Section 914 — FIRE PROTECTION BASED ON SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF USE AND OCCUPANCY

This section shall specify where fire protection systems are required based on the detailed requirements of use and occupancy of the California Building Code .

Covered and open mall buildings shall comply with Sections 914.2.1 through 914.2.4.

914.2.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Covered and open mall buildings and buildings connected shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, which shall comply with the all of the following:

1. The automatic sprinkler system shall be complete and operative throughout occupied space in the mall building prior to occupancy of any of the tenant spaces. Unoccupied tenant spaces shall be similarly protected unless provided with approved alternative protection.
2. Sprinkler protection for the mall of a covered mall building shall be independent from that provided for tenant spaces or anchor buildings.
3. Sprinkler protection for the tenant spaces of an open mall building shall be independent from that provided for anchor buildings.
4. Sprinkler protection shall be provided beneath exterior circulation balconies located adjacent to an open mall.
5. Where tenant spaces are supplied by the same system, they shall be independently controlled.

Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in spaces or areas of open parking garages separated from the covered or open mall in accordance with Section 402.4.2.3 of the California Building Code and constructed in accordance with Section 406.5 of the California Building Code .

914.2.2 Standpipe system. The covered and open mall building shall be equipped throughout with a standpipe system as required by Section 905.3.3. 914.2.3 Emergency voice/alarm communication system. Where the total floor area exceeds 50,000 square feet (4645 m [2] ) within either a covered mall building or within the perimeter line of an open mall building, an emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be provided. Access to emergency voice/alarm communication systems serving a mall, required or otherwise, shall be provided for the fire department. The system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.

914.2.4 Fire department access to equipment. Rooms or areas containing controls for air-conditioning systems or fire protection systems shall be identified for use by the fire department.

High-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall comply with Sections 914.3.1 through 914.3.7.

914.3.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Buildings and structures shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and a secondary water supply where required by Section 914.3.2. A sprinkler water-flow alarm-initiating device and a control valve with a supervisory signal-initiating device shall be provided at the lateral connection to the riser on each floor.

Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in spaces or areas of telecommunications equipment buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both.

914.3.1.1 Number of sprinkler system risers and system design. The number of sprinkler risers and design shall comply with Section 914.3.1.1.1 or 914.3.1.1.2 based on building height.

914.3.1.1.1 Buildings 420 feet or less in height. In buildings 420 feet (128 m) or less in height, sprinkler systems shall be supplied by a single standpipe or sprinkler express riser within each vertical water supply zone.

914.3.1.1.2 Buildings over 420 feet in height. In buildings more than 420 feet (128 m) in height, not fewer than two standpipes or sprinkler express risers shall supply automatic sprinkler systems within each vertical water supply zone. Each standpipe or sprinkler express riser shall supply automatic sprinkler systems on alternating floors within the vertical water supply zone such that two adjacent floors are not supplied from the same riser.

914.3.1.1.3 Riser location. Standpipe or sprinkler express risers shall be placed in interior exit stairways and ramps that are remotely located in accordance with Section 1007.

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914.3.1.2 Water supply to required fire pumps. In all buildings having an occupied floor that is more than 120 feet ( 36 576 mm ) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, required fire pumps shall be supplied by connections to not fewer than two water mains located in different streets. Separate supply piping shall be provided between each connection to the water main and the pumps. Each connection and the supply piping between the connection and the pumps shall be sized to supply the flow and pressure required for the pumps to operate.

Exception: Two connections to the same main shall be permitted provided that the main is valved such that an interruption can be isolated so that the water supply will continue without interruption through not fewer than one of the connections.

914.3.1.2.1 Fire pumps. Redundant fire pump systems shall be required for high-rise buildings having an occupied floor more than 200 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. Each fire pump system shall be capable of automatically supplying the required demand for the automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems.

914.3.2 Secondary water supply. An automatic secondary on-site water supply having a usable capacity not less than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand, including the hose stream requirement, shall be provided for high-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F as determined by the California Building Code . An additional fire pump shall not be required for the secondary water supply unless needed to provide the minimum design intake pressure at the suction side of the fire pump supplying the automatic sprinkler system. The secondary water supply shall have a useable capacity of not less than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand plus 100 GPM for the inside hose stream, allowance for a duration of not less than 30 minutes as determined by the occupancy hazard classification in accordance with NFPA 13 , whichever is greater. The Class I stand- pipe system demand shall not be required to be included in the secondary on-site water supply calculations. In no case shall the secondary on-site water supply be less than 15,000 gallons.

914.3.3 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.

