Chapter 2: Identification, water and access As you are approaching the occupancy to be inspected, take note of building and fire protection services. Put yourself in the shoes of a first arriving company officer and/or engineer. Can you identify and access the building and indentify and access critical fire protection components? Address Are the address numbers legible from the street? Address pre-enforcement Address post-enforcement The number shall be a minimum of 4 tall with 1/2 stroke but must be visible from the street. If numbers can not been plainly legible or visible from the street, the Inspector should ask for larger numbers to be installed. 2008 LACFC 505.1 Address numbers: New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch. Doors in the rear and in alleys leading into buildings that are subdivided and occupied by different tenants shall have an address. Buildings must be easily identified by emergency response vehicles. This includes the backs of buildings. The back door of each tenant space shall have the numerical address on or above each door. 2-1 This image shows the rear of a warehouse that has been subdivided and leased to different occupants without the address and or unit number which door will you enter?
Fire System Control Valves An FDC is required as part of a water-based suppression system as the auxiliary water supply. These connections give the fire department the capability of supplying the necessary water to the automatic sprinkler or standpipe system at a sufficient pressure without pressurizing the underground supply. The FDC also serves as an alternative source of water should a valve in the primary water supply be closed. Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7: Signs shall indicate the type of system, address, buildings served by the FDC, and system pumping pressure if greater than 150 psi. Signs shall be provided as outlined in section 7, item 7of Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7. Signs missing identifying the address served Which FDC would you pump? 2008 LACFC 912.4 Signs: A metal sign with raised letters at least 1 inch in size shall be mounted on all fire department connections serving automatic sprinklers, standpipes or fire pump connections. Such signs shall read: AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS or STANDPIPES or TEST CONNECTION or a combination thereof as applicable. 2-2
Fire Department Connection (FDC) FDC visible, accessible and identify address served and what is served (Sprinklers, standpipe, etc)? Sign should also state what type of system it serves (automatic sprinklers, standpipe, etc.). Nothing can be allowed to be placed near a fire hydrant, FDC or a control valve that would prevent responding firefighters from immediately recognizing the device and gaining access to it. 2008 LACFC; 912.3 Access. Immediate access to fire department connections shall be maintained at all times and without obstruction by fences, bushes, trees, walls or any other object for a minimum of 3 feet. This fence was installed without regard for the need of the fire department to gain immediate access to the FDC 2-3
2008 LACFC: 508.5.4 Obstruction. Posts, fences, vehicles, growth, trash, storage and other materials or objects shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants, fire department inlet connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would prevent such equipment or fire hydrants from being immediately discernible. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants. Plants and shrubs on private or public property are probably the most common object that can make fire hydrants, FDC s or fire protection systems virtually invisible and/or inaccessible to responding fire apparatus engineers. Occupants do not like the ugly piece of iron in the front of the business and will try to hide the FDC. Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Reg 7) The FDC shall be visible, accessible (three feet clear above and on both sides) and installed with the inlets not less than 24 inches and not more than 42 inches above the level of grade, with the FDC facing the street. When a fence or other obstruction is provided, the FDC shall be accessible from the public side of the obstruction. 2-4
Because FDC s are components of a waterbased extinguishing system, NFPA 25 CA Edition is applicable. Inspections must determine that connections are unobstructed, wellprotected and in good working order. *Cap missing *No sign *Paint *Visible? Red paint aids in readily indentifying AES appliances. Inlets not less than 24 inches and not more than 42 inches above the level of grade. Plugs or covers must be installed to protect threads and pipe openings, and must easily be removed to permit connection of a fire hose. Caps or plugs must be kept in place whenever the connection is not in use to discourage the insertion of objects into the connection openings. The interior of piping behind connection clappers must be checked for foreign material and obstructions. 2008 LACFC 901.6 Inspection, testing and maintenance: All fire department connections shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with Title 19 California Code of Regulations, Chapter 5. FDC missing Swivels missing 2-5
Stem should be exposed which indicates valve is open Valves locked open with a nonhardened lock Permanent weather proof sign, indicating what the valve serves If system requires monitoring (>20 sprinkler heads), tamper indicating switches should be visible on each valve, monitoring it s position (opened or closed) O S & Y (Outside Stem & Yoke) If an o s & y is utilized, is it visible, accessible, indentified and secured? Older style single check valve with indicating paddle. Paddle is in line indicating open. Wheel with paddle indicator. No outside screw. Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Regulation 7), pg. 12: System Control Valves; System control valves shall be of an indicating type valve assembly. Underground gate valves are not acceptable for sprinkler system control valves. 2-6
Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Regulation 7), pg. 13: Securing Valves; All control valves shall be locked in the open position, with a non-case hardened lock. Missing chain No sign Missing FDC Backflow preventer 2008 LACFC 912.5 Backflow protection: The potable water supply to automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems shall be protected against backflow as required by the Health and Safety Code 13114.7. 2-7 2008 LACFC 508.5.4 Obstruction: Posts, fences, vehicles, growth, trash, storage and other materials or objects shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants, fire department inlet connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would prevent such equipment or fire hydrants from being immediately discernible.
