Title 16 - Buildings and Construction

16.320 Fire CODE

16.320.903.4

Section 903.4 of the International Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

903.4.1 Electronic supervision. Valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems, pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressure and waterflow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be electrically supervised by a listed fire alarm control unit.

Exceptions:

1. 1.
  
  Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.
2. 2.
  
  Limited area sprinkler systems in accordance with Section 903.3.8, provided that backflow prevention device test valves located in limited area sprinkler system supply piping shall be locked in the open position unless supplying an occupancy required to be equipped with a fire alarm system, in which case the backflow preventer valves shall be electrically supervised by a tamper switch installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and separately annunciated.
3. 3.
  
  Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R where a common supply main is used to supply both domestic water and the automatic sprinkler system, and a separate shutoff valve for the automatic sprinkler system is not provided.
4. 4.
  
  Jockey pump control valves that are sealed or locked in the open position.
5. 5.
  
  Control valves to commercial kitchen hoods, paint spray booths or dip tanks that are sealed or locked in the open position.
6. 6.
  
  Valves controlling the fuel supply to fire pump engines that are sealed or locked in the open position.
7. 7.
  
  Trim valves to pressure switches in dry, preaction and deluge sprinkler systems that are sealed or locked in the open position.
8. 8.
  
  Underground key or hub gate valves in roadway boxes.
9. 9.
  
  On new and existing installations, isolation valves for the backflow prevention devices remotely located in pits which are locked or chained in the open position.

903.4.3 Alarms. An approved audible and visual sprinkler waterflow alarm device shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Alarm devices shall be provided on the exterior of the building directly above the fire department connection or in an approved location. Where a waterflow switch is required by Section 903.4.1 to be electrically supervised, such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be powered by a fire alarm control unit or, where provided, a fire alarm system. Where a fire alarm system is provided, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system.

Exception: Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.

(History: Ord. No. BC-3499, §89, 2026; Ord. No. BC-3286 §122, 2020; Ord. No. BC-2936 §91, 2012; Ord. No. BC-2635 §113, 2007)

Effective on: 1/1/1901