904. FIRE PROTECTION

904 FIRE PROTECTION Strike Section 904.1.1 of the International Existing Building Code in its entirety and insert a new Section 904.1.1 into the Existing Building Code in its place to read as follows: 904.1.1 High-rise buildings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in work areas in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code, as provided for in Sections 904.1.1.1 through 904.1.1.3. 904.1.1.1 Where Level 3 work areas occur on 75 percent or more of the building floors, excluding mechanical, parking and non-occupiable levels, automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided throughout the entire building in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code. 904.1.1.2 Where an automatic sprinkler system with sprinkler control valves and water flow devices is provided for each floor throughout the building in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code, modifications to the minimum type of construction and fire resistance rating requirements of the Construction Codes are permitted as described in Section 403.2 of the Building Code. 904.1.1.3 Additional requirements for alterations to 100% percent of floors. Where Level 3 alteration work areas occur on all floors, excluding mechanical, parking and non-occupiable levels, the building shall comply with the following additional requirements: Emergency voice/alarm communication systems. Provide an emergency voice/alarm communication system in accordance with Section 403.4.4 of the Building Code. Emergency responder radio coverage. Provide a two-way fire department communications system in accordance with Section 403.4.5 of the Building Code. Fire command center. Provide a fire command center in accordance with Sections 403.4.6 and 911.1 of the Building Code. Exception: Where any of the following features does not exist in the building or cannot be readily provided as part of a Level 3 alteration, such feature is not required to be added for compliance with the fire command center requirements of Sections 403.4.6 and 911.1 of the Building Code: Annunciator unit visually indicating the location of the elevators and whether they are operational; or Status indicators and controls for air-handling systems; or Emergency and standby power status indicators. Standby power and emergency power systems. Provide standby power and emergency power systems in accordance with Section 403.4.8 of the Building Code. Insert new Section 904.1.4 in the Existing Building Code to read as follows: 904.1.4 Group R-3 and Residential Code buildings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in all buildings with Group R-3 occupancies and in all buildings subject to the Residential Code. Exceptions: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in Group R-3 occupancies under the jurisdiction of the Building Code where the existing water service cannot provide adequate flow and pressure without the installation of a tank or pump, unless the water service is otherwise being replaced. An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required for buildings under the jurisdiction of the Residential Code where the existing water service cannot provide adequate flow and pressure without the installation of a tank or pump, unless the water service is otherwise being replaced. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 6491 (May 29, 2020 – Part 2). The District of Columbia Existing Building Code (2017), referred to as the “Existing Building Code,” consists of the 2015 edition of the International Existing Building Code (International Existing Building Code), published by the International Code Council (ICC), as amended by the Existing Building Code Supplement of 2017 (12-J DCMR). The International Existing Building Code is copyrighted by the ICC and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at: https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/public/collections/. District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Existing Building Code Supplement of 2017 12-J DCMR § 904