P.I.V. (Post Indicator Valve) Volume 7,Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Reg. 7) Each fire protection system shall have a main post indicator valve located at the city connection, on the supply side of the FDC. Window visible with valve indicator showing open or closed Wrench is present and in place secured with a non-case hardened lock PIV is electronically supervised (note conduit). Weather proof permanent sign indicating address valve serves Volume 7,Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Reg. 7) Sectional control valves for underground fire mains shall be post indicator type (PIV). In unique situations when above ground valves cannot be used, a central station service monitored electronically supervised indicating valve in an approved vault may be allowed. 2-8
This window is obscured and requires replacement. Is the valve opened or closed? Is the PIV visible, accessible, open, identified and locked in the open position with a non-hardened lock? If the system requires monitoring (>20 sprinkler heads {recently changed from 100}), tamper indicating switches should be visible on each valve, monitoring the valve s position (opened or closed). Volume 7,Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Reg. 7) Each sprinkler riser shall have a readily visible, accessible above grade exterior indicating control valve. Volume 7,Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Reg. 7) System control valves shall be of an indicating type valve assembly. Underground gate valves are not acceptable for sprinkler system control valves. Missing lock 2-6 2-9 Wrench secured to valve in open position with a non-hardened/breakaway lock
Junction box for tamper switch inoperable/ corroded. 2008 LACFC: 903.4 Sprinkler system monitoring and alarms. All valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems, pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressures, and water-flow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be electrically supervised. The reliability statistics on automatic sprinkler systems clearly indicate that a closed valve is the leading cause of sprinkler failure. There are a number of critical elements that contribute to successful sprinkler system operation, including, but not limited to, pumps, water tanks and air pressure maintenance devices. This code requires the water supply and function of the sprinkler system to be electronically supervised. Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Regulation 7), pg. 13: Securing Valves; All control valves shall be locked in the open position, with a non-case hardened lock. Wrench installed upside down rendering valve un-secured. 2-10 Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Regulation 7), Underground piping serving both on-site hydrants and sprinkler systems shall be designed whereby on-site hydrants will not be shut off when the sprinkler systems exterior control valve is turned off.
