FP Narrative - 1 JeffersonFIREPROTECTIONNARRATIVE
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Salem,Massachusetts
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DATE: JANUARY 31, 2020
TO: Salem Inspectional Services
FROM: Keith Young - Fire Protection System
Mike Gagne - Fire Alarm System
BLW Engineers
SUBJECT: 1 Jefferson Ave
Salem, MA
NEW FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM
COPIES TO: File
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gentlemen, in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code, 9th Edition
Chapter 9, we respectfully submit for your review this narrative on the proposed new fire
sprinkler system in the existing building at 1 Jefferson Ave. in Salem, MA.
SECTION 1 – BUILDING DESCRIPTION
1. Approximate Square Footage:
Existing Building: 3,600 ft2
New Addition: 7,200 ft2
2. Type of Occupancy Within Building:
Existing Building: Business - Office
New Addition: Storage - Motor Vehicle Garage
3. Construction type:
Existing Building: Combustible V-B
New Addition: Non-combustible II-A
4. Hazardous Material Storage – not applicable
5. High Piles Storage Over 12 Feet – not applicable
SECTION 2 – APPLICABLE LAWS, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
1. 780 CMR THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BUILDING CODE, 9th Edition
2. 780 CMR CHAPTER 9, “FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS”
3. NFPA 13 STANDARD FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS latest accepted edition
4. NFPA 25 STANDARD FOR THE INSPECTION, TESTING, AND
MAINTENANCE OF WATER-BASED FIRE PROTECTION
SYSTEMS latest accepted edition
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5. M.G.L. 148 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAW CHAPTER 148 “FIRE
PREVENTION” (as applicable)
6. 527 CMR FIRE PREVENTION REGULATIONS (as applicable)
7. All applicable regulations and criteria of the local fire department and the owner's
insurance authority.
9. All applicable sections and regulations of OSHA and ADA.
10. NFPA 70 NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE
11. NFPA 72 NATIONAL FIRE ALARM CODE
12. City of Salem – Fire Department Rules and Regulations for Fire Alarm and
Sprinkler Systems.
SECTION 3 – DESIGN RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
The sprinkler contractor shall provide a registered professional engineer (PE) who shall
produce a complete set of hydraulically calculated sprinkler systems drawings as required
by NFPA-13 latest accepted editions. The sprinkler contractor’s registered engineer shall
make the drawings complete in every respect and shall show all piping runs, lengths,
dimensions, fittings, elevations call-outs, sprinkler head locations, pipe sizing, hangers,
seismic bracing, existing piping layouts, existing systems to be removed, new
connections to existing piping, hydraulic calculation nodes and all appropriate details.
The sprinkler contractor’s registered engineer shall provide all hydraulic calculations to
verify the pipe sizing of the sprinkler systems. The sprinkler contractor’s registered
engineer shall stamp all sprinkler drawings and hydraulic calculations and shall submit
these to the fire department and owner for approval and permit. No fire protection work
shall begin until the sprinkler contractor has obtained approval for all sprinkler systems
from the fire department and the owner. The sprinkler contractor shall conduct a new
hydrant flow test at the site in order to obtain current flow and pressure data. The
sprinkler contractor shall use this newly obtained data to perform the hydraulic
calculations for the fire protection system shop drawings.
SECTION 4 – FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS TO BE INSTALLED
The project consists of providing new sprinkler systems to an existing Office tenant
building with a new Garage addition. A new fire service will be provided in the existing
building with a new backflow preventer and new wet pipe and dry pipe risers.
The new Garage addition will be protected with a new dry pipe sprinkler system, fed
from the new riser in the existing building. The building is considered Ordinary Hazard
Group II occupancy per NFPA-13 and shall be hydraulically calculated to deliver a
design density of .20 gpm/ft2 over 1,950 ft2. Area of operation is increased by 30% for
dry pipe system. ½” Quick Response concealed pendent sprinklers shall be installed in
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Salem,Massachusetts
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areas with ceilings and ½” Quick Response brass upright sprinklers shall be installed in
areas with exposed construction.
