Lesson 5 Chapter 9

Fire Protection Systems

Objective: set forth the requirements for automatic

fire detection and alarm systems, automatic fire
sprinkler systems, portable fire extinguishers, fire
pumps, and the different application of these systems
 Where Are Fire Protection
Systems Required?

Fire protection system requirements inside of buildings are based on:

1. The occupancy of the building.
2. The size of fire areas within the building.
3. The occupant load of the building.
4. The height or area of the building.
5. The quantity of hazardous materials stored or used inside a building.
6. The fire loss history of a given hazard.
 Fire Protection Systems
Required Based on Occupancy

• Certain occupancy classifications will require the installation of one or

more of the different types of fire protection systems. For example: Group
A occupancies, (Section 903.2.1) An automatic sprinkler system shall be
provided throughout buildings and portions thereof used as Group A
occupancies as provided in this section.

• Special attention must be paid by an inspector when there is a change in

occupancy. For example if a small Group B occupancy, business
occupancy, was changed to a small motel, Group R, then the Group R
requirements must be applied for fire protections systems.
 Fire Protection Systems Required
Based on Size of Fire Area
• Fire area is defined in Chapter 2 of the IFC as: The aggregate floor area
enclosed and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or
horizontal assemblies of a building. Areas of the building not provided
with surrounding walls shall be included in the fire area if such areas are
included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor next above.

Automatic
Group B Group R Sprinkler
System

Automatic
Sprinkler
Group B Group F-1 System @
12,000
sq.ft.
 Fire Protection Systems Required
Based on Occupant load

• Occupant load is defined in chapter 2 as: As the number of persons for

which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed.
• Occupant load calculations are discussed in detail in Chapter 10 and are
based on the occupancy type and square footage.
Group A-3
with 300
or more
people
Automatic
Sprinkler
System is
Required
No Food
or
Beverages
 Fire Protection Systems Required
Based on Building Height

• Height requirements may apply to both the building height or the height
of storage within the building.
• For example, Group S (Storage) buildings may not be exceptionally high
but they may have high piled storage within the building.
• This would include a warehouse where they are storing lumber as an
example.
• Alternatively the height requirement may apply to buildings. According to
the IBC, there are 4 different types of building construction.
1. Fire Resistive
2. Noncombustible
3. Combustible
4. Mixture of noncombustible and combustible
 Fire Protection Systems Required
Based on Building Height

• Depending on the construction type, the height of the building may be

limited to reduce the potential for injury or loss of life in a fire.
• The code does allow for the possibility of increasing the height of a
building if it has an approved automatic sprinkler system.
 Fire Protection Systems Required Based
on Hazards and Fire Loss History

• The amount of storage may require additional fire protection systems.

• When the hazards exceed certain limits. (Hazardous Materials)
• Chapter 32 regulates high-piled combustible storage
• Chapter 50 requires automatic sprinkler systems for certain
hazardous materials.
• Certain hazards present such a high risk of fire that they are
specifically regulated in an effort to reduce the loss of life. Life safety
is always more important than structure protection.
 Construction Documents and
Acceptance Testing

• Installation or modification of fire protection systems requires:

• The submittal of construction documents, which can include
equipment cut sheets and calculations
• A construction permit
• A statement of compliance when it is required by the fire code official
 Inspection, Testing and
Maintenance

Inspection A periodic visual check to ensure the system or equipment

is in place, is not impaired and appears ready for operation.
Testing A functional or performance test by a qualified person to
verify that the system or equipment will operate as
intended.
Maintenance Periodic service performed by a qualified person in
accordance with the system or equipment manufacturer’s
recommendations to extend operational life and to enhance
reliability.
 Inspection, Testing and
Maintenance Standards
System Standard

Portable Fire Extinguishers NFPA 10

Carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems NFPA 12
Halon 1301 fire-extinguishing systems NFPA 12A
Dry Chemical extinguishing systems NFPA 17
Wet Chemical extinguishing systems NFPA 17A
Water based fire protection systems NFPA 25
Fire alarm systems NFPA 72
Smoke and heat vents NFPA 204
Water mist systems NFPA 750
Clean agent extinguishing systems NFPA 2001
 Fire Protection System
Impairment

• When a fire protection system is impaired, the fire department and fire
code official must be notified.
• When a system is out of service, the fire code official can either:
1. Require the evacuation of the building, or
2. Permit the continual use of the building under the supervision of a
fire watch.
 The Intent of the IFC Fire Protection
System Requiremetns:

1. Systems are designed and constructed in accordance with the applicable

NFPA standards
2. Systems are designed to protect the hazards inside the building.
3. Signals from most required automatic sprinkler and fire alarm systems
are transmitted to a central monitoring station, which in turn notifies the
fire department.
4. Systems are inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the IFC
and the applicable NFPA standards.