Wall P.I.V. May be confused for an OS&Y. Window indicates valve status, not exposed screw. Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Regulation 7), Wall post indicator valves may be used as the systems main control valve where short lengths of underground exist. A listed indicating control valve may be used only when the riser is on the exterior of the building and readily visible and accessible. Note: The FDC shall be tied in on the system side of this control valve when feeding a single sprinkler system. *Note: Fire protection control valves can sometimes be located in an underground vault. This can be found in older installations and areas of extremely heavy traffic (loading dock areas, etc.). In these instances, signage is very important. These are not allowed under current code, but may be present in an existing, non-conforming condition. Is the valve readily accessible? 2-11
Inoperable water gong. Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 7 (Regulation 7), An exterior alarm bell shall be provided for each riser and shall be located adjacent to that riser in order to clearly identify which riser is flowing water. In multi-story buildings, alarm bells/horns shall be located on each floor, adjacent to the floor control valve. In addition, one bell shall be located on the exterior of the building, adjacent to the main riser. Bell on ground. 2008 LACFC 903.4.2 Alarms: Approved audible devices shall be connected to every automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Alarm devices shall be provided on the exterior of the building in an approved location. Alarm bell/water gong present with sign indicating to contact fire department if ringing. Bell location is a good indicator of riser location. 2-12
On site/yard hydrants 2008 LACFC 508.5.1 Where required: Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 400 feet from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official. On-site, yard hydrants are painted with two coats of primer and one coat of Fire Engine Red paint. Some properties will have easements to public hydrants on site. In those cases the, hydrant would be yellow and not connected into the fire system. Fire hydrant barricades shall be painted with two coats of traffic signal yellow 2008 LACFC 508.5.4 Obstruction: Posts, fences, vehicles, growth, trash, storage and other materials or objects shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants, fire department inlet connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would prevent such equipment or fire hydrants from being immediately discernible. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants. When required by the fire code official, hydrant locations shall be identified Nothing can be placed near a fire hydrant, FDC or control valve that would prevent responding fire fighters from immediately recognizing the device and gaining access to it. Common obstructions are parked vehicles and outdoor storage. Barricades are too close to the hydrant, 3 foot clear space is needed Missing vehicle impact protection. Spec. found in Vol.7, Subject 8 and Fire Code Section 312 2008 LACFC 508.5.5 Clear space around hydrants: A 3-foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants except as otherwise required or approved. 2008 LACFC 508.5.6 Physical protection: Where fire hydrants are subject to impact by a motor vehicle, guard posts or other approved means shall comply with Section 312. 2-13
Access/Limited Access Devices 2008 LACFC 506.1 Where required: Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official. Can fire department personnel access the property and/or building without excessive delay? As the fire code official you have the authority to require special key vaults when, in your opinion, the need for rapid entry into the facility warrants it. If so, a limited access device may be required. Within LACoFD jurisdiction, this is usually a Knox Box. GE Security/Supra is Department approved, however, it is rarely used. This would apply to the building and any gates leading from the street to the building. Review Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 5 (Regulation 5) and Volume 7, Chapter 2, Subject 2 for specific procedures and Department requirements regarding limited access devices. Volume 7, Chapter 1, Subject 5 (Regulation 5) : Limited Access Devices and Systems. 2008 LACFC 506.2 Key box maintenance: The operator of the building shall immediately notify the fire code official and provide the new key when a lock is changed or rekeyed. The key to such lock shall be secured in the key box. Knox gate interface 2-14 The owner of the building cannot open the key vault or box and must call the local jurisdiction fire station to replace keys that may have been changed. The building owner is responsible for maintaining the key box as well as assuring the keys inside the box are current.
2008 LACFC 503.6 Security gates: The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire chief. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. Do the gates accessing the property have knox interface and have the gates been approved by the FD? Knox interface. Where installed, security gates must be operable in an emergency by the emergency response units and the means of operation must be acceptable to the fire chief. Electronically operated gates should also include a manual method of operation. If gates are not maintained in a manner that prevents appreciable delay of emergency response, you have the authority to have the gates removed because they would be considered to constitute an obstruction of the required roadway width as regulated in Section 503.4 of the Fire Code. Will this support apparatus? What happens in the rain or during pumping operations? Accessible? 2008 LACFC 503.2.3 Surface: Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities. If landscape and/or traffic control measures (bollards) are in place, can they be moved easily and can the road support apparatus? In this case, the building owner did not want to use the traditional driveway. There are cement blocks under the grass that are capable of holding emergency vehicles. 2-15
Fire Lanes 2008 LACFC 503.1.1 Buildings and facilities: Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility. An access road is required to extend to within 150 feet of all portions of the grade level floor. This code establishes the maximum distance from buildings or facilities to the fire apparatus access roads. The intent is to limit the maximum length of hose needed to reach any point along the exterior of a building or facility from a fire department vehicle. Large area buildings may require a fire apparatus access road on all four sides. 2008 LACFC: 503.2.5 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus. What can you do to prevent this dead-end? Remove the outdoor storage at the end of the fire lane. 2-16 In consideration of the hazards inherent in attempting to back emergency vehicles out of a long deadend roadway, this code intends to create a safer situation by requiring that dead-end access roads over 150 feet long be equipped with an approved turnaround.
