HomeMy WebLinkAbout407.014 - Exterior Audible and Visual Notification Appliances for Building Fire Alarm SystemsEffective Date: May 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/6/2025 Section 407.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/6/2028 Page 1 of 2
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 407.014 EXTERIOR AUDIBLE AND VISUAL NOTIFICATION
APPLIANCES FOR BUILDING FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or
Department) requirements related to the installation of exterior, audible and visual
notification appliances where a building fire alarm is installed.
These requirements should not be confused with those related to automatic fire
sprinkler system water flow alarm devices.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all building fire alarm systems within the City of Fresno (COF)
and contract service areas. These requirements apply to both required and voluntary
systems.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse
service delivery area, and after careful deliberation, the Department has determined
the following:
1. Where a building fire alarm is installed and there are exterior, public and
common use areas where the occupants are provided with seating, audible and
visible notification appliances must be extended to each exterior public and/or
common use area.
Exception:
Existing, previously approved building fire alarm systems (prior to 2016) do not
require exterior audible and visible alarm notification appliances to be retroactively
installed, except where the fire alarm system is upgraded or replaced, or a new fire
alarm system is installed.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
This section intentionally left blank.
Effective Date: May 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/6/2025 Section 407.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/6/2028 Page 2 of 2
PROCESS
This section intentionally left blank.
INFORMATION
As noted in the California Fire Code (CFC), the fire code official has the authority to
formulate policies they deem necessary based upon local conditions related to fire
alarm installations.
In the current edition of the CFC, public and common use areas are required to have
audible and visible notification appliances when a building fire alarm system is
installed. Public and common use areas include exterior locations, such as: decks,
rooftops, patios, sidewalks and other similar areas. These areas may also be used
for dining and similar activities subject to the City’s outdoor dining ordinance.
Exterior areas like the ones noted above may not possess traditional exit components
and the occupants located within them may be situated in such a way as to impair the
egress of other occupants from within the building. These exterior locations may also
be constructed of materials that are not of sufficient method, work, quality, strength,
effectiveness, durability, safety (other than fire safety), fire safety, etc. and traditional
fire extinguishing systems may not be extended to these locations.
Finally, code commentary is clear that the intent of the public and common use
requirements is to replicate the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act-
Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities.
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code
Currently adopted edition
Americans with Disabilities Act
Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, current revision