HomeMy WebLinkAbout401.011 - Fire Sprinkler System Plan Specifications
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Fire Prevention Manual
SECTION 401.011 FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM PLAN SPECIFICATIONS
PURPOSE
This policy has been established to clarify the requirements for the preparation and
submission of all non-electronic fire sprinkler (and similar) plans.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all permit applicants submitting non-electronic fire sprinkler (and
similar) plans to the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) for review and
approval within the City of Fresno and contract service areas.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse
service delivery area, and after careful deliberation, the Department has determined
the following:
1. Automatic fire sprinkler (and similar) system plans shall be drawn with care by
a trained person meeting the requirements found within the applicable law,
code, ordinance, or standard.
2. Plans shall be drawn on a minimum of twenty-four inch by thirty-six-inch (24” X
36”) paper and shall be drawn to an indicated scale of not less than one-eighth
(1/8”) inch = one (1’) foot. Buildings over fifty thousand (50,000) square feet
(sq. ft.) shall have an overview plan showing the entire building, including all
fire protection features.
3. An area no less than four (4”) inch x six (6”) inch, located in the bottom right-
hand corner of each plan sheet, shall be left free of any text, mark, etc., to
facilitate the marking of plans by Department staff.
4. Drawings shall be organized based upon the United States Department of
Energy, Fundamentals Handbook for Engineering Symbology, Prints, and
Drawings (Vols. 1 & 2) (1993 edition).
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 1 of 8
5. Drawing line weights, match lines (where used) and legibility (including printed
pages) shall be in accordance with either the United States Department of
Energy, Fundamentals Handbook for Engineering Symbology, Prints, and
Drawings (Vols. 1 & 2) (1993 edition), or the latest American Institute of
Architects design guidelines.
6. All fire sprinkler symbols shall be in accordance with National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols,
Chapter 7, where a symbol is provided. For each type of fire sprinkler to be
installed, a different symbol shall be used.
7. In addition to all of the information that is required in this document, plans shall
also include all of the information noted in NFPA 13, Automatic Sprinkler
Systems (2022 ed.) §28.1.3 et. al. As noted in the referenced standard, this
information constitutes the minimum amount of information required to be
submitted to the authority having jurisdiction.
8. Each of the following items shall be included on either a single page of an
automatic fire sprinkler system plan or submittal booklet. These items will be
verified at the counter and plans will be rejected when not present:
A. A detailed scope of work for the project including a description sufficient to
clearly indicate the location, nature and extent of the work. A scope of work
indicating “installation of a fire sprinkler system”, or similar non-descript
scoping is inadequate, and plans will be rejected without review.
B. Name of owner, occupant, or contracted construction firm.
C. Location of the project, including the City of Fresno (City) officially assigned
address and the City building permit number.
D. Name of water purveyor.
E. Name of the installing contractor, address, phone number, type of license
and license number, with wet stamp and signature on each plan sheet.
F. A site plan of the location on the drawing. A site plan shall show the layout
of the building relative to public streets and private drives. A location pin
from mapping software does not meet the requirements of a site plan.
G. The California Building Code (CBC) and NFPA construction type (i.e.,
obstructed, unobstructed, etc.) and CBC occupancy group of the proposed
building.
H. Permit valuation. Permit valuations shall include the total value of work,
including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued.
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 2 of 8
9. Standard notes required to be on plans:
A. Apply the applicable storage note:
I. Storage limited to twelve (12’) feet with minimum eighteen (18”)
inches from pendant sprinkler deflector to top of the storage.
II. Storage limited to twelve (12’) feet with minimum thirty-six (36”)
inches from sprinkler deflector to top of the storage.
III. No high piled storage permitted.
B. It is the contractor’s responsibility to make work available for inspection.
C. A full sized, complete, copy of the approved plan set (including calculations,
manufacturers sheets, etc.) shall be on site during any fire department
inspection.
D. A copy of the permanent and durable general information sign to be
displayed per NFPA 13, §29.6, or a note as follows: “A permanent and
durable general information sign per NFPA 13, §29.6 shall be installed in
addition to the hydraulic design information sign”.
E. All CBC or CFC substitutions shall be noted. It is the designer/contractor’s
responsibility to provide adequate and necessary documentation when
using these kinds of exceptions per CFC, §106.
F. Mechanical tees shall have coupon hung within six (6”) inches of tee.
G. All applicable code references shall be provided (i.e., NFPA 13, 2022
Edition w/California Amendments, etc.).
H. Piping plan showing underground lead in with hydraulic nodes.
I. Full height cross-sections which show sprinkler system piping, sprinkler
head locations, and all full height walls.
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 3 of 8
J. Each room or fire area shall have at least four (4) dimension lines indicating
the fire sprinkler head spacing from two different walls as noted in figure A
below:
(Figure A)
Pipe section dimensions shall not be used in lieu of required dimension
lines and pipe sizes, hangers, etc., shall be shown.
K. Riser detail showing supply pressure gauge, check valve, system pressure
gauge, main control valve, pressure relief valve, main drain including size,
water flow switch, and fire department connection(s) including size. All
system pipe sizes, and calculation nodes shall be shown.