The existing Office tenant building will be protected with a new wet pipe sprinkler
system, fed from the new riser in the existing building. The building is considered Light
Hazard occupancy per NFPA-13 and shall be hydraulically calculated to deliver a design
density of .10 gpm/ft2 over 1,500 ft2 in office areas. Mechanical and Storage areas shall
be designed for Ordinary Hazard Group II occupancy at .20 gpm/ft2 over 1,500 ft2. Area
of operation can be reduced by up to 40% for quick response sprinklers. ½” Quick
Response concealed pendent sprinklers shall be installed in areas with ceilings and ½”
Quick Response brass upright sprinklers shall be installed in areas with exposed
construction. Combustible concealed spaces shall be protected with ½” concealed space
sprinklers.
All sprinkler systems will be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA-13. All
sprinkler systems shall be UL listed and / or FM approved for fire service use. All
sprinkler systems and equipment shall be rated at 175 psi working pressure. All sprinkler
systems will be designed, tested and installed in accordance with the applicable sections
of the Massachusetts State Building Code 9th edition and NFPA-13 latest accepted
editions as well as the regulations and guidelines of the local authority. All sprinkler
systems will be seismically braced, if applicable, in accordance with the Massachusetts
State Building Code 9th edition and NFPA. All sprinkler systems will be designed, tested
and installed by a sprinkler contractor licensed and experienced in Massachusetts for fire
sprinkler systems.
SECTION 5 – FEATURES USED IN THE DESIGN METHODOLOGY
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
1. The existing fire alarm system is an addressable system manufactured by Edwards
Systems Technologies (EST), which is located at the building’s main entry. The
fire alarm scope of work consists of adding new devices to accommodate the
proposed addition.
2. New audio/visual alarms shall be installed throughout the space and the coverage
shall meet the requirements of NFPA and ADA. Visual alarms shall be utilized in
small areas such as bathrooms were ample audio alarm is present. The devices
shall be installed in accordance with the floor plan layouts.
3. Tamper and flow switches shall be added to the existing sprinkler system to
accommodate for the proposed addition.
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4. The devices shall be installed in accordance with the floor plan layouts.
5. New FPLR cabling shall be provided where needed to connect the proposed
devices to the existing loop. System shall be connected to meet UL, the
requirements for NFPA and the Massachusetts State Building Code.
6. There are no changes to the existing sequence of operation or method of
notification to the proper authorities as part of this renovation. The existing
system is simply being expanded to accommodate the proposed renovations and
addition.
7. The fire alarm system will be re-programmed, re-tested and re-certified after
completion of the project.
8. Emergency lighting shall be provided throughout the renovated space and shall
consist of light fixtures for egress lighting and LED exit signs connected to the
generator’s life safety circuits. Lighting levels shall be provided to meet the
Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR Articles 1023 and 1024.
SEQUENCE OF OPERATION
1. Activation of a manual pull station shall:
a. Sound alarm at pull station activated
b. Identify the station activated and sound alarm at control panel.
c. Initiate horn/strobe devices.
d. Shut down ventilation system.
e. Notify local fire department.
2. Activation of smoke detectors shall:
a. Sound alarm at device activated
b. Identify the device activated and sound alarm at control panel.
c. Initiate horn/strobe devices.
d. Shut down ventilation system.
e. Notify local fire department.
3. Activation of heat detectors shall:
a. Identify the device activated and sound alarm at control panel.
b. Initiate horn/strobe devices.
c. Shut down ventilation system.
d. Notify local fire department.
4. Activation of duct mounted smoke detector shall:
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a. Shut down dedicated mechanical unit device is associated with.
b. Initiate remote indicator.
c. Identify the device activated and sound alarm at control panel.
d. Initiate horn/strobe devices.
e. Notify local fire department.
