Q and A for the 2011 edition of NFPA 25.pdf

8/14/2019 Q and A for the 2011 edition of NFPA 25.pdf

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I ssue Number: 208I ssued: Apr il 19, 2011

Q & A for the 2011 Edition of NFPA 25

The 2011 edition of NFPA 25Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, wasofficially issued in August of 2010. Fire codes based on the 2006 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) reference

the use of the 2002 edition of NFPA 25, and codes based on the 2009 edition of the IFC reference the 2008 edition of thestandard. The 2011 edition, however, can be considered the state of the art. Here are some recent questions relative to the

new edition and answers provided by NFSA:

Q: What is the most controversial change to the new 2011 edition of NFPA 25?

A:The reduction in required minimum frequency of operation of electric driven pumps from weekly to monthly. A new

research effort is getting under way to investigate the effect on pump performance reliability. The requirement to rundiesel-driven pumps weekly remains in place, and the minimum operating times of operation of 10 minutes for electric

pumps and 30 minutes for diesel also remain, and have been also copied in the annual pump test requirements.

Q: Are those minimum fire pump annual run times required to be at churn or can the time performing the flow test be

included?

A: The minimum run times of 10 minutes for electric pumps and 30 minutes for diesel-driven pumps in the annual testsare total run times, so all tests can be completed within those times if possible.

Q: Weve heard that the new 2011 introduces levels of deficiencies. How will this work?

A:A deficiency has been defined as a condi tion in whi ch a system or por tion thereof is damaged, inoperable, or inneed of service, but does not ri se to the level of an impairment. Definitions have also been introduced for critical

deficiency vs. noncritical deficiency, depending on whether or not the deficiency will have an impact on theperformance of the fire protection system. This opens the door to better enforcement by AHJs, since they can require more

significant problems to be remedied promptly, while allowing more time for less significant problems. A new Annex Epresents an example of a classification system for the various problems that an inspector might encounter.

Q:Is a missing escutcheon considered a deficiency? Most sprinklers are listed without trim, so wouldnt the presence of a

cover plate or semi-recessed skirt be simply considered cosmetic?

A:In many cases the ceiling material is a part of a horizontal fire-resistive assembly, even suspended ceiling tiles.Building codes permit specific exceptions to allow sprinkler penetration of such membranes, but require that the annularspace be covered by an escutcheon. As an example, Section 712.3.2 of the 2006 International Building Code requires that

Where walls or ceilings are required to have a fire-resistance rating, recessed fixtures shall be installed such that therequired fire resistance will not be reduced. Exception 3 to the requirement allows The annular space created by the

penetration of a fire sprinkler, provided it is covered by a metal escutcheon plate. Unless the sprinkler system inspector


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has specific knowledge of the required fire resistance ratings of the building components, every escutcheon should beconsidered a required escutcheon. The new Annex E, however, would consider a missing escutcheon as a noncriticaldeficiency, now defined as a deficiency that does not have an effect on the performance of the fire sprinkler system, butcorrection is needed for the proper inspection, testing and maintenance of the system(s).

Q: Do you have to recharge an antifreeze system with premixed solution, or can a straight solution be mixed?

A: Per the emergency amendment (TIA) issued to NFPA 25 in March of 2011, only factory pre-mixed solutions are now

allowed to be introduced into sprinkler systems. More information is available atwww.nfpa.org/antifreeze .

Q: With regard to the new annex language advising that sprinklers can now be cleaned so long as they are not touched, isit allowed to use a can of compressed nitrogen such as a "dust off" product to remove loose dust from a loaded head

versus "compressed air"?

A: Since this is advisory material only, the allowance to use compressed air cannot be viewed as a rigid specification.Keeping in mind that nitrogen is the primary component of air, this should be no problem provided that the application ofthe product does not harm the sprinkler through extremes of temperature or pressure.

Q:Section 4.1.2 addresses accessibility. Is a situation in which valves are accessible only by a ladder acceptable? Whatabout a 12-ft ladder or a scissor lift? What if the owner has a scissor lift on site at all times? Strip malls seem to leave zonevalves up high at the deck, sometimes 30 ft high, during base building installs.

A: The reference to accessibility in Section 4.1.2 is viewed mainly as a matter of access to all building areas for purposes

of inspection. The issue of positioning valves and other system components is addressed through the sprinkler systeminstallation standards. At its meeting last month the NFPA Automatic Sprinkler Technical Correlating Committee directedthe various committees under it to examine the various places where the sprinkler standards require components to bereadily accessible and to try to develop more enforceable language.