L. Pipe stand detail as applicable. Pipe stands shall be in accordance with
NFPA 13, §17.5. Pipe stands will not be approved without the requisite
documentation from a registered professional engineer where required.
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 4 of 8
M. The following table(s) shall be shown on the plans:
I. Sprinkler head spacing and coverage area per sprinkler.
II. Location of design area(s).
III. Discharge density over design area(s).
IV. Occupancy classification, commodity classification, and maximum
storage height and configuration, including the applicable NFPA
section, and figure for storage conditions and commodities.
V. Hose stream allowance in addition to sprinkler demand.
VI. Where riser nipples are used, each typical length shall be identified
and calculated where necessary.
N. Sprinkler head legend which indicates the manufacturer, style, model,
orifice size and “K” factor of each sprinkler used. “Generic”, “Equivalent” or
“Equal” etc., is not permitted.
O. The type and size of each pipe. Where included, existing piping shall be
shown as a dashed line.
P. Each hanger and seismic sway bracing detail. This detail shall include the
proposed fastener. Use of standard details shall show the manufacturer of
the fastener, hanger, etc., and the manufacturer’s information sheet shall
be included with the submittal. Plans showing details which specify a
specific manufacturer that do not include the manufacturer’s information
sheet or have a different manufacturer’s information sheets submitted will
be rejected.
Q. Fire sprinkler system bell. The bell shall be facing the main public entrance
or the street that the building is addressed to (See: Fire Prevention Manual,
Policy #405.029, Fire Sprinkler System Bells).
R. Fire department connection. The fire department connection shall be
located, sized and installed in accordance with Fire Prevention Manual,
Policy #405.025, Fire Sprinkler Connection Requirements.
S. A piped inspector’s test valve (ITV). ITV’s shall be piped from the most
remote area down to grade (See: Fire Prevention Manual, Policy #405.013,
Inspector’s Test Valves & Air Vents). Test and drains are not a substitute
for ITV’s.
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 5 of 8
T. An air vent in accordance with NFPA 13, §16.7 An inspector’s test valve
may be used for this purpose subject to the requirements of Fire Prevention
Manual, Policy #405.013, Inspector’s Test Valves & Air Vents.
U. Spare head kit location. Spare head kits shall be installed on the building’s
interior in an approved location subject to the requirements of Fire
Prevention Manual, Policy #405.039, Fire Sprinkler Spare Head Boxes.
V. Location of the dedicated function fire alarm control unit (DFFACU) for fire
sprinkler monitoring. DFFACU installation shall be installed in the building’s
interior and in accordance with the currently adopted edition of NFPA 72.
W. The Department does not permit handwritten notes, the use of red ink by a
permit applicant, correction fluid or tape, or adhesive stickers on any
submittal documents.
X. When using the NFPA 13 “small room rule” to exceed normal sprinkler
spacing, designers must indicate this using the following symbol:
Within the rooms boundaries or directly adjacent to the room. It is the
designer’s obligation to provide this symbol in each area where this rule is
used.
Y. Where a building overhead, shell, or attic system and tenant improvement,
drop or floor system is also to be shown on a single set of plans, a reflected
ceiling plan is required to be submitted.
Z. The shell or attic system, as well as the drops on the separate reflected
ceiling plan, must show the associated dimension lines as noted in j. above.
AA. Resubmittals, revisions, or changes shall be called out with a cloud or
delta. Each re-submittal shall have a new numbered delta, and previous
clouds or deltas shall be removed. Submittals, addendums, revisions, etc.,
without proper clouding, an associated delta, or other substantial clarifying
notes regarding the scope of work will be rejected without review. Changes
made on plans between versions, etc., that are not identified with a cloud or
delta are not approved. Addendum plans shall be in accordance with Fire
Prevention Manual, §401.016, Fire Related Construction Addenda.
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 6 of 8
10.Submittal documents accompanying plans:
A. Contractors must also provide complete, comprehensive booklets that
include hydraulic calculations, seismic calculations, and manufacturers data
sheets for all equipment that is to be installed with the system.
B. Submittal applications shall contain a maximum of three submittal booklets,
and any application that contains loose sheets will cause the application to
be returned to be updated to conform to this policy without FFD review.
C. FFD will not accept loose copies of hydraulic calculations, seismic
calculations or manufacturers’ data sheets.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
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INFORMATION
As noted in the California Fire Code (CFC), §104, Duties and Powers of the Fire Code
Official, the fire code official has the authority to formulate policies they deem
necessary based upon local conditions related to plan submittals for all systems and
applications.
The requirements in this policy apply to both required and voluntary systems.
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code
§104, Duties and Powers of the Fire Code Official
§106, Construction Documents
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 7 of 8
Fire Prevention Manual
§401.016, Fire Related Construction Addenda,
§405.013, Inspector’s Test Valves & Air Vents,
§405.025, Fire Department Connection Requirements,
§405.029, Fire Sprinkler System Bells
§405.039, Fire Sprinkler System Spare Head Boxes
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13
Automatic Sprinkler Systems (Currently adopted edition with California
Amendments)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (Currently adopted edition with
California Amendments)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 170
Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols (Currently adopted
edition)
Effective Date: October 2016 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 4/30/2024 Section 401.011
Next Revision (1) Date: 4/30/2027 Page 8 of 8