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Water and Fire Protection Issues

Water and Fire Protection Issues. Bruce Lecair Southwest Regional Manager, National Fire Sprinkler Association. California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5). Adopted into regulation on January 1, 2011, Currently in the 2013 California Residential Code Based on the 2012 ed.

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Water and Fire Protection Issues

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  1. Water and Fire Protection Issues Bruce Lecair Southwest Regional Manager, National Fire Sprinkler Association

  2. California Residential Code(Title 24, Part 2.5) • Adopted into regulation on January 1, 2011, • Currently in the 2013 California Residential Code • Based on the 2012 ed. • California Residential Code (CRC) • ICC-IRC, 2000 ed., 2003 ed., 2006 ed., & 2009 ed. • 2010 CRC based on 2009 IRC • State Housing Law (Title 25) • Original California Residential Code, Section R313 • 2009 ed. IRC Section P2904 - Table P2904.3.6.2(9) • 2010 ed. CRC Section R 313.3 • NFPA 13D 2010 ed.

  3. Primary Sprinkler System Components Water supply Meters and valves Piping Sprinklers Alarm (when required by AHJ)

  4. Installing the Residential Fire Sprinkler System The system may be installed by a licensed contractor or an owner-builder per the CA. State Contractor License Board. BUT…They can’t do it without H2O!

  5. Connection to City Main • Preferred Arrangement • Acceptable Arrangement

  6. Water SupplyOptions Domestic Water Line Section 6.2(1) (07) Section 6.2(1) (02) Street Main (probably the most common)

  7. Preferable Arrangement City Water Main City Gate Valve To Domestic System Main Control Valve Rubber Faced Check Valve Domestic Shut Off Pressure Gauge Note: Rubber Faced Check Valves are Optional Water Meter Waterflow Detector Drain and Test Connection Pressure Gauge To Automatic Sprinkler System NFPA 13D Figure A.6.2(a) (07) NFPA 13D Figure A.6.2(a) (02)

  8. Acceptable Arrangement with Valve Supervision (option 1) City Water Main City Gate Valve Sprinkler Control Valve Water Meter Pressure Gauge Rubber Faced Check Valve Note: Rubber Faced Check Valves are Optional Domestic Shutoff Water Flow Detector Pressure Gauge To Domestic System To Automatic Sprinkler system Drain and Test Connection NFPA 13D Figure A.6.2(b) (07) NFPA 13D Figure A.6.2(b) (02)

  9. Acceptable Arrangement with Valve Supervision City Water Main City Gate Valve Water Meter Waterflow Detector Main Control Valve Sprinkler Control Valve Pressure Gauge To Domestic System To Automatic Sprinkler system Domestic Shutoff Valve Drain and Test Connection Pressure Gauge Rubber faced Check Valve NFPA 13D Figure A.6.2(c) (07) NFPA 13D Figure A.6.2(c) (02)

  10. Meter size and friction loss = $ Keep the domestic and the firesprinkler separate when possible per NFPA13D

  11. Meters Neptune T-10 Meets or exceeds AWWA C-700

  12. Piping Configurations How we design can affect the costs to homebuyers • Stand alone • Tree Systems (straight run) • Looped Systems • Gridded Systems • Multipurpose Piping System • Passive Purge • Mist Systems and Coming soon!

  13. Stand alone • Independent fire sprinkler and plumbing water distribution systems • Tree • Looped • Frequently provides improved hydraulic performance • Separation of fire and plumbing systems can occur at different points in piping

  14. Branch Lines Sprinklers Cross Main Control Valve Riser Tree System (straight run) Check Valve

  15. Sprinklers Branch Lines Cross Main Control Valve Riser Check Valve Looped System

  16. Multi-purpose A water distribution system that satisfies fire sprinkler and plumbing needs. Almost always connected to supply piping from a single tap Full integration of fire/plumbing Partial integration of fire/plumbing Plumbing demand in large homes may be greater than sprinkler system demand requirements

  17. Passive Purge Sprinkler system piping that connects to a single, commonly used plumbing fixture. Almost always connected to supply piping from a single tap Tree system Looped/Gridded system Commonly used in lieu of backflow

  18. Backflow!!!! Is it required and if so, when???

  19. Backflow Does theCPC required it?UPC 603

  20. California Plumbing CodeClass (1) Fire Protection System CPC 603.4.16 Protection from Fire Systems. • Note: Fire Protection Systems has not been adopted by the State Fire Marshal. This section cannot be adopted or enforced pursuant to California Health and Safety Code 13114.7 • (a), which is being cited for reference. California Health and Safety Code 13114.7 • For the purposes of this section the following are definitions of class I and class II systems: (1) American Water Works Association (A.W.W.A) Manual No. M-14 class I – Automatic fire sprinkler systems with direct connection from public water mains only; no pumps, tanks, or reservoirs; no physical connection from other water supplies; no antifreeze or additives of any kind; and all sprinkler drains discharging to the atmosphere or other safe outlets.

  21. Continued • CPC 603.4.16 Protection from Fire Systems. • (2) American Water Works Association (A.W.W.A.) Manual No. M-14 class 2 – Automatic fire sprinkler systems which are the same as class I, except that booster pumps may be installed in connections from the street mains. • (b) Automatic fire sprinkler systems described in subdivision (a) shall not be required any backflow protection equipment at the service connection other than required by standards for those systems contained in the publication of the National Fire Protection Association entitled “Installation of Sprinkler Systems” (NFPA Pamphlet No. 13, 1980 edition)

  22. California State Fire Marshal Code Interpretation

  23. Question: Is it the intent of Section R313.3.5.3 of the 2013 California Residential Code (CRC) to require backflow protection to separate a stand-alone residential fire sprinkler system from a potable water source supplying the system? Answer: The answer to this question is dependent on the specific installation. • Stand-alone residential sprinkler systems that • 1) Use piping materials that are suitable for potable water, • 2) Do not contain antifreeze, and • 3) Do not have a fire department connection, are excluded from any backflow protection requirementsunder CRC Section R313.3.1. CRC Section R313.3.1 is a “specific” code provision that applies to residential sprinkler systems meeting these criteria. Any stand-alone residential sprinkler system that does not meet the three criteria must be provided with backflow protection in accordance with CRC Section 313.3.5.3, which contains the “general” requirements for providing backflow protection for residential sprinkler systems.

