--- title: What Types of Buildings Require Fire Alarms? description: Building codes require certain commercial structures to be equipped with fire alarms in the event of an emergency. image: https://blog.koorsen.com/hubfs/Blogs/Verticals/Construction/ThinkstockPhotos-503242442.jpg --- [![Koorsen Fire & Security](https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png?width=209&height=50&name=koorsen-logo.png "Koorsen Fire & Security")](https://www.koorsen.com/) [CONTACT US](https://www.koorsen.com/contact-us/) [BILL PAY](https://www.koorsen.com/koorsen-payments/) [1.866.311.7753](tel:8663117753) - [About Us](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/) - [History](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/history/) - [Case Studies](https://blog.koorsen.com/case-studies) - [Koorsen Companies](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/companies/) - [Koorsen Training Center](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/training-center/) - [Kasey Program](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/kasey-program/) - [Pay Bill](https://www.koorsen.com/koorsen-payments/) - [Products + Services](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/) - [Fire Protection](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/) - [Security](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/security/) - [Communications](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/) - [Mobile Equipment Solutions](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/mobile-equipment-solutions/) - [Additional Products + Services](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/#additional) - [Industries](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/) - [Healthcare](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/healthcare/) - [Industrial](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/industrial/) - [Education](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/education/) - [Restaurants](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/restaurants/) - [Property Management](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/property-management/) - [Hospitality](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/hospitality/) - [Retail](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/retail/) - [Construction](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/construction/) - [Locations](https://www.koorsen.com/locations/) - [News](https://blog.koorsen.com) - [Koorsen Blog](https://blog.koorsen.com) - [Koorsen In The News](https://www.koorsen.com/in-the-news/) - [Kasey the Dog Blog](https://blog.koorsen.com/kaseys-adventures) - [Careers](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/careers/) # What Types of Buildings Require Fire Alarms? Posted June 21, 2022 by [Koorsen Fire & Security](https://blog.koorsen.com/author/koorsen-fire-security) ![ThinkstockPhotos-503242442](https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Verticals/Construction/ThinkstockPhotos-503242442.jpg?width=1200&name=ThinkstockPhotos-503242442.jpg) Building codes require certain commercial structures to be equipped with [fire alarms](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-alarm-systems/) in the event of an emergency. Fire alarms are a critical part of a commercial building’s life safety systems. [![Fire Alarm System Questions? Click to Contact Us Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/b3a8ea3b-70d2-46e9-be6d-f07129820e82.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/b3a8ea3b-70d2-46e9-be6d-f07129820e82) ## NFPA 72/101 First, let’s look at code compliance as it concerns the National Fire Protection Association ([NFPA](http://www.nfpa.org/)) and a few of their main forms of guidance. These include: - NFPA regulation 72 delineates requirements in regard to the installation, performance, testing, inspection, and maintenance of any [fire alarm system](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-alarm-systems/) - NFPA 101®, the Life Safety Code®, and other codes determine whether a fire alarm system is required for any building So NFPA 101 provides general guidance on which buildings must have fire alarm systems, and [NFPA 72](https://blog.koorsen.com/overview-of-nfpa-72-national-fire-alarm-and-signaling-code) provides guidance on how to execute those requirements. ## Occupancies We must also understand the term “occupancy” because it will come up any time fire alarm regulations are consulted. In this application, it is simply meant to designate which part of any commercial structure is occupied by people and what classifies those occupancies into types. Here are some examples of [occupancy](https://blog.koorsen.com/understanding-commodity-and-occupancy-classifications-for-fire-sprinklers)types: - Educational occupancies - Assembly occupancies - Mercantile occupancies - Business occupancies - Industrial occupancies Occupant load is another term that simply states how many people, maximum, are permitted by law to be in a commercial building’s individual spaces. Oftentimes, these placards can be clearly seen on walls in restaurants, entertainment venues, and sporting facilities showing how many people the room can safely hold for fire safety concerns. ## Other Building and Fire Safety Codes International Building Code ([IBC](https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/2018-i-codes/ibc/)) section 907 makes it clear what building types require a fire alarm system, and it categorizes each into its own group. These include: - Group A (places of assembly) - Group B (offices and service providers) - Group E ([schools](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/education/)) - Group F (low-hazard industrial facilities) - Group H (high-hazard industrial facilities) - Group I ([healthcare](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/healthcare/), corrections, and daycare) - Group M ([retail](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/retail/)) - Group R ([hotels](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/hospitality/)) - Group S (storage) The IBC requires that “an approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures.” All these regulations align with IBC section 907. Groups A, B, and M merit the most focus. ### Group A Group A is classified as “places of assembly” with occupancies of 50 or more people. This includes: - Places of religious worship - Movie theaters - Concert halls - Restaurants and dining facilities These buildings require a fire alarm system if certain detailed conditions are met. ### Group B Group B is classified mostly as offices, and a fire alarm system is required if certain conditions are met. These businesses could include: - Electronic data processing - Laboratories (testing and research) - Print shops - Professional services This group includes architects, lawyers, dentists, and so on. ### Group M Retail stores, classified as group M, have similar requirements for fire alarm systems. These include: - Department stores - Gas stations - Retail or wholesale stores Since there are so many variables, it’s important to consult IBC 907 as well as NFPA 101 and 72 to get all of the details for your specific situation. [![Fire Alarm System Questions? Click to Contact Us Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/b3a8ea3b-70d2-46e9-be6d-f07129820e82.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/b3a8ea3b-70d2-46e9-be6d-f07129820e82)   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [Fire Protection](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-protection), [Fire Safety](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-safety), [Fire Alarm Systems](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-alarm-systems) ## Contact Us Now! *Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. It is believed to be reliable, but Koorsen Fire & Security assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this article. It does not constitute professional advice. The user of this article or the product(s) is responsible for verifying the information's accuracy from all available sources, including the product manufacturer. The authority having jurisdiction should be contacted for code interpretations.*  ### Related posts [Overview and FAQs of NFPA 101](https://blog.koorsen.com/overview-and-faqs-of-nfpa-101) [Overview of NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code](https://blog.koorsen.com/overview-of-nfpa-99-health-care-facilities-code) [Code Requirements for Commercial Fire Protection](https://blog.koorsen.com/code-requirements-for-commercial-fire-protection) [Design Considerations for Commercial Fire Protection](https://blog.koorsen.com/design-considerations-for-commercial-fire-protection) [Advances In Commercial Fire Protection Technology](https://blog.koorsen.com/advances-in-commercial-fire-protection-technology) [![Questions! 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