HomeMy WebLinkAbout405.030 - Specific Application Window SprinklersEffective Date: January 2010 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 7/1/2025 Section 405.030
Next Revision Date: 7/1/2028 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 405.030 SPECIFIC APPLICATION WINDOW SPRINKLERS
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or
Department) requirements for the installation of water curtains.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all buildings equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system
within the Department’s service delivery area, including contract service areas. These
requirements apply to 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
the following:
1. All proposed water curtains are required to use Tyco WS specific application
window sprinklers. No other sprinklers will be permitted to be used in this
application regardless of their listing.
2. Tyco WS specific application window sprinklers require sprinklers and piping
on both sides of the water curtain in accordance with their listing.
3. All water curtain supply piping is required to be on its own riser, with a
permanent and durable sign indicating its function. The water curtain riser must
also include a separate, supervised control valve, water flow switch, alarm bell
and drain. Installation of these components shall be accordance with National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Fire
Sprinkler Systems.
Water curtain sprinkler systems are commonly used as an alternate, equivalent
means of fire protection for fire resistance rated construction, and as such, the
water curtain must remain in service, even if the standard automatic fire
sprinkler system must be taken out of service for any reason.
Effective Date: January 2010 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 7/1/2025 Section 405.030
Next Revision Date: 7/1/2028 Page 2 of 3
4. Any proposed water curtain installation must show a complete section detail of
the installation on the fire sprinkler construction documents. This detail must
show fire sprinkler head positions, window style to be protected, mullions or
butt joints, etc.
5. Any proposed water curtain installation must include a note on the construction
documents that the automatic fire sprinkler system spare fire sprinkler head kit
must include water curtain fire sprinkler heads. The spare fire sprinkler head
legend must show the correct fire sprinkler heads and counts.
6. All water curtains must comply with the requirements of NFPA 13, for fire
sprinkler protected glazing.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
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INFORMATION
As noted in the currently adopted version of the California Fire Code (CFC), the fire
code official has the authority to formulate policies they deem necessary based upon
local conditions related to fire sprinkler installations.
Currently, Tyco WS specific application window sprinklers are listed for use, subject
to specific conditions, including a number of installation requirements, under
International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), ESR 2397 (Rev. May 2025).
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code, Currently adopted edition
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Currently adopted edition
Effective Date: January 2010 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 7/1/2025 Section 405.030
Next Revision Date: 7/1/2028 Page 3 of 3
International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), ESR 2397 (Rev. May 2025)
TYCO, Product Listing TFP620