SCF STANDARD - Fire Sprinkler - 2021Fire Sprinkler Standard
PURPOSE
This document provides fire sprinkler designers, installers, plan reviewers, inspectors, and
building owners with important information regarding the requirements for fire sprinkler systems
within South County Fire's (SCF) incorporated response area.
It is intended to provide consistency between all parties during plan design, submittal, review,
installation, inspecting and testing of new and existing fire sprinkler systems.
6:1916ID
The information contained within this document details the local amendments to the International
Fire and Building Codes, applicable NFPA codes, Washington Administrative Code and the
Revised Code of Washington. Whenever a requirement in this document conflicts with a
requirement from a published code, the requirement in this document shall prevail. Nothing in
this document shall prevent the fire code official from modifying these requirements as necessary,
based on circumstances, to provide an acceptable level of protection.
DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
1. Fire sprinkler submittals for new buildings, buildings undergoing a change of use, or
buildings undergoing major modifications shall include an NFPA Owner's Certificate
indicating the use of the building including the materials within the building and the
maximum height of any storage as per NFPA 13, section 4.3.
2. When a building is required to be equipped with a fire sprinkler system, the system shall
provide protection throughout the structure or as approved by the fire code official.
3. Hydraulically designed systems shall be calculated to provide a 10% safety margin in
addition to the required system demand of 20 psi residual pressure.
4. Hydraulic calculations shall include all underground piping from the point of connection to
the public water supply.
5. All drains (low point, auxiliary, test, main, etc.) shall be plumbed to the exterior of the
building.
SOUTH COUNTY FIRE
12425 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA 98208 (425) 551-1264 / Prevention@SouthSnoFire.org
SERVING THE CITIES OF • BRIER • EDMONDS • LYNNWOOD • MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
6. All valves (control, drain, etc.) shall be readily accessible and reachable without the use
of a ladder.
- Exception: valves in a pit or underground and or as approved by the fire code
official.
7. Floor control valves shall be located at the point of connection to the riser on each floor
and shall be provided with the following: Flow switch, check valve, main drain, pressure
relief valve, pressure gauge and tamper switch.
8. Flexible sprinkler piping shall not be used in pipe -schedule systems unless specifically
listed for such use.
9. The use of heat tape on fire sprinkler systems is allowed in accordance with NFPA 13 and
must be monitored by the fire alarm system as a trouble signal.
10. Sprinklers shall be provided in the elevator machine room, elevator pit and at the top of
the elevator shaft. These heads shall be supplied from a normally open supervised control
valve(s).
- Exception: Elevator protection is not required in 13D systems.
11. Any sprinkler component, device, piping, etc. that is no longer in service or not being used
shall be removed. This includes excessive branch line arm -over piping supplying a
sprinkler head.
12. Field changes in the sprinkler installation from the approved design/plan must be approved
by the sprinkler designer and accepted by the fire code official via a permit application
revision.
13. Exposed insulation located above sprinkler heads shall be supported by a minimum
24"x24" non-combustible wire mesh.
14. All plans and calculations shall be stamped with a valid Washington State certificate seal
identifying the appropriate level of competency.
15. Anti -freeze systems are prohibited.
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SPRINKLER RISER ROOMS
1. Sprinkler riser rooms for NFPA 13 and 13R systems shall be located on an outside wall at
grade or as approved by the fire code official.
2. The riser room shall contain all sprinkler control valves, backflow assembly (unless
prohibited by the water purveyor), fire pump, if provided, and the fire alarm control
panel(s). No other uses or utilities including storage shall be allowed in the riser room.
3. Riser rooms shall be of a size that will allow a minimum of 36" clearance along the front
of all riser(s) and equipment and a minimum of at least 18" on the three remaining sides
of all sprinkler risers, pumps and appurtenances
4. Major building remodels or square footage increases may elicit the need to construct an
exterior accessible riser room if not previously existing as approved by the fire code official.
5. An all-weather RED placard with 2" white lettering reading "FIRE SPRINKLER CONTROL
ROOM" shall be permanently affixed to the EXTERIOR of the riser room door at a height
of 72", or at a location approved by the fire code official.
6. An all-weather red placard with 2" white lettering reading "NO STORAGE" shall be
permanently affixed to the EXTERIOR of the riser room directly below the "FIRE
SPRINKLER CONTROL ROOM" sign.
7. An all-weather RED placard with 2" white lettering reading "NO STORAGE ALLOWED"
shall be permanently affixed to at least one INTERIOR wall of the riser room in a readily
visible location.
8. A Knox brand box shall be installed on the exterior of the riser room door and at the main
entrance to all buildings in accordance with SCF's Emergency Access Standard. The box
shall be installed at a height of 60-72". Boxes are available at www.knoxbox.com.
9. Riser rooms shall be provided with map(s) showing what areas of the building are covered
by the system(s). These map(s) shall indicate the building layout, location of all sprinkler
zones, standpipe outlets, control valves, water -flow alarm devices, and remote drains. All
maps shall be legible, easily understood, laminated and permanently attached to the wall
in the riser room.
