Santa Clara County Fire Department

Automatic Sprinklers: Submittal Guide

Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems Submittal

Scope

To provide designers and installers with guidance on fire department policies and procedures for the design and installation of fire protection systems.

Requirements:

Plan submittals for Fire Sprinkler System installation or modification shall include the following information as required in National Fire Protection Standard #13, #24, and the details and specifications of the Santa Clara County Fire Department. All work must be performed by a licensed C-16, C-34, or C-36 contractor.

(Attachments for high-piled storage and seismic bracing are part of this document)

  1. Plan Submittal Information:

    1. Name of the building owner(s) and tenant(s)
    2. Location, including street address, floor, and suite designation
    3. Point of compass
    4. Ceiling construction and height
    5. Full height cross section (detail)
    6. Location of partitions and potential obstructions
    7. Occupancy classification and use of each room
    8. Location and sizes of concealed spaces (closets, bathrooms)
    9. Areas where no sprinklers are installed (site code section(s) as necessary)
    10. Water flow information
    11. Other sources of water supply, elevation and pressure
    12. Make, model, type and orifice size of each sprinkler used (including manufacturers cut sheets)
    13. Temperature rating and location of high-temperature sprinklers
    14. Total area protected by each system on each floor
    15. Number of sprinklers on each riser per floor
    16. Structural calculations from a licensed engineer for pipe installed from roof or ceiling structural members. The truss manufacturer must certify that the design loads of the water filled pipe, plus 250 pounds, are accounted for in their designs and that the proposed method of hanging (support) of the pipe is acceptable.
    17. Seismic bracing load calculations for the zone of influence, and each brace type.
    18. Hydraulic calculations.
    19. Make, type, model and size of alarm valve
    20. Type and location of alarm devices
    21. Pipe type and schedule of wall thickness
    22. Nominal pipe size and length, center to center
    23. Location and size of riser nipples
    24. Type of fittings and joints, along with the location of all welds and bends
    25. Type and locations of hangars, sleeves, braces and methods of securing sprinklers (to include load calculations)
    26. All control valves, check valves, drain pipes and test connections
    27. Size, length and location of the supply underground, points of connection to the city main, types of valves, meter size and valve pits.

  2. Tenant Improvement Projects:

    In addition to the above criteria, the plans shall reflect enough of the existing system to effect a proper evaluation of the design, and its impacts to the existing piping. Prior to placing the existing system out of service the contractor shall contact Santa Clara County Communications at (408) 299-2503, and provide them with the following:

    • Name and address of the building where the work is being performed.
    • Time frame that the system will be out of service.

    Please note, that unless prior arrangements have been authorized in writing by the Fire Prevention Division, all systems shall be placed back in service by 5:00 p.m.

  3. Underground Fire Service Piping:

    In addition to the criteria noted in Section I, submittals for underground fire service piping shall include:

    1. Thrust block area calculations
    2. Elevation detail reflecting the depth of bury
    3. Type of piping materials to be used to include, pipe size, length, and connection to public main
    4. Location and type of control valves, meters, back-flow prevention devices, etc.

    Also, see Santa Clara County Fire Department Standard SP-2 for additional requirements regarding post indicator valve, fire department connection and fire hydrant locations and arrangement.

  4. Roof Outlets:

    Buildings four stories or greater in height shall be provided with a roof manifold designed to supply 155 psi at the outlet, and consisting of two, two-and-one-half inch gated valves. All piping to be painted safety yellow.

  5. For hydraulically designed systems, provide the following information on the dataplate:

    1. Name and address of the contractor, to include the contractorÕs license number.
    2. Method of protection for nonmetallic piping.
    3. Design density and area.

  6. Water Flow Information:

    Water flow information for design purposes may be obtained by contacting the Fire Prevention Division water supply officer at (408) 378-4010.

