D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H908

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 12-H908 - EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS

Strike Section 908.1 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Sections 908.1 into the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

908.1

General. The systems required by this section shall be designed and installed in accordance with the provisions of both this code and the Fire Code. Before proceeding with design, construction, installation, or use of systems required by Section 908.2 through 908.6, the

ownershall request and participate in a coordination meeting with DCRA and the Fire Department to determine the applicable code requirements. The meeting shall be attended by all concerned parties, including, but not limited to, the owner, contractor, architect and design professionals.

Strike Section 908.2 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 908.2 into the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

908.2

Group H occupancies. Emergency alarms for the detection and notification of an emergency condition in Group H occupancies shall be provided as required in Chapter 50. Emergency alarms for notification of an emergency condition in an HPM facility shall be provided as required in Section 2703.12. A continuous gas-detection system shall be provided for HPM gases in accordance with Section 2703.13.

Strike Section 908.7 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Sections 908.7 through 908.12 into the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

908.7

Carbon monoxide detection. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in new buildings in accordance with Sections 908.7.1 through 908.12. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in existing buildings in accordance with Section 1103.9.

908.7.1

Where required. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in Group I-1, I-2, I- 4 and R occupancies and in classrooms in Group E occupancies in the locations specified in Section 908.8 where any of the conditions in Sections 908.7.2 through 908.7.6 exist.

908.7.2

Fuel-burning appliances and fuel-burning fireplaces. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms that contain a fuel-burning appliance or a fuel-burning fireplace.

908.7.3

Forced-air furnaces. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms served by a fuel-burning, forced-air furnace.

Exception: Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms if carbon monoxide detection is provided in the first room or area served by each main duct leaving the furnace, and the carbon monoxide alarm signals are automatically transmitted to an approved location.

908.7.4

Fuel-burning appliances outside dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms located in buildings that contain fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces.

Exceptions:

1. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units

and classrooms where there are no communicating openings between the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.

2. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms where carbon monoxide detection is provided in one of the following locations:
2.1 In an approved location between the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.
2.2 On the ceiling of the room containing the fuel burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace.
908.7.5

Private garages. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms in buildings with attached private garages.

Exceptions:

1. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required where there are no communicating openings between the private garage and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.
2. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms located more than one story above or below a private garage.
3. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required where the private garage connects to the building through an open-ended corridor.
4. Where carbon monoxide detection is provided in an approved location between openings to a private garage and dwelling units, sleeping units or classrooms, carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in the dwelling units, sleeping units or classrooms.
908.7.6

Exempt garages. For determining compliance with Section 908.7.5, an open parking garage complying with Section 406.5, or an enclosed parking garage complying with Section 406.6 of the Mechanical Code shall not be considered a private garage.

908.8

Locations. Where required by Section 908.7.1, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in the locations specified in Sections 908.8.1 through 908.8.3.

908.8.1

Dwelling units. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in dwelling units outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed within the bedroom.

908.8.2

Sleeping units. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in sleeping units.

Exception: Carbon monoxide detection shall be allowed to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping unit where the sleeping unit or its attached bathroom does not contain a fuel-burning appliance and is not served by a forced-air furnace.

908.8.3

Group E occupancies. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in classrooms in Group E occupancies. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel.

Exception: Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall not be required to be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 30 or less.

908.9

Detection equipment. Carbon monoxide detection required by Sections 908.7 through 908.8.3 shall be provided by carbon monoxide alarms complying with Section 908.10 or carbon monoxide detection systems complying with Section 908.11.

908.10

Carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall comply with Sections 908.10.1 through 908.10.3.

908.10.1

Power source. Carbon monoxide alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than that required for overcurrent protection.

Exception: Where installed in buildings without commercial power, battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms shall be an acceptable alternative.

908.10.2

Listings. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 2034.

908.10.3

Combination alarms. Combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms shall be an acceptable alternative to carbon monoxide alarms. Combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 2034 and UL 217.

908.11

Carbon monoxide detection systems. Carbon monoxide detection systems shall be an acceptable alternative to carbon monoxide alarms and shall comply with Sections 908.11.1 through 908.11.3.

908.11.1

General. Carbon monoxide detection systems shall comply with NFPA 720. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be listed in accordance with UL 2075.

908.11.2

Locations. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in the locations specified in Section 908.8. These locations supersede the locations specified in NFPA 720.

908.11.3

Combination detectors. Combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors installed in carbon monoxide detection systems shall be an acceptable alternative to carbon monoxide detectors, provided they are listed in accordance with UL 2075 and UL 268.

908.12

Maintenance. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detection systems shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 720. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that become inoperable or begin producing end-of-life signals shall be replaced.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H908

Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5679 (5/29/2020)