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Home My WebLink AboutOrdinance 6927 (2)113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Ordinance: 6927 File Number: 2025-1990 AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE LOW FREQUENCY FIRE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES TO BE INSTALLED IN EACH SLEEPING UNIT OF GROUP R-1 AND R-2 OCCUPANCIES BY AMENDING § 173.02 (C) AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS TO THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE WHEREAS, the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 72 require low frequency notification appliances to produce 75 dB at the pillow level in all sleeping units; and WHEREAS, while some contractors attempt to install only one notification device per housing unit, testing by the Fayetteville Fire Marshal's Office has shown that this approach often fails to achieve the required sound level once doors, furnishings, and finishes are in place; and WHEREAS, the Fire Marshal's Office has been requiring notification devices in each sleeping unit, which includes bedrooms, to ensure compliance; and WHEREAS, establishing this requirement by ordinance will formalize the practice, eliminate inconsistencies, and reduce project delays. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 173.02 (C) Amendments, Additions, and Deletions to the Fire Prevention Code by adding section 3 as follows: "(3) 907.2.8.4 Occupant notification for R-1 Occupancies which include hotels, motels and boarding houses with more than 10 occupants. Notification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in accordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm system is required by other sections of this code and shall activate throughout the notification zones upon waterflow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms." Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 173.02 (C) Amendments, Additions, and Deletions to the Fire Prevention Code by adding section 4 as follows: "(4) 907.2.9.4 Occupant notification for R-2 Occupancies which include apartments, college housing (fraternities and sororities) and dormitories. Notification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in accordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm system is required by other sections of this code and shall activate throughout the notification zones upon waterflow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms." Page 1 Ordinance: 6927 File Number: 2025-1990 PASSED and APPROVED on November 4, 2025 Approved: Molly Rawn, Mayor Attest: Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer — m= =v: FAYETTEVILLE•70= //111111\\ This publication was paid for by the City Clerk -Treasurer of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Amount Paid: $193.04 Page 2 CITY OF JWM FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2025 TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council CITY COUNCIL MEMO THRU: Brad Hardin, Fire Chief FROM: Granville Wynn, Financial Analyst - Fire SUBJECT: Approval of an Ordinance for low frequency fire alarm notifications RECOMMENDATION: 2025-1990 Staff recommends adoption of the proposed ordinance requiring low frequency (520 Hz) fire alarm notification appliances to be installed in each sleeping unit of Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies where a fire alarm, sprinkler, or automatic notification system is mandated. BACKGROUND: The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 72 require low frequency notification appliances to produce 75 dB at the pillow level in all sleeping units. While some contractors attempt to install only one notification device per unit, testing by the Fayetteville Fire Marshal's Office has shown that this approach often fails to achieve the required sound level once doors, furnishings, and finishes are in place. The Fire Marshal's Office has been requiring notification devices in each sleeping unit to ensure compliance. Establishing this requirement by ordinance will formalize the practice, eliminate inconsistencies, and reduce project delays. DISCUSSION: This ordinance does not create new requirements, rather, it clarifies that notification appliances must be installed in each sleeping unit of Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies, consistent with NFPA 72 performance standards. The requirement will apply to new construction, occupancy changes to R-1 or R-2 where fire alarm or sprinkler systems are required, and to alterations or remodels that trigger code updates under the IBC or IEBC. The ordinance will add Sections 907.2.8.4 and 907.2.9.4 to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code as adopted by the City, requiring occupant notification devices in all sleeping units. This will ensure reliable life safety, consistent enforcement, and improved compliance without imposing undue burden on projects. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: There is no budget impact related to this ordinance. ATTACHMENTS: 3. Staff Review Form, 4. Proposed Ordinance Language Document Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Legislation Text File #: 2025-1990 AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE LOW FREQUENCY FIRE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES TO BE INSTALLED IN EACH SLEEPING UNIT OF GROUP R-1 AND R-2 OCCUPANCIES BY AMENDING § 173.02 (C) AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS TO THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE WHEREAS, the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 72 require low frequency notification appliances to produce 75 dB at the pillow level in all sleeping units; and WHEREAS, while some contractors attempt to install only one notification device per housing unit, testing by the Fayetteville Fire Marshal's Office has shown that this approach often fails to achieve the required sound level once doors, furnishings, and finishes are in place; and WHEREAS, the Fire Marshal's Office has been requiring notification devices in each sleeping unit, which includes bedrooms, to ensure compliance; and WHEREAS, establishing this requirement by ordinance will formalize the practice, eliminate inconsistencies, and reduce project delays. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 173.02 (C) Amendments, Additions, and Deletions to the Fire Prevention Code by adding section 3 as follows: "(3) 907.2.8.4 Occupant notification for R-1 Occupancies which include hotels, motels and boarding houses with more than 10 occupants. Notification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in accordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm system is required by other sections of this code and shall activate throughout the notification zones upon waterflow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms." Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby amends § 173.02 (C) Amendments, Additions, and Deletions to the Fire Prevention Code by adding section 4 as follows: "(4) 907.2.9.4 Occupant notification for R-2 Occupancies which include apartments, college housing (fraternities and sororities) and dormitories. Notification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in accordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm system is required by other sections of this code and shall activate throughout the notification zones upon waterflow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms." Page 1 Brad Hardin Submitted By City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2025-1990 Item ID 10/21/2025 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non -Agenda Item 9/29/2025 FIRE (300) Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: Staff recommends adoption of the proposed ordinance requiring low frequency (520 Hz) fire alarm notification appliances to be installed in each sleeping unit of Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies where a fire alarm, sprinkler, or automatic notification system is mandated. Budget Impact: N/A N/A Account Number Fund Project Number Budgeted Item? No Does item have a direct cost? No Is a Budget Adjustment attached? No Purchase Order Number: Change Order Number: Original Contract Number: Comments: Project Title Total Amended Budget $ - Expenses (Actual+Encum) $ - Available Budget Item Cost $ - Budget Adjustment $ - Remaining Budget V20221130 Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Approval Date: I o Q • III II III CITY OF FAY:rTTEWLLE ARKANSAS Proposed language for R1 Occupancies which include hotels, motels, and boarding houses with more than 10 occupants. 907.2.8.4 Occupant notification. Notification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in accordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm system is required by other sections of this code and shall activate throughout the notification zones upon waterflow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms. Proposed language for R2 Occupancies which include apartments, college housing (fraternities and sororities) and dormitories. 907.2.9.4 Occupant notification. Notification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in accordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm system is required by other sections of this code and shall activate throughout the notification zones upon waterflow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms. Office of the Fire Marshal 303 W. Center St. www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 Forth 0.55 Account #: NWCL5004205 Company: CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE-CLERKS OFFI 113 W MOUNTAIN FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72701 Ad number #: 553895 PO #: Matter of ORD 6927 AFFIDAVIT • STATE OFARKANSAS R iECEIVE 11/12/2025 ] D CFTY OF FAYETTEV LLE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE 1, Maria Hernandez -Lopez , do solemnly swear that I am the Legal Clerk of the NWA Democrat Gazette, a daily newspaper printed and published in WASHINGTONBENTON county, State of ARKANSAS; that I was so related to this publication at and during the publication of the annexed legal advertisement in the matter of ORD 6927 Pending in the court, in said County, and at the dates of the several publications of said advertisement stated below, and that during said periods and at said dates, said newspaper was printed and had a bona fide circulation in said County, that said newspaper had been regularly printed and published in said county, and had a bona fide circulation therein for the period of one month before the date of the first publication of said advertisement; and that said advertisement was published in the regular daily issues of said newspaper as stated below. And that there is due or has been paid the NWA Democrat Gazette for publication the sum of $193.04. (Includes $0.00 Affidavit Charge). NWA Democrat Gazette 11109125, NWA nwaonline.com 11109125 Lei ARNIM Legal ClerA State ofARKANSAS, County of Sebastian Subscribed and sworn to before me on this loth day of November, 2025 Ordinance: 6927 File Number: 2025-1990 AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE LOW FREQUENCY FIRE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES TO BE INSTALLED IN EACH SLEEP- ING UNIT OF GROUP R-1 AND R- 2 OCCUPANCIES BY AMENDING § 173.02 (C) AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS TO THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE WHEREAS, the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 72 require low frequency notifica- tion appliances to produce 75 dB at the pillow level in all sleeping units; and WHEREAS, while some con- tractors attempt to Install only one notification device per housing unit, testing by the Fayetteville Fire Marshal's Office has shown that this approach often fails to achieve the re- quired sound level once doors, furnishings, and finishes are in place; and WHEREAS, the Fire Marshal's Office has been requiring notifi- cation devices in each sleeping unit, which includes bedrooms, to ensure compliance-, and WHEREAS, establishing this requirement by ordinance will formalize the practice, eliminate inconsistencies, and reduce project delays. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT OR- DAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayet- teville, Arkansas hereby amends § 173.02 (C) Amendments, Ad- ditions, and Deletions to the Fire Prevention Code by adding sec- tion 3 as follows: "(3) 907.2.8.4 Occupant no- tification for R-1 Occupancies which include hotels, motels and boarding houses with more than 10 occupants. Notification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in ac- cordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm sys- tem is required by other sec- tions of this code and shall activate throughout the notifica- tion zones upon waterflow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms." Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayet- teville, Arkansas hereby amends § 173.02 (C) Amendments, Ad- ditions, and Deletions to the Fire Prevention Code by adding sec- tion 4 as follows: "(4) 907.2.9.4 Occupant no- tification for R-2 Occupancies which include apartments, col- lege housing (fraternities and sororities) and dormitories. No- tification devices are required in all sleeping units/bedrooms in accordance with 907.5 when a sprinkler and/or fire alarm sys- tem is required by other sec- tions of this code and shall activate throughout the notifica- tion zones upon watertlow switch or detector activation. Sleeping units shall include bedrooms." PASSED and APPROVED on November 4, 2025 Approved: Molly Hawn, Mayor Attest: Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer This publication was paid for by the City Clerk -Treasurer of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Amount Paid: $193.04 November 9, 2025 553895