N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-6.18A

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 5:23-6.18A - Supplemental requirements-Group E

(a) Automatic Sprinkler System: In buildings three stories or more in height, with greater than 12,000 square feet per floor, when the work area exceeds 50 percent of the gross enclosed floor area of a floor, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout that floor. (Fire)

(b) Automatic Alarm System: When the work area exceeds 50 percent of the gross enclosed floor area of a building, an automatic fire alarm system shall be installed throughout the building as follows:

1. An approved system of automatic smoke detectors; or

2. An approved automatic sprinkler system equipped with automatic fire alarm devices; or

3. An approved system which combines the following elements shall be acceptable when devices are located as indicated below:

i. Combination fixed temperature/rate-of-rise detectors in classrooms and ancillary spaces;

ii. Photoelectric or projected-beam smoke detectors in exit access corridors and at the top of the exit stair enclosures; and

iii. Fixed temperature detectors in such a system shall be accepted in locations such as boiler rooms, garage areas and other spaces in which conditions render other detectors inappropriate.

4. Existing fire detection systems, installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and meeting the intent of current standards for automatic fire alarms, shall be acceptable, provided:

i. The existing system is certified as functional by an approved service agency competent in the manufactured system.

ii. Where a portion of an existing system is not serviceable and cannot be repaired, the existing system shall be replaced in accordance with the above and the provisions of the building subcode. (Fire)

(c) Manual Alarm System: When the work area exceeds 50 percent of the gross enclosed floor area of the building, manual fire alarm boxes shall be provided throughout the building in compliance with Section 907.4.2 of the building subcode and in accordance with the following:

1. Manual fire alarm boxes shall be provided in the natural path of escape from fire, near each exterior door from the corridor, kitchen, heater room and other exterior exits that are required to serve 50 or more persons. Additional fire alarm boxes shall be located in the main office, stage, at each stairway entrance from a corridor or place of assembly and near one exterior exit in each section of a place of assembly. It shall not be necessary to traverse more than 200 feet of unobstructed horizontal distance on the same floor in order to reach a fire alarm box. (Fire)

(d) Vertical Opening Protection: When the work area exceeds 50 percent of the gross enclosed floor area of the building, vertical opening protection shall be provided throughout the building as follows:

1. A minimum two hour fire rated assembly with approved opening protectives shall be required for interior stairways and other vertical openings connecting more than six floor levels.

2. A minimum one hour fire rated assembly with approved opening protectives shall be required for interior stairways and other vertical openings connecting four to six floor levels.

3. A minimum one-hour UFC fire barrier shall be required for interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three stories.

i. No vertical opening protection shall be required for buildings with an automatic sprinkler system throughout. (Plan review--Building, Fire. Inspection--Building)

(e) Requirements for high-rise buildings: Any building or structure having one or more floors used for human occupancy located either more than six stories or more than 75 feet above the lowest level accessible to a fire department vehicle shall comply with the following:

1. When the work area is one entire floor or more or when the work area is 20 percent or more of the occupied floor area served by a recirculating air system, the recirculating air system which serves the work area shall be equipped with approved smoke and heat detection devices installed in accordance with the UCC. The devices shall stop the fan(s) automatically and shall be of the manual reset type. Automatic fan shutdown is not required when the system is part of an approved smoke removal or smoke control system. (Building)

2. When the work area is one entire floor or more or when the work area is 20 percent or more of the occupied floor area of the building, all elevators in the building shall be equipped with the following emergency control devices:

i. All automatic (nondesignated attendant) elevators having a travel distance of 25 feet or more above or below the designated level shall be equipped with Phase 1 Emergency Recall Operation as required by ASME A17.1-1987, Rules 211.3a and 211.3b listed in N.J.A.C. 5:70-3;

ii. At least one elevator shall be equipped with Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation, as required by ASME A17.1-1987, Rule 211.3c;

(1) In buildings with multiple elevators, at least one elevator to each floor served by an elevator shall be equipped with Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation; and

iii. All designated attendant elevators having a travel distance of 25 feet or more above or below the designated level shall be equipped with emergency controls, as required by ASME A17.1-1987, Rule 211.4. (Elevator)

3. When the work area is one entire floor or more or when the work area is 20 percent or more of the occupied floor area of the building, standpipes shall be provided up to and including the highest floor that is part of the work area. The standpipes shall be located and installed in accordance with the building subcode, except as follows:

i. No pump shall be required provided that the standpipes are capable of accepting delivery by the fire department apparatus of a minimum of 250 gpm at 65 psi to the topmost floor in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system at a minimum of 500 gpm at 65 psi to the topmost floor in all other buildings. (Where the standpipe terminates below the topmost floor, the standpipe shall be designed to meet these requirements (gpm/psi) for possible future extension of standpipe.)

ii. Hose and hose cabinets shall not be required. (Fire)

(f) Elevator Devices: When the work area exceeds 50 percent of the gross enclosed floor area of the building, all elevator devices serving any part of the work area shall comply with the requirements of 5:23-6.30(g). (Elevator)

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-6.18A

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 1020(a), effective 5/1/2017