Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
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.
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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.
