Can I eliminate or limit the quantity of fire alarm pull stations in my school building?

With recent tragic events at public schools there has been a renewed interest in reviewing code requirements regarding fire alarm pull stations and the possibility of deleting them or limiting the number of them for security reasons and to keep false alarms and the potential of them being used for alternative motives.

At a recent Ohio Fire Code class conducted by the State of Ohio fire marshal the topic was brought up along with some other door locking devices as something to consider.

The Ohio Building Code does allow the elimination or reduction of certain pull stations under specific conditions for school buildings which are Use Group E. Those exceptions can be found in 2017 OBC 907.2.3 and are as follows:

#1 A manual fire alarm system is not required in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.

#3 manual fire alarm boxes are not required in Group E occupancies where all of the following apply:

• 3.1 Interior corridors are protected by smoke detectors
• 3.2 Auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums and similar areas are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
•  3.3 Shops and laboratories involving dusts or vapors are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.

#4 manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required in Group E occupancies where all of the following apply:

• 4.1 The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed  in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1
• 4.2 The emergency voice/alarm communication system will activate on sprinkler waterflow.
• 4.3 Manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.

Though pull station elimination/reduction is allowed by code, consideration of this should be weighed with the advantages and disadvantages.  JDRM Engineering and NICET Certified Fire Alarm Designers can help you weigh the pros and cons of these code requirements.