Where do the fire alarm requirements go from here? In this episode, Engineering Manager Nicole Hickman and Industry Affairs Manager Dan Decker finish the occupancy-by-occupancy walkthrough of IBC Section 907.2, covering Groups M through S, the section of the building code that determines exactly when a fire alarm system is required.
In This Episode:
- Group M: Fire alarm triggers for mercantile occupancies, including the open mall exception under Section 402 and the 2024 lithium-ion battery storage detection requirement
- Group R-1: Manual fire alarm, automatic smoke detection, and smoke alarm requirements for hotels and motels, including the two-story separation exception
- Group R-2: Fire alarm and smoke alarm triggers for apartment buildings, including the distinct smoke detection requirements for college and university student housing
- Group R-3 and R-4: Smoke alarm requirements for one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and residential care and assisted living facilities
- Group S: Fire alarm requirements for public- and self-storage occupancies, including the 2024 lithium-ion and lithium metal battery detection rules
- Section 907.2 wrap-up: The pull station and sprinkler exception that repeats across nearly every occupancy group, the 2024 lithium-ion battery detection requirements now spanning Groups B, F, M, and S, and why Group I stands apart from the rest
Code Corner with Dan Decker is a video podcast from Midwest Alarm Services covering fire and building codes for contractors, facility managers, and building owners. Each episode features Industry Affairs Manager Dan Decker and Engineering Manager Nicole Hickman breaking down real-world code requirements in plain language.
Disclaimer: This podcast provides general information and should not be used as a single source of information for specific fire alarm system requirements. Always consult your relevant state, local, and national building and fire codes, as well as qualified professionals, for accurate and applicable requirements.