This Technical Bulletin provides guidelines for compliance with the requirements for the installation of fire alarm notification appliances on the exterior of buildings.

I. Background

1. When fire alarm notification is provided, the California Building Code (CBC) and California Fire Code (CFC) require that the fire alarm evacuation signal meet minimum audibility levels in all occupiable spaces with visual notification to be provided in all common-use and public-use spaces. Notification appliances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. The issue is that the CBC/CFC are not clear on how to address exterior spaces and the application of visible notification appliances in outdoor areas has not been tested and is not addressed in NFPA 72.

2. NFPA 72 signaling is primarily based on ANSI/UL 1971, Standard for Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired, which specifies the distribution of light shown to provide effective notification by indirect visible signaling. Outdoor signaling relies more on direct viewing because reflected light will usually be greatly reduced. Visible appliances that are mounted outdoors shall be listed for outdoor use under ANSI/UL 1638, Standard for Visual Signaling Appliances – Private Mode Emergency and General Utility Signaling. This bulletin is written to address the instances where people are located outside a building but still need to be provided with fire alarm notification in order to evacuate. These instances may include patios, courtyards, balconies, decks and rooftops.

II. Requirements

1. Fire alarm notification appliances are required to be provided in all common-use and public-use exterior areas where the occupants must re-enter the building to reach one or more of the required exits. Exterior areas with all exit(s) having direct access to a public way, so that building re-entry is not required, shall not require notification. The egress path(s) to the public way(s) must be readily visible and accessible. Obstructions such as walls, fencing, planters or other objects are not permitted to obscure or obstruct the egress path(s).

2. Notification shall not be required in exterior areas intended for the private use of a particular occupant or resident of a single private office or guest suite/apartment, such as private balconies or decks. All common-use exterior areas require notification regardless of occupant load.

3. Where notification is provided, it shall not be required to meet the minimum audibility or visual spacing requirements; however, the designer shall attempt to meet audibility and visibility spacing requirements wherever practical. Visual notification appliances shall be located for direct viewing. Occupied roofs such as pool areas or roof decks shall be provided with audible and visible notification; non-occupied roofs with Mechanical Penthouses or similar areas accessed by maintenance personnel only require audible notification.