Interpretation #: CEB-2017-02-2014 IBC-907.5.2.3.1

Building or Fire Safety Law Interpreted

675 IAC 13-2.6, the 2014 Indiana Building Code, Section 907.5.2.3.1 Public and common areas. Visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in public areas and common areas.

Interpretation of the State Building Commissioner

The language of the code is clear – visible alarm notification appliances are required in public and common areas. The requirement is not for them to be merely visible from those locations. Installation on the opposite side of a transparent partition or barrier does not meet this requirement. Further, our interpretation is that workplace conference rooms are considered common areas, and are therefore required to be equipped with visible alarm notification appliances, located within those spaces.