Chapter 16.30
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
Sections:
16.30.040 Approval and design plans.
16.30.070 General requirements.
16.30.080 Special requirements.
16.30.110 Reinspection fees for new construction, tenant improvements, and spot inspections.
16.30.010 Required.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be required as outlined in this chapter. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.020 References.
The following references shall be used in the design, installation and maintenance of sprinkler systems within the city of Enumclaw; if there is a conflict between the codes, the one offering the greatest degree of fire protection shall apply. References are to the current editions, unless otherwise noted:
A. NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
B. NFPA 13D, Residential Sprinkler Systems.
C. NFPA 14, Standpipe and Hose Systems.
D. NFPA 15, Water Spray Fixed Systems.
E. NFPA 24, Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances.
F. NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.
G. NFPA 88A, Parking Structures.
H. IFC, International Fire Code.
I. IBC, International Building Code.
J. Chapter 18.160 RCW, Washington State Sprinkler Contractor Law. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.030 Definitions.
A. “Approved” refers to the approval of the fire marshal.
B. “Automatic sprinkler system” is an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards. The installation includes one or more automatic water supplies. The portion of the sprinkler system aboveground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a building, structure or area, generally overhead, and to which sprinklers are attached in a systematic pattern. The valve controlling each system riser is located in the system riser or its supply piping. Each sprinkler system riser includes a device for actuating an alarm when the system is in operation. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area.
C. “Listed” refers to equipment or materials indicated in a list published by an organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials, and whose listing states either that the equipment or material meets appropriate standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a specific manner. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 2, 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.040 Approval and design plans.
A. All new sprinkler systems and all modifications to sprinkler systems involving more than 50 heads shall have the written approval of a fire protection engineer licensed by the state of Washington and approved by the fire marshal.
Exception: The fire marshal reserves the right to require preapproval, by a fire protection engineer, for any modification to a hydraulically designed system regardless of the size of the job.
B. All sprinkler drawings shall be prepared by persons meeting the requirements of Chapter 18.160 RCW.
C. Electronic blueprint drawings submitted to the city with information regarding the automatic sprinkler system as identified in NFPA 13, Sections 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3, and at least one civil engineering blueprint showing the underground installation from watermain tap to base riser, shall be submitted to the fire marshal for approval prior to installation or modification of any equipment. One set of approved plans shall be located at the job site.
D. Drawings submitted for approval must include floor layout drawn to one-eighth-inch scale, showing all rooms and spaces with accurate measurements. Drawings shall include the building permit number.
E. As-builts shall be provided prior to system acceptance and final approval, if any modifications not shown on the original plans have been done to the system.
F. The installer shall perform all required acceptance tests (as identified in NFPA 13) in the presence of the fire marshal. The installer shall complete the contractor’s material and test certificate(s) and forward the certificates to the fire marshal prior to asking for approval of the installation.
G. After the sprinkler plans have been approved by the fire marshal, a job number will be issued to begin work. The plan review fees shall be charged at the rate shown in the fee code established by the jurisdiction. (Ord. 2777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 2, 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.050 Where required.
A. A fully automatic sprinkler system designed, installed and tested per NFPA 13 shall be installed in all new buildings 5,000 square feet or greater in total floor area.
B. Without regard to exceptions to the sprinkler system requirements as set forth in this section, a fully automatic sprinkler system, per subsection A of this section, may be required by the fire marshal for new buildings under 5,000 square feet total floor area when, in their judgment, any of the following conditions exist:
1. Hazardous operations.
2. Hazardous contents.
3. Critical exposure problems.
4. Limited accessibility to the building.
5. Inadequate water flow availability.
C. Sprinklers are required in all Group R, Division 1, 2 and 3 occupancies (as defined in the IBC) having three or more floor levels or containing five or more dwelling units.
D. Sprinklers are required in Group A occupancies (as defined in the IBC) such as nightclubs, discos or restaurants where the total gross floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
E. Fire walls, fire barriers, or vertical or horizontal fire barriers as noted in Section 705.1 of the International Building Code shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of a required automatic sprinkler system.
F. Single-family residences that have between 500 and 1,000 GPM fire flow availability.
G. Single-family residences that exceed minimum distance requirements to a hydrant may, at the discretion of the fire marshal, be allowed to install a sprinkler system in lieu of a hydrant. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 2, 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.060 Standpipes.
A. When standpipes are required, they shall be Class III wet.
Exception: In unheated structures, the standpipe may be dry.
