8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1507-11-6

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 8 CCR 1507-11-6 - FIRE SUPPRESSION CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 Credentials

6.1.1 Registered contractors must provide their registration number on all plan review applications and correspondence.

6.1.2 To ensure that only qualified persons are conducting plan reviews or inspections, the contractor must request the certification number of any local inspector reviewing or inspecting their job.

1. If in doubt, a contractor may verify a local person's credentials on the Division's website or by mail or phone (See Section 13).

6.2 Requirements for Plan Submittal

6.2.1 Fire Suppression Systems must not be installed or modified unless plans have been approved by a certified Fire Inspector III-Plans Examiner in accordance with this section.

Exemptions:

1. Pre-engineered range hoods and duct extinguishing systems.

2. Any work defined as "plumbing" by the Colorado Board of Plumbing or C.R.S. 12-58-102.

6.2.2 Plans, product data sheets, and hydraulic calculations must be submitted to the AHJ prior to the installation, fabrication, modification, or alteration of any Fire Suppression System in the State of Colorado.

Exemptions:

1. Hydraulic calculations are not required for small projects unless, in the opinion of the AHJ, the hydraulic design of the existing system may be affected by the scope of work.

2. Hydraulic calculations are not required for residential, prescriptive pipe-schedule systems if designed in accordance with adopted standards.

6.2.3 If a local AHJ employs a Fire Inspector III-Plans Examiner, required documents must be submitted in accordance with local rules.

6.2.4 If a local AHJ does NOT employee a Fire Inspector III-Plans Examiner, the required documents must be submitted to the Division for review.

1. Submittal requirements are posted on the Division's website. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are provided before a review can commence.

2. Once the plans are reviewed and acted upon by the Division, the contractor must send one set of approved plans to the local AHJ.

6.2.5 Plans and hydraulic calculations must bear the signature of a P.E. or NICET level III or above. This signature attests that the plans have been reviewed and meet the intent of the standard.

Exemptions:

1. No signature is required for small projects unless, in the opinion of the AHJ, the hydraulic design or integrity of the existing fire protection system may be affected by the scope of work.

2. Residential prescriptive pipe-schedule design does not require a signature if in accordance with adopted standards.

6.2.6 Hydraulic Calculations.

1. Flow tests on water supply systems must be less than one-year-old, unless approved by the Fire Inspector III-Plans Examiner.

2. When calculating water supply requirements for new installations, deduct ten percent (10%) to a maximum of ten (10) psi from the static and residual pressure. Show the actual flow and reduction on hydraulic calculation sheets.

Exemption:

1. 13D Systems (One and two family dwellings) unless required by the local AHJ.

6.2.7 Special rules for small project submittals.

1. In lieu of full-sized drawings, an AHJ may allow the submittal of a scale drawing of the proposed project on 81/2 x 11-inch paper, including product data sheets, calculations, and all information required by the applicable NFPA standard. The certified Fire Inspector has the right to require additional information as may be necessary to fully evaluate the project.

2. A signed letter on the registered contractor's letterhead must be submitted explaining the scope of work and a statement that tenant finish, remodel, or additions do not affect the hydraulic demand design or integrity of the existing fire protection system.

6.3 General Requirements for Installation of Fire Suppression Systems

6.3.1 One set of plans and product data sheets, approved by the Fire Inspector III-Plans Examiner, must remain on the job site for use by the inspector. No deviations from the approved plans are allowed unless approved by the Fire Inspector III-Plans Examiner.

Exemption:

1. Minor modifications required to adapt to unexpected on-site conditions which do not affect a system's integrity or hydraulic design.

6.3.2 All components, including aboveground and underground piping must be accessible for inspection by a certified Fire Inspector. Whenever any installation subject to inspection is covered or concealed prior to being inspected, the inspector shall have the authority to require that such work be exposed for inspection.

6.3.3 A "Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Aboveground Piping" or "Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Underground Piping", as appropriate, must be completed with all test results documented and copies provided by the contractor to the owner and certified Fire Inspector.

6.3.4 Required hydrostatic, operational, and flush testing must be witnessed and signed by a certified Fire Inspector. At the discretion of the inspector, all or part of the test may be witnessed by the general contractor or another responsible, independent party.

6.3.5 Contractors may not allow persons to work on Fire Suppression Systems who are not registered with the Division as Sprinkler Fitters.