914.3.4 Automatic smoke detection. Smoke detection shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.1.

914.3.5 Emergency voice/alarm communication system. An emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.

914.3.6 Emergency responder communication coverage. In-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage shall be provided in accordance with Section 510.

914.3.7 Fire command. A fire command center complying with Section 508 shall be provided in a location approved by the fire department.

914.3.8 Smoke control.

914.3.8.1 Smoke control system. All portions of high-rise buildings shall be provided with a smoke control system in accordance with California Building Code, Section 909.

914.3.8.2 Smokeproof exit enclosures. Every exit enclosure in high-rise buildings shall comply with California Building Code, Sections 909.20 and 1023.12. Every required stairway in Group I-2 occupancies serving floors more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall comply with Sections 909.20 and 1023.12 of the California Building Code.

Exception: In high-rise buildings, exit enclosures serving three or less adjacent floors where one of the adjacent floors is the level of exit discharge.

914.4.1 Automatic sprinkler system. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the entire building.

Exceptions:

1. That area of a building adjacent to or above the atrium need not be sprinklered, provided that portion of the building is separated from the atrium portion by not less than a 2-hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both.
2. Where the ceiling of the atrium is more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the floor, sprinkler protection at the ceiling of the atrium is not required.

914.4.2 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided where required by Section 907.2.14.

Underground buildings shall comply with Sections 914.5.1 through 914.5.5.

914.5.1 Automatic sprinkler system. The highest level of exit discharge serving the underground portions of the building and all levels below shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Waterflow switches and control valves shall be supervised in accordance with Section 903.4.1.

914.5.2 Smoke control system. A smoke control system is required to control the migration of products of combustion in accordance with Section 909 and provisions of this section. Smoke control shall restrict movement of smoke to the general area of fire origin and maintain means of egress in a usable condition.

914.5.3 Compartment smoke control system. Where compartmentation is required by Section 405.4 of the California Building Code, each compartment shall have an independent smoke control system. The system shall be automatically activated and capable of manual operation in accordance with Section 907.2.18.

914.5.4 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided where required by Sections 907.2.18 and 907.2.19.

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914.5.5 Standpipe system. The underground building shall be provided throughout with a standpipe system in accordance with Section 905.

914.6.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Stages shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Sprinklers shall be installed under the roof and gridiron and under all catwalks and galleries over the stage. Sprinklers shall be installed in dressing rooms, performer lounges, shops and storerooms accessory to such stages.

Exceptions:

1. Sprinklers are not required under stage areas less than 4 feet (1219 mm) in clear height utilized exclusively for storage of tables and chairs, provided that the concealed space is separated from the adjacent spaces by Type X gypsum board not less than [5] / 8 inch (15.9 mm) in thickness.
2. Sprinklers are not required for stages 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) or less in area and 50 feet (15 240 mm) or less in height where curtains, scenery or other combustible hangings are not retractable vertically. Combustible hangings shall be limited to a single main curtain, borders, legs and a single backdrop.
3. Sprinklers are not required within portable orchestra enclosures on stages.
4. Sprinklers are not required under catwalks and galleries where they are permitted to be omitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

Special amusement areas shall comply with Sections 914.7.1 through 914.7. 3 and Section 411 of the California Building Code.

Exceptions:

1. Special amusement areas that are without walls or a roof and constructed to prevent the accumulation of smoke are not required to comply with this section.
2. Puzzle rooms provided with a means of egress that is unlocked, readily identifiable and always available are not required to comply with this section.

914.7.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Buildings containing special amusement areas shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Where the special amusement area is temporary ; less than 180 days; the sprinkler water supply shall be of an approved temporary means ; less than 180 days; means determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Exception: Automatic sprinklers are not required where the total floor area of a temporary ; less than 180 days; special amusement area is less than 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) and the exit access travel distance from any point in the special amusement area to an exit is less than 50 feet (15 240 mm).

914.7.2 Fire alarm system. Buildings containing special amusement areas shall be equipped throughout with an automatic smoke detection system and an emergency voice/alarm communications system in accordance with Section 907. Presignal alarms and alarm activation shall comply with Sections 914.7.2.1 and 914.7.2.2, and emergency voice/alarm communications systems shall comply with Section 914.7.2.3.

914.7.2.1 Alarm presignal. Activation of any single smoke detector, the automatic sprinkler system or any other single automatic fire detection device shall immediately initiate an audible and visible alarm at a constantly attended location at the special amusement area from which emergency action can be initiated, including the capability of manual initiation of requirements in Section 914.7.2.2.

