The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About405.016 - Fire Sprinkler Whole System Flush Requirements Effective Date: January 2024 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/23/2024 Section 405.016 Next Revision Date: 1/23/2027 Page 1 of 4 Fresno City Fire Department 400 Fire Prevention Manual SECTION 405.016 FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM FORWARD FLOW FLUSHES PURPOSE This policy has been established to provide direction to applicable stakeholders of the conditions under which a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush may be required, and to provide the correct procedure for completing the whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush. APPLICATION This policy applies to all fire sprinkler installations (including new installations of all types, tenant improvements, alterations, etc.), and includes required and voluntary systems, throughout the City of Fresno and all contract service areas. OPERATIONAL POLICY As noted in the latest edition of the California Fire Code (CFC) the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) is permitted to specify the conditions under which a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush is required, and the correct procedure for completing the forward flow flush. The conditions noted below do not constitute a complete list of these conditions, and FFD reserves the right to require a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush at the sole discretion of the Fire Marshal (or designee). At no time, and under no conditions, shall a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush be used as a substitute for the required permit inspections for a fire sprinkler system installation. REQUIREMENTS Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse service delivery area, the Department has determined that when a fire sprinkler system has been connected to a fire sprinkler system supply (i.e., fire service underground, domestic underground, etc.) and there is either: Effective Date: January 2024 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/23/2024 Section 405.016 Next Revision Date: 1/23/2027 Page 2 of 4 1. No, or insufficient, record of the fire sprinkler system supply being flushed in accordance with the applicable permit requirements and/or adopted referenced standard. OR 2. When some other condition as determined by FFD requires a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush to ensure that no debris has been introduced into the fire sprinkler system. Note: At the sole discretion of the Fire Marshal (or designee) and only with pre-approval from FFD, may an alternate means of completing the whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush be permitted. In the absence of this pre-approval, the procedure noted below is the only procedure that will be permitted for completing the forward flow flush. An economic condition, artificial time constraint, or concern for damage to a nearly complete building or house is not considered a valid basis for a request to modify the requirements or procedures for a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS A whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush is to be completed using a variation of the longstanding hydraulic method used when a fire sprinkler system obstruction investigation indicates the presence of foreign matter in fire sprinkler piping. In the case of the whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush, water is to be introduced into the fire sprinkler system under normal working pressure, without the system being disassembled as necessary when using the hydraulic method. The whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush method consists of flowing water from the fire sprinkler system riser(s), feed and cross main(s), branch lines and through the fire sprinkler nipples, respectively, in the same direction in which water would flow during a fire. This process ensures that a reasonable degree of certainty can be assured, especially as it relates to fire sprinklers installed in the pendent position. Successful flushing using the whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush method is dependent on establishing sufficient velocity of water flow in the various piping to ensure that as much obstructive material can be removed as possible. With the whole Effective Date: January 2024 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/23/2024 Section 405.016 Next Revision Date: 1/23/2027 Page 3 of 4 fire sprinkler system forward flow flush method water should be moved through the piping at a rate as close to 10 feet (10’) per second or greater as possible. To complete a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush, the permit applicant must complete the following, in the order noted below: A. Drain the entire fire sprinkler system. It is the responsibility of the permit applicant to follow the applicable requirements of the CFC regarding fire protection system impairments, including for buildings under construction. B. Disconnect the fire sprinkler system from the fire sprinkler supply and flush the fire sprinkler system supply in accordance with the applicable permit requirements and/or adopted referenced standard. The permit applicant must coordinate and ensure that this fire sprinkler supply piping flush is witnessed by personnel from the authority having jurisdiction, and a fee for this inspection may be required. C. Remove all installed, pendent fire sprinklers in the entire fire sprinkler system. D. Install a full flow ball valve of equivalent K-factor to the fire sprinkler at each pendent fire sprinkler system nipple. If piping is used ahead of the ball valve, but after the nipple, it shall also be of equivalent (or larger) K-factor as the fire sprinkler. If piping is used after the ball valve to facilitate the installation of a collection sock, hose, etc. then it shall also be of equivalent (or larger) K-factor as the fire sprinkler. E. Install a collection sock, hose, or other suitable device on the end of the ball valve, and route the sock, hose, etc. out of the building or into a suitable collection vessel. It is the permit applicant’s obligation to ensure that there are a sufficient number of collection vessels to facilitate testing, not FFD’s. Failure of the permit applicant to have the correct number of collection vessels or sufficient personnel to complete the test in the time allotted may result in additional fees and/or penalties being assessed, and/or in additional inspections (and associated fees) being required. The permit applicant must ensure that the collection sock, hose, etc. is properly supported to ensure that no damage to the fire sprinkler system piping occurs. F. After satisfactory completion of the flushing of the fire sprinkler supply, the fire sprinkler system supply may be reconnected to the supply. Beginning with the closest fire sprinkler branch line (to the fire sprinkler riser), the closest fire sprinkler nipple (to the fire sprinkler riser) shall be flushed. From that point, every successive fire sprinkler working from the closest to the most hydraulically remote sprinkler shall be flushed. Effective Date: January 2024 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 1/23/2024 Section 405.016 Next Revision Date: 1/23/2027 Page 4 of 4 G. Every fire sprinkler nipple and/or drop on every branch line shall be flushed for a duration to be determined by present FFD staff to facilitate a flow rate as close to 10 feet (10’) per second or greater as possible. H. Once every fire sprinkler nipple and/or drop on every branch line in the system has been flushed, the fire sprinkler heads may be reinstalled. At no time will a whole fire sprinkler system forward flow flush be permitted to be completed in conjunction with another permit inspection. If at any time, the permit applicant becomes unresponsive to FFD staff direction for the rate or duration of flushing, or for any other reason permitted under law, code, ordinance, permit condition, or adopted referenced standard, the flush may be terminated at the sole discretion of the Fire Marshal (or designee) and additional fees and/or penalties may be assessed, and/or in additional inspections (and associated fees) may be required. INFORMATION As with all permit activities, it is the permit applicant’s obligation to coordinate construction schedules, trades, etc. as necessary to ensure work does not progress beyond permit condition or requirements as noted in the CFC. This includes ensuring that no fire sprinkler system is connected to its supply without first ensuring that the supply has been flushed, and the flush has been accepted by the authority having jurisdiction. Construction schedules, opening or move-in dates, etc. are determined without FFD input, and as such are the obligation of the permit applicant to provide sufficient time for the work to be inspected and accepted based on FFD’s current permit inspection schedule. All permit applicants should routinely review their permit documents for required corrections, etc. and inquire as to FFD’s current inspection schedule as a project progresses. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES California Fire Code (CFC), Current edition