Chapter 4101:2-89 Early Fire Warning Systems

As used in Chapter 4101:2-89 of the Administrative Code:

“Accepted engineering practice” means conforming to approved published standards to which reference is made in this chapter.

“Apartment” means a room or suite of rooms with sanitation facilities and with or without cooking facilities, and occupied as the home or residence of a single family, individual, or group of individuals.

“Apartment building” means any building at least seventy-five per cent of the units of which are residential dwelling units rented or leased to tenants upon other than a transient basis and does not include a “hotel” as that term is defined in section 3731.01 of the Revised Code but does include a college or university dormitory.

“Automatic smoke detection system” in conformity with the rules of the board of building standards shall mean a system installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (E)(2) of rule 4101:2-53-32 of the Administrative Code.

“Automatic sprinkler system” in conformity with the rules of the board of building standards shall mean a system installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (C)(2) of rule 4101:2-53-32 of the Administrative Code.

“Condominium” means any building composed of individually owned units and operated by an association of owners.

“Dwelling unit” means a room or suite of rooms providing complete living facilities for a single family, individual or group of individuals, including permanent provisions for living, cooking, dining, sleeping, and sanitation.

“Existing” means constructed, installed, or situated, or being constructed, installed, or situated prior to July 1, 1978.

“Firewall” means a structurally sound and stable wall of noncombustible construction, having a specified fire resistance classification and used for the purpose of subdividing a building or buildings into separate fire areas.

“Horizontal exit” means a protected door opening providing a means of egress through a fire wall.

“Smoke detector” means a readily removable device sensitive to either visible or invisible particles of combustion, or both, which automatically detects any fire condition and broadcasts locally a signal or alarm.

“Transient” means a person who resides in the same building for a period of less than thirty days.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 07/10/2007 and 07/01/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3781.10(E)

Rule Amplifies: 3781.03, 3791.04

Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/78

(A) Pursuant to sections 3737.01 and 3781.104 of the Revised Code, the purpose of these rules is to have installed and in operation on and after the compliance date established by section 3781.104 of the Revised Code, a minimum early fire warning system in every existing apartment, condominium, and college or university dormitory building that exceeds seventy-five feet in height and which does not have an automatic smoke detection system or sprinkler system in conformity with the rules of the board of building standards adopted pursuant to section 3781.10 of the Revised Code.

(B) Buildings which have an automatic smoke alarm system in conformance with paragraph (E)(2) of rule 4101:2-53-32 of the Administrative Code or which have an automatic sprinkler system in conformance with paragraph (C)(2) of rule 4101:2-53-32 of the Administrative Code as of the compliance date established by section 3781.104 of the Revised Code shall be deemed to conform to the rules of the board of building standards.

(C) When an automatic smoke detection or sprinkler system in these buildings is not in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (B) of this rule or cannot be made to comply therewith, all rules hereunder shall apply.

(D) Nothing in these rules is intended to preclude installation of equipment and systems which feature additional life safety or security provisions provided said installations are not less stringent nor in conflict with the intent of the rules contained herein and further provided that plans or schematics for all installations have been approved by the enforcement official having jurisdiction.

(E) No installation shall result in a system or condition less safe than the original installation.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 07/10/2007 and 07/01/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3781.10(E)

Rule Amplifies: 3781.03, 3791.04

Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/78

Building height shall be the vertical distance from the average elevation of grade level exits to the top of the highest roof deck of a flat roof, to the deck level of a mansard roof, to the mean level of the highest gable or slope of a pitched roof exclusive of any radio, television, or telephone transmission antenna, or other equipment, chimney, or equipment associated with the heating or air conditioning system of the building.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 07/10/2007 and 07/01/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3781.10(E)

Rule Amplifies: 3781.03, 3791.04

Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/78

(A) Each dwelling unit, apartment, and condominium unit shall have at least one smoke detector installed in the immediate vicinity but outside of all sleeping rooms. Alarm signaling devices shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms within the dwelling unit, apartment, and condominium unit when all intervening doors are closed.

(B) When more than one sleeping room occurs within a dormitory or dwelling unit, one detector may serve more than one room provided that the required exits from such sleeping rooms are in a single private corridor within fifteen feet of the detector.

(C) When bedroom or sleeping areas are not fully enclosed or separated from other living areas within a living or sleeping unit, the smoke detector shall be installed nearest the area designated for sleeping.

(D) Dormitories accommodating more than ten people in one sleeping area shall have detector spacing determined by the “square of protection” as listed for the specific detector used or for each ten people, whichever is greater.

(E) For the purpose of installation and maintenance only, the applicable sections of the “National Fire Protection Association,” “Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Household Fire Warning Equipment,” “NFPA No. 74-1975” shall be considered accepted engineering practice.

(F) Smoke detectors shall be tested, certified, and labeled to be in compliance with the “Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.,” “Standard for Single and Multiple Station Smoke Detectors,” “UL No. 217-1976” as revised February 1977.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 07/10/2007 and 07/01/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3781.10(E)

Rule Amplifies: 3781.03, 3791.04

Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/78

(A) In those portions of a building subject to the provisions of this chapter other than the private dwelling or sleeping areas, smoke detectors shall be installed in conformance with at least one of the following requirements:

(1) Where the building has a central return air system, a detector shall be installed in or near each return air stream in a manner that smoke-laden air originating from any part of the building must pass by a detector before the smoke-laden air leaves the floor of origin; or

(2) In buildings with or without central return air systems, detectors shall be installed on each floor on the corridor or lobby side of and within five feet of all stairway and elevator doors. Where horizontal exits are used, detectors shall also be installed on each side of and within fifteen feet of doors serving as horizontal exits through fire walls.

(B) Detectors installed in conformity with the provisions of paragraphs (A)(1) or (A)(2) of this rule shall be clearly audible in all private or dormitory sleeping areas on that floor.

(C) Detectors shall comply with all requirements of “Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.,” “Standard for Smoke Detectors, Combustion-Products Type, for Fire Protective Signaling Systems,” “UL No. 167-1974,” as revised January 1976, or “Standard for Smoke Detectors, Photoelectric Type, for Fire Protective Signaling Systems,” “UL No. 168-1976,” and shall be tested, labeled, and certified to be in compliance therewith.

(D) All detectors shall be readily accessible for servicing and testing.

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 07/10/2007 and 07/01/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3781.10(E)

Rule Amplifies: 3781.03, 3791.04

Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/78