Code Cafe > ORC 313
I am currently in the process of adding a 2 story additon to my home in Columbus. We were notified that we will be required to install interectonected fire alarms in the hall and Bedrooms prior to final as per ORC313 (Ohio Residential Code or maybe Ohio Revised Code??). Any way I am trying to findout what the specifics of this code is, as my general contractor is trying to charge me for a whole house install as he insists that that is the code even so the inspector only made the note as written above. Thanks send email directly to rothacker.1@osu.edu
March 1, 2005 |
Erik
Erik
Hello Erik -
Your contractor is correct regarding the fire alarm system. With the new code (I'm assuming that Columbus has recently adopted the new Ohio Residential Code - based on the 2003 International Residential Code. Many communities adopted this code effective January or early 2005. The requirement for the "hard wired" interconnection is necessary wherever the space to do it is accessible - in other words, unless its physically impossible to do it, they have to be interconnected. The past version of the code was a little more forgiving and enabled the use of battery powered smoke detectors. For the straight skinny on what is really needed I recommend speaking to your local building official or residential plans examiner at the City of Columbus.
The 2004 ORC, section 313 as adopted by the Ohio Building Offcials Association says:
Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:
1. In each sleeping room.
2. Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
When more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
All smoke alarms shall be listed and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72.
R 313.1.1 Alterations, repairs and additions. When interior alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the individual dwelling unit shall be provided with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings; the smoke alarms shall be interconnected and hard wired.
Exceptions:
1. Smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required to be interconnected and hard wired where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space, or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
2. Repairs to the exterior surfaces of dwellings are exempt from the requirements of this section.
3. For the purpose of this section, a screeend porch, deck or similar structure is not considered an interior alteration repair or addtition.
Hope this helps.
Go Bucs! (even though I'm a Bearcat I have a son studying Industrial Design at OSU)
Your Code Connection Host
Terry Welker AIA
Your contractor is correct regarding the fire alarm system. With the new code (I'm assuming that Columbus has recently adopted the new Ohio Residential Code - based on the 2003 International Residential Code. Many communities adopted this code effective January or early 2005. The requirement for the "hard wired" interconnection is necessary wherever the space to do it is accessible - in other words, unless its physically impossible to do it, they have to be interconnected. The past version of the code was a little more forgiving and enabled the use of battery powered smoke detectors. For the straight skinny on what is really needed I recommend speaking to your local building official or residential plans examiner at the City of Columbus.
The 2004 ORC, section 313 as adopted by the Ohio Building Offcials Association says:
Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:
1. In each sleeping room.
2. Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
When more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
All smoke alarms shall be listed and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72.
R 313.1.1 Alterations, repairs and additions. When interior alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the individual dwelling unit shall be provided with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings; the smoke alarms shall be interconnected and hard wired.
Exceptions:
1. Smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required to be interconnected and hard wired where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space, or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
2. Repairs to the exterior surfaces of dwellings are exempt from the requirements of this section.
3. For the purpose of this section, a screeend porch, deck or similar structure is not considered an interior alteration repair or addtition.
Hope this helps.
Go Bucs! (even though I'm a Bearcat I have a son studying Industrial Design at OSU)
Your Code Connection Host
Terry Welker AIA
March 15, 2005 |
T. Welker AIA
T. Welker AIA
