HomeMy WebLinkAbout405.002 - Pre-Pipe InspectionsEffective Date: June 2006 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 1/31/2025 Section 405.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 1/31/2028 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 405.002 PRE-PIPE INSPECTIONS
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or
Department) requirements related to required inspections of metallic, fire sprinkler
system piping, prior to installation.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all fire sprinkler systems utilizing metallic piping within the City
of Fresno (COF) and contract service areas and includes both required and voluntary
systems.
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
that all, new metallic fire sprinkler piping which utilizes welded outlets, other welded
fabrication, or mechanical outlets which are drilled or cut, etc. shall be inspected by
the Department prior to installation. It shall be the obligation of the permit applicant to
conform to all of the following requirements:
1. All piping shall be made accessible at ground level for inspection by
Department staff. When, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal (or
designee), any piping is considered inaccessible, the inspection may be
discontinued, and a reinspection fee or penalty assessed for the
inspection.
2. All piping shall be free of discs, coupons, welding wire, shavings and
other debris within the piping.
3. The interior of all welded outlets, mechanical outlet holes, etc. must be
free of any slag, welding residue (including wire, excessive splatter,
etc.). All holes, outlet connections, etc. shall be deburred, ground
smooth and round.
4. The piping must be free of any debris in the piping which may reduce
the required pressure and volume of water during fire sprinkler system
activation or from any deformities which may not permit proper sealing
of the piping.
Effective Date: June 2006 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 1/31/2025 Section 405.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 1/31/2028 Page 2 of 3
5. All metallic piping subject to this policy that has been installed without
the required, ground level, pre-pipe inspection will be required to be
removed, disassembled and placed at ground level to facilitate the
required pre-pipe inspection. No additional system inspections will be
completed without having completed the required pre-pipe inspection.
6. Any permit applicant that installs piping subject to this policy prior to a
pre-pipe inspection will be subject to all fees and penalties as permitted
by law.
7. Permit applicants that repeatedly violate this policy may be subject to
additional civil and administrative action(s), which may include but are
not limited to: Official complaint filed with the California Contractors
State License Board (CSLB), the refusal of the Department to issue new
construction permits as noted in the California Fire Code (CFC) and any
other remedy provided for by law. These additional actions may also be
instituted at the sole discretion of the Fire Marshal (or designee), and
are not subject to appeal, except as noted by law.
An economic condition, artificial project time constraint, or building design concern
shall not form the basis of a request to modify these requirements.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
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INFORMATION
As noted in the CFC, the fire code official has the authority to formulate policies they
deem necessary based upon local conditions related to all fire water systems and
equipment, including fire hydrants.
These pre-installation inspections are to ensure that welding, cutting, drilling, etc., was
carried out in compliance with the requirements noted in the CFC, National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 13 – Automatic Sprinkler Systems, and FFD policy.
Effective Date: June 2006 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 1/31/2025 Section 405.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 1/31/2028 Page 3 of 3
Pre-pipe inspections have traditionally been allowed prior to the review of fire sprinkler
system plans, and/or the issuance of an automatic fire sprinkler system construction
permit since the piping may be delivered to the construction site prior to the
construction documents being approved and the inspection can take place while the
pipe is located at ground level. This facilitates construction and fire department
construction schedules.
A compliant pre-pipe inspection is not a granting of permission to commence system
installation. As noted in the CFC, installation of the system shall not commence until
the approval of required construction documents and the issuance of a construction
permit.
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code, Currently adopted edition
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Currently adopted edition