Ohio Administrative Code › Title 1301:7 - Division of State Fire Marshal › Chapter 1301:7-7 - Ohio Fire Code › Section 1301:7-7-09 - Fire protection systems

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A)
Section 901
			 General
(1)
901.1 Scope.
The
			 provisions of this
rule
shall specify where fire protection
			 systems are required and shall apply to the design, installation, inspection,
			 operation, testing and maintenance of all fire protection systems.
The
			 requirements in this rule for fire protection systems in structures regulated
			 by the building code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code submitted for plan review in accordance with this
			 paragraph are subject to and do not supersede or otherwise conflict with the
			 requirements of paragraph
(D)(2)(a)(104.2.1)
of rule
			 1301:7-7-01
			 of the Administrative Code.
(2)
901.2
			 Construction documents.
Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph
(D)(2)(a)(104.2.1)
of rule
			 1301:7-7-01
			 of the Administrative Code,
the fire code official shall have the
			 authority to require construction documents and calculations for all fire
			 protection systems and to require permits be
obtained
for the
			 installation, rehabilitation or modification of any fire protection system.
			 Construction documents for fire protection systems shall be submitted for
			 review prior to system installation.
At locations or in structures not
			 regulated by the buildin code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code, the construction documents shall be reviewed and
			 approved by the fire code official prior to system
			 installation.
(3)
901.3 Permits.
Permits shall be required as set forth in
rule
			 1301:7-7-01
			 of the Administrative Code and as required by the building code as listed in
			 rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
(4)
901.4
			 Installation.
Fire protection systems
			 shall be maintained in accordance with the original installation standards for
			 that system. Required
fire protection
systems shall be
			 extended, altered or augmented as necessary to maintain and continue protection
			 where the building is altered, remodeled or added to. Alterations to fire
			 protection systems shall be done in accordance with
the building code
			 as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code and
applicable standards.
(a)
901.4.1
			 Required fire protection systems.
Fire
			 protection systems required by this code or the
building code as listed
			 in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code
shall be installed, repaired, operated,
			 tested and maintained in accordance with this code. A fire protection system
			 for which a design option, exception or reduction to the provisions of this
			 code or the
building code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code
has been granted shall be considered a
			 required system.
(b)
901.4.2 Nonrequired fire protection
			 systems.
A fire protection system or
			 portion thereof not required by this code or the
building code as
			 listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code
shall be allowed to be furnished for
			 partial or complete protection provided such installed system meets the
			 applicable requirements of this code and the
building code as listed in
			 rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
(c)
901.4.3
			 Fire areas.
Where buildings, or portions
			 thereof, are divided into fire areas so as not to exceed the limits established
			 for requiring a fire protection system in accordance with this
rule,
such fire areas shall be separated by fire barriers
			 constructed in accordance with section 707 of the
building code as
			 listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code
or horizontal assemblies constructed in
			 accordance with section 711
of the building code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code,
or both, having a fire-resistance rating
			 of not less than that determined in accordance with section 707.3.10
of
			 the building code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
(d)
901.4.4
			 Additional fire protection systems.
In
			 occupancies of a hazardous nature, where special hazards exist in addition to
			 the normal hazards of the occupancy, or where the fire code official determines
			 that access for fire apparatus is unduly difficult, the fire code official
			 shall have the authority to require additional safeguards. Such safeguards
			 include, but shall not be limited to, the following: automatic fire detection
			 systems, fire alarm systems, automatic fire-extinguishing systems, standpipe
			 systems, or portable or fixed extinguishers. Fire protection equipment required
			 under this
paragraph
shall be installed in accordance with
			 this code and the applicable referenced standards.
(e)
901.4.5
			 Appearance of equipment.
Any device that
			 has the physical appearance of life safety or fire protection equipment but
			 that does not perform that life safety or fire protection function shall be
			 prohibited.
(f)
901.4.6 Pump and riser room size.
Where provided, fire pump rooms and automatic sprinkler
			 system riser rooms shall be designed with adequate space for all equipment
			 necessary for the installation, as defined by the manufacturer, with sufficient
			 working space around the stationary equipment. Clearances around equipment to
			 elements of permanent construction, including other installed equipment and
			 appliances, shall be sufficient to allow inspection, service, repair or
			 replacement without removing such elements of permanent construction or
			 disabling the function of a required fire-resistance-rated assembly. Fire pump
			 and automatic sprinkler system riser rooms shall be provided with a door(s) and
			 an unobstructed passageway large enough to allow removal of the largest piece
			 of equipment.
(5)
901.5 Installation acceptance
			 testing.
