Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-24 - General safety and health standards › Part G-3 - FIRE SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT › Section 296-24-60799 - Appendix A- Automatic sprinkler systems

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
Scope and application.
This
				section contains the minimum requirements for design, installation and
				maintenance of sprinkler systems that are needed for employee safety. The
				occupational safety and health administration is aware of the fact that the
				National Board of Fire Underwriters is no longer an active organization,
				however, sprinkler systems still exist that were designed and installed in
				accordance with that organization's standards. Therefore, DOSH will recognize
				sprinkler systems designed to, and maintained in accordance with, NBFU and
				earlier NFPA standards.
(2)
Exemptions.
In an effort to assure that employers will continue to
				use automatic sprinkler systems as the primary fire protection system in
				workplaces, DOSH is exempting from coverage those systems not required by a
				particular DOSH standard and which have been installed in workplaces solely for
				the purpose of protecting property. Many of these types of systems are
				installed in areas or buildings with little or no employee exposure. An example
				is those warehouses where employees may enter occasionally to take inventory or
				move stock. Some employers may choose to shut down those systems which are not
				specifically required by DOSH rather than upgrade them to comply with the
				standards. DOSH does not intend to regulate such systems. DOSH only intends to
				regulate those systems which are installed to comply with a particular DOSH
				standard.
(3)
Design.
There are two basic types of sprinkler system design. Pipe schedule designed
				systems are based on pipe schedule tables developed to protect hazards with
				standard sized pipe, number of sprinklers, and pipe lengths. Hydraulic designed
				systems are based on an engineered design of pipe size which will produce a
				given water density or flow rate at any particular point in the system. Either
				design can be used to comply with this standard.
The National Fire Protection Association's Standard No. 13,
				  "Automatic Sprinkler Systems," contains the tables needed to design and install
				  either type of system. Minimum water supplies, densities, and pipe sizes are
				  given for all types of occupancies.
The employer may check with a reputable fire protection
				  engineering consultant or sprinkler design company when evaluating existing
				  systems or designing a new installation.
With the advent of new construction materials for the
				  manufacture of sprinkler pipe, materials, other than steel, have been approved
				  for use as sprinkler pipe. Selection of pipe material should be made on the
				  basis of the type of installation and the acceptability of the material to
				  local fire and building officials where such systems may serve more than one
				  purpose.
Before new sprinkler systems are placed into service, an
				  acceptance test is to be conducted. The employer should invite the installer,
				  designer, insurance representative, and a local fire official to witness the
				  test. Problems found during the test are to be corrected before the system is
				  placed into service.
(4)
Maintenance.
It is important
				that any sprinkler system maintenance be done only when there is minimal
				employee exposure to the fire hazard. For example, if repairs or changes to the
				system are to be made, they should be made during those hours when employees
				are not working or are not occupying that portion of the workplace protected by
				the portion of the system which has been shut down.
The procedures for performing a flow test via a main drain
				  test or by the use of an inspector's test valve can be obtained from the
				  employer's fire insurance company or from the National Fire Protection
				  Association's Standard No. 13A, "Sprinkler System,
				  Maintenance."
(5)
Water
				supplies.
The water supply to a sprinkler system is one of the most
				important factors an employer should consider when evaluating a system.
				Obviously, if there is no water supply, the system is useless. Water supplies
				can be lost for various reasons such as improperly closed valves, excessive
				demand, broken water mains, and broken fire pumps. The employer must be able to
				determine if or when this type of condition exists either by performing a main
				drain test or visual inspection. Another problem may be an inadequate water
				supply. For example, a light hazard occupancy may, through rehabilitation or
				change in tenants, become an ordinary or high hazard occupancy. In such cases,
				the exiting water supply may not be able to provide the pressure or duration
				necessary for proper protection. Employers must assure that proper design and
				tests have been made to assure an adequate water supply. These tests can be
				arranged through the employer's fire insurance carrier or through a local
				sprinkler maintenance company or through the local fire prevention
				organization.
Any time the employer must shut down the primary water supply
				  for a sprinkler system, the standard requires that equivalent protection be
				  provided. Equivalent protection may include a fire watch with extinguishers or
				  hose lines in place and manned, or a secondary water supply such as a tank
				  truck and pump, or a tank or fire pond with fire pumps, to protect the areas
				  where the primary water supply is limited or shut down. The employer may also
				  require evacuation of the workplace and have an emergency action plan which
				  specifies such action.
(6)
Protection of piping.
Piping which is exposed to corrosive
				atmospheres, either chemical or natural, can become defective to the extent
				that it is useless. Employers must assure that piping is protected from
				corrosion by its material of construction, e.g., stainless steel, or by a
				protective coating, e.g., paint.
(7)
Sprinklers.
When an employer
				finds it necessary to replace sprinkler system components or otherwise change a
				sprinkler's design, employer should make a complete fire protection engineering
				survey of that part of the system being changed. This review should assure that
				the changes to the system will not alter the effectiveness of the system as it
				is presently designed. Water supplies, densities and flow characteristics
				should be maintained.
(8)
Protection of sprinklers.
All
				components of the system must be protected from mechanical impact damage. This
				can be achieved with the use of mechanical guards or screens or by locating
				components in areas where physical contact is impossible or limited.
(9)
Sprinkler alarms.
The most
				recognized sprinkler alarm is the water-motor gong or bell that sounds when
				water begins to flow through the system. This is not however, the only type of
				acceptable water flow alarm. Any alarm that gives an indication that water is
				flowing through the system is acceptable. For example, a siren, a whistle, a
				flashing light, or similar alerting device which can transmit a signal to the
				necessary persons would be acceptable. The purpose of the alarm is to alert
				persons that the system is operating, and that some type of planned action is
				necessary.
(10)
Sprinkler
				spacing.
For a sprinkler system to be effective there must be an
				adequate discharge of water spray from the sprinkler head. Any obstructions
				which hinder the designed density or spray pattern of the water may create
				unprotected areas which can cause fire to spread. There are some sprinklers
				that, because of the system's design, are deflected to specific areas. This
				type of obstruction is acceptable if the system's design takes it into
				consideration in providing adequate coverage.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					  49.17.040 and
					 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order
					 81-32), § 296-24-60799, filed
					 12/24/81.