Exemptions:

1. Persons who are enrolled in a Sprinkler Fitter apprenticeship program and are under the direct supervision and immediate presence of a registered Sprinkler Fitter.

2. Persons working under the auspices of Fire Suppression Contractors-Underground, Fire Suppression System Contractors-Backflow, or Fire Suppression Systems Contractors- Residential.

3. Persons performing only maintenance and repair on Fire Suppression Systems.

4. Persons working on residential plumbing appliances, fixtures, appurtenances, or multipurpose residential fire sprinkler systems in one- or two-family dwellings or townhomes.

6.3.6 Installation of underground fire protection system supply lines.

1. Underground supply lines installed between the public water main or a private water source and the Fire Suppression System riser must be installed in accordance with NFPA 24 or NFPA 13, chapter 10, Underground Piping.

2. Underground supply lines must be installed by registered Fire Suppression Contractors-Underground.

3. The certified Fire Inspector may require flushing of the aboveground sprinkler piping if required tests for the underground piping cannot be documented.

6.3.7 Installation of backflow preventers.

1. Backflow preventers must be installed by registered Fire Suppression Contractors-Backflow.

2. For new installations, the backflow preventer may not be installed until Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Underground Piping has been completed.

6.3.8 Installation of Fire Suppression Systems in Premanufactured Buildings or Structures

1. Fire Suppression System Contractor- Premanufactured must generate, prior to shipping, a CORI to accompany the system to be presented to the qualified AHJ who is inspecting the final installation. Said CORI shall be in the format prescribed by DFPC which contains the following:

1. An attestation by the PREMANUFACTURED SYSTEM FIRE SUPPRESSION SPECIAL INSPECTOR that the fire suppression system in the accompanying building or structure was installed in accordance with the State of Colorado's adopted codes, standards, rules, and regulations and the qualified local jurisdiction's permit restrictions.

2. An attestation signed by the responsible party for the manufacturer that the company is responsible for ensuring correction of any work done outside of the permitted conditions for the building or structure or damaged during transport.

3. Photo Documentation of all Fire Suppression System work completed prior to the building or structure leaving the manufacture's plant. Such photo documentation shall be clear and through enough to allow the qualified local jurisdiction to review and determine adequacy of the installation to the permit's restrictions.

4. An attestation signed by the Premanufactured System Fire Suppression Special Inspector attesting to the fact they conducted the requisite Premanufactured System Special Inspections and verified compliance with 8 CCR 1507-11, the requirements of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, and the stipulations of the fire sprinkler system permit and approved plans issued by the appropriate Fire Code Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for the final installation site.

6.4 Requirements for Contractors Performing Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance

6.4.1 Businesses conducting inspections on Suppression Systems shall be Registered Fire Suppression System Contractors.

6.4.2 Registered Fire Suppression System Contractors must complete and maintain inspection reports, in accordance with the applicable NFPA standard, for each inspection, test, or maintenance performed on any Fire Suppression System in the State of Colorado.

6.4.3 Registered Fire Suppression System Contractors shall ensure that only qualified individuals perform inspections.

6.4.4 Inspection reports must be maintained for a period of no less than five years or as required by a local AHJ, whichever is greater.

6.4.5 Copies of inspection reports must be submitted to the AHJ unless the contractor is notified in writing that they do not wish to receive such reports. Impairment reports in accordance with 6.4.9 must be submitted regardless of whether the AHJ has notified the contractor that they do not wish to receive inspection reports. If possible, reports should be sent to the AHJ through telephonic or other electronic means, such as facsimile or email. If the AHJ does not have electronic communication capabilities, a report shall be deemed delivered when mailed through the US Postal Service to the AHJ.

6.4.6 Tagging of Fire Suppression Systems.

1. Systems installed, altered, or inspected after January 1st, 2016 must have a color coded tag or collar physically placed on the Fire Suppression System which identifies the responsible contractor by name, registration number, and contact information (phone number and address). Tags must not be removed unless replaced by a registered Fire Suppression System Contractor who has done a subsequent inspection. Such tag must be placed and remain in the main or primary system control or riser room and must comply with the following parameters:

(A) New Installations and Major Alterations- Must be marked with a White Tag of heavy cardboard or water resistant (plasticized) paper with the word "INSTALL" printed in all caps and in a font no smaller than 24 points on it. Such tag must be marked to show the date of the final acceptance of the System or alteration and if a Sprinkler Fitter conducted the final acceptance test, his registration number. These tags must remain attached to the System for the life of the System.

