Sprinkler System Requirements EK Life Safety Consulting, LLC

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1 Sprinkler System Requirements 1

2 Introduction 2

3 Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities Introduction and Application (f)(2) Sprinkler systems. When installed or required, sprinkler systems must be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25. The facility must have a written contract with a fire protection sprinkler firm, that has been issued a Sprinkler Certificate of Registration number (SCR) from the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, to perform the required services semiannually. The facility must have documentation available to show that all the requirements of NFPA 25 have been met including the annual inspection, test, and maintenance by the registered fire sprinkler firm. The facility should retain one set of the fire sprinkler system plans and hydraulic calculations on the property. (A) Small Type A facilities housing 16 or fewer residents may have a system that meets NFPA 13D requirements. Small Type B facilities housing 16 or fewer residents must be protected by a sprinkler system in compliance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13D, with additional requirements for coverage in all habitable areas and closets as specified by NFPA 101, Chapter 21. 3

4 AL Standards Review of previous slide points: Ø Sprinkler systems must be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25. Ø The facility must have a written contract with a fire protection sprinkler firm, that has been issued a Sprinkler Certificate of Registration number (SCR) from the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, to perform the required services semiannually. Ø The facility must have documentation available to show that all the requirements of NFPA 25 have been met including the annual inspection, test, and maintenance by the registered fire sprinkler firm. Ø The facility should retain one set of the fire sprinkler system plans and hydraulic calculations on the property. Ø Small Type A facilities may have a system that meets NFPA 13D requirements. Ø Small Type B facilities must be protected by a sprinkler system in compliance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13D, with additional requirements for coverage in all habitable areas and closets as specified by NFPA 101, Chapter 21. 4

5 NFPA General. This chapter provides the minimum requirements for the routine inspection, testing, and maintenance of sprinkler systems. Table 2-1 shall be used to determine the minimum required frequencies for inspection, testing, and maintenance. NFPA 25 5

6 Purpose Table 2-1 Summary of Sprinkler System Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Item Activity Frequency Reference Gauges (dry, preaction deluge systems) Inspection Weekly/monthly Control valves Inspection Weekly/monthly Table 9-1 Alarm devices Inspection Quarterly Gauges (wet pipe systems) Inspection Monthly Hydraulic nameplate Inspection Quarterly Buildings Inspection Annually (prior to freezing weather) Hanger/seismic bracing Inspection Annually Pipe and fittings Inspection Annually Sprinklers Inspection Annually Spare sprinklers Inspection Annually Fire department connections Inspection Table 9-1 Valves (all types) Inspection Table 9-1 Alarm devices Test Quarterly Main drain Test Quarterly Table 9-1 Antifreeze solution Test Annually Gauges Test 5 years Sprinklers extra-high temp. Test 5 years Exception No. 3 Sprinklers fast response Test At 20 years and every 10 years thereafter Exception No. 2 Sprinklers Test At 50 years and every 10 years thereafter Valves (all types) Maintenance Annually or as needed Table 9-1 Obstruction investigation Maintenance 5 years or as needed Chapter 10 NFPA 25 6

7 NFPA Inspection Sprinklers * Sprinklers shall be inspected from the floor level annually. Sprinklers shall be free of corrosion, foreign materials, paint, and physical damage and shall be installed in the proper orientation (e.g., upright, pendant, or sidewall). Any sprinkler shall be replaced that is painted, corroded, damaged, loaded, or in the improper orientation * Unacceptable obstructions to spray patterns shall be corrected. A Obstructions to spray patterns include horizontal obstructions near the ceiling, vertical obstructions, suspended or floor-mounted obstructions, and clearances between sprinklers and storage below. The clearance requirement between sprinkler deflectors and the top of storage is typically 18 in. (457 mm). Specific guidance for clearance and obstructions is found in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems; NFPA 231, Standard for General Storage; NFPA 231C, Standard for Rack Storage of Materials, and other standards and specific sprinkler listings. NFPA 25 7

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9 What s Wrong With This Picture? Authorities and Requirements 9

10 NFPA * Hydraulic Nameplate. The hydraulic nameplate, if provided, shall be inspected quarterly to verify that it is attached securely to the sprinkler riser and is legible. NFPA 25 10

11 NFPA * Gauges. Gauges shall be replaced every 5 years or tested every 5 years by comparison with a calibrated gauge. Gauges not accurate to within 3 percent of the full scale shall be recalibrated or replaced. NFPA 25 11

12 Waterflow Alarm v v 2-3.3* Alarm Devices. Waterflow alarm devices including, but not limited to, mechanical water motor gongs, vane-type waterflow devices, and pressure switches that provide audible or visual signals shall be tested quarterly. NFPA 25 12

13 Definitions 13

14 Definitions v Concealed Sprinkler A recessed sprinkler with cover plates. v Pendent Sprinkler A sprinkler designed to be installed in such a way that the water stream is directed downward against the deflector. NFPA 13,

15 Definitions v Sidewall Sprinkler. A sprinkler having special deflectors that are designed to discharge most of the water away from the nearby wall in a pattern resembling one-quarter of a sphere, with a small portion of the discharge directed at the wall behind the sprinkler. v Clearance. The distance from the top of storage to the ceiling sprinkler deflectors. NFPA 13,

16 Definitions v Listed. Listed.* Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.. whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose. NFPA 13,

17 Sprinkler System Requirements 17

18 Spare Sprinklers v Stock of Spare Sprinklers. v A supply of spare sprinklers (never fewer than six) shall be maintained on the premises so that any sprinklers that have operated or been damaged in any way can be promptly replaced. These sprinklers shall correspond to the types and temperature ratings of the sprinklers in the property. The sprinklers shall be kept in a cabinet located where the temperature to which they are subjected will at no time exceed 100 F (38 C) A special sprinkler wrench shall also be provided and kept in the cabinet to be used in the removal and installation of sprinklers. NFPA 13 18

