Chapter 16.40
FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS Revised 8/24
16.40.000 Chapter Contents
Sections:
16.40.010 General regulation.
16.40.020 Definitions.
16.40.030 Installation approval.
16.40.040 Permit revocation.
16.40.050 Emergencies.
16.40.060 Occupancy of building, structure or area.
16.40.070 Violations -- Misdemeanor -- Gross Misdemeanor -- Civil Infraction.
16.40.080 Standpipe requirements.
16.40.090 Sprinkler System Standards. Revised 8/24
16.40.100 Amendments to the Referenced Codes.
16.40.010 General regulation
A. Design. All fire extinguishing system plans submitted for approval shall bear evidence that the system conforms to the requirements of the governing code for its design.
B. All fire sprinkler plans and hydraulic calculations shall bear the stamp of a Washington State Patrol Fire Protection Bureau (WSPFPB) Certificate of Competency holder for the level of work being performed. This includes the plans for the underground supply piping.
1. Fire sprinkler underground supply lines shall be installed by a contractor holding a current WSPFPB license for the level of work being performed. Such work shall start at the "point of connection" to the city main and shall include but not be limited to the yard post indicator, double check valve assembly, fire department connection, piping into the building.
2. Fire department connection for sprinkler systems and standpipes shall be extended to within 40 feet of the access roadway, or to a public street if access roadways are not provided, and be within 40 feet of a fire hydrant.
C. Plans. All extinguishing system plans shall be submitted to the city for review and approval prior to a permit being issued. Three sets of detailed plans showing all piping, bracing, valving, associated equipment and coverage shall be included.
1. Alterations and/or additions to existing systems must comply with this chapter and governing NFPA Code.
D. Plan Check Fee. In addition, a fee equal to 65 percent of the permit fee shall be paid to the city at the time of submittal of plans.
E. Permit Required. No person or agency shall install, alter, replace or perform major repair of any fire extinguishing, or special system within the city without first obtaining a permit.
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no permit shall be required when, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, the work performed is routine maintenance which does not alter the accepted system design and when such work does not involve or require the replacement of piping or associated controlling equipment.
2. Upon determination by the fire chief or the fire chief’s designee that the plans conform to the requirements of the International Building Code, International Fire Code, standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association and other appropriate codes, standards or ordinances adopted by the city, and upon payment of the required fees, the permit shall be issued by the city.
F. Permit Fee. Permit fees shall conform to Table 1A of OMC 4.36.010, Building Valuation Table, with regional modifiers.
(Ord. 7187 §3, 2019; Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 6310 §35, 2004; Ord. 5799 §28, 1998; Ord. 5520 §11, 1995; Ord. 5296 §8, 1992; Ord. 5028 §17, 1989; Ord. 4414 §1(A), 1983).
16.40.020 Definitions
A. "Fire extinguishing system" is an integrated system of piping installed in a building, structure, or area, which is specially engineered or hydraulically designed for the application of extinguishing agents and to which the appropriate agent applicators are connected in a systematic pattern; including a controlling valve and may include a device for activating an alarm when the system discharges its extinguishing agent over the fire area. Said extinguishing systems include but are not limited to: water systems, CO2 systems, wet agent systems, dry chemical systems, or special extinguishing systems.
B. "Standpipe system" is a fire line system which may or may not have a constant water supply and is installed for the use of the fire department and/or occupants of the building, structure or area.
C. "Residential Automatic Fire Sprinkler System" is defined as an integrated system of underground and overhead piping, including a water supply such as a gravity tank, fire pump, reservoir, pressure tank, or connection by underground piping to a public main: said system complying in all respects with the requirements of such systems contained in appropriate standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association and applicable Olympia Municipal Codes.
(Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 6463 §6, 2007; Ord. 6310 §36, 2004; Ord. 5799 §29, 1998; Ord. 4414 §1(8), 1983).
16.40.030 Installation approval
A. Upon final inspection of all sprinklers and standpipe system(s), the installer shall assist in the operational performance test of the entire system(s).
B. An operational test will be required before final approval of said system(s). Such tests shall be coordinated by the fire chief or the fire chief’s designee and will require a copy of the as-built plans of the system(s), the presence of a representative of the system(s), the presence of a representative of the sprinkler or standpipe system installer, and owner’s representative during the test. If on the basis of said inspection and test, the chief or the chief’s designee determines the system(s) does not comply with applicable ordinances or codes of the city, or if it does not conform to the plans as submitted with the application, the chief may revoke or suspend the permit previously issued until the nonconformities or violations are rectified. The building official shall not issue a certificate of occupancy until written acceptance is on file.
