Sprinkler System Fee Schedule (2008/09 Fees Effective July 20, 2008)

Examples on How to Apply the Fee Schedule
Jim Acme from ACME Sprinkler Company is installing an ESFR sprinkler system in a warehouse that is 800,000 square feet. Jim knows the each system cannot exceed 40,000 sq. ft. He also knows that ESFR sprinklers cannot exceed 100 sq. ft. per head. Jim will use 20 risers and each riser will have 400 sprinklers. The fee will be 20 X $2,660 = $53,200. At the last minute Jim remembers to mention that the project will have a fire pump, so another $2,609 must be added in.

Jim's next project is a 3 story hotel with a protected attic space. He knows that California Fire Code Section 1006.3.3.7, 2001 Edition, requires each floor of the building to be considered a separate zone. He finds out from the Stockton Fire Department that a control valve, check valve and a flow switch in that order is required for each horizontal riser. Attic sprinklers may be attach ed to the third floor system. The first floor has 266 sprinklers. The second floor has 372 sprinklers and the third floor with attic space has 506 sprinklers. The fee will be $2,660 + $2,660 + $2,875 = $8,195.

Jim turns in plans for a pre action system. The system uses 18 large orifice sprinklers to achieve the density requirements and 9 pilot heads on a half inch line to actuate the system. The fee is $254.00 ($127 per hr / 2 hr min.) We do not include pilot head sprinklers or spare sprinklers for calculating fees.

Important: Remember to include the appropriate fee when sending us your plans. Plans submitted without fees will not be processed until the fees are fully paid. If you have any questions, please contact us at (209) 937-8271.

Please Do Not Forget These Plan Submittal Requirements and Other Quirks

Bracing: Please provide sway bracing seismic load calculations for both lateral and longitudinal loads in accordance with NFPA 13 6-4.5, 1999 Edition. This section of NFPA 13 has changed considerably from the 1996 Edition. A form is provided for making the calculations with Figure A-6-4.5(a) and a sample calculation is provided with Figure A-6-4.5(b). For those of you that don't know, this form was developed and provided to the fire service long ago by Jim Feld P.E. from Feld Engineering.

Sprinklers, Ducts and Insulation: Please provide a detail to scale, showing the relationship between sprinklers, ducts and insulation. The duct size and thickness of insulation must be indicated on the plans. If your project does not have HVAC ducting or insulation, please indicate so in your section view. A typical detail may be provided, but it must be large enough for the general contractor to see that neither ducts or insulation are allowed to rest on sprinkler heads. Likewise ducts may not block sprinklers.

When ducts are located above the sprinklers, we recommend that sprinklers clear ducts by 2 inches or more. Sprinklers still must be located 1-12 inches below the ceiling or any insulation that is installed. (See NFPA 13 5-6.4.1.1, 1999 Edition). However, if you anticipate a problem with ducting or insulation resting on sprinkler heads, either provide more space or flip the system over and use pendent sprinklers.

Elevator Shaft Sprinklers: Stockton Fire Department requires that the sprinkler normally located at the top of an elevator shaft not be installed. The sprinkler for the pit must be installed. Sprinklers for the elevator machine room must be installed. The reason we have this policy is to avoid the potential recall or complete shut down of the elevator caused by the respective smoke detector or heat detector required at the top of the elevator shaft when a sprinkler is installed. The requirement comes from ANSI Standard 17.1 adopted by the State Elevator Unit.

Hose Stations: The fee schedule includes a fee for small hose stations which are required by Article 81 of the 2001 California Fire Code. Because most of our new facilities are equipped with ESFR systems that require a fire pump, the Stockton Fire Department does not want the small hose stations installed. Pressures can be reduced from the150 psi we typically see on the system with pressure restricting or pressure reducing valves, but we are concerned that untrained employees may attempt to use this equipment in the event of fire and not recognize the danger they are placing themselves in. To mitigate the requirement we usually ask for more fire extinguishers. We also require "pump running" to be a fire alarm signal and sprinkler monitoring must be handled by a UL listed fire alarm company. This helps assure that we will be notified as quickly as possible. Last, it is our policy not to rely on equipment which is not serviced and inspected by our staff. We would not use the hose stations.

Number of Copies of Plans Required

The Fire Prevention Division needs at least 4 sets of plans:

• two sets for our records
• a job site copy
• a copy for your records

Plan Check Turnaround Time

Plan check turnaround time is normally 3 weeks from the date plans and fees are submitted. However, during busy periods, turn around time may be longer since staff also reviews plans for other fire protection systems and fire alarm systems, and handles fire code permits and all inspections. Because of this, we cannot provide precise turn around time information and usually do not return calls strictly pertaining to the status of plans.

Plan Correction Policy

Plans not meeting NFPA standards, not legible, or lacking pertinent information, will be returned for correction. However to expedite the process, minor corrections to the plans, when applicable, will be made by our staff in order to speed the process. Changes are normally made with conformation by telephone.

Sprinkler System Field Inspection

Plan check and inspection fees include the cost of one inspection for a two-hour period when hydrostatic tests are required. If our inspectors find systems not pressurized or fully completed including bracing, insulation resting on the sprinkler heads, sprinklers blocked by ducts or other deficiencies that cause a delay or require a return visit, the inspection may be canceled and you could be billed for another inspection. (Fees for additional inspections are $127.00/hour.) Sometimes a "partial" inspection is needed by the general contractor. We will attempt to meet these requests, but you could be billed for this additional inspection. Our goal is not to collect more money, but to reduce return visits.

All sprinkler inspections must be scheduled by the C-16 licensed sprinkler contractor. We do not accept appointments from the general contractor. On the day you have scheduled, please have the following ready:

• An approved job site sprinkler plan.
• Hydraulic tag on the riser for calculated systems. (See NFPA 13 10-5, 1999 Edition.)
• Relief valves available for girded systems. (See NFPA 13 4-1.2, 1999 Edition.)
• Spare sprinklers, box and wrench installed. (See NFPA 13 3-2.9, 1999 Edition.)
• Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Above ground Piping. (See NFPA 13 Figure 10-1(b) , 1999 Edition.) Please have this form filled out.

Note: If you installed Central Sprinkler Company sprinklers that require the Universal Wrench (Part #1122), you must also provide a Combination Wrench to operate the Universal Wrench.

If you have questions regarding any of these requirements or if you are ready for an inspection, please contact the Fire Prevention Division at (209) 937-8271. Thank you for your cooperation.