19 Test Valves v 3-8.3* Identification of Valves. v All control, drain, and test connection valves shall be provided with permanently marked weatherproof metal or rigid plastic identification signs. The sign shall be secured with corrosion-resistant wire, chain, or other approved means. NFPA 13 19

20 CPVC 3-3 Aboveground Pipe and Tube. v 3-3.5* v Other types of pipe or tube investigated for suitability in automatic sprinkler installations and listed for this service, including but not limited to polybutylene, CPVC, and steel, differing from that provided in Table shall be permitted where installed in accordance with their listing limitations, including installation instructions. NFPA 13 20

21 CPVC v HARVEL CPVC Fire Sprinkler Products are suitable for use in areas where ambient temperatures are within the range of 35 F to 150 F. HARVEL CPVC Fire Sprinkler pipe can be installed in an area, such as an attic, where the temperature will exceed 150 F if ventilation is provided or if insulation is used around the pipe to maintain a cooler environment. If the installation is in an area subject to freezing temperatures, the sprinkler system must be protected from freezing. A frozen system will not only be deactivated, but the pressures built up can cause the sprinkler heads to open or damage the pipes. CPVC Fire Sprinkler Piping Products Installation Instructions 21

22 Waterflow Alarms v 3-10 Waterflow Alarms. v v Waterflow alarm apparatus shall be listed for the service and so constructed and installed that any flow of water from a sprinkler system equal to or greater than that from a single automatic sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed on the system will result in an audible alarm on the premises within 5 minutes after such flow begins and until such flow stops. NFPA 13 22

23 Basic Requirements v 5-1* Basic Requirements. v 5-1.1* v The requirements for spacing, location, and position of sprinklers shall be based on the following principles: v (1) Sprinklers installed throughout the premises v (2) Sprinklers located so as not to exceed maximum protection area per sprinkler v (3) Sprinklers positioned and located so as to provide satisfactory performance with respect to activation time and distribution v 5-1.2* v System valves and gauges shall be accessible for operation, inspection, tests, and maintenance. NFPA 13 23

24 Basic Requirements v Deflector Orientation. v Deflectors of sprinklers shall be aligned parallel to ceilings, roofs, or the incline of stairs. NFPA 13 24

25 Sprinkler Obstructions v 5-5.6* Clearance to Storage. v The clearance between the deflector and the top of storage shall be 18 in. or greater. NFPA 13 25

26 Distance from Walls v Minimum Distance from Walls. v Sprinklers shall be located a minimum of 4 in. from a wall. NFPA 13 26

27 Sprinkler Obstruction Sprinklers shall be arranged to comply with Table Table Positioning of Sprinklers to Avoid Obstructions to Discharge Distance from Sprinklers to Maximum Allowable Distance Side of Obstruction (A) of Deflector above Bottom of Obstruction (in.) (B) Less than 1 ft 0 1 ft to less than 1 ft 6 in. 21/2 1 ft 6 in. to less than 2 ft 31/2 2 ft to less than 2 ft 6 in. 51/2 2 ft 6 in. to less than 3 ft 71/2 3 ft to less than 3 ft 6 in. 91/2 3 ft 6 in. to less than 4 ft 12 4 ft to less than 4 ft 6 in ft 6 in. to less than 5 ft 161/2 5 ft and greater 18 NFPA 13 27

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30 Requirements v Sprinklers shall be installed under exterior roofs or canopies exceeding 4 ft in width. v Exception: Sprinklers are permitted to be omitted where the canopy or roof is of noncombustible or limited combustible construction. v 8-1* Working Plans. v 8-1.1* v Working plans shall be submitted for approval to the authority having jurisdiction before any equipment is installed or remodeled. Deviation from approved plans shall require permission of the authority having jurisdiction. NFPA 13 30

31 Water Supplies v 9-1 General. v Number of Supplies. v Every automatic sprinkler system shall have at least one automatic water supply. v Capacity. v Water supplies shall be capable of providing the required flow and pressure for the required duration as specified in Chapter 7. v Size of Fire Mains. v No pipe smaller than 6 in. (152.4 mm) in diameter shall be installed as a private service main. NFPA 13 31

32 Approval of Sprinkler Systems v 10-1 Approval of Sprinkler Systems. v The installing contractor shall do the following: v (1) Notify the authority having jurisdiction and owner s representative of the time and date testing will be performed v (2) Perform all required acceptance tests (see Section 10-2) v (3) Complete and sign the appropriate contractor s material and test certificate(s) v Hydrostatic Tests. v All piping and attached appurtenances subjected to system working pressure shall be hydrostatically tested at 200 psi (13.8 bar) and shall maintain that pressure without loss for 2 hours. Loss shall be determined by a drop in gauge pressure or visual leakage. The test pressure shall be read from a gauge located at the low elevation point of the system or portion being tested. NFPA 13 32

33 DADS Documentation Requirements General Requirements v (f)(2) Sprinkler systems. When installed or required, sprinkler systems must be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25. The facility must have a written contract with a fire protection sprinkler firm, that has been issued a Sprinkler Certificate of Registration number (SCR) from the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, to perform the required services semiannually. The facility must have documentation available to show that all the requirements of NFPA 25 have been met including the annual inspection, test, and maintenance by the registered fire sprinkler firm. The facility should retain one set of the fire sprinkler system plans and hydraulic calculations on the property. 33

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