Q: What is the minimum alarm time allowed when NFPA 72 and NFPA 25 are applicable?

A:NFPA 25 would generally default to the NFPA 13 requirement that an alarm sound within 5 minutes of the flow ofwater (Section 6.9.1 in the 2010 edition of NFPA 13). However, NFPA 72 requires the alarm signal within 90 seconds and

would take precedence where NFPA 72 also applies.

Q: Can you give examples of where NFPA 72 would and would not apply when discussing the time to alarm signal?

A: While there are exceptions for 13D systems and other special cases, building and fire codes now require that sprinklersystem valves and other key components be electrically supervised, including flow switches. Where a building has a fire

alarm system, actuation of the sprinkler system is required to actuate the alarm system. These requirements create a tie toNFPA 72. However, within NFPA 13 there is still recognition (Section 6.9.4 in the 2010 edition) that electrical alarm

connections can be provided in accordance with NFPA 70, theNational Electrical Code, rather than NFPA 72 where suchalarms are not part of a required protective signaling system. NFPA 72 requirements are not applicable to many older

buildings with sprinkler systems.

Q: The new wording of Section 4.1.7 drops the requirement that the occupants be given instruction on the location and

operation of control valves in favor of new wording that the location of shutoff valves shall be identified. What doesthat mean? Verifying that valve tags are present? Creating a building drawing with valve locations identified?

A: The new wording was created when building owner groups were successful in overturning the previous wording. Thesubmitters substantiation for the requirement contained within the NFPAs Report on Comments indicates this new
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wording leaves the requirement but changes it to simply require that signage be provided to identify and locate valves,rather than require the owner to make the occupant aware of its location. Tenants generally have nothing to do with theowners responsibility forperforming ITM services and thus have no reason to know where valves are located or theirrespective shutdown procedures. ITM service personnel can obtain valve shutdown procedures from owners or whomever

service personnel have contracted with.

Q: The new wording of Section 13.6.2 appears to delete the requirement that backflow preventers be given an annualbackflow performance test, leaving only the forward flow test requirements for backflow preventers. Is this the case?

A: Yes. While the Committee is not indicating that annual testing of backflow performance is unimportant, it is simplyacknowledging that it is outside the scope of this standard. NFPA 25 is more concerned with the performance of the

backflow preventer in a fire event, so it wants to make sure there is an annual test to check on the ability of the checkvalves within the device to fully open and accommodate a large flow of water. Newer systems are provided with means of

testing downstream in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 13. Section 13.6.2.2 of NFPA 25 states that whereconnections do not permit a full flow test, the forward flow test can be conducted at the maximum flow rate possible.

Q: Are we required to inspect free-standing FDC check valves and, if so, what if the check valve is buried?

A: There was no change to Section 13.7 - Fire Department Connections in the 2011 edition. All FDCs are required to be

inspected quarterly, including those that are free-standing. One of the inspection requirements is that the check valve isnot leaking. Obviously, a buried check valve cannot be inspected. We recommend that consideration be given to sending aseparate letter to the owner following a system inspection to advise of this condition, and that the letter include a proposalfor a modification to the system that would remedy the situation.

Q: What are the 2011 requirements for frequency of flow alarms and tamper testing?

A: Those requirements have not changed from the 2008 edition. Section 5.3.3 requires that mechanical water flow devicessuch as water motor gongs be tested on a quarterly basis. Vane-type and pressure switch-type electrical alarm devices,

along with supervisory switches, are to be tested semi-annually.

Q: Doesnt the new guidance on draining dry system low points in A.13.4.4.3.2 only work during non-freezingconditions? If water in the pipes freezes it won't drain out in several days.

A: That is correctthe new annex guidance for owners to continue to drain the low points daily following a trip assumesthat there are times during the day when it is warm enough for water to flow and drain. Following a trip of a dry system in

freezing weather there is a special need to get the water out of the piping before returning the system to service, even if itmeans providing temporary heat to usually unheated areas. If some water remains frozen up in the system there is the

potential for it to flow and accumulate in low points when warmed, leading to the potential for system damage if it re-freezes.

Q:I have a dry pendent head in my truck in a box for the last 6 years. It has been through very cold and hot weather;though not installed. Does this head only have a 4 year life?

