Manual Pull Stations at Each Exit, Regardless?

6/25/2019

Do you often come across AHJs who require manual pull stations at every exit, regardless of the occupancy and regardless of whether they're allowed to be omitted based on a fully-sprinklered building?

I've come across it a few times and we certainly see some ordinances written in - I'm just curious if it's something you have seen and whether you choose to fight it or just include the pull stations.

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5 Comments

Douglas link

6/25/2019 12:00:43 pm

This kind of question is often asked, but really is resolved by reading the NFPA 72 definition of what the AHJ actually is. In the Annex inside the NFPA 72, the definition of an AHJ not just the fire marshal, but also the insurance representative, and sometimes even the building owner. The AHJ is anyone that can have a say as to what is going to be included in the fire alarm system.

Further, inside the NFPA 72 Handbook available from the NFPA on the same web page as the NFPA Code Book, the writers and editors of the NFPA Code say that if there is a discrepancy between what the NFPA Code says and what any of the AHJs say, the installers go with the more stringent requirements.

Yes, I have seen this kind of question a lot, and most of the time, the AHJ wins the argument because the AHJ has also read the definitions in the Code Book.

Mike R

6/25/2019 12:39:28 pm

We see this all the time, sometimes the AHJ will back down when presented with the sections of the IBC that exempt manual stations under certain conditions. Other times they want what they want and there's nothing you can do to change their mind.

Nimal Tissa Wijetunga

6/25/2019 11:06:16 pm

Every 30 meters interval along the common corridors and one at each and every exit points.

It shall be positioned between 900 to 1200 mm from the ground level and clear access and visibility must be maintained.

Moderator

6/26/2019 06:03:44 am

Nimal,

These requirements are very different than what is required by NFPA 72. What reference are you using here? Please cite references when making statements like these so we can learn different approaches.

Patrick Fitz

5/24/2021 08:28:25 am

Are manual pull stations required to have a certain level of illumination at all times provided by emergency lighting?

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Manual Pull Stations at Each Exit, Regardless?

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