Illinois Accessibility Code Strobe Requirements

The Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC) is the state version of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It’s not just amendments to the ADA. For lack of a better term, it is the ADA for Illinois. The Illinois Capitol Development Board (CDB) issued a new version in late 2018 to be applied to contracts for planning after October 23, 1998. Any project contracted for planning prior to 10/23/98 that commenced construction prior to 10/23/19 is subject to the previous 1997 version of the IAC. Additionally, the IAC applies to all Illinois municipalities, regardless of home rule status and is not waivable by any party.

Basically, the CDB took the 2010 ADA and applied more stringent standards in various areas. One of the areas was in the fire alarm section 215. ADA Section 215.3 states: “Where employee work areas have audible alarm coverage, the wiring system shall be designed so that visible alarms complying with 702 can be integrated into the alarm system.” In other words, the physical capacity to add strobes has to be present in the work areas so you can easily add a visual should the need arise. Usually no additional wiring needs to be done since most fire alarm notification devices are 2 wire circuits that can accommodate horns, strobes and horn/strobes.

However, IAC 215.3 applies more stringent conditions for work area visual notification. It states: “Where employee work areas have audible alarm coverage, visible alarms complying with 702 shall be provided.” Now visual coverage must be provided proactively in all employee work areas, since audibility of the fire alarm signal is required in all occupiable spaces. This is a big deal in terms of scope of work. Now strobes must be added in work area spaces such as offices, walk-in coolers and occupiable storage rooms.

The requirement wasn’t generally known for almost 2 years, but code consultants that are contracted to perform plan reviews by municipalities began enforcing this in the back half of 2020. It’s a tough spot for fire alarm contractors because not all jurisdictions that do their own plan reviews are aware of this, so you can price yourself out of a job. Awareness is increasing among design professionals, so those jobs are starting to reflect the requirement. However, if the engineer designed fire alarm system notification is not designed to comply with IAC 215.3, count on a change order to add these devices. When quoting design-build projects, you may want to contact the local AHJ to ensure you’re quoting on a level playing field.

For almost 40 years, Affiliated Fire Systems has been on top of all current code requirements & has close relationships with many local reviewing authorities. That’s what you’re looking for in a life safety firm when occupancy timelines depend on the a code compliant fire alarm system. Contact us today to get a turn-key quote on your project.

Gene Rowe
NICET IV, Fire Alarm Systems
Affiliated Fire Systems, Inc.