15-16-470 Dry pipe system capacity limits.

   No more than 500 sprinklers shall be controlled by one dry pipe valve. The capacities given below for various sizes of pipe shall be used to calculate the capacity of a system.

Capacity Per Foot of Pipe
Diameter	Gallons
	Schedule 40	Schedule 10
1 in.	.045	.049
1 1/4 in.	.078	.085
1 1/2 in.	.106	.115
2 in.	.174	.190
2 1/2 in.	.248	.283
3 in.	.383	.433
3 1/2 in.	.513	.576
4 in.	.660	.740
5 in.	1.040	1.144
6 in.	1.501	1.649
8 in.	2.66	2.776

 

   Gridded dry pipe systems shall not be permitted.

(Prior code §  91-31; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1)

15-16-480 Quick opening devices.

   Dry pipe valves controlling systems having a capacity of more than 500 gallons shall be provided with a quick opening device. The quick opening device shall be located as close as possible to the dry pipe valve while providing protection to the restriction orifice and other operating parts against submergence in water resulting from system drainage or priming. A soft disc globe or angle valve shall be installed in the connection between the dry pipe valve and the quick opening device. A check valve shall be provided also in the connection between quick opening device and the intermediate chamber of the dry pipe valve to prevent the escape of water if the dry valve should trip with the quick opening device disconnected. If the quick opening device requires a pressure feedback from the intermediate chamber, a valve type that will clearly indicate whether it is opened or closed shall be permitted in place of the check valve.

(Prior code §  91-32; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1)

15-16-490 Non-freezing systems.

   Sprinkler piping in small unheated areas exposed to frost shall be filled with pure glycerine solution only. The total number of sprinklers in such areas shall not exceed 20. A durable sign or metal tag shall be firmly attached to the solution filling connection plainly marked “THE CITY CODE REQUIRES THE USE OF A PURE GLYCERINE SOLUTION ONLY”.

   The sprinklers on the piping filled with glycerine shall be below the interface between the water and antifreeze solutions provided that sprinklers may be located above the interface between the water and the antifreeze when a check value with a one-thirty-second inch hole in the clapper is provided in a U-loop. A water control valve and two small solution test valves shall be provided.

(Prior code §  91-33; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1)

15-16-500 Gauges.

   There shall be provided dial spring pressure gauges in each sprinkler system on the riser above and below the alarm valve if so equipped, at the system main drain; at each main drain associated with a floor control valve; at the pressure tanks and in each independent pipe from the air supply to dry pipe systems.

   Gauges shall be graduated from zero to a pressure approximately double the normal working pressure of the system to which they are connected. Pressure gauges shall have a connection to the sprinkler system not less than one-quarter inch. Each gauge connection shall be equipped with a shutoff valve and provision for draining.

(Prior code §  91-34; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1)

15-16-510 Relief valves.

   A brass relief valve not less than one and one-half inches in size shall be installed at the filling pump, set to relieve pressures ten percent in excess of the pressure at the pump when the pressure tank is under normal working pressure.

   A brass relief valve not less than three-fourths inch in size set to relieve pressures ten percent in excess of the normal pressure shall be installed in the air pipe between the check valve and the air compressor.

(Prior code §  91-35; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1)

15-16-520 Painting or finishing.

   No part of any sprinkler shall be painted except to indicate the temperature rating of the sprinkler. No sprinkler shall be encumbered. Only the painting or coating applied to the sprinkler by the manufacturer shall be permitted.

(Prior code §  91-36; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1)

15-16-530 Alarms.

   Whenever any sprinkler system is installed under this code which has more than ten sprinklers, a local alarm system shall be connected to the sprinkler system. There shall be provided an alarm on each system which is wholly or partially wet, consisting of an alarm valve or a listed flow indicating device and necessary attachments; they shall be of a design which will initiate a water flow signal if there is a flow of water through them equal to the flow from one sprinkler head.

   The alarm on a dry pipe system shall include an alarm attachment to each dry pipe valve. Where two or more dry pipe valves are in the same frost-proof enclosure, the same alarm may serve all dry pipe valves in each enclosure. The attachments for either wet or dry systems shall include a water motor gong or electric bell on the outside of the building above a fire department siamese connection and inside bells and other electrical equipment hereinafter described.

   Alarm, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge valves shall be fitted with an alarm bypass test connection for the electric alarm switch, water motor gong or both. This pipe connection shall be made on the water supply side of the valve and provided with a control valve and drain for the alarm piping.

   Water motor gongs shall be located as near the alarm valves or dry pipe valves as possible; piping shall be galvanized or brass and shall be installed to drain. A sign shall be placed near the outside bell where readily visible and shall bear the following:

   “SPRINKLER ALARM

   WHEN BELL RINGS

   CALL

   FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT”

   Electrically operated alarm attachments shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72-2013. Outside electric alarm devices shall be listed for outdoor use.

   All water flow alarm devices on automatic sprinkler systems installed in open plan schools shall be interconnected to the city fire alarm system.

(Prior code § 91-37; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. VII, § 26)

15-16-540 Spare sprinklers.

   A supply of at least six spare sprinklers shall be provided in a readily accessible location at the main sprinkler control valve or valves. The spare sprinkler shall include all of the types and temperature ratings used in the system.

(Prior code §  91-38; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1)

15-16-550 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1, repealed § 15-16-550, pertaining to fire pumps for open sprinkler system.

15-16-560 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1, repealed § 15-16-560, pertaining to arrangement of open sprinkler system.