Fire Alarm System Design Influenced by the 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code

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This post comes from Sean Fallows our Fire Protection Supervisor.

Fire Alarm system design is primarily influenced by the Building Code and NFPA Standards. For many of the jurisdictions we deal with this is the International Building and Fire Code, the Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), and the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). There is one set of codes and standards that can influence the design the accessibility standards.

While many of these requirements from the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), ADAAG (ADA Accessibility Guidelines), and A117.1 (2017 ICC Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities) have been included in the standard and codes, there can be subtle differences. As we are located in Illinois, we also must work on achieving compliance with the 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code as adopted by the Illinois Capitol Development Board.

One key difference that is more restrictive than the model codes and standards is that the 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code requires significantly more visual notification. Subsection 215.3 on Employee Work Areas within the Fire Alarm Systems Section states "Where employee work areas have audible alarm coverage, visible alarms complying with 702 shall be provided." The italicized section is Illinois specific language. If we go back to the same section in the ADA, the italicized section is replaced with the following "the wiring system shall be designed to that visible alarms complying with 702 can be integrated into the alarm system". As one can see this language is significantly different!

The ADA would then only require that system be built with the capability to support addition visual notification. This is further refined in A117.1 and the International Building and Fire Code (ICC IBC & IFC), includes providing an additional 20 percent capacity for future visual notification for employees that have hearing impairments.

The Illinois specific language requires all employee work areas where audible coverage is provided to also provide visual notification. Basically all areas of the building that are habitable require audible coverage and as such we find that most work areas will therefore need visual notification. After some additional research and clarification the follow are all examples of work areas needing visual notification as noted previously:

  • Private Offices

  • Storage Areas

  • Supply Rooms

  • Filing Rooms

  • Coat Rooms

  • Spray Booths

  • Walk-in Freezers & Refrigerators

  • Utility Rooms

  • Mechanical Rooms

  • Electrical Rooms

  • Plumbing Rooms

  • Fire Protection Rooms

This departure if not anticipated into the original design documents may result in significant additional costs. It is imperative that design professionals, contractors, plan reviewers, and inspectors strive to ensure that system design capacity and circuit paths anticipate these additional devices.