Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
(OP)
Hello. Are sprinkler control valves required by code to be wired into the supervisory of the FAP? If so can someone give me the code and section and perhaps some information on when it became code?





RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
The International Building Code which covers new construction requires all sprinkler systems to have electronic supervision.
The International Fire Code which is after the building is constructed also requires electronic supervision.
NFPA 13 which is the sprinkler system installation standard requires some sort of supervision, lock and chain, electronic, etc.
NFPA 25 will require what ever type of supervision to be inspected and tested on a regular bases.
BUT if the local authority has not adopted these codes then nothing maybe required.
Plus whoever is the building owner insurance carrier will also have some sort of requirement.
Check out www.chubb/lcu for seminars for hands on training that will answer questions like this.
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too
Not ALL Sprinkler Systems Are Created Equal! An Inadequate Sprinkler Design Is JUST As Bad As A Nonsprinklered Building!! When Occupancies Change So Should The Sprinkler System. See NFPA 25, 2002, Edition, Section 4.1.5, 4.1.6 & 4.1.6.1.
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too'
Check out www.chubb.com/lcu for "Hands on" Fire Protection Seminars
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
If you have a limited application sprinkler system (< 19 sprinklers), it is not required to be supervised. The same holds true for a NFPA 13 D sprinkler system.
If your automatic sprinkler system is designed to comply with NFPA 13 or 13R, then electric supervision for water flow and valve tamper service are required. The alarm signals must be transmitted to an approved central or proprietary supervising station.
And one more correction: The IFC does apply to new construction. The belief that it is only applies to new construction is completely incorrect. Sorry to sound harsh but you cannot build or renovate a building without reviewing the requirements of the IBC and IFC.
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
"Thanks, but perhaps I wasn't quite specific enough. On older systems you had no option between supervisory or trouble signals. A valve could be tampered with and as long as the signal wiring was restored to normal, then no one would be the wiser. Now this option exists and I was wondering if it was addressed in code anywhere. "
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
The part of Canada I live in does not recognize IBC/IFC (we are behind the times eh?). Our NBC and our NFC recognize NFPA 13 1995 ed, which in itself is quite specific about the supervision of control valves. I was wondering though if the wiring of a control valve to the 'supervisory' function of the alarm panel (as opposed to the flow switch cover tamper to the 'trouble') is addressed anywhere yet?
Thx
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
No. If your system was constructed under an older version of the code which did not require a discreet signal between a trouble versus a supervisory signal, neither the IFC nor NFPA 72 require you to bring the installation up to the current code.
Now if the owner decides to replace and upgrade the fire detection and alarm system, at that time the arrangement of the valve tamper switches would need to comply with the adopted edition of the fire code and NFPA 72.
RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?
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RE: Supervisory requirements on sprinkler valves?