Royal Oak, MI Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- R-2 basement sprinklers
- Required, IFC § 903.2.8.5
- Tall/high-occupancy trigger
- 30+ occupants, 30 ft above access
- Exempt uses
- Open parking, Group F-2
- Extinguishers
- 1 per 4 dwelling units, R-1/R-2
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
The City of Royal Oak's Fire Code amendments require automatic sprinklers in every basement storage area of a Use Group R-2 (multi-family) building, and in any building with a floor holding 30 or more occupants located 30 feet or higher above Fire Department vehicle access, under Section 340-2 of the City Code.
903.2.8.5. Basements. ... All basement storage areas in buildings of Use Group R-2 shall be sprinklered at the direction of Fire Official. In the event that individual storage areas are not afforded or provided for, and storage occupies the open and common area of the basement, the entire basement shall be sprinklered. ... 903.2.11.3 Buildings more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) in height. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout a building that has a floor level which has an occupant load of 30 or more occupants and which is located 30 feet (9,144 mm) or more above the lowest level of Fire Department vehicle access.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 340, Fire Prevention, adopts the 2015 International Fire Code by reference in Section 340-1 and then amends it locally in Section 340-2. Two of those amendments drive sprinkler coverage. New Section 903.2.8.5 requires that 'all basement storage areas in buildings of Use Group R-2 shall be sprinklered at the direction of Fire Official,' and if individual storage areas are not separated out so that storage occupies the open common area of the basement, the entire basement must be sprinklered, not just the storage portion.
Separately, amended Section 903.2.11.3 requires a full automatic sprinkler system throughout any building with a floor level holding an occupant load of 30 or more that sits 30 feet or higher above the lowest level of Fire Department vehicle access, with only open parking structures and Group F-2 occupancies exempted. These amendments sit alongside other Chapter 340 fire-suppression rules: Section 903.3.5 bars reduced-pressure backflow assemblies on sprinkler water supplies without the Fire Official's permission, Section 903.4.2.1 requires an audible/visual alarm at every Fire Department sprinkler connection, and Section 906.3.1.1 requires at least one 2A-10BC fire extinguisher for every four dwelling units in R-1 and R-2 occupancies, tested annually by a certified company.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Chapter 340 sprinkler or fire-suppression amendment, including the R-2 basement and high-occupancy sprinkler mandates, is punishable under Section 340-6 by a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, at the court's discretion, in addition to any Fire Official order to correct the deficiency before an occupancy permit issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Royal Oak
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