Chapter 15.68
Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
Sections:
15.68.040 Provisions as to required design plans and approvals.
15.68.050 General requirements.
15.68.080 Additional rules and regulations.
15.68.010 Findings.
Based upon the information provided to it by the chief of the fire department, the city council finds as follows:
(1) That automatic fire sprinkler systems are now technologically and economically viable.
(2) That such systems help to reduce the loss of life and property due to fire and are therefore reasonably necessary in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(3) That automatic fire sprinkler systems will help to ensure any fires that occur in the structures covered by the provisions requiring their installation are reasonably within the firefighting capabilities of the city's fire department with its present manpower and equipment and should help to cause a significant reduction in insurance premiums. (Ord. 1530 §1, 2009).
15.68.020 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:
(a) Addition. An "addition" is an extension in floor area or height of a building or structure.
(b) Automatic Fire Sprinkler System. The term "automatic fire sprinkler system" (sprinkler system) shall mean such a system as conforms with all recommendations or requirements of an approved rating bureau or NFPA Pamphlet 13, 13R or 13D, as now existing or hereafter amended or succeeded, the required number of copies of such standards shall be filed in the office of the city clerk-controller and such other offices as may be determined to be appropriate for use and examination by the public.
(c) "IBC" means the International Building Code.
(d) "IFC" means the International Fire Code.
(e) "NFPA" means the National Fire Protection Association.
(f) "Responsible official" means the chief of the Montesano fire department or his or her designee.
(g) "Substantial remodel" means the reconstruction and/or remodel of an existing structure the total value of which is greater than sixty percent of the assessed value of the improvement being remodeled as established by the Grays Harbor County assessor. For purposes of this definition, the value shall include the project cost within a consecutive two-year period. (Ord. 1557 §1, 2011: Ord. 1530 §2, 2009).
15.68.030 Where required.
(a) An automatic sprinkler system designed, installed, and tested per NFPA 13 shall be installed in all new and substantially remodeled structures as required by the International Fire Code and the International Building Code in effect at the time of the submission of the completed plans for the structure.
(b) In addition to the requirements of the then applicable IBC or IFC, an automatic sprinkler system shall be required in the construction of a new structure or the substantial remodeling of an existing structure should 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 the following occupancies (as defined in the IBC) having three or more floor levels or containing three or more dwelling units: all Group R, Division 1 (for example, hotels and motels); Group R, Division 2 (by way of example, apartment houses, dormitories, and vacation time share structures); and Group R, Division 3 (by way of example, structures containing three or more dwelling units and adult or child care facilities).
(d) Additions and Remodel Requirements. In new additions of any size to sprinklered residential structures, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with this section. Sprinklered and unsprinklered parts of a structure shall be separated in accordance with all applicable codes and standards.
(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. (Ord. 1557 §2, 2011: Ord. 1530 §3, 2009).
15.68.040 Provisions as to required design plans and approvals.
(a) All new sprinkler systems and all modifications to sprinkler systems involving more than fifty heads shall have the written approval of the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau, Factory Mutual, Industrial Risk Insurers, Kemper, or any fire protection engineer licensed by the state of Washington, and approved by the responsible official; provided, that the city reserves the right to require preapproval, by one of the agencies listed above, 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, as now existing or hereafter amended or succeeded.
(c) At least three complete sets of blueprint drawings with information regarding the automatic sprinkler system as identified in NFPA Standard 13, Sections 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3, and at least one civil engineering blueprint showing the underground installation from water-main tap to base riser, shall be submitted to the responsible official 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 scale, no smaller than one-eighth-inch scale, showing all rooms and spaces with accurate measurements. Drawings shall include the building permit number.
(e) After the sprinkler plans have been approved by the responsible official, a written authorization or permit will be issued to begin work.
(f) The installer shall perform all required acceptance tests (as identified in NFPA Standard 13) in the presence of a representative of the responsible official or her or his designee. The installer shall complete the contractor's material and test certificate(s) and forward the certificates to the responsible official prior to asking for approval of the installation.
(g) 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.
(h) The responsible official may, in writing, suspend or revoke any authorization or permit issued under the provisions of this chapter whenever it is found that the permit was issued on the basis of error, deception, or fraud on the part of the applicant, or upon discovery of noncompliance with or a violation of any provisions of the International Building Code, the International Fire Code, standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association or any appropriate codes, standards or ordinances adopted by the city. (Ord. 1530 §4, 2009).
15.68.050 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 0.39 gallons per five thousand six hundred square feet, plus an allowance of one thousand GPM for inrack 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 thirty-two feet per second. The velocity of water in the underground pipe shall not exceed sixteen 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 ten psi cushion for low reservoir conditions.
(g) Automatic sprinkler systems and all other fire suppression systems shall be monitored by a city of Montesano-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, either Rustoleum No. 7564 ("Safety Red") or Farwest Paint No. 253 ("Mandarin 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 twenty-two and one-half and forty-five degrees, with a five-inch Storz fitting.
(k) A manual fire alarm system shall be installed in all new sprinklered buildings. Visual and audible devices shall be installed and maintained pursuant to applicable code requirements.
(l) Maintain a four-foot clear space around the sprinkler riser(s) for emergency access. (Ord. 1530 §5, 2009).
15.68.060 Fees.
(a) Fee for Plan Review and Initial Inspection. As a condition precedent to plan review, such fee or fees as may be established by written resolution for plan review and initial inspection shall be paid to city.
(b) Fees for Reinspection of New Construction, Tenant Improvements, and Spot Inspections. When an inspection is requested for new construction, tenant improvements or spot inspections, in the event that the responsible official finds that the work is not complete, does not meet applicable code requirements, or for any other reason a follow-up inspection will be required, a reinspection fee in such amount as may be established by written resolution of the city shall be assessed. (Ord. 1530 §6, 2009).
15.68.070 Appeals.
Any appeal of a decision of the responsible official shall be undertaken within the same time constraints and under the same protocols as for an appeal of a decision of the building official. The appeal shall be filed in writing with the office of the clerk-controller and shall be accompanied with a written document setting forth the specific decision from which the appeal is taken and the reasons the decision is felt to be erroneous. It shall be conditioned upon the payment of a filing fee in the amount set forth by written resolution. (Ord. 1530 §7, 2009).
15.68.080 Additional rules and regulations.
The chief of the Montesano fire department shall be and is hereby authorized to promulgate such written rules and regulations as may be deemed reasonably necessary and appropriate to implement and administer the provisions of this chapter. Prior to its effectiveness, any proposed rule or regulation shall be submitted to the city council and mayor for review. To the extent not disapproved, such rule or regulation shall go into effect upon the thirtieth day following the first council meeting at which they are presented to the mayor and council in a written form; provided, that the council specifically reserves to itself the right (a) to suspend such proposed rule or regulation, (b) authorize its immediate effectiveness, or (c) reject, modify, or supplement such proposed regulations. (Ord. 1530 §8, 2009).