HomeMy WebLinkAbout405.007 - Fire Protection of Roof Drainage CricketsEffective Date: November 2008 Scott Recchio, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 2/13/2025 Section 405.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 2/13/2025 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 405.007 FIRE PROTECTION OF ROOF DRAINAGE CRICKETS
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or
Department) requirements related to acceptable alternatives to automatic fire sprinkler
installations inside combustible concealed spaces that are created by wood-framed,
roof drainage crickets.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all fire automatic sprinkler systems 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 in addition to the listed exceptions in currently adopted version of the NFPA 13,
the following method may be permitted as an approved alternate for the protection of
roof drainage crickets. Approval of this option is at the sole discretion of the Fire
Marshal (or designee):
1. Roof drainage crickets must not exceed four (4’) feet in height (measured
vertically from the horizontal support surface to the highest point of the underside
of the cricket interior at the parapet).
2. Fire stopping material must consist of a minimum ½ inch thick gypsum board,
supported in an approved manner.
3. Fire stopping intervals must not exceed 10 linear feet.
Note: Where a continuous cricket has varying heights that fall above and below the
4-foot maximum height threshold, the higher areas must have fire sprinkler protection
installed. Minimum temperature requirements found in NFPA 13 (i.e. 40°F) must be
maintained. Insulation used to meet this requirement may be cut off from the lower
height cricket spaces with approved fire stops when approved by the Fire Marshal (or
designee). It is the obligation of the permit applicant to seek this approval prior to plan
submission, and any approval shall be note on the automatic fire sprinkler construction
documents.
Effective Date: November 2008 Scott Recchio, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 2/13/2025 Section 405.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 2/13/2028 Page 2 of 3
Installation of additional fire stops should be included and shown on the roof framing
detail on the approved building construction documents for use by the Planning and
Development Department Building Inspector during the framing inspection.
If use of fire stopping in lieu of fire sprinkler protection was not coordinated prior to
building plan submittal, the general contractor should provide an addendum to the
Development Department, as needed, prior to the roof framing inspection.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
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INFORMATION
In response to fire sprinkler and building contractor requests for approved alternate
means and methods to protect roof drainage crickets, an additional fire protection
option using fire stopping not provided in accordance with the currently adopted
version of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13 for these spaces may
be used in lieu of installing fire sprinklers in crickets that are less than or equal to four
feet in height. The intent of the four-foot restriction is to limit the size of combustible
concealed spaces between fire stops.
This policy does not apply to mansards, concealed spaces within the building such as
composite wood joist cavities, exterior architectural features, and similar spaces (See:
Fire Prevention Manual, Section 405.019, Sprinklers Under Roof Projections). These
elements require protection in accordance with the currently adopted version of the
NFPA 13.
Because of their location on top of the roof, roof drainage crickets are less vulnerable
to exposure fires. They also lack sources of interior ignition, and fire sprinkler
protection is provided within the building directly under the crickets. The requirements
listed in this policy provide an acceptable, approved alternate means to limit fire
spread in these areas should an ignition occur. Installation of fire sprinklers in these
spaces is often impractical due to limited working space and lack of access after
installation.
DEFINITIONS
Effective Date: November 2008 Scott Recchio, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 2/13/2025 Section 405.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 2/13/2028 Page 3 of 3
For purposes of this policy, a “roof drainage cricket” is defined as:
A roof drainage element partitioned off from the attic and/or adjacent mansard space,
containing no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical equipment (i.e., empty space).
CROSS-REFERENCES
Fire Prevention Manual
Section 405.019, Sprinklers Under Roof Projections
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Current Edition