Fire detection and alarm systems,
			 fire-extinguishing systems, fire hydrant systems, fire standpipe systems, fire
			 pump systems, private fire service mains and all other fire protection systems
			 and appurtenances thereto shall be subject to acceptance tests as contained in
			 the installation standards and as approved by the fire code official
in
			 accordance with this code and the building official in accordance with section
			 901.5 of the building code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
1.
										The fire code official shall be notified
by the
			 responsible person of any scheduled acceptance testing of a fire protection
			 system not less than forty-eight hours prior to the occurrence of such
			 acceptance test Advanced notice of the test schedule shall be given to the
			 building official in accordance with section 901.5 of the building code as
			 listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
2.
When
			 required by the fire code official all acceptance testing shall be conducted in
			 the presence of the fire code official.
3.
When
			 required by the fire code official all acceptance testing shall be conducted in
			 the presence of the person who installed the equipment or, if it is not
			 possible for the actual installer to be present the acceptance testing shall be
			 conducted in the presence of another qualified representative of the company
			 that installed the equipment.
(a)
901.5.1
			 Statement of compliance.
Before requesting
			 final
inspection
of the installation, where required by the
			 fire code official, the installing contractor shall furnish a written statement
			 to the fire code official that the subject fire protection system has been
			 installed in accordance with plans approved
by the building code
			 official
and has been tested in accordance with the manufacturer's
			 specifications and the appropriate installation standard. Any deviations from
			 the design standards shall be noted and copies of the approvals for such
			 deviations shall be attached to the written statement.
(b)
901.5.2
Occupancy.
It shall be
			 unlawful to occupy any portion of a building or structure until the required
			 fire detection, alarm and suppression systems have been tested,
inspected
and approved
by the fire code official in
			 accordance with this code and the building official in accordance with section
			 901.5 of the building code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
(6)
901.6
			 Inspection, testing and maintenance.
Fire
			 detection, alarm and extinguishing systems, mechanical smoke exhaust systems,
			 and smoke and heat vents shall be maintained in an operative condition at all
			 times, and shall be replaced or repaired where defective. Nonrequired fire
			 protection systems and equipment shall be inspected, tested and maintained or
			 removed.
Any discontinuance or removal of nonrequired fire protection
			 equipment shall be approved by the fire code official. Such approval shall be
			 conditioned upon receipt of verification of building official determination
			 that such fire protection equipment is nonrequired.
(a)
901.6.1
			 Standards.
Fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and
			 maintained in accordance with the referenced standards listed in Table 901.6.1
of this rule
.
Table 901.6.1
Fire protection system
				maintenance standards
System
Standard
Portable fire
						  extinguishers
NFPA 10
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Carbon dioxide
						  fire-extinguishing systems
NFPA 12
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Halon 1301 fire-extinguishing
						  systems
NFPA 12A
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Dry-chemical extinguishing
						  systems
NFPA 17
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Wet-chemical extinguishing
						  systems
NFPA 17A
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Water-based fire protection
						  systems
NFPA 25
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Fire alarm systems
NFPA 72
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Smoke and heat
						  vents
NFPA 204
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Water-mist systems
NFPA 750
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
Clean-agent extinguishing
						  systems
NFPA 2001
as listed in
						  rule
						  1301:7-7-80
						  of the Administrative Code
(b)
901.6.2 Records.
Records of all system inspections, tests and
			 maintenance required by the referenced standards shall be maintained.
(i)
901.6.2.1
			 Records information.
Initial records shall include the name of the
			 installation contractor, type of components installed,
the
manufacturer of the components, location and number of components installed per
			 floor. Records shall also include the manufacturer's operation and maintenance
			 instruction manuals. Such records shall be maintained for the life of the
			 installation.
Acceptance testing records (original documents) shall be
			 retained for the life of the system.
(c)
901.6.3 Annual inspection tag for fire protection
			 systems.
An inspection
			 tag shall be attached to each fire protection system near the main control
			 valve, main panel, or other such appropriate and visible location as determined
			 by the fire code official. The annual inspection tag shall contain the
			 following information:
1.
The individual performing the work and the
			 state fire marshal installer certification number(s) (when
			 applicable);
2.
Date of test;
3.
Results of
			 inspection and test;
4.
Deficiencies or impairments noted (yes or
			 no).
(i)
901.6.3.1
When a
			 sprinkler or standpipe system is found impaired or out of service, the tag
			 requirement shall include an impairment tag in accordance with NFPA 25 as
			 listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
(7)
901.7 Systems out of service.
Where a
			 required fire protection system is out of service, the fire department and the
			 fire code official shall be notified immediately and, where required by the
			 fire code official, the building shall be either evacuated or an approved fire
			 watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shutdown
			 until the fire protection system has been returned to service.
