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Fire and Life Safety - 08 - Plan Review for Fire Sprinkler Systems

1. Prior to starting design work, discuss the extent and type of fire protection system required with the Campus Fire Marshal.



2. Complete plans, overhead and underground, hydraulic calculations, equipment data sheets and other required calculations shall be submitted to Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) for review and approval.



3. Working drawings shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:




a.	Hydraulic calculations for hydraulically designed systems.
b.	Complete piping plans.
c.	Reflected ceiling plan with all areas clearly designated.
d.	Location and type of all hangers and earthquake bracing.
e.	Point of compass.
f.	Ceiling construction.
g.	Full length cross section.
h.	Location of fire walls.
i.	Location of seismic joints.
j.	Location of partitions.
k.	Occupancy hazard classification of each area and, or room.
l.	Location and size of blank spaces (as defined in the Code) and closets.
m.	Any questionable small enclosure in which no sprinklers are intended to be installed shall be clearly identified.
n.	Make, type and nominal orifice size of sprinklers.
o.	Temperature rating and location of high temperature sprinklers.
p.	Total area protected by each system on each floor.
q.	Number of sprinklers on each riser per floor.
r.	Location of alarm bells.
s.	Total number of sprinklers on each drypipe system, pre-action systems, or deluge systems.
t.	Nominal pipe size and cutting lengths or center to center dimensions of pipe.
u.	Location and size of riser nipples.
v.	Type of fittings, joints, sleeves, and location of all welds and bends.
w.	Location of all control valves, check valves, drain pipes, test pipes, their terminals, and areas that control valve supplies.
x.	Complete nameplate data.
y.	Name and address of contractor.
z.	Contractor's license stamp and identity of the designer.



4. All equipment shall be approved for use in fire protection systems by a nationally recognized testing Laboratory, recognized by the State Fire Marshal.



5. Plans shall bear the stamp of the individual licensed by the State of California to conduct such work.



6. All design work shall be done by an individual who is licensed by the State of California to do such work, using 1/4" = 1'-0 minimum scale drawing for fire sprinkler systems.



7. Additions to an existing systems shall include sufficient depiction of the existing system or the drawings as to make all conditions clear.



8. Discuss with the UCFPD the type of protection and alarm system for special areas such as computer rooms, tape storage areas, free access floor systems, paint or solvent storage rooms, libraries, museum storage, transformer vaults, etc.



9. Underground Plans shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:




a.	Size and location of City main in street, pressure, location, and elevation of flow test hydrant.
b.	Underground pipe size, length, location, weight, material, point of connection to the main, type of valves and meters, and the depth that the top of the pipe is laid below grade.
c.	Mounting height of fire department connections.
d.	Anticipated landscape and topography in vicinity of fire department connection.
e.	Location of nearest fire hydrant serving each fire department connection.



10. Underground connections from main to base of riser shall be a minimum of six inches or larger as determined by hydraulic calculations or pipe schedule.



11. When using approved PVC piping for underground supply piping, a transition shall be made to ferrous pipe conforming to AWWA C200, C108, or C104. The transition from PVC to ferrous pipe shall be accomplished at the following locations:




a.	A minimum distance of five feet from a 90o degree elbow designed to supply a sprinkler riser.
b.	A minimum distance of five feet from the underground elbows on the supply and service side of an above ground exterior check valve.
c.	A minimum distance of five feet from entering a building.
d.	A minimum distance of five feet prior to passing under or through a footing or retaining wall.
e.	Piping shall have a minimum cover of three feet under driveways, fire lanes, roads, streets, and in open areas. Cover shall be measured from finished grade to the top of the pipe.
f.	Tracer wire shall be taped to nonmetallic piping. Wire shall be wrapped completely around the pipe.
g.	When the system riser is close to a foundation or footing, underground fittings of proper length shall be used to avoid pipe joints located in or under the wall or footing. When the connection passes through a foundation or footing below grade, a one to three inch clearance shall be provided around the pipe, and the clear space filled with asphalt mastic or similar flexible waterproofing material.
h.	Fire Department connections shall be located no less than 40 feet from the buildings protected.
	Note: Where conditions do not permit, the Fire Department connection shall be placed where it will be readily accessible in case of fire and not subject to injury. All Fire Department connection locations shall be approved by the Campus Fire Marshal and local Fire Department.
i.	Fire Department connections shall front the street of primary Fire Department vehicular access and shall be located within 25 feet of a fire hydrant. Fire Department connection inlets shall be located 30 inches to 4 feet above grade on street front.



12. Installation of each system shall include the entire building, underground supply piping. Installation shall be per these standards including referenced standards and codes, and shall be performed by a contractor holding a C-16 California Contractor's License.



13. All fire code tests described and referenced in these standards shall be performed by the contractor in the presence of the State Fire Marshal and/or a representative of the UCFPD. Tests and inspections shall apply to all water sourced fire protection systems, including fire hydrants, sprinklers, standpipes, and all underground piping which supplies these systems and devices.



14. All piping shall be hydrostatic pressure tested in accordance with these standards and the following listed codes and standards (using the Code and Standard adopted in the current State Codes):




a.	Sprinkler piping: NFPA 13 with State amendments.
b.	Standpipes: NFPA 14 with State amendments.
c.	Underground piping: NFPA 24.



15. Hydrostatic Test Preparation:




a.	The Designated Campus Fire Marshal shall be contacted 48 hours in advance, to witness hydrostatic tests.
b.	Underground, rooftop, and other piping directly exposed to the exterior environment and/or piping containing water absorbent material shall be filled with water 24 hours preceding hydrostatic testing.
c.	Interior piping shall be filled with water two hours preceding hydrostatic testing.
d.	Piping shall be purged of all air and other gases prior to hydrostatic testing.
e.	Underground piping shall be center loaded and all fittings, joints, strappings, and thrust blocking shall be exposed for hydrostatic pressure testing and inspection.
f.	All above grade and interior piping, fittings, and supports shall be exposed for inspection and hydrostatic testing.
g.	Fire department connections and piping shall be included in hydrostatic testing and shall be flushed.
h.	Underground mains and supply connections to sprinkler risers shall be flushed thoroughly before connection to sprinkler systems.
i.	Test of drainage facilities shall be conducted by opening each drain valve while the system control valves are open to the supply.
j.	All drains and test valves shall empty into drains that will readily accept the volume of water expected in normal use.
k.	Contractor shall be responsible for coordination of all testing through design and construction.



16. Approval and acceptance of system subject to compliance with the listed requirements, plan check approval, approval by fire inspection, and necessary tests. Approval of plans and specifications shall not constitute a waiver of approval to violate any code or requirement. Submittals having inaccurate hydraulic calculations or content which is incomplete or unclear, will be returned without review or approval.

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