Code of Massachusetts Regulations
780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Chapter 9 - Fire Protection Systems
Section 907 - FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS
Subsection 907.5 - Occupant notification systems
Universal Citation: 780 CMR MA Code of Regs 907.5
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
A fire alarm system shall annunciate at the panel and shall initiate occupant notification upon activation, in accordance with Sections 907.5.1 through 907.5.2.3.4. Where a fire alarm system is required by another section of this code, it shall be activated by: [F]
1. Automatic fire detectors.
2. Sprinkler waterflow devices.
3. Manual fire alarm boxes.
4. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
Exception: Where notification systems are allowed elsewhere in Section 907 to annunciate at a constantly attended location.
907.5.1
Presignal feature. A presignal feature shall not be installed
unless approved by the fire code official and the fire
department. Where a presignal feature is provided, a signal shall be
annunciated at a constantly attended location
approved by the fire department, in order that occupant
notification can be activated in the event of fire or other emergency.
[F]
907.5.2
Alarm
notification appliances. Alarm notification appliances shall be provided
and shall be listed for their purpose. [F]
907.5.2.1
Audible alarms.
Audible alarm notification appliances shall be provided and emit a distinctive
sound that is not to be used for any purpose other than that of a fire alarm.
[F]
Exception: Visible alarm notification appliances shall be allowed in lieu of audible alarm notification appliances in critical care areas of Group I-2 occupancies.
907.5.2.1.1
Average sound
pressure. The audible alarm notification appliances shall provide a
sound pressure level of 15 decibels (dBA) above the average ambient sound level
or 5 dBA above the maximum sound level having a duration of at least 60
seconds, whichever is greater, in every occupiable space
within the building. The minimum sound pressure levels shall be: 75 dBA in
occupancies in Groups R and I-1; 90 dBA in mechanical equipment rooms and 60
dBA in other occupancies.
907.5.2.1.2
Maximum sound
pressure. The maximum sound pressure level for audible alarm
notification appliances shall be 110 dBA at the minimum hearing distance from
the audible appliance. Where the average ambient noise is greater than 95 dBA,
visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in accordance with NFPA
72 and audible alarm notification appliances shall not be required.
907.5.2.2
Emergency
voice/alarm communication systems. Emergency voice/alarm communication
systems required by this code shall be designed and installed in accordance
with NFPA 72. The operation of any automatic fire detector, sprinkler waterflow
device or manual fire alarm box shall automatically sound an alert tone
followed by voice instructions giving approved information and
directions for a general or staged evacuation in accordance with the building's
fire safety and evacuation plans required by Section 404 of the
International Fire Code. In high-rise buildings, the system
shall operate on a minimum of the alarming floor, the floor above and the floor
below. Speakers shall be provided throughout the building by paging zones. At a
minimum, paging zones shall be provided as follows:
1. Elevator groups.
2.
Exit stairways.
3. Each floor.
4.
Areas of refuge as
defined in Section 1002.1.
Exception: In Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies, the alarm shall sound in a constantly attended area and a general occupant notification shall be broadcast over the overhead page.
907.5.2.2.1
Manual override. A
manual override for emergency voice communication shall be provided on a
selective and all-call basis for all paging zones. [F]
907.5.2.2.2
Live voice messages.
The emergency voice/alarm communication system shall also have the capability
to broadcast live voice messages by paging zones on a selective and all-call
basis. [F]
907.5.2.2.3
Alternate uses. The emergency voice/alarm communication system
shall be allowed to be used for other announcements, provided the manual fire
alarm use takes precedence over any other use. [F]
907.5.2.2.4
Emergency power.
Emergency voice/alarm communication systems shall be provided with an
approved emergency power source. [F]
907.5.2.3
Visible
alarms. Visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in
accordance with Sections 907.5.2.3.1 through 907.5.2.3.4. [F]
Exceptions:
1. Visible alarm notification appliances are
not required in alterations, except where an existing fire
alarm system is upgraded or replaced, or a new fire alarm system is
installed.
2. Visible alarm
notification appliances shall not be required in exits as
defined in Section 1002.1.
3.
Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required in elevator cars.
907.5.2.3.1
Public and common
areas. Visible alarm notification appliances shall be provided in public
areas and common areas. [F]
907.5.2.3.2
Employee work areas.
Where employee work areas have audible alarm coverage, the notification
appliance circuits serving the employee work areas shall be initially designed
with a minimum of 20-percent spare capacity to account for the potential of
adding visible notification appliances in the future to accommodate hearing
impaired employee(s). [F]
907.5.2.3.3
Groups I-1 and R-1.
Group I-1 and R-1 dwelling
units or
sleeping units in accordance with Table 907.5.2.3.3 shall be
provided with a visible alarm notification appliance, activated by both the
in-room smoke alarm and the building fire alarm system. [F]
TABLE 907.5.2.3.3 VISIBLE ALARMS [F]
| NUMBER OF SLEEP UNITS | SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS WITH VISIBLE ALARMS |
| 6 to 25 | 2 |
| 26 to 50 | 4 |
| 51 to 75 | 7 |
| 76 to 100 | 9 |
| 101 to 150 | 12 |
| 151 to 200 | 14 |
| 201 to 300 | 17 |
| 301 to 400 | 20 |
| 401 to 500 | 22 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 5% of total |
| 1,001 and over | 50 plus 3 for each 100 over 1,000 |
907.5.2.3.4
Group R-2. In Group
R-2 occupancies required by Section 907 to have a fire alarm system, all
dwelling units and sleeping units shall be
provided with the capability to support visible alarm notification appliances
in accordance with ICC A117.1. [F]
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