Locking FDC caps can be purchased from the following companies:

Knox Company (www.knoxbox.com)
Aimpoint Associates (www.aimpointassociates.com)

Additional Information:

For additional information pertaining to sprinkler systems contact Fire Marshal office at 865-633-0400 or [email protected].





Starting sprinkler installation before shop drawings have been approved and received on site of installation will result in a Stop Work Order being issued and possible citation to the R.M.E. of the sprinkler company involved in the project

All work must comply with all applicable NFPA Regulations concerning fire protection with fire sprinklers including but not limited to the Latest Editions of NFPA  13, 14, 24,


SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Provide the Following:  Transmittal sheet showing what you are sending and for what purpose. Always include job site name and address on transmittal. Shop drawings with the R.M.E. ‘s signature and license number, hydraulic calculations for each design demand area, manufacturer’s cut sheets verifying fire protection listings for underground and above ground piping, fittings, valves, devices, sprinkler heads, hangers, etc.. Include all applicable information in the Title Block on drawings. 

After Approval, One set of stamped drawings must be kept on job site at all times.
 

GENERAL SHOP DRAWING REQUIREMENTS

PROVIDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Always reference NFPA 13 Chap 22.1 for any further requirements that may not be listed below

2. Name of project with valid project address

3. List occupancy type and hazard classification of coverage area to be served.

4. Always label all rooms, as known, for projected use.

5. RME stamp must be on EVERY drawing submitted regardless of size and scope of project.

6. Always show compass with North direction shown.

7. Scaled Site plans should show that fire department access to FDCs, PIVs, and sprinkler rooms can be achieved. 


UNDERGROUND PIPING REQUIREMENTS

Provide a complete site plan showing all of the following that apply:

1. Identify the location and size of the city main at the sprinkler system tap. Show the location of the domestic water tap. Work from the Point of Service must be performed by a TN licensed sprinkler company. Show point where your work begins. 

2. Provide details of the underground piping from the city main to the building identifying: Line size (6in min unless the requirements of NFPA 13 Chap 23.1.3 are met. Depth of bury (36in min), sectional valve locations, valve pit, thrust block size and location, and pipe trench detail. 

3. Provide cross section of the valve pit.

4. Identify whether a reduced pressure backflow preventer or meter are present.

5. The fire department connection must be on an approved access road side of the building and be located and arranged so that the hose can be attached without interference from any objects, fences, posts, buildings, etc. (NFPA Chap A.8.17.2.1)

6. Show the location of the fire pump and/or tank and if needed, the backup power source.           
                                                                  
7. A post indicator valve is required for supply lines.  The PIV must be electronically supervised and should be located not less than 40 feet from the building. (NFPA 8.16.1.3) If a W.P.I.V, roadway box ( roadway boxes must have prior approval from Fire Marshal’s office), or OS&Y valve used inside a 1 hour rated room with direct access to the outside are used, show these details.

8. Provide tamper switches at all valves in the site underground pit.

9. Service mains must not run under buildings unless special precautions are taken. Provide details of any work to be done.

10. Provide a lead-in detail where the underground piping passes through the foundation and attaches to the riser. Provide clearance to prevent breakage of piping due to building settlement. Provide method of drainage where the lead-in terminates at a point lower than grade.

11. Provide details of any new hydrants to be installed.  A certified flow test must be done and the hydrant painted according to the results.  Field inspector can provide a detail sheet of painting requirements if needed.


ABOVE GROUND PIPING REQUIREMENTS

All shop drawings must show all of the following, which apply to the project, to be considered for review and approval. 

1. Label each room of the building (office, bedroom, classroom, closets, etc). Label all covered porches, balconies, covered walkways, and loading docks.

2. Provide a system riser schematic with control and check valves, flow switches, tamper switches, local waterflow alarm, etc. (NFPA 13 Chaps 7 and 8)

3. Provide a local waterflow alarm.

4. Show that the system is supervised:
A. Provide tamper switches at all control valves
B. Provide a flow switch or alarm check valve and specify connection to the general building alarm.

