The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About405.011 - Kitchen Fire Sprinkler Design and Installation (FMC 10-50903.6)Effective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 06/26/2025 Section 405.011 Next Revision Date: 05/26/2028 Page 1 of 5 400 Fire Prevention Manual SECTION 405.011 KITCHEN FIRE SPRINKLER DESIGN & INSTALLATION (FMC 10-50903.6) PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a higher level of safety within dwelling units which have previously had a fire, where the damage in the kitchen area from the fire exceeded the threshold amounts noted in the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC). APPLICATION This policy applies to the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or Department) requirements for a single fire sprinkler, automatic fire sprinkler system (limited to a kitchen) installation as noted within the FMC. OPERATIONAL POLICY As mandated by City of Fresno (COF) amendments to the California Fire Code (CFC), when a fire occurs in any Group R occupancy, and the fire repair costs in the kitchen area of the dwelling unit(s) exceeds $1,000, the dwelling unit(s) must be retrofitted with an approved means of fire protection. In some cases, this consists of a single fire sprinkler, automatic fire sprinkler system, but it may also include a UL listed residential wet chemical extinguishing system, or other approved pre-engineered fire suppression system. There is no nationally recognized standard for a single fire sprinkler, automatic fire sprinkler system (limited to a kitchen) installation; however, this design and installation policy is based on the installation standards found in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, for water supply and fire sprinkler location. Water supply point of connection: As with a complete NFPA 13D residential fire sprinkler system, the kitchen fire sprinkler is supplied by the residential domestic water piping system. A series of at least two, separate, connection points to the domestic water supply are required for the installation of a single, fire sprinkler located in the kitchen for pipe sizes of ¾ inches or larger. Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 06/26/2025 Section 405.011 Next Revision Date: 06/26/2028 Page 2 of 5 For domestic water supply piping ¾ inches or larger, a loop from the existing cold- water line should be made. This loop should be connected as close as possible to the main kitchen fixture in order to keep friction loss in the supply line to the fire sprinkler at a minimum. The piping should incorporate a standard tee fitting with the fire sprinkler supplied by the center nipple of the tee, and the supply piping should enter the tee ends. Dead end runs to the sprinkler should be limited to a maximum of 24 inches. This limitation will help to ensure water quality is unaffected and that there is sufficient fire sprinkler piping available for the listed hanger installation. For ½ inch domestic water supply piping and smaller, a networked fire sprinkler supply (as described in NFPA 13D) is required. This networked supply should consist of at least three separate connection points to the domestic water supply. A loop as noted above for ¾ inches or larger piping should be supplied, as well as a third point of connection from the next closest fixture supply line. The piping should include a 4- way side outlet tee fitting with the fire sprinkler supplied by the center nipple of the tee, and the supply piping should enter the tee ends. Dead end runs to the sprinkler should be limited to a maximum of 24 inches. This limitation will help to ensure water quality is unaffected and that there is sufficient fire sprinkler piping available for listed hanger installation. Domestic water to fire sprinkler transition: Any materials approved for multipurpose residential fire sprinkler piping systems may be used from the domestic water connection(s) to the fire sprinkler. Effective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 06/26/2025 Section 405.011 Next Revision Date: 06/26/2028 Page 3 of 5 Fire sprinkler head: Any residential fire sprinkler that is listed for low lead content (“LL”/AB1953/NSF 61 Annex “G”) is required. Below are examples of three types of residential fire sprinklers that may be used; a semi-recessed type, a domed concealed type, and a flat concealed fire sprinkler. Note: The fire sprinkler or cover plate cannot be painted (factory colors other than white are available). Figure 1 The following residential fire sprinklers are currently listed to NSF 61 Annex “G” for ultra-low lead content: • Reliable RFC 4LL SIN 3316 (semi-recessed and domed concealer) & RFC49LL SIN 3216 (flat concealer). • Viking Freedom Residential Pendant (SIN VK 4660) and Concealer (SIN VK 4740) lead free. • All Senju residential models. Fire sprinkler installation location: The installation of the fire sprinkler head should be as follows: • The fire sprinkler head should be centered on the ceiling in front of the range (stovetop, cooktop, etc.) no less than four (4’) feet, but no more than six (6’) feet, away from the outermost edge of the cooking surface appliance. • Where impractical, the fire sprinkler head may be offset horizontally from the center of the ceiling one (1’) foot in either direction to clear obstructions. Effective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 06/26/2025 Section 405.011 Next Revision Date: 06/26/2028 Page 4 of 5 • In the case of unconventional ceiling designs, the sprinkler head may be installed as noted in NFPA 13D. • No obstructions (including surface mounted lighting and ceiling fans) should be located between the sprinkler head and the range. For the purposes of fire sprinkler head positioning, a range hood is not considered an obstruction. Permits and Inspections: An over-the-counter permit (no plan submittal) is required to be obtained by a C-16 or C-36 licensed contractor for installations in one (1) and two (2) family dwelling units subject to these requirements. Apartments or condominiums containing three (3) units or more must be have permits obtained by a licensed C-16 contractor. Contractors holding a C-36 license are not permitted to complete these installations. For installations of single fire sprinkler, automatic fire sprinkler system (limited to a kitchen) installation in multiple apartment or condominium units that are not being piped directly from each individual unit’s domestic water supply, an installation plan is required prior to permit issuance. All kitchen fire sprinkler head permits are issued and inspected by the FFD. A minimum of two (2) inspections are needed for each permit: 1. A hydrostatic test at normal domestic water system pressure is required prior to covering the kitchen fire sprinkler supply piping. 2. A final permit inspection completed after texturing, painting and the completion of installation of all ceiling fixtures. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. Effective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer Current Revision Date: 06/26/2025 Section 405.011 Next Revision Date: 06/26/2028 Page 5 of 5 INFORMATION Forty-six percent (46%) of residential fires originate in the kitchen. Fires where cooking equipment was involved resulted in injuries forty-four percent (44%) of the time and death nineteen percent (19%) of the time. Research funded by the US Fire Administration and performed by the National Institute of Testing Standards has shown that a single, low pressure fire sprinkler head can effectively control a residential kitchen stove top grease fire. As noted in the California Health and Safety Code (H&S), the fire code official has the authority to make modifications to building standards after a finding has been made, subject to specific conditions. Additionally, under the California Fire Code (CFC) the fire code official has the authority to formulate policies they deem necessary based upon local conditions related to automatic fire sprinkler installations. The installing contractor is required to provide an information sheet for the single fire sprinkler, automatic fire sprinkler system in the kitchen to the property owner which advises the owner of the presence of the single fire sprinkler, automatic fire sprinkler system and includes emergency procedures. It is recommended that the required information sheet be permanently mounted in the kitchen area. The recommend location is on the inside of a kitchen cabinet door, which is directly adjacent to the range. See Exhibit A for a copy of the information sheet. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS REFERENCES Fresno Municipal Code, currently adopted edition National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 2016) Home Fires Involving Cooking Equipment National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13D, currently adopted edition