Two-Way Communication Code Requirements
What is a Two-Way Communication System?
A two-way communication system is a means of communication
between a constantly attended support staff and building occupants unable to
exit the building via the stairs due to injury or disability. In short,
two-way communication systems have two key components; a master station
(typically installed in the fire command center or other approved location) and
Call Boxes required to be provided at the landing of each elevator on each
accessible floor that is one or more stories above or below the level of exit
discharge. These areas provided with two-way communication
systems are known as Areas of Refuge. An area of
refuge is a location in a building designed to hold occupants during a fire or
other emergency, when evacuation may not be safe or possible. Occupants can
wait there until rescued or relieved by firefighters or first responders.
Just like it sounds, a two-way communication system allows stranded occupants
to talk back and forth with trained personnel at said attended location.
Note:
When you come across the term one-way voice communication system, this
is reference to a PA (public address) or fire alarm emergency voice/alarm
communication system. The term one-way means exactly that, the operator
of the microphone can only communicate out. There is no means for the
intended listeners to communication back.
What Codes and Standards are Two-Way
Communication Systems Noted in?
Two-Way Communication Systems are covered in a few different documents as
broken down below:
·
NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) Section 7.2.12 - 7.2.12.3.6
·
NFPA 72 2016 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) Sections 24.10.1 -
24.10.8, 24.13.4 and it's noteworthy to mention sections 10.6.9.1, 10.6.9.1.1,
and 10.6.7.2.1 for "Monitoring Integrity of Power Supplies"
24.3.13.9.1, 12.4.3, and 12.4.4 for cable and survivability requirements.
Lastly Table 14.3.1 #25 for testing requirements.
·
Important Note, NFPA 72 is NOT actually
a code.
·
International Building Code 2015 Sections 1009.6.5, 1009.8, 1009.8.1,
1009.8.2, 1009.9, 1009.10, 1009.11, and 403.5.3.1
·
IBC 2015 Section 3008 under "Occupant
Evacuation Elevators"
·
ICC A 117.1 This applies to the visual characters for Directions and
Signage
The International Building Code (IBC) now requires a two-way communication
system in all new construction regardless if they have a sprinkler system or
not. Also, significant remodels or change of use of a building may
require Areas of Refuge. See the code adoption map below to see if your
State is up to date!
Where to Start when Designing a Two-Way
Communication System for Areas of Refuge.
Remember, CODES tell
you when you have to install two-way communication systems and
STANDARDS tell you how to install them. This is
important as it makes it easy to navigate to the appropriate document when you
need information on either. Example, if you need to know what height the
call boxes are required to be mounted at, you are going to turn to the Standard
(NFPA 72). If you want to know what levels of a building require call
boxes, you are going to turn to the Code (NFPA 101 or IBC).
Two-Way Communication and the International
Building Code 2015
Areas of Refuge are required to be provided with an approved two-way
communication system complying with sections 1009.8.1 and 1009.8.2. These
two sections cover "system requirements" and "Directions".
As noted above in the introduction, two way communication system call boxes are
required to be provided at each elevator landing on each accessible floor that
is more than one stories above or below the level of exit discharge.
Of course there are exclusions to this code. See below:
1.
two-way communication systems are not required at the landing
serving each elevator where the two-way communication system is provided within
Areas of Refuge in accordance with Section 1009.6.5
2.
two-way communication systems are not required on floors provided
with ramps conforming to the provisions of Section 1012.
3.
two-way communication systems are not required at the landings
serving only service elevators that are not designated as part of the
accessible means of egress or serve as part of the required accessible route
into a facility.
4.
two-way communication systems are not required at the landing
serving only freight elevators.
5.
two-way communication systems are not required at the landing
serving a private residence elevator.
Two-Way Requirements
This
is a big one that always come up. Two-way communication systems are
required to communicate between the required call boxes and master station
installed in the fire command center or approved location. If the master
panel location is NOT constantly attended, the two-way communication system
shall have a timed automatic telephone dial-out capability. The master
station shall dial out to a monitoring location or 9-1-1, Also note the two-way
communication system shall have BOTH audible and visual signals.
Directions and Signage for Two-Way Communication
It is
a requirement to provide directions on how to operate the two-way communication
system. These directions shall be placed adjacent to the two-way
communication system and the signage shall comply with the ICC A 117.1
requirements for visual characters.
Signage
is obviously important for Areas of Refuge locations and shall be provided as
follows:
1. Each door providing access to an Area of Refuge an adjacent floor
area shall be identified by a sin stating: AREA OF REFUGE.
2.
Each door providing access to an exterior area for assisted rescue
shall be identified by a sign stating: EXTERIOR AREA FOR ASSISTED RESCUE.
3.
