Smoke Alarms - R2 occupancy

[Mech]

'09 IBC

Section 907.2.11.2 Groups R-2, R-3, R-4, and I-1, Item 3.

Smoke alarms shall be installed . . .

3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.

Are smoke alarms required in uninhabitable attics? I'm caught on the wording. Are uninhabitable attics exempt like crawl spaces or do they require alarms like each story in a dwelling unit?

Thanks

 

[FM William Burns]

Not required unless classified or discovered as habitable.

 

[fatboy]

I concur with FMWB..........

 

[JBI]

Read the definition of uninhabitable attic... and, No. Not required in them.

 

[Mech]

I cannot find a definition for "uninhabitable" or "uninhabitable attic" in either the Building Code or Residential Code. I can understand that if an attic does not meet the definition of habitable, then it must be uninhabitable.

 

[TJacobs]

unless there are stairs...um...nevermind...

 

[AegisFPE]

Based on the definition in IBC 202 for Attic, it is not a Story nor Habitable Space as defined in that same section. The reference to "uninhabitable attic" appears redundant.

To require smoke detection in attics with "occupiable space" space may make more sense, but is not what is stated by the IBC.