Pull Stations

[BCEE]

Building has retail on floor 1 and an apartment on floors 2,3 & 4. Each apartment has a back door that exits to an outside stairway. Do I need to install a pullstation withint he apartments at the back door? The front doors open into a common corridor/stairway with pull stations on each level.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Before attempting to answer the question a couple of questions:

1) Is the building sprinklered?
2) What is the adopted Fire Code in the jurisdiction?

 

[BCEE]

yes the building is sprinkled and 2002 NFPA 72

 

[rbulsara]

I did not check the codes, but there is no requirement for a pull station in a dwelling unit.

You may want to check NFPA (74??) for the household fire alarm system.

 

[BCEE]

I know there is no requirement for a pull station within a dwelling unit, but there is a requirement for a pull station at every exit from the building.

 

[rbulsara]

Those exits are meant to be path of egress...no path of egress (for public or other residents) passes thru anyone's dwelling unit..

In any case give a call to the local fire marshal's office and you will hear from horses' mouth..one that really counts.

 

[stookeyfpe]

If the buildings are sprinklered and are constructed using the 2003 International Fire Code a manual fire alarm system is not required.

 

[rbulsara]

stookeyfpe:

Where did you get that? ?

If the building is sprinklered, in most cases 'automatic' detection system (smoke and heat detectors) are not required. Manual station and in this case waterflow switches are always required where a fire protection system is installed

 

[stookeyfpe]

See 2003 International Fire Code section 907.2.8.1, exception 2. In Group R-1 occupanices (apartments) only one manual pull station installed at an approved location is required and waterflow shall activate alarm notification devices. These are generally audible alarm devices in the dwelling units.

Note the original post only asked about manual pull stations. That implied (in my mind) that a manual fire alarm system was proposed for installation. This is why I asked if the building was sprinklered.

If the dwelling units are served by an interior corridor an automatic fire alarm system is required. See section 907.2.8.2 of the 2003 International Fire Code.

 

[BCEE]

the building is sprinkled and a pull station is not required within the dwelling unit. thanks for all the advice.