2008 LACFC 503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads: Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles or the placement of speed bumps. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 22500.1. Could you comfortably drive an engine or truck company through here and be able to operate? Would an engine be able to maneuver past an operating truck company? The intent of a 20 foot minimum width is to provide space for fire apparatus to pass one another during fire-ground operations. 2008 LACFC: 503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance clear to the sky. (*Note, there are several variable that could cause a requirement for more or less than 20 feet.) LACFC Section 503, beginning on page 51, deals with fire access roads and lanes. There are several exceptions to the codes. Research should be completed prior to making any decision regarding fire lanes. Drive around the structure. Would you be able to drive an engine and/or truck company around the building, park and operate? Can you make mitigation suggestions (signage, paint, etc.)? Do the fire lane widths meet the Code requirements at the time the requirements were set (20, 26, 28 or more)? Are the lanes clear of storage and parking? 2-17
2008 LACFC 503.3 Marking: Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. Signs or notices shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. To enforce the no-parking in fire apparatus access roads (fire lanes ) the roads must be clearly marked. The building owner is responsible for marking the access road, as well as the policing of no parking zones. This may be needed on both sides of the access road. Volume 7 Chapter 1 Subject 15: Fire Lanes: Unobstructed access clear to the sky for fire Fighting purposes is required when fire equipment must use access routes other than improved dedicated public roadways to get within 150 feet of any portion of the first story of any structure. F.C. 902.2.1. In order to maintain the availability of access for fire equipment on private property when the afore mentioned requirement is pertinent, the designation "FIRE LANE" shall be used. The following method of fire lane description is consistent with Section 22500.1 of the California Vehicle Code: 1. All roadways or driveways that have been determined by the Fire Department to be Fire Lanes shall be labeled as such on the final subdivision map or final building plans. 2. Prior to any occupancy, the entrances to, and all intermittent spacing distances of 150 feet on both sides of the required private roadways or driveways which have been determined by the Fire Department to be in need of restrictive parking shall be designated by posting Fire Department ap proved "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" signs. See Figure 1. 3. On all existing properties requiring restrictive parking, the Fire Department shall make the final de termination in accordance with Section 22500.1 of the Vehicle Code, as to the method and need of designation. 2-18
2008 LACFC 510.1 Identification: Fire protection equipment shall be identified in an approved manner. Rooms containing controls for air-conditioning systems, sprinkler risers and valves, or other fire detection, suppression or control elements shall be identified for the use of the fire department. Approved signs required to identify fire protection equipment and equipment location, shall be constructed of durable materi- Valves and other controls are often located in rooms or other enclosures. These rooms and/or enclosures must be clearly identified. In addition to written signs, symbols can be used, standardized markings can be found in NFPA 170 In an emergency, it is vitally important that the fire department and other emergency responders be able to quickly locate and access critical controls for fire protection systems. Obstructed or poorly marked equipment can cause delays in fire-fighting operations and/or cause further property damage (ie., broken sprinkler head). Signage is needed to distinguish a pump manifold from an FDC FDC s are customarily equipped with female couplings, while fire pump test headers usually have separately valved male couplings. 2-19
Access to buildings 2008 LACFC 504.1 Required access: Exterior doors and openings required by this code or the California Building Code shall be maintained readily accessible for emergency access by the fire department. An approved access walkway leading from fire apparatus access roads to exterior openings shall be provided when required by the fire code official. Bollards preventing traffic or storage from blocking exit. 2008 LACFC 504.2 Maintenance of exterior doors and openings: Exterior doors and their function shall not be eliminated without prior approval. Exterior doors that have been rendered nonfunctional and that retain a functional door exterior appearance shall have a sign affixed to the exterior side of the door with the words THIS DOOR BLOCKED. The sign shall consist of letters having a principal stroke of not less than 0.75 inch wide and at least 6 inches high on a contrasting background. Required fire department access doors shall not be obstructed or eliminated. Exit and exit access doors shall comply with Chapter 10. Access doors for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with Section 2306.6.1. From the exterior, this looks like a usable door. This occupancy consolidated warehouse space making this door no longer required. It is actually blocked with high pile storage and should be marked THIS DOOR BLOCKED. 2-20 Doors that are part of the required means of egress or that are required by section 2306.6 must not be rendered unusable or be blocked. Only doors not required by the code or the IBC for means of egress may be blocked or made unusable. Even then, they must be marked from the outside so that emergency personnel will not attempt to use them.