Industry Bulletin 2018-002 NFPA 13D Requirements
KERRI L. DONIS, CFO, EFO, MSOL
FIRE CHIEF
Theodore F. Semonious, Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal
Prevention, Support, and Technical Services Division
(559) 621-4181 FAX (559) 498-4323
Fresno Fire Department 911 H Street Fresno, CA 93721-3082
FIRE INDUSTRY BULLETIN 2018-002
SCOPE
City of Fresno (and contract service area) requirements related to one (1) and two (2)
family dwelling (NFPA 13D) fire sprinkler systems.
PURPOSE
This bulletin notifies applicable stakeholders of the Department’s existing requirements
relative to fire sprinkler installations in one (1) and two (2) family dwellings covered
under National Fire Protection Standard 13D (2016 edtn.). These stakeholders include:
Residential developers, Home builders, Fire sprinkler contractors, Designers, Installers,
etc.
BACKGROUND
It has recently been brought to the Department’s attention that some NFPA 13D fire
sprinkler systems may have been installed incorrectly. As with all other building
standards, it is the Department’s requirement that all residential fire sprinkler systems
be designed and installed per the requirements of the California Residential & Fire
Codes, NFPA 13D, and applicable Department policies.
INFORMATION
Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) §10-50101.1.3, establishes the fire code official’s
authority to enforce building standards and fire protection requirements for R-3
occupancies, including one (1) and two (2) family dwellings.
REQUIREMENTS
NFPA 13D systems that are installed as “Standalone-Alone” systems in accordance
with NFPA 13D, §3.3.11.9, shall be equipped with passive purge in accordance with
NFPA 13D §3.3.11.5, except that all toilets are to be equipped with passive purge
(Note: this requirement does not eliminate the mandatory check valve after the tee to
the sprinkler system). Hereafter, these systems will be referred to as “Standalone with
passive purge” (SAWPP) throughout this document.
“To protect and put service above all else.”
FIRE INDUSTRY BULLETIN 2018-002
Page 2
SAWPP systems are also required to have two control valves installed, one which is the
main control valve located after the City water meter, ahead of any landscape tee,
domestic plumbing tee and fire sprinkler tee. Additionally, SAWPP systems must also
have a control valve installed on the domestic plumbing line, after the tee to the fire
sprinkler system, to control the domestic plumbing. An example of this required
installation configuration can be found in NFPA 13D (2016 edtn.) in figure 6.2(c).
Briefly, the purpose of these installation requirements are to allow work to be performed
on the domestic portions of the plumbing system without shutting off the protection
afforded by the fire sprinkler system. This style of installation may also reduce the
amount of stagnant water within the fire sprinkler system, which, if not provided could
reduce the home’s water quality.
It is the obligation of the design and installation community to review and adjust their
designs and installations to conform to local requirements. Additionally, the Department
would recommend that all affected stakeholders ensure that their staff members install
all fire sprinkler systems per the Department’s requirements on each project. Failure to
complete installations as required may result in significant project delays and additional
project costs.
Installations which do not conform to the Department’s requirements will not be
approved.
NOTE
This notice is effective February 15, 2018.