SECTION 6.5  SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Subsection 6.5.1.  General

Repair, replacement, alterations, inspection, testing and maintenance

6.5.1.1.  (1)  Repair, replacement and alterations of sprinkler system components shall be in accordance with NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”, NFPA 13D, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes” or NFPA 13R, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height”, as applicable.

(2)  Compliance with the inspection, testing and maintenance provisions of NFPA 25, “Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems”, for sprinkler systems is deemed to satisfy the requirements of Subsections 6.5.4. to 6.5.6.

6.5.1.2.  Sprinkler systems shall be maintained in operating condition.

Closing sprinkler control valves

6.5.1.3.  (1)  Sprinkler control valves shall not be closed in the event of a fire until the fire is

(a)   extinguished, or
(b)   considered by the fire department, or by an industrial fire brigade established by the owner in consultation with the fire department, to be under control by other means.

Changes in equipment or occupancy

6.5.1.4.  Changes in equipment or occupancy that might result in temperatures at sprinklers being more than 38°C or less than 4°C with wet pipe systems shall not be made without previously making provisions to alter the sprinkler system to prevent premature operation or freezing.

Obstructions

6.5.1.5.  (1)  No obstructions shall be placed so as to interfere with the effectiveness of water discharge from sprinklers.

(2)  Sprinkler systems shall not be used to support anything that will interfere with effective sprinkler system performance.

6.5.1.6.  (1)  Where alterations or repairs are made to feed mains, cross mains, or risers in sprinkler systems, the systems shall be tested in conformance with Sentences (2) to (8).

(2)  Except as permitted in Sentence (4), the sprinkler system shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test of a minimum of 1400 kPa (gauge), or 350 kPa (gauge) in excess of the maximum static pressure to which the system may be subjected, for a period of 2 h without loss of pressure.

(3)  For dry-pipe systems, the clapper of the differential type dry-pipe valve shall be held off its seat, and the ball drip in the intermediate chamber shall be replaced by a plug during the test.

(4)  The tests described in Sentence (2) shall be performed when hydrostatic pressure testing can be performed without danger of freezing, and when there is danger of freezing, the sprinkler system shall be pressure tested with air at 350 kPa (gauge) for 2 h without loss of pressure.

(5)  Sprinkler system water supply pressure shall be tested with the main drain valve fully open to ensure that there are no obstructions in the water supply piping to the sprinkler system.

(6)  Drainage facilities shall be tested to ensure that the drains are capable of taking the full flow from the main drain pipe without overflowing.

(7)  Dry-pipe valves shall be tested to ensure that they are in operating condition.

(8)  Mechanical and electrical alarms shall be tested to ensure that they are in operating condition.

Testing of underground mains

6.5.1.7.  (1)  When alterations or additions are made to underground mains and lead-in connections of a sprinkler system, the mains and lead-in connections shall be tested by

(a)   flushing for sufficient time to remove foreign material at a minimum water flow as specified in Table 6.5.1.A., and
(b)   a 2 h hydrostatic pressure test of 350 kPa (gauge) in excess of the maximum static pressure, but not less than 1400 kPa (gauge) and leakage shall not exceed 2 L/h per 100 joints for pipe laid with rubber gasketted joints, and 30 mL/h per 25 mm of pipe diameter per joint for pipe laid with caulked lead or lead substitute joints.

TABLE 6.5.1.A.

Forming Part of Article 6.5.1.7.

(2)  At seasons of the year that will not permit hydrostatic pressure testing, the procedure outlined in Sentence 6.5.1.6.(4) may be followed.

Records

6.5.1.8.  (1)  An approved record shall be kept of inspections of each system.

(2)  The record required in Sentence (1) shall be available for examination by the Chief Fire Official.

Subsection 6.5.2.  Sprinkler System Shutdowns

Notification

6.5.2.1.  When any alterations, additions or repairs are to be made involving interruption to a sprinkler system or part thereof, the Chief Fire Official shall be notified.

Sprinkler control valves and water supplies

6.5.2.2.  (1)  Sprinkler control valves and sprinkler water supplies shall not be shut down, disconnected or otherwise impaired for more than 24 h without notifying the Chief Fire Official.

(2)  In buildings containing a hotel, sprinkler control valves and sprinkler water supplies shall not be shut down, disconnected or otherwise impaired

(a)   for 24 h or less without notifying the Chief Fire Official in accordance with a schedule identified in the approved fire safety plan, or
(b)   for more than 24 h without notifying the Chief Fire Official.

Schedule of temporary shutdowns

6.5.2.3.  Where it is required to temporarily shut down a sprinkler system or part thereof, the work shall be programmed by the contractor working on the system to enable the sprinkler system to be operational as quickly as possible in the circumstances.

Programmed repairs

6.5.2.4.  (1)  If a sprinkler system or any part thereof is shut down

(a)   the fire department and building occupants shall be notified in accordance with Article 1.1.1.1., and
(b)   the supervisory staff shall be notified.

Additional protection during shutdowns

6.5.2.5.  Full sprinkler protection shall be restored or the provisions of Article 6.5.2.6. maintained when work on the system is discontinued.

Identification of closed valves

6.5.2.6.  Closed sprinkler control valves and closed valves controlling fire protection water supplies for sprinkler systems shall be tagged or identified in an approved manner.

Subsection 6.5.3.  Checking

Pipe hangers

6.5.3.1.  Exposed sprinkler piping hangers shall be checked yearly to ensure that they are kept in good repair.

Pressure maintenance

6.5.3.2.  Water supply pressure and system air or water pressure shall be checked weekly by using gauges to ensure that the system is maintained at the required operating pressure.

