Fire Alarm - Existing Building

[Shoe]

If an existing developer building has an obsolete or non-existent fire alarm system, would a tenant looking to occupy about 15,000 square feet of an upper floor be requried to install a fire alarm system in their suite, or is there some sort of grandfathering in place?

We are under the International Buidling Code.

 

[peter d]

That is 100% dependent on your local fire codes, if they exist. Some areas allow antiquated fire alarms to remain in place, while others do not. In my state, that system would have to be upgraded to modern codes.

 

[gadfly56]

As peter d says, check your local building code. Here in NJ, you might be able to keep it, or not install one depending on the extent of renovation. I think if the renovation on any floor is over 50% then the floor has to be brought up to current code but not the building as a whole. If total building floor area under renovation is over 50%, then the whole building has to be upgraded.

If you read closely the IBC, it's amazing what you don't have to put in, especially if the building is fully sprinklered. In most cases all you need is manual activation and full notification.