5. Activation of Ansul system shall:
a. Initiate ansul system in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements.
b. Shut down dedicated mechanical unit device is associated with.
c. Identify that system has been activated and sound alarm at control panel.
d. Initiate horn/strobe devices.
e. Notify local fire department.
6. Activation of supervisory circuit shall:
a. Identify the location of supervisory condition at control panel.
b. Initiate supervisory audible/visual signal at control panel.
7. Activation of trouble circuit shall:
a. Identify the location of trouble condition at control panel.
b. Initiate trouble audible/visual signal at control panel.
8. All events shall be recorded at the fire alarm control panel and shall indicate time and
date of occurrence and list device initiated.
SECTION 6 – TESTING CRITERIA
1. All Testing of the new interior sprinkler systems work, piping and shall be
performed by a licensed sprinkler contractor, experienced in the installation and
testing of fire sprinkler systems in the state of Massachusetts. This sprinkler
contractor shall provide all coordination of the sprinkler tests with the fire
department. All sprinkler systems tests shall be witnessed by the fire department,
owner’s representative and owner’s insurance authorized personnel. The sprinkler
contractor shall give notification to the local fire department, owner's
representative, owner's insurance authority and all other authorities, prior to the
conducting of any sprinkler tests.
2. All sprinkler systems testing shall be performed in strict accordance with NFPA-
13 and NFPA-25, latest accepted editions.
3. The sprinkler contractor shall provide all equipment, water, pumps, labor, etc.,
necessary to conduct all testing required by NFPA 13 and 25, and shall obtain all
required approvals from the fire department, building code official, owner’s
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insurance authority, and all other authorities upon completion of the sprinkler
systems testing. All dates and times of the sprinkler systems testing shall be
coordinated by the sprinkler contractor with the fire department, owner’s
representative, and the owner’s insurance authority.
4. The sprinkler contractor shall be responsible for obtaining the underground fire
service main flushing and testing reports to insure that the underground fire
service main has been flushed in accordance with NFPA-24. The sprinkler
contractor shall verify that the underground fire service main has been flushed in
accordance with code prior to the connection of any building sprinkler systems to
the underground fire service main.
SECTION 7 – EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
1. The sprinkler contractor shall have at the site, at the time of sprinkler installation
and testing, and readily available for use and inspections, all tools, equipment,
permits, hoists, scaffolding, piping, fittings, valves and all required tools and
equipment necessary for the complete installation of all fire protection systems.
2. The sprinkler contractor shall provide all gauges, valves, hoses, smoke, etc.,
required for an operational test of the installed fire sprinkler system. Remote test
and drain stations shall be provided for system performance testing.
3. The sprinkler contractor shall have, at the site, the manufacturer's instructions and
nameplate data for all fire sprinkler equipment, and devices being used in the
sprinkler systems installation.
SECTION 8 – APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Upon successful inspection and testing of all fire sprinkler systems, the sprinkler
contractor shall obtain written approval of the completed fire sprinkler system
from the fire department, owners' insurance authority, and all other code officials.
Copies of all written approvals shall be turned over to the owner representative.
2. If a code official or the owner should find cause to reject any portion of the fire
sprinkler system installation or testing, the sprinkler contractor shall be
responsible for correcting the problem in a timely manner. Upon completion of
all corrective measures undertaken by the sprinkler contractor, a new test and
inspection shall be again coordinated by the sprinkler contractor, and witnessed
by the fire department and all other authorities as previously stated.
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3. The sprinkler contractor shall submit stamped and signed sprinkler design
drawings and hydraulic calculations and obtain all required permits prior to the
installation of any fire sprinkler systems. The sprinkler plans shall be in
accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code, 9th Edition, Chapter 9, as
well as the requirements in NFPA-13 latest accepted edition.
4. The sprinkler contractor shall obtain all document of acceptance as required by
the Massachusetts State Building Code, 9th Edition, Chapter 9, and shall submit
all such documents as required, to the owners' representative and building code
officials.