Interpretation #: CEB-2021-35-2014 IBC-907.5.2.3.1

Building or Fire Safety Law Interpreted

675 IAC 13-2.6, 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.

Issue

Whether Section 907.5.2.3.1 of the 2014 Indiana Building Code (IBC) requires visible fire alarm notification appliances in hospital patient treatment and sleeping rooms.

Interpretation of the State Building Commissioner

Section 907.5.2.3.1 of the 2014 IBC does not require visible alarm notification appliances in hospital patient treatment and sleeping rooms of medical facilities if the fire alarm system is designed for private mode operation in accordance with NFPA 72-2010.

Rationale

Under the previously adopted editions of the Indiana Building Code and NFPA 72 Standard, the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission ruled on at least two separate occasions that visible fire alarm notification devices were not required in patient sleeping and patient treatment rooms of medical facilities when the fire alarm system is designed for private mode operation. There have been no substantive changes in the regulations addressing this issue in the currently adopted editions of those same documents (2014 Indiana Building Code and NFPA 72-2010, respectively). Consequently, there is no reason to assume the Commission's position or intent in this area has changed.