Table 7.14 – Communication Features for Residential Dwelling Units
Current Guidelines:  
No requirement.

Final Revised Guidelines:  
809.5  Residential Dwelling Units with Communication Features.  Residential dwelling units required to have communication features shall comply with 809.5.

809.5.1  Building Fire Alarm System.  Where a building fire alarm system is provided, the system wiring shall be extended to a point within the residential dwelling unit in the vicinity of the residential dwelling unit smoke detection system.

809.5.1.1  Alarm Appliances.  Where visual alarm appliances are provided within a residential dwelling unit as part of the building fire alarm system, they shall comply with 702.  

[Note: Section 702 references the NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code (1999 or 2002 edition).] 

809.5.1.2  Activation.  All visual alarm appliances provided within the residential dwelling unit for building fire alarm notification shall be activated upon activation of the building fire alarm system in the portion of the building containing the residential dwelling unit.

809.5.2  Residential Dwelling Unit Smoke Detection System.  Residential dwelling unit smoke detection systems shall comply with NFPA 72 (1999 or 2002 edition) (incorporated by reference, see “Referenced Standards” in Chapter 1).

809.5.2.2  Activation.  All visible alarm appliances provided within the residential dwelling unit for smoke detection notification shall be activated upon smoke detection.

809.5.3  Interconnection.  The same visible alarm appliances shall be permitted to provide notification of residential dwelling unit smoke detection and building fire alarm activation.

809.5.4  Prohibited Use.  Visible alarm appliances used to indicate residential dwelling unit smoke detection or building fire alarm activation shall not be used for any other purpose within the residential dwelling unit.

809.5.5  Residential Dwelling Unit Primary Entrance.  Communication features shall be provided at the residential dwelling unit primary entrance complying with 809.5.5.
809.5.5.1  Notification.  A hard-wired electric doorbell shall be provided.  A button or switch shall be provided outside the residential dwelling unit primary entrance.  Activation of the button or switch shall initiate an audible tone and visible signal within the residential dwelling unit.  Where visible doorbell signals are located in sleeping areas, they shall have controls to deactivate the signal.

809.5.5.2  Identification.  A means for visually identifying a visitor without opening the residential dwelling unit entry door shall be provided and shall allow for a minimum 180 degree range of view.

809.5.6  Site, Building, or Floor Entrance.  Where a system, including a closed-circuit system, permitting voice communication between a visitor and the occupant of the residential dwelling unit is provided, the system shall comply with 708.4.

708.4  Residential Dwelling Unit Communication Systems.  Communications systems between a residential dwelling unit and a site, building, or floor entrance shall comply with 708.4.

708.4.1  Common Use or Public Use System Interface.  The common use or public use system interface shall include the capability of supporting voice and TTY communication with the residential dwelling unit interface.

708.4.2 Residential Dwelling Unit Interface.  The residential dwelling unit system interface shall include a telephone jack capable of supporting voice and TTY communication with the common use or public use system interface.

Model Codes & Standards
IBC 2000:  No scoping requirement for dwelling units with communication features.

IBC 2003:  No scoping requirement for dwelling units with communication features.

ICC/ANSI A117.1-1998:  Sections 1004.1 through 1004.7 have similar technical requirements for dwelling units with communication features.