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NFPA 13 AND 13R SYSTEMS
1. Existing sprinkler deficiencies including piping without adequate seismic bracing, hangers,
painted heads, inadequate sprinkler coverage, etc. shall be corrected whenever the
sprinkler system is modified. The area of these upgrades shall be throughout the area of
sprinkler modification.
2. Sprinkler protection for R1 and R2 shall be provided to all exterior balconies, decks,
exterior egress paths, and ground floor patios provided there is a roof or deck above.
Sidewall sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to be located
such that their deflectors are with 1 inch to 6 inches below the structural members and a
maximum distance of 14 inches below the deck of the exterior balconies and decks that
are constructed of open wood joist construction.
3. Sprinkler protection shall be extended to combustible attic(s) of R1 and R2 occupancies
greater than three floors in height.
4. All "M", "S" and "H" Occupancy (as defined by the IBC) canopies and overhangs that
exceed 4 feet in width shall be provided with fire sprinklers regardless of construction type.
NFPA 13D SYSTEMS
1. All systems shall include a main pressure gauge and a main drain plumbed to the exterior
for fire operations and maintenance purposes.
2. Sprinkler supply risers shall be connected to the domestic plumbing supply in such a
manner that prevents the sprinkler system from being shut off without turning off the main
domestic water supply.
2. For flow -through systems a sink or toilet shall be connected to the sprinkler system with
at least one domestic connection on each floor.
3. All fueled fired equipment (water heater, furnace, BBQ, exterior heaters, etc.) shall be
protected by a minimum of one (1) sprinkler head, including appliances on outdoor
covered projections greater than 48".
4. A red placard with one-half inch ('/2") white lettering reading "THIS VALVE SHUTS OFF
THE DOMESTIC WATER AND FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM" is to be permanently
installed at the main valve location and any additional signs required by NFPA 13D.
5. CPVC 13D sprinkler systems shall be hydrostatically tested to 200 psi for at least 30
minutes.
6. PEX 13D sprinkler system shall be hydrostatically tested in accordance with the
manufacturers requirements.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS
1. Shall be installed remote from the building or as approved by the fire code official.
2. Located out of the collapse zone, or as approved by the fire code official.
3. In an approved location along a public street or fire apparatus access road.
4. Located within 50' of a fire hydrant.
5. Shall be equipped with a 4" storz adapter and a 30/120-degree downturn and locking
cap (www.knoxbox.com/4043)
6. Be painted red and labeled with the building address. Partial systems shall indicate the
area covered by the system.
7. Be provided with additional signage as required by NFPA 13.
TESTING MAINTENANCE
1. Testing of fire sprinkler systems, fire pumps, standpipes, suppression systems and
associated components/equipment shall be in accordance with the appropriate NFPA
standard.
2. Service providers hired by the building owner are responsible for electronically submitting
completed annual confidence test reports of sprinkler systems, fire pumps, suppression
systems, and standpipes to the appropriate fire prevention offices' online reporting system
within 14 days of the completed inspection.
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FDC STANDARD
Unless otherwise approved by the Fire Marshal, All FDC connections will be a 4-inch Storz type
fitting, on a 30-degree elbow and away from the building. The FDC Connection shall be within 50
feet of a hydrant. The upright piping will be painted red and labeled with a minimum of 4-inch
white numbering denoting the building address.
All existing 2-1/2-inch "Y" fittings will be upgraded upon
building improvements to the Storz type connection. Signage
may be necessary to show where existing connections are
located.
FDC
FDC
IFC 912.2.2 Wherever the fire department connection is not visible to approaching fire apparatus,
the fire department connection shall be indicated by an approved sign mounted on the street front
or on the side of the building. Such sign shall have the letters "FDC' at least 6 inches (152 mm)
high and words in letters at least 2 inches (51 mm) high or an arrow to indicate the location. All
such signs shall be subject to the approval of the fire code official.
Product Description:
FDC Building Connection 4" Storz x 4" rigid female National Pipe Thread (NPT) with 30 Degree
Elbow. Features Secure Cap, Screen and Chain. Enables quick connections of large diameter
hose by fire department to supplement fire sprinkler or standpipe system. The standard color is
powder coat black and silver. Other colors are available.
Specifications:
■ Forged Storz heads with stainless steel locks
■ Aluminum extruded connections
■ Laser etching available
■ Exceeds NFPA 1963 requirements
■ Manufactured and assembled in the US
■ Rated pressure 200 psi
■ Nitrile gasket
■ Other choices - Hard coat, K-chrome and K-brass
■ "A" dimension - 7 7/8"
■ UL Listed
■ Manufactured to higher tolerances
■ Precision Metal Face - no gasket needed
■ Cap features weep hole and Knox locking cap
(www.knoxbox.com/4043)
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