What is the required mounting height for wall-mounted fire alarm strobe lights for hearing impaired individuals above finished floor?

• A. 68 to 80 inches above finished floor
• B. 72 to 90 inches above finished floor
• C. 80 to 96 inches above finished floor
• D. 96 to 108 inches above finished floor

Answer: (C)

Visual signaling devices for hearing-impaired occupants are placed where they are clearly visible to most people in typical use of a space. For wall-mounted fire alarm strobes, the centerline is set at a height that provides good visibility for standing adults and those seated or in wheelchairs, while also staying high enough to clear furniture and doorframes. The standard range chosen is 80 to 96 inches above the finished floor, which translates to about 6 feet 8 inches to 8 feet. This height balance helps ensure the strobe is noticed quickly in an alarm situation and complies with typical NFPA 72/ADA guidance for visual notification appliances. Heights lower than this can be easily obstructed or not seen by someone seated, while heights much higher can reduce visibility. Therefore, the required mounting height is 80 to 96 inches above finished floor.