SPRINKLER SYSTEM STANDARD
STANDARD# 100
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1.
All sprinkler systems shall be designed to the requirements of the latest edition of NFPA 13, the California Fire
Code, San Bernardino City Fire Department and other NFPA Standards as they may apply to the hazard being
protected. No deviations from those requirements will be made without prior approval from the San Bernardino
City Fire Department.
2.
The engineer or architect of the building shall include a cover letter that states that the sprinkler load was
calculated in the building design or considered for the retrofit.
3.
All underground pipe shall be laid with the identification data facing up to permit inspection and verification of
pipe nomenclature. All PVC pipe shall have a tracer wire and poly bags shall be installed on all fittings.
4.
The minimum underground supply main diameter shall be six inches to any one fire hydrant. All underground
piping shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24 and all Fire Department standards.
5.
All sprinkler systems shall have a post-indicator valve installed in the underground line. This P.I.V. shall be
located a minimum of forty feet (40’) from the building or ten feet (10’) further from the building than the height
of the wall adjacent to the valve, whichever is greater. The target on the post indicator shall be placed so when
looking at the target you will be facing the direction that the pipe runs.
6.
Looped or double connection underground systems shall have sectional control valves (P.I.V. type) installed in the
underground line to isolate sections of piping, if necessary. These valves shall be located so no more than 5
sprinkler risers and/or fire hydrants will be isolated at a time. Rack systems are not to be included in this
quantity. Any looped underground system shall have at least one sectional control valve located at the far section
of the loop, regardless of the number of items on the piping.
7.
Sectional control valves shall be of the post indicator type and will be monitored. Underground gate valves with
roadway boxes are not acceptable as sectional control valves.
8.
All post indicator valve handles and control valves shall be locked in the open position. Contractor shall provide
approved breakaway locks and/or chains. All post indicator valves shall have proper signage as to what system or
areas they serve or control when it is not clear what they serve.
9.
Sprinkler heads shall not be located within any smoke vents or skylights.
10. All sprinkler systems having 20 heads or more shall be supervised. The alarm system shall be capable of
transmitting a water flow or tamper alarm to a central alarm station, which will transmit the alarm to the Fire
Dispatch Center. All valves controlling the fire sprinkler system, including any above grade double check valves
shall be provided with a tamper switch. This shall be installed and in operation prior to final approval.
11. All buildings which are built as “ SPEC” warehouse shall have the sprinkler system designed in accordance with
CFC Chapter 23 and NFPA 13 for Class IV commodity, double row racks, 21’ high storage with 4’ aisle width,
without in-rack sprinklers, with a minimum operating area of 3000 sq. feet. Alternative means to the requirement
may be submitted for approval to the Chief for review prior to the system being installed.
12. All drains, auxiliary drains, inspectors test, etc. shall not be concealed above ceiling tiles. All inspector test valves
shall be the size of the smallest sprinkler. No hose bibs will be allowed.
13. Any sprinkler system, which has a water supply from the city with a static pressure of 100 psi or more, shall have
a pressure relief valve installed on the riser trim to prevent excessive pressure buildup. This valve should be
adjusted to relieve system pressure at 150 psi or 15 psi higher than the static pressure to a maximum of 175 psi,
whichever is greater.
14. Upon final inspection, the water motor bell or electric bell and flow switch on the address side of the building
shall be functional. Component identification signs shall be permanently affixed and designed to the Fire
Department specifications, hydraulic data plaques and the spare head box, sprinklers, and head wrench shall be
installed.
15. When required, all buildings 100,000 square feet or more shall have two points of connection. Each point of
connection to the city water supply shall have a FDC, unless a fire pump is located at one of the connections.
Each point of connection shall be connected to the city water supply off of separate city mains.
16. All plans shall be submitted with the most current cut sheets on all heads, valves, etc. that are being used. No cut
sheet over six months old will be accepted.
17. All plans shall include elevation gains depicting any changes in elevation and a full height cross section of the
building on all sprinkler plans. It shall also include in elevation from the point of the flow test to finished grade
(hydrant calculation) and finished floor (system calculation).
18. All underground plans shall include the soil type and or soil study done to determine the thrust block size.
19. Water supply calculations from the water company shall be included verifying the available water supply and
shall not be more than a year old.
20. The FDC shall be located on the address side of the building and be unobstructed from view by any object. All
FDC’s shall have a sign indicating the address it serves. All FDC’s for risers 4 inch and above shall include
1- 2 ½” x 1- 2 ½” x 1- 4” female hose connections.
21. All P. I. V.’s shall have a sign that designates the address of the building or the riser number that it serves.
22. Fire department connections shall be located not more than 50 ft from the nearest public fire hydrant with an
approved water supply. Existing buildings shall not be more than 100 ft from the nearest fire hydrant connection
to an approved water supply. The system designer shall contact the Fire Department prior to establishing the
location of the fire department connection.
23. All indicating signs shall have a minimum of four-inch (4”) reflective white numbers/letters with a red background
(3/4” stroke). Signs shall be permanently affixed with tamper resistant hardware. They shall also be constructed
of material that resists weather elements. Signs shall be installed prior to final inspection.
24. 2 ½ Fire hose connections are required at every other man door throughout the warehouse. A “blue dot” shall be
applied to the closet fire access door.
25. All fire access doors located around the exterior of the warehouse shall be marked with the corresponding riser
number on the exterior door. The labeling shall be of contrasting color and 6 inch high letters/ numbers.
26. On buildings with 6 risers or more, a strobe that is tied to the waterflow shall be located on the exterior of the
building, near the fire access door closest to the riser it serves. A weatherproof horn/strobe may be allowed.
27. Other areas of fire protection not covered in this standard may require special consideration. Please contact the
Fire Department regarding areas not covered in this standard.
Adopted Date: 06/08
Modified Date: 12/08