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904.1.2 Installation acceptance testing.
All fire extinguishing systems shall be subject to acceptance test conducted at the owner's risk by his or her representative before a representative of the department. The owner's representative shall furnish the necessary equipment required to conduct the test. A discharge test may be required as set forth in the applicable installation standard or as required by the department when there is evidence that the system will not provide the necessary level of protection.
904.1.3 Additional safeguards.
If an area is protected by a fire extinguishing system which uses an extinguishing agent that will make the protected area hazardous by its discharge or thermal decomposition, suitable safeguards shall be provided to ensure prompt evacuation, to prevent entry into such atmospheres, and to provide means for prompt rescue of any trapped personnel. Such safeguards shall include establishment of a trained brigade, equipped with and qualified in the use of self-contained breathing apparatus with 30-minute minimum supply, for prompt search of the protected area.
Exception: Self-contained breathing apparatus shall not be required for a clean agent fire extinguishing system installation if:
1. The installation is provided with an alarm system that is connected to an approved central station.
2. The protected area is provided with an approved fixed emergency forced ventilation system able to expel the extinguishing agent. Such emergency forced ventilation system shall have a capacity sufficient to effect at least twenty air changes per hour.
3. The protected area is of a size, design and/or occupied in such a manner that egress will not be impeded.
4. The protected area is not normally occupied by any individual requiring assistance in evacuation.
904.1.4 Prohibited fire extinguishing systems.
It shall be unlawful to install carbon dioxide, halon and clean agent fire extinguishing systems as set forth in FC 904.1.4.1 through 904.1.4.3.
904.1.4.1 Existing carbon dioxide systems.
It shall be unlawful to install or continue to maintain total flooding carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems within normally occupied areas, including commercial kitchens. Total flooding carbon dioxide systems installed in normally occupied areas prior to July 1, 2008 were required by this code to be removed by July 1, 2013. Existing total flooding carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems in such areas shall be removed and a replacement fire extinguishing system installed, where required, in accordance with the Building Code, this code or other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
904.1.4.2 Existing halon systems.
It shall be unlawful to install a halon system in any building or occupancy. Lawfully existing halon fire extinguishing systems shall be maintained in accordance with FC 904.5. If a lawfully existing system cannot be maintained under the laws, rules, regulations, standards and design and installation approvals under which it was installed, such system shall be removed and replaced with a type of fire extinguishing system complying with this code.
904.1.4.3 Clean agent systems.
It shall be unlawful to install clean agent systems that are not total flooding systems. Lawfully existing clean agent fire extinguishing systems that are not total flooding systems shall be maintained in accordance with FC 904.5. If a lawfully existing system cannot be maintained under the laws, rules, regulations, standards and design and installation approvals under which it was installed, such system shall be removed and replaced with a type of fire extinguishing system complying with this code.
904.2 Where required.
Where this code or the rules requires the installation of a fire extinguishing system, other than a sprinkler system, the commissioner shall approve the type of fire extinguishing system to be installed. Fire extinguishing systems installed as an alternative to sprinkler systems otherwise required by this code or the construction codes, including the Building Code, shall be approved by the commissioner. Such a system may be accepted by the commissioner where the nature of the fire hazard is such that water would be ineffective or hazardous as an extinguishing agent, or the need to preserve the historic, irreplaceable or special nature of the contents of the occupancy militates against the installation of a sprinkler system. Sprinklers shall not be omitted from any room or area merely because it is of fire-resistance-rated construction or contains electrical equipment except as allowed by Section 903 of the Building Code.
If a system using a fixed amount of extinguishing agent is authorized to be installed in lieu of a required sprinkler system or any other fire extinguishing system otherwise required by law, a connected reserve of charged agent cylinders equal to the primary supply shall be provided. The commissioner may impose additional requirements on the installation of any fire extinguishing system to be installed in lieu of any required sprinkler system. Fire extinguishing systems shall not be considered alternatives for the purposes of exceptions or reductions allowed by other requirements of this code.
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