NORCAL FPO
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Vallejo, CA
June 28, 2002

Attendees:

Jim Feld - Feld Engineering
Linda Brandelius -Roseville F.D.
David Dewey - Daly City F.D.
Theresa Johnson -Alameda Cty. Fire
Jim Clancy - RJA
Manny Muniz - Manny Muniz Assoc.
Bill Hopple - Simplex Grinnell
Robert Evans - Stockton F.D.
Nicholes Psoli - Vallejo F.D.
George Blind - Sunnyvale DPS
Michael Mentink -San Ramon Valley F.D.
David Stevens - San Ramon Valley F.D.
Tom Bednar - Lund Pearson McLaughlin

Changes to Residential Sprinkler Flow Rates

There are two changes to residential sprinkler flow rates that everyone should be aware of. As of July 12, 2002, UL listings for 13D and 13R applications now require a density of .05 rather than .04 gpm per sq. ft. As a result, there will no longer be different flows for one vs. two head calculations. Use of specific heads will be clarified on cut sheets issued by the manufacturers.

There is confusion regarding use of heads manufactured before and after July 12. All heads manufactured before July 12 may be used in new systems until the inventories run out. Some existing sprinklers have not passed the new test; therefore, if they are manufactured after July 12, they may not be used in new systems but only as replacement sprinklers in existing systems. You must consult the cut sheet for this information. Since sprinkler heads are identified only with the year of manufacture and not the month, confusion will exist until 2003. AHJs are stuck with the task of individually deciding when to cut off the installation of the .04 density sprinklers manufactured before July 12. This Committee will further review this issue.

The second change involves an increase in the density for residential sprinklers in NFPA 13 systems. A TIA to the 1999 edition of NFPA 13 increased this density to .1 gpm per sq. ft. Four head calcs are still permitted for dwelling units.

FIRETRACE Systems

Recent NFPA Journals have carried advertisements for small extinguishing systems known as FIRETRACE – www.firetrace.com. The systems have several different configurations using flexible, temperature sensitive tubing. These systems have allegedly been tested and used with several different agents; however, the UL and FM listings apply to specific configurations using only FM200.

CPVC Blazemaster Listing

The UL listing criteria for Blazemaster has been expanded. The piping may now be used with listed light hazard, quick response, extended coverage sprinklers with the piping in an exposed, unprotected configuration. This configuration, however, is restricted to smooth, flat, horizontal ceilings. See the website – www.blazemaster.com – for details.

NFPA 5000

At the NFPA Annual Meeting, the membership voted to include a requirement in the inaugural edition of NFPA 5000 for the installation of sprinkler systems in all new one and two family residential dwellings. The Standards Council must still decide whether or not to validate this vote.

NFPA 72

The May/June issue of the NFPA Journal contains a short but informative article answering some of the most frequently asked questions regarding NFPA 72. There is also a second article that highlights the changes being developed for the 2002 NFPA 72.

Effective use of the 1999 NFPA 72 will begin in California on November 1, 2002. If anyone is interested in a detailed explanation of the changes that took place between the 1996 and 1999 editions, you may contact George Blind. An 80-page WORD document is available.

California amendments to NFPA 72 are now printed in Article 91 of the 2001 CFC. It should be noted that California has not adopted Chapter 8 of the 1999 NFPA 72 – Fire Warning Equipment for Dwelling Units. Article 91 contains an amended version of Chapter 2, NFPA 1996, which does include the provision for interconnection of smoke detectors in dwelling units.

Miscellaneous

Contractor licenses have been revoked for companies dba RK Fire and Allphase Fire.

Roseville had an incident involving smoking elevator equipment. It seems that vegetable oil had been placed in the unit and reached a temperature of 400 degrees F. We will attempt to learn more about this practice.

Respectfully submitted,

George Blind, Co-chair