accessibility units R1

[yvette]

I am working on a remodel of an old hotel. They are just doing cosmetic (paint, some exterior siding) for the most part, but they've added a new 13R sprinks and a fire alarm system. There are 21 units. How many of those are required to have a strobe in the room? Just the one unit required to be accessible? And, does there have to be a strobe in the bathroom since the occupant won't see it if the bathroom door is closed? Thanks in advance for any help. This part of the code is way confusing to me because nothing is just laid out like normal requirements.

 

[classicT]

What has been described would be classified as a Level 2 Alteration (see OR EBC 603.1).

Fire protection systems are covered under OR EBC Section 803. Fire alarm systems specifically in 803.4. That said, question here is not if a fire sprinkler or alarm system is required, so I'll move past this aspect.

Regarding visual devices, the number required is from the following section:

OSSC (OR 2022 IBC) [F] 907.5.2.3.2 Groups I-1, R-1 and R-4​

Habitable spaces in dwelling units and sleeping units in Group I-1 and R-1 occupancies shall be provided with visible alarm notification in accordance with Table 907.5.2.3.2 and the accessibility requirements of ICC A117.1. Visible alarms shall be activated by the in-room smoke alarm and the building fire alarm system, as applicable.

[F] TABLE 907.5.2.3.2
VISIBLE ALARMS​

NUMBER OF SLEEPING 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

 

[classicT]

OR Accessibility Code (2017 A117.1)​

1106.4 Visible Notification Appliances​

Visible notification appliances, where provided within the unit as part of the unit smoke detection system or the building fire alarm system, shall comply with Section 1106.4.

1106.4.1 Appliances​

Visible notification appliances shall comply with Section 702.​

1106.4.2 Activation​

All visible notification appliances provided within the unit for smoke detection notification shall be activated upon smoke detection. All visible notification appliances provided within the unit for building fire alarm notification shall be activated upon activation of the building fire alarm in the portion of the building containing the unit.​

1106.4.3 Interconnection​

The same visible notification appliances shall be permitted to provide notification of unit smoke detection and building fire alarm activation.​

1106.4.4 Prohibited Use​

Visible notification appliances used to indicate unit smoke detection or building fire alarm activation shall not be used for any other purpose within the unit.​

 

[yvette]

Thank you! Does it say if the visual notification device is required in the bathroom?

 

[classicT]

There are 21 units. How many of those are required to have a strobe in the room? Just the one unit required to be accessible?

One item that I have not addressed above, but worth mentioning is that the visual notification is not tied to the accessibility provisions of IBC Ch. 11. While in practice, it is best to have one of the accessible rooms also be a visible notification room, it is not explicitly required. The visible notification type rooms should be dispersed across the various unit types, including accessible units, to the maximum extent possible.

 

[classicT]

Thank you! Does it say if the visual notification device is required in the bathroom?

That I believe would be a function of NFPA 72 (OR Fire Alarm Code).

I believe that it would be typical to install a strobe in the bathroom, and in scanning over NFPA 72 Section 18.5.5 Appliance Location, I do not see an exception for installation in bathrooms.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

The purpose of the strobe is to provide a visible warning to occupants who have no hearing. Without a strobe in the bathroom, a sleeping unit would be unsafe for a totally deaf occupant.