Statutes, codes, and regulations
District Of Columbia Administrative Code
Title 12 - CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2017Subtitle 12-A - BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2017
Chapter 12-A9 - FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Rule 12-A911 - FIRE COMMAND CENTER

D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 12-A911

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Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 24, June 14, 2024
Rule 12-A911 - FIRE COMMAND CENTER

Strike Section 911.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 911.1 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows:

911.1

General. Where required by other sections of this code and in buildings classified as high-rise buildings by this code, a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided and shall comply with Sections 911.1.1 through 911.1.6.

911.1.1

Location and access. The fire command center shall be directly accessible from the exterior on the address side of the building; or, where approved by the code official in consultation with the Fire Chief, in an interior location which has direct access from the entrance lobby on the address side of the building.

911.1.1.1

Identification. The entrance door to the fire command center shall be illuminated and clearly marked "Fire Command Center" with letters a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm) in height on a contrasting background. In instances where the fire command center is not located near the building's main entrance, a sign indicating the location of the fire control room shall be conspicuously posted near the building's main entrance.

911.1.1.2

Prohibited use. Electrical, mechanical or plumbing equipment other than those associated with the fire command center, shall not be located within the fire command center. The fire command center shall not be used for other than its intended use unless approved by the Fire Chief.

911.1.1.3

Locking arrangements. The fire command center shall be secured from unauthorized entry and shall be accessible to the Department at all times.

911.1.1.4

Access. Where access to the fire command center from the building's exterior is restricted because of secured openings, a key box in accordance with Section 506 of the Fire Code shall be installed at the building's main entrance or other approved location for Department access. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain necessary access to the building and fire command center as required by the code official in consultation with the Fire Chief.

911.1.2

Separation. The fire command center shall be separated from the remainder of the building by not less than a 1- hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.

911.1.3

Size. The room shall be of sufficient size to accommodate all equipment and features required by this section but not less than 96 square feet (8.9 m²). A minimum clear aisle width of 48 inches (1220 mm) shall be provided in front of all equipment panels.

911.1.4

Layout approval. A layout of the fire command center and all features required by this section to be contained therein shall be submitted for approval prior to installation.

911.1.5

Storage. Storage unrelated to the operation of the fire command center shall be prohibited.

911.1.6

Required features. The fire command center shall comply with NFPA 72 and shall contain all of the following features:

1. The emergency voice/alarm communication system control unit.
2. The fire department communications system.
3. Fire detection and alarm system annunciator.
4. Annunciator unit visually indicating the location of the elevators and whether they are operational.
5. The fire-fighter's control panel required by Section 909.16 for smoke control systems installed in the building.
6. Controls for unlocking interior exit stairway doors simultaneously.
7. Sprinkler valve and waterflow detector display panels.
8. Emergency and standby power status indicators.
9. A telephone for Department use with controlled access to the public telephone system.
10. Fire pump status indicators.
11. Schematic building plans indicating the typical floor plan and detailing the building core, means of egress, fire protection systems, fire fighter air replenishment system, fire- fighting equipment and fire department access, and other building features affecting emergency response. The schematic plans shall be readily accessible, diagrammatic in nature, and fabricated of durable material or provided with a protective cover and bound in one set.
12. A copy of the facility's Fire Safety Plans and Fire Evacuation Plans that are prepared and maintained in accordance with the Fire Code.
13. Generator supervision devices, manual start and transfer features.
14. Public address system, where specifically required by other sections of this code.
15. Elevator fire recall switch in accordance with ASME A17.1/BSA 44.
16. Elevator emergency or standby power selector switch(es), where emergency or standby power is provided.
17. An approved Building Information Card that contains, but is not limited to, the following information:
17.1. General building information that includes: property name, address, the number of floors in the building (above and below grade), use and occupancy classification (for mixed uses, identify the different types of occupancies on each floor), and the estimated building population during the day, night, and weekend.
17.2. Building emergency contact information that includes: a list of the building's emergency contacts including but not limited to building manager and building engineer and their respective work phone number, cell phone number, and email address.
17.3. Building construction information that includes: the type of building construction including but not limited to floors, walls, columns, and roof assembly.
17.4.Exit access and exit stairway information that includes: number of exit access and exit stairways in the building, each exit access and exit stairway designation and floors served, location where each exit access and exit stairway discharges, interior exit stairways that are pressurized, exit stairways provided with emergency lighting, each exit stairway that allows reentry, exit stairways providing roof access; elevator information that includes: number of elevator banks, elevator bank designation, elevator car numbers and respective floors that they serve; location of elevator machine rooms, control rooms and control spaces; location of sky lobby, location of freight elevator banks.
17.5. Building services and system information that includes: location of mechanical rooms, location of building management system, location and capacity of all fuel oil tanks, location of emergency generator, location of natural gas service.
17.6. Fire protection system information that includes: locations of standpipes, location of fire pump room, location of fire department connections, floors protected by automatic sprinklers, location of different types of sprinkler systems installed including, but not limited to, dry, wet, and pre-action.
17.7 Hazardous material information that includes: location of hazardous material, quantity of hazardous material.

D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 12-A911

Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5679 (5/29/2020)