Group R-1 Occupancies and Manual Fire Alarm Systems

The other day I had a client contact me in regards to a new group R-1 occupancy condominium complex they were building.  There are a total of 12 buildings each ranging anywhere from 3 to 8 units.  Currently they have a so called fire alarm company performing the work and this company is about to wrap up construction on the 6th building.  My client felt he was being taken to the bank so he brought me out to see what we could do to help.  He was basically asking us to provide a quote to finish the project (buildings 7 through 12).

When I arrived on site I found that buildings 1 through 6 were all two levels but yet this fire alarm company had installed a full manual fire alarm system in each building.  Unfortunately for my client, this is not required. 

Per the 2007 California Fire Code - Title 24 Part 9 section 907.2.8.1 A manual fire alarm system shall be installed in Group R-1 occupancies. 

Now if you read just below that there is an exception to this code and it reads:

Exceptions:

1. A manual fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height where all individual sleeping units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces are separated from each other and public or common areas by at least 1-hour fire partitions and each individual sleeping unit has an exit directly to a public way, exit court or yard. 
2. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required throughout the building when the following conditions are met:

• 2.1 The building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
• 2.2 The notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler waterflow; and
• 2.3 At least one manual fire alarm box is installed at and approved location.

Since this current fire alarm contractor (basically a security company that woke up one morning thinking they were going to try and install fire alarm systems) did not understand the code, they cost my client a lot of money.  On top of that, it just cost them the job as I am submitting my numbers to client today and am aticipating a start date of next week.

This is why I feel so strong about the NICET exam process and think it should be required by all AHJs (authority having jurisdiction).  If a barber needs a license to cut your hair, why is it that these lousy security companies can come out and install fire life safety systems without a clue.  Yeah they have a C-10 great, that has nothing to do with fire alarms.