  7. Each plan submittal shall provide the following:

    1. A maximum of three (3) complete sets of shop drawings (two will be stamped and returned), drawn to 1/8" : 1' or 1/4" : 1' scale, with a maximum size of 30"x44" utilizing national recognized symbols as outlined in NFPA Standard 170. Additional stamped sets must be arranged in advance with the Plan Reviewer. For tenant improvement relocation of 15 heads or less, where no new branch or supply piping is installed, a site plan reflecting the location of the work is acceptable.
    2. A completed Permit Application form.
    3. Payment of all fees.
    4. A copy of the current Business License for the city the work occurs in.
    5. Proof of Workers Compensation Insurance

  8. Inspections

    The Santa Clara County Fire Department requires the following inspections and tests on system installations, modifications and alterations. A copy of the approved plans and the permit must be on the job site at all times. The permit number will be required to schedule any inspections:

    Inspection of thrust blocks, rods, and coatings:
    Shall be conducted prior to covering underground pipe.
    Underground flush test:
    Underground piping shall be thoroughly flushed to the satisfaction of the inspector upon completion of the hydrostatic test (see below) and prior to connection to the overhead piping .
    Welded pipe inspection:
    Prior to installation, all pipe welds shall be inspected.
    Rough piping inspection:
    Shall be conducted prior to ceiling installation.
    Hydrostatic test inspection:
    Prior to covering or concealing pipe, all new overhead and underground piping, within the scope of work, shall be tested @ 200 psi for a period of two (2) hours. Tenant modifications consisting of new drops or armovers, encompassing an area equal to 25% or greater of the total system coverage, will require a leak test of the complete system @ 50 psi above static pressure. New supply piping for tenant modification work shall be tested @ 200 psi for 2 hours.
    Final inspection:
    The above required inspections must be completed prior to scheduling the final inspection.

    Note that the scope of the installation permit provides for one (1) initial and one (1) reinspection for each of the above required inspections. Additional inspections are subject to additional fees. Appointments for inspection are to be scheduled a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours in advance. To schedule an inspection appointment, contact the Fire Prevention Division Secretary at (408) 378-4010 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

    FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM DESIGN FOR STORAGE AREAS/OCCUPANCIES WHERE AVAILABLE STORAGE IS GREATER THAN 12 FEET IN HEIGHT.

    (The following information may be reproduced on the plans)

    Design of fire protection systems shall comply with the provisions outlined in the Uniform Fire Code (Article 81), and National Fire Protection Association Standards 231 and 231-C when high-piled combustible storage as defined in the Uniform Fire Code is provided. Where conflicts arise between these standards, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.

    As outlined in Article 81 of the Uniform Fire Code, the submittal package shall include the following additional information:

    1. Floor plan of the building showing the locations and dimensions of high-piled storage areas.
    2. Cross section of building reflecting available height of storage and coordination with rack installations.
    3. Number of tiers within each rack, if applicable: _________________________
    4. Commodity clearance between the top of storage and the sprinkler deflector for each storage arrangement: ___________________________
    5. Storage aisle width:   [4 feet]  [8 feet]
    6. Maximum pile volume for each storage array: _________________
    7. Commodity classification:  [I]  [II]  [III]  [IV]   [Plastics]
      (Per Article 81, UFC):  [Banded]  [encapsulated]  [nonencapsulated]
      Other potential hazards: ____________________________________
    8. Type(s) of shelving: ____________________________________
    9. Dimensions and locations of transverse and longitudinal flue spaces.
      Transverse: ____________   Longitudinal: _________________
    10. Type of fire-suppression and fire-detection systems:
      Ceiling design density: ___________________
      Manufacturer of Sprinklers: _______________  Model: ____________
      Temperature rating of sprinklers: _____________
      NFPA 231C - Design figure used: _____________
         [Single Row Racks]  [Double Row Racks]
        In rack sprinklers provided:   [Yes]  [No]
          [1 row]  [Multiple rows]
    11. Location(s) of valves controlling water supply of ceiling and in-rack sprinklers.
    12. Type, location and specifications for smoke-removal and curtain board systems.
    13. Additional information regarding required design features, commodities, storage arrangement and fire protection features within high-piled storage areas shall be provided at the time of permit.

    Examples to be used as reproducible masters for the purpose of calculating each seismic brace are available in downloadable/printable format on the form Forms page.

    Those braces that have the same load and point of attachment may be listed on the same sheet.
    These Calculations must accompany the submittal package.

    THOSE BRACES THAT HAVE THE SAME LOAD AND POINT OF ATTACHMENT MAY BE LISTED ON THE SAME SHEET.

    THESE CALCULATIONS MUST ACCOMPANY THE SUBMITTAL PACKAGE.

    navbar_home navbar_fps navbar_home navbar_forms