Interpretation #7191
Published June 01, 2013
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2010
- Code
- BUILDING
- Code Description
- Building
- Chapter
- 9
- Section
- 903.2.8
- Topic
- congregate living facilities
Question
Is it the intent of this section to require a fire sprinkler for a congregate living facilities with 16 or fewer persons or congregate living facilities (transient) with 10 or fewer occupants? According to section 310 these type of use will be considered under R3 occupancy and they will be exempt of a fire sprinkler system.
Answer Published 06/01/2013 at 10:58 AM
Yes. Section 903.2.8 requires fire sprinklers for all group R
occupancies and that includes R-3. R-3 is not exempt from the
fire sprinkler requirement of 903.2.8. The only exception
allows for Adult Care Facilities that are within a single
family dwelling. Those Adult Care Facilities can comply with
the Florida Building Code Residential and not require fire
sprinlkers. However, Congregate Living Facilities are not
Adult Care Facilities.
occupancies and that includes R-3. R-3 is not exempt from the
fire sprinkler requirement of 903.2.8. The only exception
allows for Adult Care Facilities that are within a single
family dwelling. Those Adult Care Facilities can comply with
the Florida Building Code Residential and not require fire
sprinlkers. However, Congregate Living Facilities are not
Adult Care Facilities.
Commentary
If this is an Assisted Living Facility, it would be an R-4 at
6-16 residents. At 5 or less residents it is an R-3 or must
comply with the Florida Building Code Residential.
Regardless, fire sprinklers would still be required under the
R-4 provisions pointing the user to 903.2.8.