(B) Upon completion of all annual inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements in accordance with NFPA 25, systems with No Deficiencies or Impairments- Must be marked with a Green Tag of heavy cardboard or water resistant (plasticized) paper with the word "OPERATIONAL" printed in all caps and in a font no smaller than 24 points on it. Such tag must be marked to show the date of the inspection of the System and the registration or certification number of the Sprinkler Fitter or the name of the person conducting the inspection test. These tags must remain attached to the System until replaced after the next annual inspection is conducted.

(C) Systems inspected in accordance with NFPA 25 with Deficiency(ies)-Must be marked with a Yellow Tag of heavy cardboard or water resistant (plasticized) paper with the word "DEFICIENCY" printed in all caps and in a font no smaller than 24 points on it. Such tag must be marked to show the date of the inspection of the System and the registration or certification number of the Sprinkler Fitter or the name of the person conducting the inspection test. These tags must remain attached to the System until the deficiency is repaired or shall be removed in accordance with (F).

(D) Systems inspected in accordance with NFPA 25 with Impairment(s)-Must be marked with a RED Tag of heavy cardboard or water resistant (plasticized) paper with the word "IMPAIRMENT" printed in all caps and in a font no smaller than 24 points on it. Such tag must be marked to show the date of the inspection of the System and the registration or certification number of the Sprinkler Fitter or the name of the person conducting the inspection test. These tags must remain attached to the System until all impairments have been corrected or shall be removed in accordance with (F).

(E) Systems with deficiencies or impairments that have been corrected- Must be marked with a BLUE Tag of heavy cardboard or water resistant (plasticized) paper with the word "REPAIR" printed in all caps and in a font no smaller than 24 points on it. Such tag must be marked to show the date of the repair of the System and the registration or certification number of the Sprinkler Fitter or the name of the person correcting the deficiency or impairment. These tags must be attached to the YELLOW or RED tag and shall identify the deficiency or impairment corrected. REPAIR tags may be attached to DEFICIENCY tags after any deficiency has been repaired. REPAIR tags may only be attached to IMPAIRMENT tags once all impairments have been corrected or shall be removed in accordance with (F).

(F) All INSPECTION, DEFICIENCY, IMPAIRMENT, and REPAIR tags must be removed by the person performing a subsequent annual inspection in accordance with NFPA 25. INSTALL tags must not be removed.

6.4.7 Records and reports of inspections, testing and maintenance must be maintained by the system owner, on the premises of the System, for a period of no less than five (5) years. Such records must be made available for review at the request of the Division or the local AHJ.

6.4.8 Records of inspections, testing, or maintenance conducted outside of a full Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Service must contain a notice to the System owner or responsible party advising of the limitations of the work conducted in relation to the overall responsibilities of the System owner.

6.4.9 Any contractor, Sprinkler Fitter, or inspector who finds a Fire Suppression System with impairments must provide a copy of the reports or records associated with that finding to the local responding fire department and the appropriate AHJ for the Fire Suppression System within 24 hours. Impairment reports must be provided regardless of whether the AHJ has notified a contractor that they do not wish to receive inspection reports in accordance with 6.4.5.

6.5 Complaint Reporting

6.5.1 Registered contractors and their employees who identify significant or repeated design or installation deficiencies or other violations of these rules by coworkers, other contractors, or certified Fire Inspectors or Plans Examiners must report them to the Division in accordance with the complaint procedures identified in Section 10.

6.5.2 Contractors reporting such complaints must provide to the Division copies of submittal documents, inspection reports, photographs, or other evidence supporting the complaint.

6.5.3 Failure to report identified significant or repeated design or installation deficiencies or other violations of these rules may lead to disciplinary action against contractors and/or their employees.

8 CCR 1507-11-6

38 CR 15, August 10, 2015, effective 8/30/2015

40 CR 04, February 25, 2017, effective 3/17/2017

42 CR 05, March 10, 2019, effective 3/30/2019

42 CR 17, September 10, 2019, effective 9/30/2019

43 CR 21, November 10, 2020, effective 11/30/2020

45 CR 18, September 25, 2022, effective 10/15/2022