403.1 Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to buildings with an occupied floor located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Exception: The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following buildings and structures:

1. Airport traffic control towers in accordance with Section 412.

2. Open parking garages in accordance with Section 406.3.

3. Buildings with an occupancy in Group A-5 in accordance with Section 303.1.

4. Low-hazard special industrial occupancies in accordance with Section 503.1.1.

5. Buildings with an occupancy in Group H-1, H-2 or H-3 in accordance with Section 415.

[F] 403.2 Automatic sprinkler system. Buildings and structures shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and a secondary water supply where required by Section 903.3.5.2.

Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in spaces or areas of:

1. Open parking garages in accordance with Section 406.3.

2. Telecommunications equipment buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers consisting of not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated walls and 2-hour fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling assemblies.

403.3 Reduction in fire-resistance rating. The fire-resistance-rating reductions listed in Sections 403.3.1 and 403.3.2 shall be allowed in buildings that have sprinkler control valves equipped with supervisory initiating devices and water-flow initiating devices for each floor.

403.3.1 Type of construction. The following reductions in the minimum construction type allowed in Table 601 shall be allowed as provided in Section 403.3:

1. For buildings not greater than 420 feet (128 m) in height, Type IA construction shall be allowed to be reduced to Type I B.

Exception: The required fire-resistance rating of columns supporting floors shall not be allowed to be reduced.

2. In other than Groups F-1, M and S-1, Type I B construction shall be allowed to be reduced to Type II A.

3. The height and area limitations of the reduced construction type shall be allowed to be the same as for the original construction type.

403.3.2 Shaft enclosures. For buildings not greater than 420 feet (128 m) in height, the required fire-resistance rating of the fire barriers enclosing vertical shafts, other than exit enclosures and elevator hoist way enclosures, shall be reduced to 1 hour where automatic sprinklers are installed within the shafts at the top and at alternate floor levels.

403.4 Emergency escape and rescue. Emergency escape and rescue openings required by Section 1026 are not required.

[F] 403.5 Automatic fire detection. Smoke detection shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.12.1.

[F] 403.6 Emergency voice/alarm communication systems. An emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.12.2.

[F] 403.7 Fire department communications system. A two-way fire department communications system shall be provided for fire department use in accordance with Section 907.2.12.3.

[F] 403.8 Fire command. A fire command center complying with Section 911 shall be provided in a location approved by the fire department.

403.9 Elevators. Elevator operation and installation shall be in accordance with Chapter 30.

[F] 403.10 Standby power. A standby power system complying with Section 2702 shall be provided for standby power loads specified in Section 403.10.2.

403.10.1 Special requirements for standby power systems. If the standby system is a generator set inside a building, the system shall be located in a separate room enclosed with 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 706 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. System supervision with manual start and transfer features shall be provided at the fire command center.

[F] 403.10.2 Standby power loads. The following are classified as standby power loads:

1. Power and lighting for the fire command center required by Section 403.8;

2. Electrically powered fire pumps; and

3. Ventilation and automatic fire detection equipment for smoke proof enclosures. Standby power shall be provided for elevators in accordance with Sections 1007.4 and 3003.

[F] 403.11 Emergency power systems. An emergency power system complying with Section 2702 shall be provided for emergency power loads specified in Section 403.11.1.

[F] 403.11.1 Emergency power loads. The following are classified as emergency power loads:

1. Exit signs and means of egress illumination required by Chapter 10;

2. Elevator car lighting;

3. Emergency voice/alarm communications systems;

4. Automatic fire detection systems; and

5. Fire alarm systems.

403.12 Stairway door operation. Stairway doors other than the exit discharge doors shall be permitted to be locked from stairway side. Stairway doors that are locked from the stairway side shall be capable of being unlocked simultaneously without unlatching upon a signal from the fire command center.

403.12.1 Stairway communications system. A telephone or other two-way communications system connected to an approved constantly attended station shall be provided at not less than every fifth floor in each required stairway where the doors to the stairway are locked.

403.13 Smoke proof exit enclosures. Every required stairway serving floors more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall comply with Sections 909.20 and 1020.1.7.

403.14 Seismic considerations. For seismic considerations, see Chapter 16.