Multifamily occupancy (three or more units) includes residential
structures, regardless of the form of ownership (i.e., rental, condominium,
townhouses, garden apartments, etc.) and the existence of a fire wall
separation, that are not required to have a commercial- or industrial-type
sprinkler system in accordance with the most recent edition of NFPA
13 and 13D, or existing structures undergoing such alteration or expansion
that increases the number of individual residential units to five
or more, if the total costs for such alterations or expansion to the
building(s) or structure(s) are 50% or larger of the most recent property
and structure evaluation.
Each system shall have the components defined in this chapter
contained in a single control valve arranged to shut off both the
domestic and sprinkler systems and a separate shutoff valve for the
domestic system only. This requirement will not apply in the following
circumstances:
A. Exception 1. The sprinkler system piping may have a separate control
valve where supervised by one of the following methods:
(1)
Central station, proprietary, or remote station alarm service.
(2)
Local alarm service which will cause the sounding of an audible
alarm signal at a constantly attended point.
B. Exception 2. A separate shutoff valve is not required for the domestic
water supply in multipurpose piping systems.
Pipe or tube and fittings used in sprinkler systems shall be
of materials listed for such applications by Factory Mutual and/or
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. The chemical properties and
dimensions of the materials shall be so designed to withstand a working
pressure of not less than 175 psi. Joints for the connection of copper
tubing shall be brazed, except that soldered joints (95-5 only) may
be used for wet pipe copper tube systems only.
Piping shall be supported from structural members. This code
contemplates support methods comparable to those used in accordance
with the most recent edition of the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code. Piping
laid on open joists or rafters shall be secured to minimize lateral
movement.
Local water flow alarms shall be provided on all sprinkler systems. An accepted water flow switch, bell and/or horn strobe combination shall be installed in accordance with §
3-905.18D.
All condominiums shall have the following wording in the recorded
declaration and/or declaration of covenants, and a copy shall be provided
to the City of Harrisburg, Bureau of Fire:
|
Sprinkler System. In the event that any unit should be equipped
with a sprinkler system, nothing shall be hung from the sprinklers
comprising part of the system, nor shall any such sprinklers, wiring,
or components be painted, covered or otherwise changed, tampered with
or altered.
|
|
Owner, prior to any alteration, amendment, modification or change
thereof, will submit such alteration, amendment, modification or change
to the City of Harrisburg, Bureau of Fire, for approval and agree
to comply with all domestic sprinkler requirements of said Bureau
of Fire.
|
NFPA references: 13, 13A, 13D, 13E and 721.