International Code Council (ICC) is a nonprofit association that develops model standards and codes that are used worldwide for safe and resilient construction of various structures. The International Building Code, (IBC), was developed by the ICC and provides regulations for properties based on different property types and occupancy, as well as various components of a fire alarm system.
The various groups of Occupancy Use Groups are detailed in the 2021 International Building Code, Section 302, and includes:
- Assembly: Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, and A-5 (Section 303)
- Business: Group B (Section 304)
- Educational: Group E (Section 305)
- Factory and industrial: Groups F-1 and F-2 (Section 306)
- High hazard: Groups H-1, H2, H3, H4, and H5 (Section 307)
- Institutional: Group I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-4 (Section 308)
- Mercantile: Group M (Section 309)
- Residential: Groups R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 (Section 310)
- Storage: Groups S-1 and S-2 (Section 311)
- Utility and miscellaneous: Group U (Section 312)
The various components of a fire system covered in IBC include:
- Automatic sprinkler systems
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Alternative automatic fire extinguishing systems
- Emergency alarm systems
- Standpipe systems
- Fire alarm and detection systems
- Smoke and heat removal
- Smoke control systems
- Gas detection systems
- Carbon monoxide detection
- Mass notification systems
- Explosion control
- Fire pumps
- Fire department connections
- Fire safety based on use and occupancy requirements
There are many exceptions and nuances to fire safety system requirements. Consulting with an experienced fire safety system service provider is the best way to ensure that your building meets all IBC code regulations.
National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA), was established in 1896 and is a self-funded, global nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating injury, death, economic and property loss due to fire and electrical related hazards. NFPA 101 is the Life Safety Code that is the most widely used source for strategies and standards that protect people and minimize the effects of fire related hazards based on building construction and occupancy features.
NFPA 72 is the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code that provides the most recent safety provisions that meet society’s requirements for fire detection, signaling, and emergency communication demands, as well as requirements for mass notification systems including emergencies related to weather, terrorist threats and other emergencies.
In addition to IBC and NFPA standards and regulations, commercial buildings must also meet requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA), designed to ensure secure and safe working conditions for all employees. Commercial buildings must also meet the requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA), for ADA compliant entryways, walkways, elevators, in and around all premises.
Working with a licensed and experienced fire and life safety system provider is the best way to ensure that your commercial property is in compliance with all organizations that govern commercial fire and life safety systems.
High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is a leading fire safety system provider in the Chicago area offering decades of expertise and comprehensive fire alarm system services. We ensure that your commercial property is fully compliant and partner with you to provide the best fire safety solutions including fire alarm system design customized to your unique property, structure, occupancy, and business use.
HRSS offers UL listed fire alarm system equipment from the leading fire alarm manufacturers as well as providing fire alarm inspection, testing, maintenance, repairs, and retrofits. We further protect commercial properties with reliable fire alarm system monitoring 24/7/365. Contact us to learn more about protecting your people and property with code compliant commercial fire alarm systems.