Where utilized, fire watches shall be
				provided with not less than one approved means for notification of the fire
				department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the
				protected premises and keep watch for fires.
(a)
901.7.1
			 Impairment coordinator.
The building owner
			 shall assign an impairment coordinator to comply with the requirements of this
paragraph.
In the absence of a specific designee, the owner
			 shall be considered the impairment coordinator.
(b)
901.7.2 Tag
			 required.
A tag shall be used to indicate
			 that a system, or portion thereof, has been removed from
			 service.
(c)
901.7.3 Placement of tag.
The tag shall be posted at each fire department
			 connection, system control valve, fire alarm control unit, fire alarm
			 annunciator and fire command center, indicating which system, or part thereof,
			 has been removed from service. The fire code official shall specify where the
			 tag is to be placed.
(d)
901.7.4 Preplanned impairment
			 programs.
Preplanned impairments shall be
			 authorized by the impairment coordinator. Before authorization is given, a
			 designated individual shall be responsible for verifying that all of the
			 following procedures have been implemented:
(i)
											The extent and
			 expected duration of the impairment have been determined.
(ii)
											The areas or
			 buildings involved have been inspected and the increased risks
			 determined.
(iii)
											Recommendations have been submitted to management or
			 building owner/manager.
(iv)
											The fire department has been notified.
(v)
											The insurance
			 carrier, the alarm company, the building owner/manager and other authorities
			 having jurisdiction have been notified.
(vi)
											The supervisors
			 in the areas to be affected have been notified.
(vii)
											A tag
			 impairment system has been implemented.
(viii)
											Necessary
			 tools and materials have been assembled on the impairment site.
(e)
901.7.5 Emergency impairments.
Where unplanned impairments occur, appropriate
			 emergency action shall be taken to minimize potential injury and damage. The
			 impairment coordinator shall implement the steps outlined in
paragraph
(A)(7)(d)(901.7.4)
of this
			 rule.
(f)
901.7.6 Restoring systems to service.
When impaired equipment is restored to normal working
			 order, the impairment coordinator shall verify that all of the following
			 procedures have been implemented:
(i)
											Necessary inspections and tests have been conducted to
			 verify that affected systems are operational.
(ii)
											Supervisors have
			 been advised that protection is restored.
(iii)
											The fire
			 department has been advised that protection is restored.
(iv)
											The building
			 owner/manager, insurance carrier, alarm company and other involved parties have
			 been advised that protection is restored.
(v)
											The impairment
			 tag has been removed.
(8)
901.8
			 Removal of or tampering with equipment.
It shall be unlawful for any
			 person to remove, tamper with or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant, fire
			 detection and alarm system, fire suppression system or other fire appliance
			 required by this code except for the purpose of extinguishing fire, training
			 purposes, recharging or making necessary repairs or where approved by the fire
			 code official.
(a)
901.8.1 Removal of or tampering with
			 appurtenances.
Locks, gates, doors,
			 barricades, chains, enclosures, signs, tags or seals
that
have
			 been installed by or at the direction of the fire code official shall not be
			 removed, unlocked, destroyed, tampered with or otherwise vandalized in any
			 manner.
(b)
901.8.2 Removal of existing occupant-use hose
			 lines.
The fire code official is
			 authorized to permit the removal of existing occupant-use hoses lines where all
			 of the following conditions exist:
(i)
											Installation is not required by this code or the
building code as listed in rule
			 1301:7-7-80
			 of the Administrative Code.
(ii)
											The hose line
			 would not be utilized by trained personnel or the fire
			 department.
(iii)
											The remaining outlets are compatible with local fire
			 department fittings.
(c)
901.8.3 Notification of termination of supervisory
			 services.
The responsible
			 person shall notify the local fire code official of the termination of any
			 supervisory service within twenty-four (24) hours of such
			 termination.
(9)
901.9
			 Termination of monitoring service.
For
			 fire alarm systems required to be monitored by this code, notice shall be made
			 to the fire code official whenever alarm monitoring services are terminated.
			 Notice shall be made in writing, to the fire code official by the monitoring
			 service provider being terminated.
(10)
901.10 Recall of fire protection
			 components.
Any fire protection system
			 component regulated by this code that is the subject of a voluntary or
			 mandatory recall under federal law shall be replaced with approved, listed
			 components in compliance with the referenced standards of this code. The fire
			 code official shall be notified in writing by the building owner when the
			 recalled component parts have been replaced.