Signage shall comply with the ICC A 117.1 and include the
International Symbol of Accessibility. Where exit sign illumination is
required by Section 1013.3, the signs shall be illuminated. All doors
used for Areas of Refuge and Exterior Area for Assisted Rescue shall have
signage with visual characters, raised characters and braille complying with
ICC A 117.1.
Directional Signage
In
addition to the signage noted above, directional signage indicating the
location of all other means of egress and which of those are accessible means
of egress shall be provided at the following:
1.
Exits serving a required accessible space but not providing an
approved accessible means of egress
2.
Elevator landings
3.
at Areas of Refuge
Instructions
In
Exterior Areas for Assisted Rescue and Areas of Refuge, instructions on the use
of the area under emergency conditions shall be posted. Again all signage
shall comply with ICC A 117.1 and shall include the following:
1.
"Persons able to use the exit stairway do so as soon as
possible, unless they are assisting others."
2.
Information on planned availability of assistance in the use of
stairs or supervised operation of elevators and how to summon such assistance.
3.
Directions for the use of the two-way communication system where
provided. This goes along with the "Directions" noted above.
International Building Code "Stairway
Communication System"
If
the stairway doors are locked, not less than every fifth floor shall be
equipped with a telephone or two-way communication system connected to an approved
constantly attended station.
What does NFPA 101 Have to Say About Two-Way
Communication?
NFPA
101 (The Life Safety Code) basically covers the same requirements as found in
the 2015 International Building Code and noted above. In an effort to
shorten this article, the key sections to review or note out of the NFPA 101
are as follows:
·
7.2.12
·
7.2.12.1.1
·
7.2.12.2.5
·
7.2.12.2.6
·
7.2.12.3.5
·
7.2.12.3.5.1
·
7.2.12.3.5.2
·
7.2.12.3.6
Each
of these sections cover the same requirements of Section 1009 in the 2015 International
Building Code.
Mounting Heights for Two-Way Communication
System and Area of Refuge Equipment.
Master
Station = 60" to Center Above Finished Floor
Call
Box = Between 48" - 60" from Floor to Tactile Characters
Instruction
Signage = Between 48" - 60" from Floor to Tactile Characters
Tactile
Signage = 60" to Center Above Finished Floor
Illuminated
Sign = Between 60" - 80" Above Finished Floor
Let's Consult NFPA 72 to See How We Install
Two-Way Communication Systems.
Sections
24.10.1 through 24.10.8 briefly mention the same requirements found in the 2015
IFC and NFPA 101.
Supervision Requirements for Two-Way
Communication Systems
As
with anything related to life safety, all pathways between the remote Area of
Refuge call boxes and master station shall be monitored for integrity.
Power Supply - Monitoring for Integrity
Unless
otherwise permitted by or required by Section 10.6.9.1.3 and 10.6.9.1.6 all
primary and secondary power supplies shall be monitored for the presence of
voltage. Loss of primary or secondary power shall initiate a trouble
signal in accordance with Section 10.14.
Battery Backup for Two-Way Communication Systems
The
secondary power supply (a.k.a. battery backup) shall have the capacity to
operate the two-way communication system in a non-active condition for a
minimum of 24 hours. At the end of this period, the system shall be
capable of operating in active status for 5 minutes.
Cable Requirements for Two-Way Communication
Systems
NFPA
72 2016 Section 24.3.13.9.1 stated "Area of Refuge emergency
communication systems shall have a pathway survivability of level 2
or level 3." Level 1 is permitted when the building is less than
2-hour fire rated construction.
Below are the Requirements for Survivability Level 2 and Level 3
Survivability Level 2 shall consist of one or more of the following:
1.
2-hour fire rated circuit integrity (CI) or fire-resistive cable
2.
2-hour fire-rated cable system (electrical circuit protective
systems)
3.
2-hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area
4.
Performance alternatives approved by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction
Survivability Level 3 shall consist of pathways in the building that are fully
protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13 and one
or more of the following:
1.
2-hour fire rated circuit integrity (CI) or fire-resistive cable
2.
2-hour fire-rated cable system (electrical circuit protective
systems)
3.
2-hour fire-rated enclosure or protected area
4.
Performance alternatives approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction
Testing Frequency for Two-Way Communication for
Areas of Refuge
NFPA
72 2016 Table 14.3.1 #25
Shall
be tested at Initial Acceptance and annually thereafter. Method of
testing: "Verify location and condition"
In closing we now know that two-way communication systems are
required for areas of refuge and elevator landings on floors
that are accessible. These two-way communication systems are
required to be installed with a pathway survivability level 2 or level 3 and
the master station shall be installed in an area that is constantly attended.
Areas of refuge with two-way communication systems have been hot for some
time now so make sure to read up and become familiar with the codes and
standards for them. To know more on this contact SSA Integrate. SSA Integrate
is Authorized service solution partner of Edwards Life Safety Product.