5. Supply a spare assortment of sprinkler heads with a wrench to be in a sprinkler head cabinet at the riser.
The fire department connection must be an approved NH standard, internal threaded swivel fitting, with listed plugs or caps. 
 (Locking caps are required in the City of Knoxville on all new sprinkler systems or on systems undergoing major renovations. Allowed caps from: Aimpoint Associates (www.aimpointassociates.com) or Knox Company (www.knoxbox.com)

6. Show the maximum coverage area that each riser will cover and the type of hazard involved.  Maximums per riser: Light or Ordinary hazard – 52,000sq ft, Extra hazard – 40,000 sq ft or 25,000 sq ft for pipe schedule systems.

7. The entire building MUST be sprinklered.  Identify all areas to be sprinklered.
A. Elevator shafts must be sprinkled at the bottom of the shaft with sidewall sprinklers not more than 2 ft above the floor of the pit.  These heads must have ordinary or intermediate temperature rating. ( If elevator shaft and car construction provide for an exception to this code, this must be shown.)  Also show that no hydraulic fluid is to be used if that is applicable. Any exceptions to permit these requirements from not being needed must be shown. 
B. Provide sprinkler protection under and accessible first landing of a noncombustible stair and at the top of the stair shaft.
C. Provide coverage at vertical shafts that are noncombustible but are accessible
D. Provide sprinklers under all combustible ground floors, exterior docks, and platforms. 
E. Provide sprinklers under exterior roofs or canopies, exceeding 4ft in width that are not used for storage.
F. Provide sprinklers in every aisle and tier for library stack rooms.
G. Provide sprinklers for electrical equipment rooms.  If exceptions for this are met, this must be shown as to how.
H. Provide sprinklers at stages, under stages when combustible construction or used for storage and at all adjacent stage areas.

8. Identify the sprinkler types with a legend. Provide the manufacturer, model, discharge (upright, pendent, sidewall, etc), response (standard or quick), coverage (standard or extended), orifice size, K factor, and the operating temperature.

9. Standard coverage sprinklers must be located per the charts given on Tables 8.6.2.2.1 a,b,c,d  in NFPA 13.

10. Extended coverage heads must be installed per their listing. Provide the listing information and identify the coverage used. The proper K factor must be used in the calculations.

11. The maximum coverage for any head is 400 sq ft.

12. The minimum spacing for sprinkler heads is 6ft unless the requirements of NFPA 13 Chap 8.6.3.4 are met.

13. Sprinklers in light hazard occupancies must be one of four types listed in NFPA 13 Chap 8.3.3.1

14. Sidewall sprinklers may only be installed for light hazard where the ceiling is smooth and horizontal or sloped and flat. Maximum coverage for standard light hazard side wall sprinkler heads is 196 sq ft. Ordinary hazard occupancies must have smooth flat ceiling and a head specifically listed for this use.

15. Where branch lines run near roof structural members, provide a cross section view showing that sprinkler head locations comply with NFPA Chap 8.

16. Standard and extended coverage pendant and upright heads must be located between 1 and 12 inches from the ceiling.  Standard and extended coverage sidewall heads must be located between 4 to 6 inches from the ceiling.

17. Where a water curtain is used to protect glass walls and inoperable windows, specific application window sprinklers must be used. Provide cut sheets for the product to verify that the listing requirements are met.

18. Provide and show location of inspector’s test pipe.

19. Show the locations and types of hangers to be used.

20. Show all piping braces, clamps, sleeves, etc. to be used in the project.

21. Provide flexible couplings at flexure joints and, where required, provide clearance around piping passing through floors, walls, and foundations.

22. The entire sprinkler system must be drainable. All drain must discharge outside or to a drain connection.

23. Provide the following for Dry Pipe Systems:
A. Provide the capacity of the system. A maximum capacity of 750gallon per riser is permitted. Provide the individual capacities of both systems if connecting to an existing dry system.
B. Provide a quick opening device for dry sprinkler systems with capacities over 500gal per riser. A check valve must be installed between the quick opening device and the dry valve.
C. Grid systems are not allowed for dry systems.
D. Combined dry pipe and preaction system must be equipped with a listed quick opening device at the dry pipe valve.
E. Show the air filling connection, compressor, control, check, and relief valves, etc. Furnish specifications on the compressor.  Show whether it is manual or automatic.
F. Sprinkler heads in dry pipe system must be one of the four listed in NFPA 13 Chap 7.2.2

24. The proposed sprinkler solenoid valve used for elevator hoistways and machine rooms would have to be tested and listed for this use and be supervised by the fire alarm system.