C. When the system(s) fail to meet final acceptance after 2 tests, the third and subsequent tests shall be performed at a minimum fee of $85.00 or actual costs per hour incurred for each subsequent test. This fee is payable at the time of scheduling of the additional tests or on completion of the test(s). If fees are not paid as aforementioned, final approval of the system(s) will be withheld.
(Ord. 7187 §3, 2019; Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 6310 §37, 2004; Ord. 5799 §30, 1998; Ord. 4414 §1(C), 1983).
16.40.040 Permit revocation
The chief of the fire department or chief of the fire department’s designee may, in writing, suspend or revoke any 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 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, including the provisions of this chapter. All plans submitted shall be stamped by a NICET certified designer.
(Ord. 7187 §3, 2019; Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 6310 §38, 2004; Ord. 5296 §9, 1992; Ord. 4414 §1(D), 1983).
16.40.050 Emergencies
The provisions of this chapter shall not preclude the commencement of work on a fire extinguishing or standpipe system without the procurement of a permit in an emergency situation if the delay in procuring such a permit would cause undue burden or damage to property; provided, however, that the person or agency performing the emergency work must make application for a permit in the manner provided in this chapter within five days of the commencement of the emergency work.
(Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 4414 §1(E), 1983).
16.40.060 Occupancy of building, structure or area
Issuance of a permit required by this chapter shall be coordinated as closely as possible with the issuance of a building permit when both are required. However, the permit provided for in this chapter shall be required in the appropriate case even though a building permit may not, and in that instance, occupancy or use of the building, structure or area for which the standpipe or extinguishing system is required shall not be allowed until the provisions of this chapter are complied with. Furthermore, no occupancy or use of a building, structure or area covered by a permit issued hereunder shall be allowed during any such time as such permit is either suspended or revoked.
(Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 4414 §1(F), 1983).
16.40.070 Violations -- Misdemeanor -- Gross Misdemeanor -- Civil Infraction
A. Any person, firm, or corporation who knowingly violates or fails to comply with any term or provision of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed a misdemeanor, and if found guilty, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), and/or to imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or to both such fine and imprisonment. Each day shall be a separate offense. In the event of a continuing violation or failure to comply, the second and subsequent days shall constitute a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) and/or imprisonment not to exceed three hundred and sixty-five (365) days or both such time and imprisonment. Continuing violation shall mean the same type of violation which is committed within a year of the initial violation.
B. As an additional concurrent penalty, it shall be a civil infraction for a person, firm, or corporation to violate or fail to comply with any term or provision of this chapter. Each day shall be a separate infraction. A person, firm, or corporation found to have committed a civil infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty as follows:
1. First offense: Class 3 ($50), not including statutory assessments.
2. Second offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 2 ($125), not including statutory assessments.
3. Third offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 1 ($250), not including statutory assessments.
See also OMC Chapter 4.44, Uniform Code Enforcement.
(Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 8061 §55, 2001; Ord. 4414 §1(G), 1983).
16.40.080 Standpipe requirements
In occupancies three stories or more but less than 150 feet in height, except Group R Division 3(6), including basement levels, wet standpipes may serve to supply fire sprinklers when properly sized for that service. Standpipe outlets shall be provided with 2 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inch reducer caps. Caps shall be provided with a 1/8 inch drilled weep hole.
(Ord. 7026 §4, 2016; Ord. 6722 §7, 2010; Ord. 5799 §31, 1998)
16.40.090 Sprinkler System Standards Revised 8/24
A. Three (3) sets of shop drawings including three (3) copies of details of the double check detector check assembly, riser diagram and sectional of structure, shall be submitted to the City of Olympia for review and approval prior to commencement of installation. The contract value shall be affixed to the plans as well as a copy of the maintenance contract.
B. A plan check fee shall be paid to the City of Olympia at the time plans are submitted.
C. The required fire protection systems permit must be obtained from the city prior to commencement of work. If a contractor starts work without a permit, a stop work order will be issued until such permit is secured. If a contractor continues to work without a permit, a citation will be issued with a fine of up to $500.00 per day for every day the contractor works without a permit.
D. When a building is required to be provided with a fire sprinkler system, said system shall cover all areas of the structure including concealed spaces, vaults and exterior combustible appurtenances.
