NORCAL FPO
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Vallejo, CA
July 25, 2003

Attendees:

Tom Bednar - Lund Pearson McLaughlin

Jim Bollier - Sprinkler Fitters 483.

David Downing- Millbrae F.D.

David Hodge - Sacto. Control Sys.

George Blind - Sunnyvale DPS

Steve Hart - NASIP

Allen Sigl - Sac. Metro Fire

Randy Dysart - Beacon Fire Safety

Darrell Harguth -Brooks Equip. Co.

Sam Husoe - NFSA

Ron Kunkel - Signawest Systems

David Secoda - Bay Alarm

Jim Clancy - Rolf Jensen

Ross Woodman- Sacto. F.D.

Gary Henslee - Sacto. F.D.

Pat Sanchez - CSFM

Tom Horton - Sac Metro F.D.

Bill Lichtenberger -Newark F.D.

Website update: The Equipment and Devices Committee section of the website now contains plan submittal review checklists for standpipe systems, sprinkler systems, and fire alarm systems.

Sprinkler waterflow alarms:

Attendees discussed the use of alternatives to remotely located inspector’s test connections that discharge water to the building exterior. NFPA 13 provisions do not mandate the use of a remote inspector’s test connection, but there are several "should" statements in the Annex for guidance. According to Ken Isman, NFSA Assistant Vice President and member of the NFPA Committee on Sprinkler System Installation Criteria, the Committee members decided that while it does not hurt to have the inspector’s test at a remote location, they did not want to mandate it. Ken cautioned that since a listed recirculating flow switch tester will not help verify the water supply, other tests (e.g. 2 inch drain test) need to be performed as well.

Sprinkler Resolution:

Sam advised that the final draft of the resolution supporting installation of residential sprinklers has been forwarded to the NorCAL and SoCAL Boards for review.

Sprinkler ordinance survey:

Steve Hart advised that the Executive Summary of the survey should be available for the August meeting.

UL300 requirements:

Attendees continued discussion regarding the continued use of older non-UL300 range hood systems. There is a need to educate users regarding the issue. Materials for this purpose will be reviewed at the next meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
George Blind, Co-chair