HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndustry Bulletin 2022-003 Previously Approved Residential Sprinkler Standard Plans Code Equivalency
KERRI L. DONIS, CFO, EFO, MSOL
FIRE CHIEF
William P. Alcorn, Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal
Prevention and Support Services Division
(559) 621-4181 FAX (559) 498-4323
Fresno Fire Department 911 H Street Fresno, CA 93721-3082
“To protect and put service above all else.”
FIRE INDUSTRY BULLETIN 2022-003
SCOPE
This industry bulletin covers all previously approved residential sprinkler standard plans
and the adoption of the 2022 California Building Standards Code, including the California
Fire Code and California Residential Code, both of which will become effective on
January 1, 2023.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a procedure for C-16 contractors to continue to
utilize previously approved, residential standard fire sprinkler plans prepared under the
2019 edition of the California Building Standards Code.
BACKGROUND
The 2022 California Building Standards code adopts, with amendments, the 2022 edition
of NFPA 13D as the adopted referenced standard for the installation of residential
sprinklers in one and two-family dwellings. Due to the number of approved residential
standard plans on file, a procedure has been formulated to allow continued use of
approved plans which were previously approved under the 2016 edition of NFPA 13D, for
installation in the upcoming code cycle.
The following are State and/or Fresno Fire Department amendments to NFPA 13D:
1. A minimum of 5 gpm domestic demand must be added to fire sprinkler demand.
2. The domestic water lateral in a standalone system must have a shut-off valve so
that fire sprinklers remain in service during a domestic water distribution system
repair.
3. Attached garages must have fire sprinklers installed in all storage rooms and
closets (2022 FMC §10-50903.2.8.6).
4. All attic, overhead and above ceiling storage rooms must have fire sprinklers
installed (2022 FMC §10-50903.2.8.7).
Fire Industry Bulletin 2022-003
October 03, 2022
Page 2
5. All attic, crawl spaces and normally unoccupied concealed spaces that contain
fuel-fired appliances must have fire sprinklers installed above the equipment.
Fire sprinklers shall not be required in the remainder of the space (2022
California Residential Code, §R313.3.1.2).
6. Existing plans approved under this process shall not be equipped with a master
sprinkler shutoff valve as permitted in 2022 CRC §R313.3.3.2.
Existing requirements/interpretations which remain in effect:
1. Passive purge connections for each toilet as described in a previous section. No
other plumbing fixtures may be supplied from the standalone piping system.
2. The primary control valve (house valve) must be an indicating valve (i.e., a
quarter turn ball valve).
3. No control valve is allowed in a standalone system supply lateral.
4. A ½ inch minimum drain valve is required after the required NSF 61 Annex “G”
approved check valve in a standalone system. Provide a fire sprinkler test orifice if the
system is provided with a water flow switch.
5. For multipurpose systems, house drinking water fixtures including the water
heater supply, must be on a separate pipe run from fire sprinkler supply unless
ultralow lead fire sprinkler heads are installed throughout the system.
6. All pipe used for fire sprinkler installation shall be approved for domestic
plumbing. Local building and safety requirements prohibit the use of steel pipe in the
domestic water systems, including galvanized pipe.
7. Spare fire sprinkler heads, cover plates, wrenches, lists of sprinklers, etc. shall be
provided per existing FFD Industry Bulletin 2015-002.
INFORMATION
1. Contractors that would like to continue utilization of the previously approved
plans must complete three copies of the FFD Residential Fire Sprinkler Plan
Code Equivalency Request form for each standard plan on file with the FFD.
2. FFD staff will provide a new fire permit template number for the 2022 Code cycle
and place an approval stamp on each copy of the form.
Fire Industry Bulletin 2022-003
October 03, 2022
Page 3
3. A fee will be assessed to process each form submitted based on the Master Fee
Schedule in effect at the time of approval (the fee in effect as of July 1,
2022, is $162).
NOTE
This notice is effective October 1, 2022.