1 Del. Admin. Code § 702-4-1.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025

Section 702-4-1.0 - Automatic Sprinkler Systems

1.1 This chapter shall apply to all new buildings and this chapter shall apply to all existing buildings that undergo a change in occupancy.

1.1.1 This chapter shall apply to all buildings, structures, marine vessels, premises, and conditions which are modified by more than 50% after the effective date of these Regulations. The 50% figure shall be calculated utilizing the gross square footage of the building, structure, marine vessel, premises and conditions as to arrive at the correct application.

1.1.2 Any proposal that is presented to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for review and approval for a building rehabilitation as defined in the 101 Life Safety Code, for less than 50% of the gross square footage of a non-sprinklered building, may not have another such project for the same building submitted for review and approval any sooner than three (3) years after the date of the final inspection unless sprinkler projection is provided throughout the entire building.

Click here to view Image

1.2 Installation Required. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in accordance with the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 13) in all areas and occupancies as required in the applicable codes and standards as listed in Regulation 701 of these Regulations as well as the following:

1.2.1 In all buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet of aggregate, gross floor area.

Exception No. 1: One- and Two-Family dwellings.

Exception No. 2: Where no public or private water distribution system is available, a Class "B" Fire Barrier may be utilized to subdivide a one-story building into fire areas of less than 10,000 square feet.

Exception No. 3: Buildings or structures of one story in height where:

1.This Exception does not apply to places of assembly, educational or institutional occupancies.

2.The exterior and interior bearing walls, columns, beams, girders, trusses or arches are constructed of noncombustible material, per the Standard on Types of Building Construction, NFPA 220, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations; and

3.The construction is noncombustible; and

4.The occupant load is low; and

5.The means of egress components comply with these Regulations and the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations; and

6.The fuel load is identifiable, permanent, and noncombustible.

Note: Exception No. 3: It is the intent of this exception not to require the installation of automatic sprinklers in buildings or structures in excess of 10,000 square feet when used for the storage of an identifiable, noncombustible fuel load where the number of occupants is low. For example, a building used for the storage of concrete block, concrete pipe, steel, etc.

Exception No. 4: Open parking structures, per the Standard for Parking Structures, NFPA 88A, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations, constructed of noncombustible materials, per the Standard on Types of Building Construction, NFPA 220, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations. Under this exception, open parking structures without automatic fire suppression systems shall not be located beneath any other occupancy. Also, under this exception, open parking structures without automatic fire suppression systems that are located adjacent to any other occupancy shall be properly separated by a Two-hour rated fire wall in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 3.0 of this Regulation.

1.2.2 In all buildings in excess of 40 feet in height or more than four (4) stories in height.

1.2.3 In all buildings or areas thereof used for the storage, fabricating, assembling, manufacturing, processing, display or sale of combustible goods, wares, merchandise, products, or materials when more than two (2) stories or 25 feet in height.

1.2.4 In all basement areas exceeding 2,500 square feet floor area.

1.2.5 In residential occupancies when of:

1.2.5.1 Type V (0,0,0) or Type III (2,0,0) construction and exceeding two (2) stories or 25 feet in height.

1.2.5.2 Type V (1,1,1) and Type III (2,1,1) or Type IV (2,H,H) construction exceeding three (3) stories or 35 feet in height.

Note: Above referenced construction classifications are defined under the Standard on Types of Building Construction, NFPA 220.

Exception No. 1: Single family detached dwellings are exempted from this requirement.

Exception No. 2: Attached one- and two-family dwellings are exempted from this requirement when dwelling units are separated by two-hour rated construction, in accordance with Regulation 701, Chapter 2.

1.2.6 In all residential apartment buildings storage areas except individual unit closets that are located within individual residential living units.

1.2.7 In all buildings used as health care occupancies as defined in the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations.

1.2.8 In all buildings or areas classified as "high hazard" under the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, or "extra hazard" under the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 13, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations.

1.2.9 All buildings used as dormitories, in whole or in part, to house students at a public or private school or public or private institution of higher education. (16 Del.C. Ch. 88) This applies to all such dormitories regardless if new or existing.

1.3 Installation and Plan Review.

1.3.1 All automatic fire suppression systems shall be installed in accordance with the applicable codes and standards as listed in Regulation 701.

Exception No. 1: The State Fire Marshal may accept a fire suppression system which does not meet the strict provisions of the applicable codes and standards when in his opinion the proposed system will provide an equivalent level of life safety.

Exception No. 2: Whenever an NFPA 13R system is proposed, the Fire Marshal shall evaluate the effect of NFPA 13R exceptions on the fire safety of the building. When in the opinion of the Fire Marshal an adequate level of fire safety cannot be achieved with the application of the exception, he may disapprove the use of the exception.

1.3.1.1 The fire department connection(s) shall use hose connections compatible with the local fire company.

1.3.1.1.1 Fire department connections shall be located or arranged as required by the Chief Officer of the fire department having jurisdiction according to the following:

1.3.1.1.1.1 The Office of the State Fire Marshal will give notice to the Chief Officer of a building that is proposed for construction that is to be protected with an automatic sprinkler system, and the Chief Officer must respond, in writing, within 5 working days, as to their requirement for the location of the fire department connection.

1.3.1.1.1.2 In the event that the Chief Officer does not respond according to subsection 1.3.1.1.1.1 of this Chapter, the Office of the State Fire Marshal will determine the location for the fire department connection. This provision will permit the Office of the State Fire Marshal to locate the fire department connection so that hose can be readily and conveniently attached; and the fire department connections will be located in a manner consistent with nationally recognized practices.

1.3.1.1.1.3 Each fire department connection to sprinkler systems shall be designated by a sign having raised letters at least 1 in. (25.4 mm) in height cast on plate or fitting, reading service design, e.g., "AUTOSPRK", "OPEN SPRK AND STANDPIPE." A sign shall also indicate the pressure required at the inlets to deliver the greatest system demand.

Exception to 1.3.1.1.1.3: The sign is not required where the system demand pressure is less than 150 psi (10.3 bars).

1.3.1.2 Preaction systems shall be a single interlock system, which admits water to sprinkler piping upon operation of detection devices, a non-interlock system, which admits water to sprinkler piping upon operation of detection devices or automatic sprinklers, or a double interlock system, which admits water to sprinkler piping upon operation of both detection devices and automatic sprinklers. A double interlock preaction system shall not be used except where specifically acceptable to the State Fire Marshal Office.

1.3.1.3 Sprinklers shall be required to be installed on porches, balconies, decks, and in corridors and stairs, regardless of whether or not they are open to outside air in all residential occupancies except one and two-family dwellings.

1.3.1.4 Sprinklers shall be required to be installed in closets on exterior balconies, regardless of whether or not it opens directly into the dwelling unit.

1.3.1.5 A hydraulically designed sprinkler system shall be designed to provide a 10 PSI safety factor over and above the system demand.

1.3.2 Plans of all proposed automatic fire suppression systems shall be submitted to the State Fire Marshal for review and approval in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 701, Chapter 4.

1 Del. Admin. Code § 702-4-1.0

19 DE Reg. 843 (3/1/2016)
25 DE Reg. 74 (7/1/2021) (Final)