Section 914.12 Added - General. A newly constructed mid-rise building shall comply with this section.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings used exclusively as an open parking garage.
2. Buildings where all floors above the fourth-floor level are used exclusively as an open parking garage.
3. Buildings such as a power plant, lookout tower, steeple, grain house, and other similar structures with intermittent human occupancy.
Section 914.12.1 Added - Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems And Standpipes. Mid-rise buildings shall be protected throughout by an automatic fire sprinkler system designed and installed in conformance with the latest edition of NFPA 13 and in accordance with the following:
1. A shut-off valve and a water flow alarm shall be provided for each floor. Each shut-off valve and water flow alarm shall be electronically supervised.
2. Mid-rise buildings shall be provided with a Class I standpipe system that is interconnected with the automatic fire sprinkler system. The system shall consist of 2.5-inch hose valves located in each stair enclosure on every floor. Two hose outlets shall be located on the roof outside of each stair enclosure that penetrates the roof. The standpipe system shall be designed, installed, and tested in accordance with the latest edition of NFPA 14.
3. Fire department standpipe connections and valves serving each floor shall be located in the vestibule and located in a manner so as not to obstruct egress when hose lines are connected and charged.
Section 914.12.2 Added - Smoke detection. Smoke detectors shall be provided in accordance with this section. Smoke detectors shall be connected to an automatic fire alarm system and shall be installed in accordance with the latest edition of NFPA 72. The actuation of any device required by this section shall operate the emergency voice alarm signal system and shall operate all equipment necessary to prevent the circulation of smoke through air returns and exhaust ductwork. Smoke detectors shall be located as follows:
1. In every mechanical equipment, electrical, transformer, telephone equipment, unmanned computer equipment, elevator machinery, or similar room and in all elevator lobbies. Elevator lobby detectors shall be connected to an alarm verification zone or be listed as a releasing device.
2. In the main return air and exhaust air plenum of each air conditioning system. The smoke detector shall be located in a serviceable area downstream of the last duct inlet.
3. At each connection to a vertical duct or riser serving no than 4 or more stories from a return air duct or plenum of an air conditioning system. In Group R,
Division 1 and 2 occupancies, an approved smoke detector is allowed to be used in each return air riser carrying not more than 5,000 cubic feet per minute and not serving more than 10 air inlet openings.
4. For Group R, Division 1 and 2 occupancies, in all corridors serving as a means of egress for an occupant load of 10 or more persons.
Section 914.12.3 Added - Fire alarm system. An approved and listed, automatic and manual, fully addressable, and electronically supervised fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72.
Section 914.12.4 Added - Emergency voice alarm signaling system. The operation of any automatic fire detector or water flow device shall automatically sound an alert tone followed by a pre-recorded voice instruction giving appropriate information and direction on a general or selective basis to the following terminal areas:
1. Elevators
2. Elevator lobbies
3. Corridors
4. Exit stairways
5. Rooms and tenant spaces
6. Dwelling units
7. Hotel guest rooms
8. Areas designated as safe refuge within the building
Section 914.12.5 Added - Fire Command Center. A fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided for mid-rise buildings, as defined in Section 202 of this ordinance, in accordance with Section 508.
Section 914.12.6 Added - Elevators. Elevators and elevator lobbies shall comply with Chapter 30 of the California Building Code. At least one elevator cab shall be assigned for fire department use and shall serve all floors of the building. This cab shall be provided large enough to accommodate an ambulance-type stretcher in accordance with section 3002.4 of the California Building Code.
Section 914.12.7 Added - Fire Department Communication System. An approved two-way fire department communication system designed and installed in accordance with the adopted edition of NFPA 72, shall be provided for fire department use per section 907.2.13.2.
Section 914.12.8 Added - Means of egress. In addition to the requirements of Chapter 10, egress components of mid-rise buildings shall comply with sections 914.12.8.1 through 914.12.8.5.
Section 914.12.8.1 Added - Extent of the enclosure. Stairway enclosures shall be continuous and shall fully enclose all portions of the stairway. Exit enclosures shall exit directly to the exterior of the building or include an exit passageway on the ground floor leading to the exterior of the building. Each exit enclosure shall extend completely through the roof and be provided with a door that leads onto the roof.
Section 914.12.8.2 Added - Pressurized enclosures and stairways. All required stairways and enclosures in a mid-rise building shall be pressurized as specified in Section 909. Pressurized stairways shall be designed to exhaust smoke manually.
Section 914.12.8.3 Added - Vestibules. Pressurized stairway enclosures serving a mid-rise building shall be provided with a pressurized entrance vestibule on each floor that complies with Section 909.
Section 914.12.9.4 Added - Pressure differences. The minimum pressure difference between a vestibule and adjacent areas shall comply with Section 909.
Section 914.12.8.5 Added -Locking of stairway doors. All stairway doors that are locked to prohibit access from the interior of the stairway shall have the capability of being unlocked simultaneously, without unlatching, upon a signal from the fire command center. Upon failure of normal electrical service or activation of any fire alarm, the locking mechanism shall automatically unlock.
(Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)