11-24-93

DJ 202-PL-315

                                           29 1993
Mr. Danny Ledford
Division Manager
Brown Sprinkler Corporation
4705 Pinewood Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40218

Dear Mr. Ledford:

     This is in response to  your letter requesting information on
alarm systems under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I
apologize for our delay in responding to you.

     The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide
technical assistance to individuals and entities that are subject
to the Act. This letter provides informal guidance to assist you
in understanding the ADA accessibility standards. However, this
technical assistance does not constitute a legal interpretation
of the application of the statute and it is not binding on the
Department.

     Section 4.1.3(14) of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design
(standards) states, in part, that, "If emergency warning systems
are provided, then they shall include both audible alarms and
visual alarms complying with 4.28 . . . . " Therefore, if the
local fire code officials do not require an alarm system in a
facility, the ADA does not require that one be installed.
However, whether or not local fire codes require installation of
a fire alarm, if a fire alarm is installed, it must comply with
the ADA Standards.

     We are enclosing for your reference the title III regulation
(including the Standards) and the Title III Technical Assistance
Manual. We hope this information is helpful to you.

                              Sincerely,



                              John L. Wodatch
                                   Chief
                            Public Access Section


Enclosures

CC: Records, Chrono, Wodatch, Blizard, Johansen, FOIA, Friedlander
n:\udd\mercado\plcrtltr\ledford.lkj

01-02754