B. Buildings over four stories shall have in the stair tower, adjacent to the standpipe, beginning on the third floor and alternating every other floor, in hose cabinets, 150 feet of one and three-fourths-inch double jacket hose with one and one-half-inch NST hose couplings. The hose lengths shall be connected and bundled together. The cabinet shall be labeled “FIRE DEPARTMENT USE ONLY.” (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.070 General requirements.
A. Sprinkler installations and modifications shall be done by companies licensed by the state of Washington to perform this type of work.
B. The automatic sprinkler system for new warehouses shall have a minimum design density of 0.495 gallons per 2,000 square feet, plus an allowance of 1,000 GPM for in-rack fire sprinklers and hose allowance.
C. All other occupancies shall be a minimum design density of ordinary hazard Group I unless otherwise provided for in this chapter.
D. On all hydraulically designed sprinkler systems, the velocity of water in the overhead pipe shall not exceed 32 feet per second. The velocity of water in the underground pipe shall not exceed 16 feet per second.
E. Hydraulic calculations shall be provided by the contractor for calculated systems; the contractor shall, upon request, provide calculations for pipe schedule systems.
F. Calculated sprinkler systems shall be designed with a 10 psi cushion for low reservoir conditions.
G. Automatic sprinkler systems and all other fire suppression systems shall be monitored by a city of Enumclaw-approved UL central station. This shall include all water control valves, tamper devices, pressure supervision and water flow switches. In buildings having a fire alarm/detection system, the sprinkler system shall be tied to the fire alarm system (last zone(s)).
H. Permanent, all-weather sprinkler riser zone maps shall be installed at the fire department connection and riser.
I. All exterior components of sprinkler systems shall be painted red. This includes: post indicator valves/outside stem and yoke valves, wall indicating valves, fire department connections, and water motor gong.
J. The fire department connection shall have a downward angle bend between 22.5 and 45 degrees, with a four-inch Storz fitting and/or two two-and-one-half-inch fittings at the fire marshal’s request.
K. A manual fire alarm system shall be installed in all new sprinklered buildings. Visual and audible devices shall be installed per Chapter 16.28 EMC.
L. Maintain a four-foot clear space around the sprinkler riser(s) for emergency access. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.080 Special requirements.
A. All hotel/motel occupancies shall be sprinklered a minimum ordinary hazard Group I density throughout; no omissions are allowed. Sprinkler spacing in the guest rooms may be light hazard.
B. Each new commercial/industrial or multifamily building shall have its own control valve on the exterior or outside away from the building. Each floor of a multistory building shall have sectional control valves.
C. Multifamily dwelling sprinkler systems shall be designed minimum light hazard; no omissions are allowed.
D. All sprinkler system control valves shall be electronically supervised against tampering. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.090 Existing buildings.
A. Existing fully sprinklered buildings, when remodeled or added on to, shall retain the feature of being sprinklered in the remodeled or added-on portion.
B. If, by increasing usable square footage of an existing building, the resulting total structure falls within the coverage of EMC 16.30.050(A), the entire structure shall be fully sprinklered. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.100 Maintenance.
A. The owner is responsible for the condition of the sprinkler system and shall keep the system in operating condition in accordance with NFPA 25.
B. Regular maintenance by a Washington State licensed sprinkler contractor shall be done in accordance with NFPA 25. If the sprinkler system is connected to a fire alarm system, the contractor shall coordinate with the fire alarm maintenance company for any work involving the fire alarm system or control panel.
C. The fire marshal shall be notified immediately of any impairment of the sprinkler system. The owner shall be responsible for the repair of the system, and shall maintain a 24-hour fire watch until the system is returned to normal condition. High hazard operation may be suspended until the sprinkler system is back in normal condition. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 2, 2013; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.110 Reinspection fees for new construction, tenant improvements, and spot inspections.
A reinspection fee reflected in the city’s fee schedule will be assessed when an inspection is requested for new construction, tenant improvements or spot inspections, and, upon arrival, the fire inspector finds that the work is not complete, not ready for inspection, or does not comply with fire code requirements. Under these conditions, a follow-up inspection will be required. (Ord. 2777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.120 Exceptions.
Any exception to the items covered by this chapter shall be made by the fire marshal. Requests for exception must be made in writing; exceptions granted or denied shall be in writing. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 2, 2013; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.130 Penalties.
Repealed by Ord. 2575. (Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.30.140 Appeals.
Whenever the fire marshal disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, the applicant may appeal the decision to the hearing examiner established in Chapter 15.13 EMC. Section 108 of the International Fire Code shall be amended to read:
Disputes regarding interpretation of code provisions shall be settled by the International Fire Code Institute. When deemed appropriate, the fire marshal will request a formal, written interpretation from the Institute.
(Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2401, 2008).