Protection against freezing

6.5.3.3.  Dry-pipe valve rooms or enclosures in unheated buildings shall be checked as often as necessary when the outside temperature falls below 0°C to ensure that the system does not freeze.

Sprinkler heads

6.5.3.4.  Sprinkler heads shall be checked at least once per year to ensure that they are free from damage, corrosion, grease, dust, paint or whitewash.

Subsection 6.5.4.  Inspection

Winter damage

6.5.4.1.  Auxiliary drains shall be inspected to prevent freezing.

Test flushing

6.5.4.2.  Dry-pipe systems shall be inspected every 15 years for obstructions in the sprinkler piping and, if necessary, the entire system flushed of foreign material.

Priming water level

6.5.4.3.  The priming water for dry-pipe systems shall be inspected at least every three months to ensure that the proper level above the dry-pipe valve is maintained.

Fire department connections

6.5.4.4.  (1)  Except when in use or being inspected in accordance with Sentence (2), fire department connections shall be equipped with plugs or caps that are secured wrench-tight.

(2)  Plugs or caps shall be removed annually and the fire department connections inspected for wear, rust or obstruction and corrective action shall be taken as needed.

(3)  If plugs or caps are missing, the fire department connections shall be examined for obstructions, back-flushed when conditions warrant and the plugs or caps replaced.

Sprinkler control valves

6.5.4.5.  (1)  Subject to Sentences (2) and (3), valves controlling sprinkler water supplies or alarms shall be sealed in the open position and inspected weekly.

(2)  Valves which are locked open or valves which are electrically supervised shall be inspected monthly.

(3)  After any alterations or repairs, valves shall be inspected to ensure they are in the fully open position and are sealed, locked or electrically supervised.

Subsection 6.5.5.  Testing

Notification

6.5.5.1.  Prior notification of water flow or other tests to be made to a sprinkler system shall be given to parties who could be affected by an alarm.

Alarm testing

6.5.5.2.  (1)  Except as provided in Article 6.5.5.7., the alarm on all sprinkler systems shall be tested monthly by flowing water through the test connection located at the sprinkler valve.

(2)  An alarm line subject to freezing shall be cleared of all obstructions susceptible to freezing after the test specified in Sentence (1).

Water flow alarm tests

6.5.5.3.  Water flow alarm tests using the most hydraulically remote test connection shall be performed annually on wet sprinkler systems.

Trip testing valves

6.5.5.4.  (1)  Dry-pipe valves shall be trip tested by means of the inspector’s test valve in accordance with Sentences (2) and (3) to ensure that they operate satisfactorily and that the sprinkler alarms are in operating condition.

(2)  Dry-pipe valves shall be trip tested annually.

(3)  During the test referred to in Sentence (2), the control valve is not required to be in the fully open position.

(4)  Dry-pipe valves shall be trip tested at least once every three years with the control valve fully open.

(5)  The trip time for the tests described in Sentences (2) and (4) may exceed the acceptance trip time by not more than 10%.

Water supply

6.5.5.5.  Sprinkler system water supply pressure shall be tested annually with the main drain valve fully open to ensure that there are no obstructions or deterioration of the main water supply.

6.5.5.6.  The test prescribed in Article 6.5.5.5. shall be conducted after any sprinkler system control valve has been operated.

Electrical supervision signal testing

6.5.5.7.  (1)  If electrical supervision is provided for a sprinkler system, it shall be tested by operating the supervisory signal devices in conformance with Sentences (2) and (3).

(2)  Transmitters and water-flow-actuated devices shall be tested every two months.

(3)  Valve supervisory switches, tank water level devices, building and tank water temperature supervisory devices and other sprinkler system supervisory devices shall be tested at least every six months.

Subsection 6.5.6.  Maintenance

Sprinkler guards

6.5.6.1.  Sprinklers shall be protected by sprinkler guards where there is the possibility of mechanical damage.

Valve access

6.5.6.2.  Sprinkler control valves shall be accessible and maintained in operable condition at all times.

Valve pits

6.5.6.3.  Pits containing sprinkler control valves shall be kept free of water and protected against freezing.

Precautions against freezing

6.5.6.4.  (1)  Except as permitted in Sentence (2), sections of sprinkler systems subject to freezing shall be converted to a dry-pipe or antifreeze system with a separate control valve for that part of the system.

(2)  Alternative methods to prevent freezing of sprinkler piping may be used where approved.

Spare sprinkler heads

6.5.6.5.  (1)  Where sprinkler systems are installed, a supply of spare sprinkler heads and equipment shall be maintained in conformance with Sentences (2) to (5).

(2)  Spare sprinkler heads shall be kept in a cabinet where the temperature does not exceed 38°C.

(3)  The minimum stock of spare sprinkler heads to be kept on hand shall be

(a)   6 sprinkler heads for installations containing not more than 300 sprinklers,
(b)   12 sprinkler heads for installations containing from 301 to 1000 sprinklers, and
(c)   24 sprinkler heads for installations containing more than 1000 sprinklers.

(4)  Spare sprinkler heads shall correspond to the types and temperature ratings of the sprinklers installed on the system.

(5)  A wrench suitable for replacing sprinkler heads shall be kept in the cabinet where the spare sprinkler heads are stored.

Protection for combustible sprinkler piping

6.5.6.6.  Materials installed to protect combustible sprinkler piping, as required by the Building Code current at the time of installation, shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of the same edition of the Building Code used for their installation.