E. Mixed use buildings shall be designed to NFPA 13 Standards throughout.
F. The final acceptance of any sprinkler shall be subject to performance of all required testing and inspections during installation and performance tests in conjunction with fire alarm acceptance tests. No Certificate of Occupancy shall be granted for the structure until satisfactory acceptance tests are accomplished.
G. A double check detector check assembly is required on all sprinkler systems. The double back flow may be inside the building. If the back flow assembly is inside the building, the water main lateral for the system shall be approved by the Engineering Department, including plan submittal. The outside stem & yoke (OS&Y) valves shall be provided with electrical tamper supervision tied into the building fire alarm system. Exception: OS&Y valves in vaults may be supervised with a chain and lock.
H. All systems, except residential systems, shall be provided with a yard or wall PI control valve which is easily accessible. The wall PI valve shall be 30” to 42” above exterior grade level.
I. Floor control valves, with electrical tamper supervision and flow switches, are required on structures of two or more levels. Basements and/or parking areas are considered levels. All valves shall be no more than 6 feet high from finish floor height.
J. The fire department connection (FDC) shall be located within 40 feet of the nearest fire hydrant. The FDC, if remote from the building, shall be provided with a ball drip valve below the freeze line. The FDC shall be located 30” to 42” above finished grade.
K. All drains and test valves shall be piped to discharge to the exterior in a safe location. A remote inspector test valve shall be provided on wet and dry systems.
L. All wet systems shall be provided with riser mounted water flow detection devices and dry systems shall be provided with pressure switches.
M. All systems shall be installed as prescribed in NFPA 13, 13D, 13R, 2010 Editions.
N. All electrical components shall be compatible with the fire alarm system voltage, including the water flow bell.
O. The sprinkler system shall cause a water flow alarm indicating the floor or origin.
P. All systems will require witness of underground flushing and hydrostatic tests for underground piping. Interior pipe inspection must be performed prior to cover. All inspections require a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to inspection.
Q. All hydraulic calculated systems shall have the following information on the plans at time of submittal:
1. Water supply information including graph showing availability versus system demand;
2. Hydraulic reference points;
3. System design criteria;
4. Actual calculated requirements; and
5. Hydraulic calculation sheets.
R. All hydraulic calculated systems shall start calculations with a minimum 7 psi at the furthest remote head. A 10% minimum safety factor is required for calculated systems.
S. Hydraulic calculation plates shall be permanently affixed to each system riser.
T. Valves on connections to water supplies, sectional control valves, and other valves in supply pipes to sprinklers shall be supervised only by the following methods:
1. Central station, proprietary, remote station signaling service.
2. Valves locked in the open position, when valves are accessible to the public.
U. Systems serving R-1 and R-2 occupancies (13-R Systems) shall have protection in bathrooms (except powder rooms and water closets), closets exceeding 24 square feet, and covered patios or decks.
V. In addition to NFPA 13D sprinkler standards, all bathrooms within one or two family dwellings, shall have protection, except powder rooms, closets greater than 24 square feet or in which the smallest dimension is greater than 36 inches, and at least one sprinkler head in the garage (additional heads in garage may be required for extra-large or tandem garages). Townhomes protected with 13-D systems shall also have covered decks protected with a dry side wall head.
(Ord. 7389 §7, 2024; Ord. 7026 §5, 2016; Ord. 6722 §7, 2010).
16.40.100 Amendments to the Referenced Codes1
A. International Building Code Amendments. The following sections of the International Building Code (IBC), as adopted by this Ordinance, are amended to read as follows:
1. Amend Section 109.3.10, Final Inspection. The final inspection is to be made after all conditions of SEPA, Hearing Examiner, Design Review, Development Engineering, Stormwater Ordinance and the Tree Ordinance are either complied with or bonded for a rate of 125% in addition to finish grading; and the building is completed and ready for occupancy.
2. Amend Section 110.2, Certificate Issued. After the Building Official inspects the building or structure and finds no violations of the provisions of this code or other laws and regulations, which are enforced by the Community Planning and Development Department, the Building Official shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy, which shall contain the following:
a. The building permit number;
b. The address of the structure; and
c. The name and address of the owner.
(Ord. 6722 §7, 2010).
Code revisor’s note: Ord. 6722 adds these provisions as Section 16.40.040. This section has been editorially renumbered as Section 16.40.100 to avoid conflict with existing provisions.