Public Safety

Fire Marshal

Rule R710-4: Buildings Under the Jurisdiction of the State Fire Prevention Board

Effective Date: 06/26/2025

Admin. Code Reference: R710-4

Rule Type: Current Rule

R710. Public Safety, Fire Marshal.

R710-4. Buildings Under the Jurisdiction of the State Fire Prevention Board.

R710-4-1. Purpose.

This rule establishes minimum standards for the prevention of fire and for the protection of life and property against fire in any publicly owned building.

R710-4-2. Authority.

This rule is authorized by Section 53-7- 204.

R710-4-3. Adoption.

The following chapters from NFPA, Standard 101, Life Safety Code, 2021 edition, are the only chapters incorporated by reference in this rule: Chapter 18 - New Health Care Occupancies; Chapter 19 - Existing Health Care Occupancies; Chapter 20 - New Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies; Chapter 21 - Existing Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies; Chapter 22 - New Detention and Correctional Occupancies; Chapter 23 - Existing Detention and Correctional Occupancies; and other sections referenced within and pertaining to these chapters only. Wherever there is a section, figure or table in NFPA 101 that references "NFPA 5000 - Building Construction and Safety Code", that reference shall be replaced with the similar reference in the state adopted building code.

R710-4-4. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 53-7-102.

(2) In addition:

(a) "authority having jurisdiction" or "AHJ" means the State Fire Marshal, deputies authorized by the State Fire Marshal, or the local fire enforcement authority;

(b) "IMC" means the International Mechanical Code, incorporated by reference under Section 15A-2-103;

(d) "NFPA Standard 72" means the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Signaling Code, 2019 edition, incorporated by reference in this rule, and amended by Section 15A-5-302.

R710-4-5. Amendments and Additions.

(1) Water Supply Analysis:

(a) an architect or engineer shall provide a water supply analysis for proposed construction in both sprinklered and nonsprinklered buildings;

(b) the architect or engineer shall provide the water supply analysis during the preliminary design phase of the proposed construction;

(c) an AHJ may not approve the plan review without the water supply analysis being provided or receipt of a previously submitted and approved water supply analysis within the last 12 months; and

(d) the water analysis shall be representative of the supply that may be available at the time of a fire.

(2) Fire Alarm Systems:

(a) each state-owned building, college and university building, school with an occupant load of 50 or more, and I and R-4 occupancy shall have an approved fire alarm system with the following features:

(i) where structures are not protected or are partially protected with an automatic fire sprinkler system, approved automatic detectors shall be installed in accordance with the complete coverage requirements of NFPA, Standard 72; and

(ii) in public and private elementary and secondary schools, manual fire alarm boxes shall be provided in the boiler room, kitchen, and main administrative office of each building, and any other areas as determined by the division.

(3) Main Panel:

(a) an approved key plan drawing and operating instructions shall be posted at the main fire alarm panel which displays the location of all alarm zones and if applicable, device addresses;

(b) the main panel shall be located in a normally attended area such as the main office or lobby; and

(i) shall require the review and authorization of the division;

(ii) an electronically supervised remote annunciator from the main panel shall be located in a supervised area of the building;

(iii) the remote annunciator shall visually indicate system power status, alarms for each zone, and give both a visual and audible indication of trouble conditions in the system; and

(iv) all indicators on both the main panel and remote annunciator shall be adequately labeled.

(4) System Wiring Class:

(a) fire alarm system wiring shall be designated and installed as follows:

(i) the initiating device circuits shall be designated and installed Class A as defined in NFPA, Standard 72;

(ii) the notification appliance circuits shall be designated and installed Class A as defined in NFPA, Standard 72; and

(iii) signaling line circuits shall be designated and installed Class A loop as defined in NFPA, Standard 72.

(5) Fan Shut Down:

(a) fan shut down shall be as required in the IMC; and

(b) duct detectors required by the IMC, shall be interconnected, and compatible with the fire alarm system.

(6) Time Out and Seclusion Rooms:

(a) time out and seclusion rooms are allowed in occupancies protected by an automatic fire alarm system;

(b) a vision panel shall be provided in the room door for observation purposes;

(c) time out and seclusion room doors may not be fitted with a lock unless it is a self-releasing latch that releases automatically if not physically held in the locked position by an individual on the outside of the door; and

(d) time out and seclusion rooms shall be located where a responsible adult can maintain visual monitoring of the person and room.

R710-4-6. Conflicts.

In the event where separate requirements pertain to the same situation in the same code, or between different codes as adopted, the more restrictive requirement shall govern, as determined by the AHJ, or the AHJ's designated authorized representative.

R710-4-7. Adjudicative Proceedings.

(1) Adjudicative proceedings performed by the division or board are designated as informal adjudicative proceedings under Section 63G-4-202.

(2) A person may request a hearing on a decision made by the AHJ, by filing an appeal to the board within 20 days after receiving final decision from the AHJ.

(3) Adjudicative proceedings performed by the division or board to enforce the Utah Fire Prevention and Safety Act, and this rule, shall commence in accordance with Section 63G-4-201.

(4) The board shall act as the hearing authority and convene as an appeals board after timely notice to each party involved.

(5) The board shall issue a signed order to the parties involved pursuant to Section 63G-4-203.

(6) Reconsideration of the board's decision may be requested in writing within 20 days of the date of the decision pursuant to Section 63G-4-302.

(7) Judicial review of any final board action resulting from an informal adjudicative proceeding is available pursuant to Section 63G-4-402.

KEY: fire prevention, public buildings

Date of Last Change: June 26, 2025

Notice of Continuation: April 19, 2022

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53-7-204