Fire Service – BUILDING INFORMATION SIGNS

Is your facility using Building Information Signs for emergency responders?  This requirement from the International Fire Code (IFC) is rarely adopted by states, but this is a great thing, especially when coupled with a Knox-Box access.  Here is how the Fire Service – Building Information Signs are supposed to look and say…

J101.1 SCOPE

New buildings shall have a building information sign(s) that shall comply with Sections J101.1.1 through J101.7.

J101.1.1 Sign location

J101.1.2 Sign features

J101.1.3 Sign shape

J101.4 Fire protection systems (right wing)

J101.5 Occupancy type (bottom wing)

J101.6 Hazards of content (left wing)

J101.7 Tactical considerations (center circle)

Existing buildings shall be brought into conformance with Sections J101.1 through J101.9 when one of the following occurs:

1. The fire department conducts an annual inspection intended to verify compliance with this section, or any required inspection.
2. A change in use or occupancy has occurred.

Exceptions:

1. Group U occupancies.
2. One- and two-family dwellings.

J101.1.1 SIGN LOCATION

The building information sign shall be placed at one of the following locations:

1. On the entry door or sidelight at a minimum height of 42 inches (1067 mm) above the walking surface on the address side of the building or structure.
2. On the exterior surface of the building or structure on either side of the entry door, not more than 3 feet (76 mm) from the entrance door, at a minimum height of 42 inches (1067 mm) above the walking surface on the address side of the building or structure.
3. Conspicuously placed inside an enclosed entrance lobby, on any vertical surface within 10 feet (254 mm) of the entrance door at a minimum height of 42 inches (1067 mm) above the walking surface.
4. Inside the building’s fire command center.
5. On the exterior of the fire alarm control unit or on the wall immediately adjacent to the fire alarm control unit door where the alarm panel is located in the enclosed main lobby.

J101.1.2 SIGN FEATURES

The building information sign shall consist of all of the following:

1. White reflective background with red letters.
2. Durable material.
3. Numerals shall be Roman or Latin numerals, as required, or alphabet letters.
4. Permanently affixed to the building or structure in an approved manner.

J101.1.3 SIGN SHAPE

The building information sign shall be a Maltese cross as shown in Figure J101.1.3.

EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN

J101.1.4 SIGN SIZE AND LETTERING

The minimum size of the building information sign and lettering shall be in accordance with the following:

1. The width and height shall be 6 inches by 6 inches (152 mm by 152 mm).
2. The height or width of each Maltese cross wing area shall be 11/8 inches (29 mm) and have a stroke width of 1/2 inch (13 mm).
3. The center of the Maltese cross, a circle or oval, shall be 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter and have a stroke width of 1/2 inch (6 mm).
4. All Roman numerals and alphabetic designations, shall be 11/4 inch (32 mm) height and have a stroke width of 1/4 inch (6 mm).

J101.2 SIGN DESIGNATIONS

Designations shall be made based on the construction type, content, hazard, fire protection system s, life safety and occupancy. Where multiple designations occur within a classification category, the designation used shall be based on the greatest potential risk.

J101.3 CONSTRUCTION TYPE (TOP WING)

The construction types shall be designated by assigning the appropriate Roman numeral, and letter, placed inside the top wing of the Maltese cross. The hourly rating provided is for the structural framing in accordance with Table 601 of the International Building Code.

CONSTRUCTION TYPE                                FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING

IA—Noncombustible                                                      3 hours

IB—Noncombustible                                                      2 hours

IIA—Noncombustible                                                    1 hour

IIB—Noncombustible                                                    0 hours

IIIA—Noncombustible/combustible                 1 hour

IIIB—Noncombustible/combustible                 0 hours

IV—Heavy timber (HT)                                                   HT

VA—Combustible                                                              1 hour

J101.4 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS (RIGHT WING)

The fire protection system shall be designated by determining its level of protection and assigning the appropriate designation to the right wing of the Maltese cross. Where multiple systems are provided, all shall be listed:

AS           Automatic sprinkler system installed throughout

CES       Chemical extinguishing system and designated area

CS          Combination sprinkler and standpipe system

DS          Dry sprinkler system and designated areas

FA            Fire alarm system

FP           Fire pump

FW          Fire wall and designated areas

PAS        Pre-action sprinkler system and designated floor

PS           Partial automatic sprinkler system, and designated floor

S               Standpipe system

NS          No system installed

J101.5 OCCUPANCY TYPE (BOTTOM WING)

The occupancy of a building or structure shall be designated in accordance with the occupancy classification found in Section 302.1 of the International Building Code and the corresponding designation shall be placed in the bottom wing of the Maltese cross. Where a building or structure contains a mixture of uses and occupancies, all uses and occupancies shall be identified.

A              Assembly

B              Business

E               Educational

F               Factory or Industrial

H              High Hazard

I                Institutional

M             Mercantile

R              Residential

J101.6 HAZARDS OF CONTENT (LEFT WING)

The hazards of building contents shall be designated by one of the following classifications as defined in NFPA 13 and the appropriate designation shall be placed inside the left wing of the Maltese cross:

LH           Light hazard

MH         Moderate hazard

HH          High hazard

J101.7 TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS (CENTER CIRCLE)

The center circle shall include the name of the local fire service and, where required, the letters “TC” for “tactical considerations.” Where fire fighters conduct preplan operations, a unique situation(s) for tactical considerations shall be identified and the information provided to the fire dispatch communications center to further assist fire fighters in identifying that there is special consideration(s) for this occupancy. Special consideration designations include, but are not limited to:

1. Impact-resistant drywall.
2. Impact-resistant glazing, such as blast or hurricane-type glass.
3. All types of roof and floor structural members including but not limited to post-tension concrete, bar joists, solid wood joists, rafters, trusses, cold-formed galvanized steel, I-joists and I-beams; green roof with vegetation, soil and plants.
4. Hazardous materials (such as explosives , chemicals, plastics).
5. Solar panels and DC electrical energy.
6. HVAC system; and smoke management system for pressurization and exhaust methods.
7. Other unique characteristic(s) within the building that are ranked according to a potential risk to occupants and fire fighters.

J101.8 SIGN CLASSIFICATION MAINTENANCE, BUILDING INFORMATION

Sign maintenance shall comply with each of the following:

1. Fire departments in the jurisdiction shall define the designations to be placed within the sign.
2. Fire departments in the jurisdiction shall conduct annual inspections to verify compliance with this section of the code and shall notify the owner , or the owner’s agent, of any required updates to the sign in accordance with fire department designations and the owner , or the owner’s agent, shall comply within 30 days.
3. The owner of a building shall be responsible for the maintenance and updates to the sign in accordance with fire department designations.

J101.9 TRAINING

Jurisdictions shall train fire department personnel on Sections J101.1 through J101.8.