When is FA Notification Req'd in Parking Garages?

4/22/2022

When would a parking garage require an occupant notification system?

NFPA 101 has some fairly clear guidelines but isn't applicable in my project, the 2015 ICC codes are.

I can't find anything in Section 907 for S occupancies and Section 406 doesn't really give much direction either. Open, enclosed, above or below grade, and above or below other occupancies; It doesn't seem super straight-forward.

Thanks in advance.

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8 Comments

Todd E Wyatt

4/22/2022 08:35:41 am

2015 IBC "907.2 Where required - new buildings and structures" includes requirements for "occupant notification" for (24) different occupancy classifications (e.g. 907.2.1 Group A) and/or special rooms/spaces (e.g. 907.2.23 Battery rooms).

907.2 does not require "occupant notification" in Group S-2 Parking Garages.

The only reference to (open) parking garages in this section is as an exception (#2) to "907.2.13 High-rise buildings" which requires an emergency voice/alarm communication system.

"Section 406 Motor-Vehicle-Related Occupancies" addresses other requirements for parking garages but not for "occupant notification".

2021 NFPA 1 Fire Code Chapter 29 Parking Garages references 2021 NFPA 101 Section 42.8 Special Provisions for Parking Structures. 42.8.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems requires a fire alarm system and 42.8.3.4.3 Notification requires the fire alarm system to "sound an audible alarm in a continuously attended location for purposes of initiating emergency action."

However, 42.8.3.4.1.1 states "Parking structures not exceeding an aggregate floor area of 100,000 ft2 (9300 m2) shall not be required to have a fire alarm system" and 42.8.3.4.1.2 "Open parking structures shall not be required to have a fire alarm system" and 42.8.3.4.1.3 "Parking structures protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7 shall not be required to have a fire alarm system."

Jason Lupa, PE

8/23/2022 01:26:41 pm

Where the open parking garage is used exclusively for the vehicle the IBC classifies a free-standing above grade (not part of mixed-use) parking garage as a Group S-2 occupancy per IBC [2018] 311.3. The requirements for this type of open parking garage, based on IBC [2018] are listed in Section 406 Motor-Vehicle-Related Occupancies Section 406.5 addresses specific life-safety design.

For example, an above-grade, open-air parking garage does not require sprinkler protection or a building fire alarm system, so when a elevator is provided, a dedicated elevator recall control panel would be provided to preform the elevator life safety functions.

-No manual pulls (IBC [2018] 907.2 & NFPA 72 [2016] 23.8.5.1.2)

-No notification appliances (NFPA 72 [2016] A.21.3.2)

-No remote monitoring (NFPA 72 [2016] 23.8.5.1.2)

This type of system is classified as a Dedicated Function Fire Alarm Control Unit (NFPA 72 [2016] 3.3.100.2.1) and DOES requires a smoke detector above the panel per NFPA 72 [2016] 10.4.4.

chad putney

4/22/2022 08:41:31 am

Todd is 100% right. Of course it really depends on the AHJ if its physically attached to another independent structure with properly rated fire wall. Some liberally interpret if there is a independent building (office, apt's etc) attached, you need occupant notification throughout.

Steve Dube

4/27/2022 03:30:43 pm

Hello Chad

Richard Schaffner

4/22/2022 08:45:08 am

What if an R-2 building is sitting on top of a garage and the required exit stairs discharge occupant in the garage such that they have no choice but to exit through the garage to reach the public way? Would that require full fire alarm notification as well as any other sensors etc... in the garage now?

chad

4/22/2022 08:51:52 am

That is the liberal interpretation I am referring to. In most large metro areas, they want occupant notification. And its a must (not code wise but their interpretation) if the garage is sprinklered.

Run it by the AHJ, its never clear cut with Garages, in my experience.

Rich

4/22/2022 09:04:51 am

Chad/All - to make sure there is no confusion, I am talking about the building sitting on top of the garage, not wrapped around it. In that case the garage "IS" required to be sprinkled per 2015/2021 IBC 510.2 item #5, I would think FA would also be required for the same reasons, protecting the path of egress because occupants in the R-2 are being forced to exit through the S-2, and therefore whichever occupancy has the more stringent life safety requirements, both occupancy have to meet them.

Karsten link

4/22/2022 10:32:34 am

I second (or third) Todd. You also want to look at any local amendments that have been adopted by your AHJ that may increase the requirements listed out in the national standards.

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When is FA Notification Req'd in Parking Garages?

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