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July 2016 www.SecurityInfoWatch.com / Security Dealer & Integrator 59 Q The state fire marshal told us we need to have smoke detectors within five feet of hallway doors dividing two smoke compartments in a newly constructed nursing home in order to allow the hallway doors to swing shut when smoke is detected. We already have the hallways covered with spot-type detectors since serve several patient rooms also open to these hallways. Where are the rules for this situation? e International Building Code and LSC require the hallways which patients and staff use to exit the build- ing to be protected with smoke detec- tors. ese code rules are specific — indicating which areas are allowed to be "open to the hallway" and omits rooms and spaces closed off from the hallway with doors. For example, if the hallway happens to have alcoves or spaces used for a nurse's station, a small visitor waiting area, or even a niche used for cart storage, then it only makes sense that these areas are to be protected with smoke detectors since they are part of the exit hallway. is hallway smoke detector rule is found in the building and fire code's Fire Alarm and Detection section for occupancy type I-2. As an alternate, the two exceptions that follow the hall- way rule allow a nurse call system to be installed as a substitute — which includes a hallway-side light located at each patient room, which illuminates and also annunciates at the nurses' station via the fire alarm system as a supervisory alarm. e remaining exception allows a combination hydraulic door holder with a built-in smoke detector to be used on the patient room doors. e least expensive and easiest method toward compliance would be to install the hallway smokes. You will also find that when this method is chosen, you are able to omit installing additional, dedicated, smoke detec- tors to release the hallway smoke doors when the hallway smoke detectors alarm and also perform the hall smoke door release function. Just to be fair, the same hydraulic door closer/smoke detector unit allowed for the patient rooms may also be used in place of any smoke detectors dedicated to releasing hallway smoke doors. ■ » Greg Kessinger is SD&I;'s fire alarm and codes expert and a regular contributor. Email him your fire & life safety questions at greg@firealarm.org. SEPT 13-17 DALLAS EARLY BIRD SAVINGS END JULY 22 CEDIA.NET/SHOW Request information: www.SecurityInfoWatch.com/10483539