ze=-1 color=black> Below is a cache of http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/_docs/_SafetyServices/_FireInspections/New/AutomaticExtinguishingSystems/AutomaticFireSprinklerSystems.pdf. It's a snapshot of the page taken as our search engine crawled the Web.
The web site itself may have changed. You can check the current page or check for previous versions at the Internet Archive. Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content.
CITY OF BLAINE SAFETY SERVICES Fire inspections 10801 Town Square Drive Blaine MN 55449

CITY OF BLAINE
SAFETY SERVICES
Fire inspections
10801 Town Square Drive
Blaine MN 55449
Business Phone 763-785-6187
Fax 763-717-2634


A
A
U
U
T
T
O
O
M
M
A
A
T
T
I
I
C
C


F
F
I
I
R
R
E
E


S
S
P
P
R
R
I
I
N
N
K
K
L
L
E
E
R
R


S
S
Y
Y
S
S
T
T
E
E
M
M
S
S



Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed or modified with a fire inspection permit and be in
compliance with the following requirements.

Submittal Requirements


A permit application signed by a state licensed sprinkler contractor.

A check made out to the City of Blaine in the amount of $3 per sprinkler head plus a state
Surcharge fee of .50. The minimum fee is $50.50.

A minimum of three sets of scaled plans signed by a state licensed sprinkler contractor. Permit
and one set of city approved plans for work must be kept at the site.

A minimum of one set of remote area hydraulic calculations for each area of different sprinkler
design.

The manufacturers specifications for all heads to be installed.

Extinguishing systems for kitchen hoods, spray booths and similar locations require a separate
permit.

General Information


All sprinkler systems must meet the minimum requirements of the Minnesota State Fire Code
and NFPA Standards.

The entire sprinkler system must be designed and installed per current applicable standards,
i.e., 13, 13D, 13R and current Minnesota State Building Code, Chapter 9.

Calculations


Sprinkler contractor is responsible for choosing the appropriate density and for the accuracy of
hydraulic calculations.

The remote hydraulic area for a combustible attic must be increased 30% for dry systems and
an additional 30% for roof slope. (2535 square feet)

Sprinkler systems in buildings used for storage must have a minimum remote area designed for
2000 square feet.

Sprinkler systems in industrial buildings with an undetermined use must have a minimum
sprinkler design of Ordinary Hazard Group 2 over a 3000 square foot design area and have 8.0
or higher K-factor sprinkler heads.

Sprinkler systems with specialized design criteria (i.e. high pile storage, flammable liquids)
must include a code analysis of the proposed design including specific code references.

Page 2
Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems





Water Supply


Sprinkler systems in multi-tenant buildings must have the riser assembly located in a separate
room with an exterior access door or when approved, in an interior room immediately adjacent
to an access door. All doors on the interior and exterior of the building providing access to
sprinkler system controls must be clearly labeled as such.

Water flow data may not be more than 3 years old.

Water lines, when serving both a sprinkler system and hydrant, must be a minimum of 8-inches
up to the point of the hydrant. The line to the building can be reduced to 6-inches if this is
adequate to supply the system.

Water lines supplying only a sprinkler system must be a minimum of 6-inches.

All systems except 13D systems must have a fire supply line separate from the domestic line.
On 13D systems designer must provide calculations documenting that the water line can supply
both the domestic and fire system demands.

Existing sprinkler systems with combined domestic and fire system water supply must be
retrofitted with a solenoid valve on the domestic side when the building or system is modified.

Townhome sprinkler systems shall be provided with a separate riser room. See fire inspection
policy regarding townhome sprinkler systems

Installation Requirements


All areas of a building shall be sprinklered including: attics, electrical rooms, under stairs,
under, overhead doors, each landing in stairwell, concealed combustible areas, elevator
mechanical room, elevator shaft, etc.

Exterior combustible decks on R-1 apartment buildings shall have sprinkler protection above.

Where required by the International Mechanical Code, automatic sprinklers shall be provided
in ducts conveying hazardous exhaust, flammable or combustible materials. Exception: Ducts
where the largest cross-sectional diameter of the duct is less than 10-inches.

System Components and Hardware


Fire Department connection shall be a minimum of 15-feet from gas meters and electric
transformers.

The Fire Department connection shall be a minimum of 2-feet above grade, maximum 4-feet
above grade.

Sprinkler systems with less than 20 sprinkler heads must have the fire department connection
located on the elevation facing the street.

An indicating valve must be provided on the supply side of the check valve.

An exterior wall post indicator valve (WPIV) is required. The WPIV may be omitted if the
building is less than 20,000 square feet and a separate sprinkler riser room with an exterior door
is provided.

All indicating control valves and risers shall have permanent signs identifying the area of the
building that is controlled by that valve or riser.

A zone map is required on all multiple riser systems. The map must be permanently mounted
adjacent to sprinkler riser, alarm panel and annunciator panel.

Detect meters are not required on monitored systems.

Buildings with two or more floors must have indicating control valves and inspectors test on
each floor.

Power supply breakers for all alarm system components, including exterior sprinkler alarms
and air compressors must have approved locking devices to prevent the accidental
disconnection of power.

Page 3
Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems










Monitoring & Alarm


Separate plans and permit are required for all fire alarm systems

Systems with 20 or more heads must be equipped with central station monitoring service.

Monitoring systems must comply with NFPA 72 including panel requirement for audible
trouble signals and must have two means of signal transmission.

All components of the system must be UL listed for their application and be compatible.

The fire alarm control panel or a remote annunciator panel must be located at the main entrance
unless otherwise approved.

The fire alarm control panel must be located in an enclosed room or area, i.e.: mechanical room
or main entrance area. Obtain prior approval of FACP location.

A smoke detector is required in the room or area of the fire alarm control panel, monitoring
panel and dialer. Installation of additional devices requires a separate permit.

All indicating control valves, including WPIVs, must be secured and electronically supervised.

All sprinkler systems containing air pressure shall have the air pressure electronically
monitored.

Zoning of the sprinkler system shall be approved by a Fire Inspector and shall be annunciated
on the alarm panel and at remote annunciator panels.

Each floor shall be a separate fire alarm zone and be annunciated at the alarm panel.

Test the flow switch retard setting with inspectors test, 30-60 second retard setting is required.

Dry valve trip test-water to flow from inspectors test within 60 seconds on systems containing
more than 750 gallons. Accelerators and/or exhausters will be required if the 60 second
requirement is not met.

Main drain and primary inspectors test must terminate at the exterior of the building.

Inspections Required


All underground water supply lines must be properly flushed and hydrostatically tested.
Documentation of test must be available. Contact Public Works 763-785-6166

24 hour advance notice to the Fire Inspection Division is required for inspections and
witnessing tests.

Rough-in inspection required if piping or hangers will be concealed.

2 hour 200# wet pressure test including the fire department connection.

24 hour air pressure test (for dry systems only)

Main drain and alarm test.

Flow switch setting of 35-60 second delay when flowing through the inspectors test.

Permit, inspection record, and one set of city approved plans for work must be kept at the site
or inspections will not be performed.

System must be 100% tested prior to calling for inspection. If an acceptance test of system
fails a re-inspection must be scheduled. Reinspection fees are $50.00.



i:\fireinsp\blaine policies-handouts\sprinkler system criteria.doc






Revised 03/27/03











Revised 04/23/03