914.7.2.2 Alarm activation. Activation of two or more smoke detectors, a single smoke detector equipped with an alarm verification feature, two or more other approved fire detection devices, the automatic sprinkler system, or a manual control located at the constantly attended station required by Section 914.7.2.1 shall automatically accomplish all of the following:

1. Illuminate the means of egress with an illumination level not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface level.
2. Stop conflicting or confusing sounds and visual distractions.
3. Activate approved directional exit markings.
4. Activate a prerecorded message, audible throughout the special amusement area and throughout the exit access to the point of exit discharge, instructing occupants to proceed to the nearest exit. Alarm signals used in conjunction with the prerecorded message shall produce a sound that is distinct from other sounds used during normal operation of the special amusement area.

nal exit markings. 4. Activate a prerecorded message, audible throughout the special amusement area and throughout the exit access to the point of exit discharge, instructing occupants to proceed to the nearest exit. Alarm signals used in conjunction with the prerecorded message shall produce a sound that is distinct from other sounds used during normal operation of the special amusement area.

914.7.2.3 Emergency voice/alarm communications system. An emergency voice/alarm communications system complying with Section 907.5.2.2 shall be installed in and audible throughout special amusement areas and throughout the exit access to the point of exit discharge . The emergency voice/alarm communications system is allowed to also serve as a public address system.

Aircraft-related occupancies shall comply with Sections 914.8.1 through 914.8.6.

914.8.1 Automatic smoke detection systems. Airport traffic control towers shall be provided with an automatic smoke detection system installed in accordance with Section 907.2.22.

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FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

914.8.2 Automatic sprinkler system for new airport traffic control towers. Where an occupied floor is located more than 35 feet (10 668 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, new airport traffic control towers shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

914.8.3 Fire suppression for aircraft hangars. Aircraft hangars shall be provided with a fire suppression system designed in accordance with NFPA 409, based on the classification for the hangar given in Table 914.8.3.

Exception: Where a fixed base operator has separate repair facilities on-site, Group II hangars operated by a fixed base operator used for storage of transient aircraft only shall have a fire suppression system, but the system shall be exempt from foam requirements.

TABLE 914.8.3—HANGAR FIRE SUPPRESSION REQUIREMENTSa, b, c

914.8.3.1 Hazardous operations. Any Group III aircraft hangar in accordance with Table 914.8.3 that contains hazardous operations including, but not limited to, the following shall be provided with a Group I or II fire suppression system in accordance with NFPA 409 as applicable:

1. Doping.

2. Hot work including, but not limited to, welding, torch cutting and torch soldering.

3. Fuel transfer.

4. Fuel tank repair or maintenance not including defueled tanks in accordance with NFPA 409, inerted tanks or tanks that have never been fueled.

5. Spray finishing operations.

6. Total fuel capacity of all aircraft within the unsprinklered single fire area in excess of 1,600 gallons (6057 L).

7. Total fuel capacity of all aircraft within the maximum single fire area in excess of 7,500 gallons (28 390 L) for a hangar equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

914.8.3.2 Separation of maximum single fire areas. Maximum single fire areas established in accordance with hangar classification and construction type in Table 914.8.3 shall be separated by 2-hour fire walls constructed in accordance with Section 706 of the California Building Code . In determining the maximum single fire area as set forth in Table 914.8.3, ancillary uses that are separated from aircraft servicing areas by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code shall not be included in the area.

914.8.4 Finishing. The process of “doping,” involving the use of a volatile flammable solvent, or of painting shall be carried on in a separate detached building equipped with automatic fire-extinguishing equipment in accordance with Section 903.

914.8.5 Residential aircraft hangar smoke alarms. Smoke alarms shall be provided within residential aircraft hangars in accordance with Section 907.2.21.

914.8.6 Aircraft paint hangar fire suppression. Aircraft paint hangars shall be provided with fire suppression as required by NFPA 409.

An automatic sprinkler system or fire-extinguishing system shall be provided in all spray rooms and spray booths, and shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 9.

Drying rooms designed for high-hazard materials and processes, including special occupancies as provided for in Chapter 4 of the California Building Code, shall be protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of Chapter 9.

Occupancies classified as ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Sections 914.11.1 through 914.11.3.

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914.11.1 Automatic sprinkler systems. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for ambulatory care facilities in accordance with Section 903.2.2.1.

914.11.2 Manual fire alarm systems. A manual fire alarm system shall be provided for ambulatory care facilities in accordance with Section 907.2.2.

914.11.3 Fire alarm systems. An automatic smoke detection system shall be provided for ambulatory care facilities in accordance with Section 907.2.2.1.