ALTERNATE METHODS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE 2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE (IRC) & GARAGE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

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1 ORDINANCE NO. cjdo44lj JJ -~ ALTERNATE METHODS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE 2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE (IRC) & GARAGE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM WHEREAS, the City oftrussville adopted the International Residential Code to regulate residentia} construction under Ordinance EI effective January 1, 2004; and WHEREAS, this code requires separation of residential garages and residential living space, and where as sections and of this code prescribe that a fire resistant ceiling shall be installed; and WHEREAS, hanging ductwork and plumbing often make this installation difficult or impractical, Jefferson County and other municipalities have adopted a similar alternate method of compliance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council ofthe City of TrussviHe, Alabama that the following alternate methods for compliance with the 2003 International Residential Code and 309.2, Garage Fire Suppression System, shall be allowed: Approved Alternate Garage Fire Suppression System. Contact licensed fire sprinkler contractor for design & installation. Minimum 3/4" domestic water line for sprinkler demand with 1" domestic preferred. C D. IRC & apply to garage areas only. The use of the garage fire suppression alternate would require: 1. A sheetrock wall between the garage area and finished/unfinished basement areas. 2. For full unfinished basements with garage doors present, sprinklering of the entire basement is required, if vehicles can be parked throughout, it's all a garage area. Required alarm notification for garage fire suppression system: 1. Flow switch and tamper valves must be tied to an electric alarm bell to alert resident of a water flow situation or the supervised valve is turned off The alarm bell must be mounted in the living area of the house. 2. In the event a home security alarm is installed in the house, the flow and tamper switches may be tied into the alann system to audibly alert residents.

2 E. Fire Suppression System components: 1. Supply piping to fire suppression must be minimum I" schedule 40 black pipe with sprinkler heads spaced no greater than 14' apart on branch lines and no more than 7' from any wall ( 144 sq. ft.) CPVC pipe may be used if floor system is constructed of solid wood joists. Engineered joists require steel pipe. 2. Sprinkler heads must be "quick response" (155 degrees), standard spray with 1/2" threaded and minimum of 3/8" orifice size. Upright heads are recommended with deflector no more tha114" below bottom of ceilingjoists. Pendant heads may be used in areas where horizontal obstructions dictate and located with deflectors just under obstruction. 3. Floor areas beneath "open" garage doors must be protected. Recommend use of residential side wall heads mounted no more than 2" below the bottom plane of the garage doors in the open position. 4. Fire protection system riser must be tied to the domestic water system "upstream" from the pressure reducing valve. All valves controlling water to the fire suppression system specifically must be supervised. (This does not include the valve pit at the street or any valves that cut off water to the entire house.) F. Inspection for compliance: Building contractor or sprinkler contract shall notify City of Trussville Fire Department at when the "entire" system is completed and ready to be tested. The Fire Marshal will check for proper system components> alarm location and head placement. Section II. Drop-in Fire Rated Ceiling Assembly. A. A UL approved drop-in ceiling assembly (grid, hangers, lights, etc.) rated for one hour fire resistance may be used as an alternate. B. Inspection for compliance: An inspection for compliance shall be done by the Building Inspections Department at the rough-in stage and after installation is completed. Section III. Repealer: All ordinances or parts of ordinances heretofore adopted by the City Council of the City of TrussvilleJ Alabama which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby expressly repealed. Section IV. Severability: If any pa11, section or subdivision of this ordinance shall be held unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such holding shall not be construed to invalidate or impair the remainder of this ordinance, which shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding such holding.

3 Section V. Effective Date: This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption and publication as provided by law. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the,d day of February, 20d..

4 .,...,,:...( Alternate Method for Compliance WithIRC &309.2 Garage Fire Suppression System I. II III. IV. Contact licensed fire sprinkler contractor for design & instaliation. Minimum 3/411 domestic water line for sprinkler demand with ]11 domestic preferred. IRC & apply to garage areas only. The use of the garage fire suppression alternate would require: A. A sheetrock wall between the garage area and finished/unfinished basement areas. B. For full unfinished basements with garage doors present. sprinklering of the entire basement is required, ifvehic1es can be parked throughout, it's all a garage area. Required alarm notification for garage fire suppression system: A. Flow switch and tamper valves must be tied to an electric alarm bell to alert resident of a water flow situation or the supervised valve is turned off. The alarm bell must be mounted in the living area of the house. B. In the event a home security alann is installed in the house, the flow and tamper switches may be tied into the alarm system to audibly alert residents. v. Fire Suppression System components: A. Supply piping to fire suppression must be minimum 1" schedule 40 black pipe with sprinkler heads spaced no greater than 14' apart on branch lines and no more than 7' from any wall ( 144 sq. ft.) CPV C pipe may be used if floor system is constructed of solid wood joists. Engineered joists require steel pipe. B. Sprinkler heads mus be "quick response" (155 degrees), standard spray with 1/2" threaded and minimum of 3/8" orifice size. Upright heads are recommended with deflector no more than 4" below bottom of ceiling joists. Pendant heads may be used in areas where horizontal obstructions dictate and located with deflectors just under obstruction. C. Floor areas beneath "open" garage doors must be protected. Recommend use of residential side wall heads mounted no more than 2" below the bottom plane of the garage doors in the open position. D. Fire protection system riser must be tied to the domestic water system "upstream" from the pressure reducing valve. All valves controlling water to the fire suppression system specifically must be supervised. (This does not include the valve pit at the street or any valves that cut off water to the entire house.) VI. Inspection for compliance: Building contractor or sprinkler contract shall notify City of Trussville Fire Department at when the "entire" system is completed and ready to be tested. The Fire Marshal will check for proper system components, alarm location and head placement.

5 CERTIFICATION I, Lynn Porter, City Clerk of the City oftrussville, Alabama do hereby certify that the following is a true and COlTect copy of Ordinance Number EI of the City oftrussville, Alabama, adopted on February 10,2004 and posted in the following places: Trussville Municipal Building Trussville Public Library Trussville Community Center on February 11,2004, and effective five days thereafter. Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of February, 2004.