Delaware Administrative Code
Title 1 - Authorities, Boards and Commissions
700 - Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission
703 - Installation, Operation, Maintenance, Testing and Sales of Signaling Systems, Fire Protection Systems and Fire Extinguishers
Chapter 1 - Operation, Maintenance, and Testing of Fire Protection Systems
Section 703-1-3.0 - Fire Protection Systems Maintenance
Universal Citation: 1 DE Admin Code 703-1-3.0
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
3.1 Impairment of Fire Protection Systems.
3.1.1 All fire protection systems, devices,
units, and service equipment shall be maintained in an operative condition at
all times, and it shall be unlawful for any person owning, controlling, or
otherwise having charge of any fire protection system to reduce the
effectiveness of the system without the proper impairment permit or approval.
Permits or approvals will not be required for temporary impairments caused by
periodic testing and inspection.
3.1.2 Impairment Permit - Planned Impairment.
3.1.2.1 In all health care, institutional,
place of assembly, educational, and day care occupancies an impairment permit
shall be obtained prior to any planned impairment which will render the system
inoperable or out of service.
3.1.2.2 In all occupancies other than those
listed in § 3.1.2.1 of this Chapter an impairment permit shall be obtained
prior to any planned impairment which will render the system inoperable or out
of service for more than eight (8) hours.
3.1.3 Impairment Permit - Unplanned
Impairment.
3.1.3.1 In all health care,
institutional, place of assembly, educational, and day care occupancies an
impairment permit shall be obtained immediately after discovery of any
impairment which will render the system inoperable or out of service. If the
Office of the State Fire Marshal is not open when the impairment is discovered,
the office shall be notified by calling the local fire dispatch center and
asking for the "On call Deputy Fire Marshal".
3.1.3.2 In all occupancies other than those
listed in § 3.1.2.1 of this Chapter an impairment permit shall be obtained
within two hours after discovery of any impairment which will render the system
inoperable or out of service for more than eight (8) hours. If the Office of
the State Fire Marshal is not open when the impairment is discovered, notify
the office on the next working day within two hours of the start of
business.
3.1.4
Compensatory Measures.
3.1.4.1 When any fire
protection system has an impairment which will render the system inoperable or
out of service the person owning, controlling, or otherwise having charge of
any fire protection system is responsible to provide compensatory measures
capable of minimizing the effect of the impairment to a level acceptable to the
State Fire Marshal. If acceptable compensatory measures cannot be provided then
the State Fire Marshal may order said occupancy or portion of the occupancy
vacated until the fire protection system is returned to
service.
3.2 Buildings Under Construction, Vacant Buildings And Buildings Undergoing Demolition.
3.2.1 The standpipe system shall
be carried up with each floor and shall be installed and ready for use as each
floor progresses.
3.2.2 Standpipes
shall not be more than one floor below the highest forms or staging.
3.2.3 Fire protection systems shall be
maintained operable condition at all times. Exception: In vacant or
unoccupied buildings, where the State Fire Marshal determines that the type of
construction, fire separation, and security of the building is such as not to
create a fire hazard, the State Fire Marshal may permit the fire protection
systems to be taken out of service in such a manner and for such a time as
specifically prescribed.
3.2.4 When a building is being demolished and
a standpipe or sprinkler system is existing within said building, such
standpipe and/or sprinkler system shall be maintained in an operable condition
so as to be available for use by the fire department. Such standpipe and/or
sprinkler shall be demolished with the building, but in no case shall the
system or systems, be inoperable more than one floor below the floor being
demolished.
3.3 Existing Non-Required Equipment.
3.3.1 Existing
non-required fire protection systems, devices, units, and service equipment
that do not conform to current code requirements shall continue in service
without alteration provided the State Fire Marshal determines said system,
device, unit, or equipment does not constitute a serious protection
deficiency.
3.3.2 Serious
protection deficiencies shall be corrected at the discretion of the State Fire
Marshal.
3.3.3 All non-required
fire protection equipment shall be arranged and maintained in a manner
consistent with the requirements at the time of installation.
3.3.4 Existing non-required fire protection
equipment shall not be discontinued unless discontinuation of the equipment is
approved by the State Fire Marshal. All discontinued equipment and devices
(pull stations, nozzles, detectors, heads, sensors, panels, hose connections,
etc.) shall be removed so as not to give a false indication that the building,
area, or space is protected.
3.4 Installation Of Fire Protection Systems When Not Required.
3.4.1 The installation of
fire protection systems not required to be installed under the provisions of
these Regulations, shall be designed, installed, serviced, tested, or
maintained according to the specifications and standards as provided for such
Fire Protection Systems as found in these Regulations.
Exception: This does not apply to single station or multi-station battery powered residential smoke detectors.
3.4.2
Plans and specifications in accordance with these Regulations shall be
submitted to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for review and approval for
all non-required fire protection systems.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Delaware may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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