  24. Explanation CRC Section 1.1.7 indicates that, where a conflict exists between code sections, specific provisions prevail over general provisions, even if the specific provision is less restrictive. For reference, CRC 1.1.7 assigns the following as the general order of precedence and use of the California Residential Code (Item 2 applies in this case): 1. Differences. In the event of any differences between these building standards and the standard reference documents, the text of these building standards shall govern. 2. Specific provisions. Where a specific provision varies from a general provision, the specific provision shall apply. 3. Conflicts. When the requirements of this code conflict with the requirements of any other part of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, the most restrictive requirements shall prevail.

  25. Background • This is consistent with California Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7 • Also reprinted in Section 603.5.15 of the California Plumbing Code • Which does not require backflow for residential fire sprinkler systems meeting the requirements listed in CRC 313.3.1

  26. Lets talk about Water Discharge for Water-based Fire Protection Systems • Almost all of our Fire Protection Systems use water • Everyone uses water • Water is regulated!!! • Who knew?

  27. WATER-BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS DISCHARGE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES MANUAL California State Fire Marshal In cooperation with CA. Division of Water Quality Storm Water Section September 2011 Bruce Lecair, NFSA Regional Manager http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/strucfireengineer/pdf/aes/waterdischargemanual.pdf

  28. Overview In response to a request for action by the Fire Sprinkler Industry (NFSA) in California, the State Fire Marshal convened a Water Discharge for Fire Protection Task Force. • Office of the State Fire Marshal Automatic Extinguishing Systems Advisory Committee • Task Force was established with representatives from various agencies and industry practitioners

  29. Acknowledgement This Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual was developed through the accumulation of research, analysis, and collaborative efforts of the many disciplines via a Special Task Force for the California Office of the State Fire Marshal Water Discharge for Fire Protection.

  30. Scope and Purpose Provide a set of Best Management Practices (BMP’S), which specifically provided a common set of tools for the proper processing of water discharged from a water-based fire protection system discharges in California Dischargers are however encouraged to contact the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) operator to discuss any specific discharge requirements and reporting

  31. Why Important? Requirements of the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act. Environmental stewardship – balance approach to environment and life safety system maintenance. Industry need for a consistent set of tool box methods. Keeps Inspection Maintenance and Testing (ITM) costs reasonable and predictable. Eliminates or reduces regulatory conflicts. Potentially streamlines regulator cost burden.

  32. Why an Issue?

  33. Uncontrolled - not good

  34. Controlled - but enough?

  35. Hmmmm - not good

  36. Permits The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General or Regional Permit requires dischargers to minimize sediments and other debris entering storm drain system. Failure to follow appropriate procedures can result in adverse impacts to the environment including aquatic animals and plants, obstruction of storm control facilities, flooding, legal liability.

  37. Who cares? Regulatory community – RWQCB and MS4 operators Fish & other aquatic species Habitat People who use creeks and look at gutters and drainage ways ITM contractors and building owners Fire agency officials • Water purveyors --- the consistency issue

  38. What the BMP Manual can do for you? Fit your needs --- Prepared by interest based practitioners (in California) to balance generic issues and concerns. Avoid fines/conflicts where accepted by the regulator. Provides MS4 Safe Harbor if approved & followed. Provides training syllabus. Provides good education and direction – easy to read and use. Review Why Important? above.

  39. California Participants - Dischargers of water Water-based fire protection acceptance testing • Underground – Type A, C-16, C-34 and C-36 only • Above Ground – C-16 only • OSFM “A” license concern • Fire departments Water Flow – C-10 (limited to water flow only) MS4 Operators (city, county, districts, road department) SWRCB & RWQCBs (NPDES permits)

  40. Types of Discharge Covered in the Manual Water-based fire protection system acceptance testing Periodic water-based fire protection system testing and maintenance Fire hydrant testing Water-based fire protection system leaks and emergency repairs

  41. Notification and Record Keeping Manual covers discharges to the municipal storm sewer system and open channels. Does not cover discharges into the sanitary sewer system. When using this manual, “a discharge” is water that comes from a single event or a series of directly related events on a single project.

  42. Notification and Record Keeping • A single discharge of less than 1,500 gallons • Discharger does not need to give prior notification • A single discharge equal to or greater than 1,500 gallons but less than 10,000 gallons • Discharger does not need to give prior notification for any single discharge, but needs to maintain records of the discharge • A single discharge equal to or greater than 10,000 gallons • Discharger needs to give prior notification and maintain records of the discharge

  43. Prior Notification Dischargers should notify the MS4 agency/ operator not less than 24 hours prior to any planned discharge and as soon as possible after any emergency discharge. The method of notification must be by one of the four options: 1. Telephone call (file a record) 2. A fax transmission 3. An email 4. In person (leave a note and file a copy)

  44. FIRE SPRINKLER WATER DISCHARGE SUMMARY * Required if discharge is to enter storm drain system and water is fresh. ** Required if debris exists and together with discharge will enter storm drain system. *** Required if it has been determined that chemical additives are within piping system.

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