A: Technically, the sprinkler is still new until installed. However, unless you have been extremely careful with thepackaging and other protection it is questionable whether the manufacturer would stand behind the warranty for such asprinkler if it is ever installed. And, since the date stamped on the sprinkler is usually the main indicator of the year ofinstallation, a subsequent inspector would most likely be forced to assume it would be in need of sample testing in a fewyears.

Q:Do dry pendent heads not installed in harsh environments have to be tested every 10 years?


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A:Yes, the 10-year sample test requirement applies to all dry pendent, dry upright and dry sidewall sprinklers.

Upcoming NFSA Technical Tuesday Seminar April 26th

Topic: Pipe StandsInstructor: Victoria B. Valenti ne, P.E., NFSA Di rector of Product Standards

Date: Apr il 26, 2011

Pipe stands can be used to support water-based fire protection system piping where it cannot be hung. Some criteria havebeen in NFPA 15 for the past few editions. The guidelines have been modified for the next edition. These rules can alsobe applied to sprinkler system piping where it may need to be supported from the floor.

To register or for more information, clickHEREor contact Michael Repko at(845) 878-4207or e-mail [email protected].

Additional training opportunities through the NFSA Engineering Department include the following

Layout Technician Training Course (2-week course)

Orlando, FL May 2-13, 2011Fi shkill , NYOctober 17-28, 2011

For more information, contact Nicole Sprague [email protected] or by calling845-878-4200ext. 149 or click

HERE.

Upcoming In-Class Training Seminars

The NFSA training department also offers in-class training on a variety of subjects at locations across the country, and in

recognition of the current recession has adopted a new reduced fee structure. Here are some seminars scheduled for 2011:

Apr 26-28 Stow, MA Inspection & Testing for the Sprinkler Industry (3-Day)Apr 26 Willoughby, OH Sprinkler Protection for General StorageApr 27 Willoughby, OH Sprinkler Protection for Special StorageApr 28 Willoughby, OH Flammable & Combustible Storage (1/2 day a.m.)Apr 28 Willoughby, OH Compacted Storage (1/2 day p.m.)May 2 Colorado Springs, CO Inspection, Testing & MaintenanceMay 3 Colorado Springs, CO Underground Piping (1/2 day a.m.)May 3 Colorado Springs, CO Fire Pump Layout & Sizing (1/2 day p.m.)May 4 Colorado Springs, CO Pumps for Fire ProtectionMay 5 Colorado Springs, CO Hydraulics for Fire Protection

May 10-12 Nanuet, NY Inspection & Testing for the Sprinkler Industry (3-Day)May 17-18 Brea, CA Two-day NFPA 13 OverviewMay 19 Brea, CA Hydraulics for Fire Protection

These seminars qualify for continuing education as required by NICET, and meet mandatory Continuing EducationRequirements for Businesses and Authorities Having Jurisdiction.

To register for these in-class seminars, clickHERE.Or contact Michael Repko at(845) 878-4207or e-mail to

[email protected] more information.
https://nfsa.org/cgi-bin/techtuesday.cgi?step=1https://nfsa.org/cgi-bin/techtuesday.cgi?step=1https://nfsa.org/cgi-bin/techtuesday.cgi?step=1mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.nfsa.org/cgi-bin/inclasschoices.cgihttp://www.nfsa.org/cgi-bin/inclasschoices.cgihttp://www.nfsa.org/cgi-bin/inclasschoices.cgihttp://www.nfsa.org/cgi-bin/inclasschoices.cgimailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.nfsa.org/cgi-bin/inclasschoices.cgihttp://www.nfsa.org/cgi-bin/inclasschoices.cgimailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://nfsa.org/cgi-bin/techtuesday.cgi?step=1


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NFSA Tuesday eTechAlert is c. 2011 National Fire Sprinkler Association, and is distributed to NFSA members on Tuesdays for

which no NFSA Technical Tuesday Online Seminar is scheduled. Statements and conclusions are based on the best judgment of the

NFSA Engineering staff, and are not the official position of the NFPA or its technical committees or those of other organizations

except as noted. Opinions expressed herein are not intended, and should not be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or

services. Please send comments to Russell P. Fleming, [email protected].

About the National F ir e Sprinkler Association

Established in 1905, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is the voice of the fire sprinkler industry.

NFSA leads the drive to get life-saving and property protecting fire sprinklers into all buildings; providessupport and resources for its membersfire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers and suppliers; and educates

authorities having jurisdiction on fire protection issues. Headquartered in Patterson, N.Y., NFSA has regional

operations offices throughout the country.www.nfsa.org.
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Documents

Q and A for the 2011 edition of NFPA 25.pdf