904.3.7.2.5 Fixed emergency forced ventilation.

When the protected area is normally occupied, a fixed emergency forced ventilation system sufficient to accomplish at least six air changes per hour of the flooded protected area shall be provided unless all of the following apply:

   1.   The clean agent fire extinguishing system is used to extinguish a Class A fire.

   2.   The design concentration does not exceed the "no observable adverse effect level" for halocarbon agents, or "no effect level" for inert gas agents as defined in NFPA 2001, as modified by FC Appendix B.

   3.   If other than inert gas agents are used, the quantity of the thermal decomposition products formed from such agents is below the dangerous toxic load (DTL) for humans as described in Meldrum's "Toxicology of Substances in Relation to Major Hazards: Hydrogen Fluoride" (HMSO, London, 1993). Upon request, documentation of hazard assessment of thermal decomposition products formed from such agents shall be filed with the department.

904.3.7.2.6 Pressure relief venting.

Clean agent fire extinguishing systems using inert gas agents shall be provided with suitable pressure relief venting for the flooded protected area that discharges outdoors.

   Exception: Such venting shall not be required when a registered design professional certifies that the walls, ceilings and floors comprising the protected space have sufficient porosity and leakage to prevent damage to the integrity of such space upon discharge of the extinguishing agent, and that the inert gas agent leakage into other non-flooded rooms and spaces will not reach dangerous concentrations.

904.3.8 Commercial cooking systems.

Commercial cooking fire extinguishing systems shall be installed in accordance with FC 904.3.8.1 through 904.3.8.3.

904.3.8.1 Types of systems approved for commercial cooking operations.

Commercial cooking operations shall be protected by one of the following types of fire protection systems, as listed for commercial cooking operations.

   1.   Wet chemical fire extinguishing systems designed in accordance with NFPA 17A, as modified by FC Appendix B, and tested in accordance with UL 300.

   2.   Foam-water sprinkler system or foam-water spray systems designed in accordance with NFPA 16, as modified by FC Appendix B.

   3.   Water mist systems designed in accordance with NFPA 750, as modified by FC Appendix B.

904.3.8.1.1 Dry chemical, non-listed wet chemical and carbon dioxide systems.

Dry chemical systems, wet chemical systems not listed to the UL 300 standard and carbon dioxide systems may not be used for commercial cooking operations and shall be removed and replaced with a type of fire extinguishing system complying with this code.

904.3.8.2 Manual activation device.

A manual activation device for the fire extinguishing system, except foam-water systems, shall be installed at a location near a means of egress that is readily accessible from the cooking area and not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) nor more than 20 feet (6096 mm) from the commercial cooking appliances protected by the fire extinguishing system, or other approved location. The manual activation device shall be located a minimum of 42 inches (1067 mm) and a maximum of 48 inches (1219 mm) above the floor. The manual activation device shall require a maximum force of 40 pounds (178 N) and a maximum movement of 14 inches (356 mm) to activate the fire extinguishing system. A sign or marking in accordance with FC Table 609.7 that clearly identifies the commercial cooking appliances being protected shall be posted on or adjacent to the manual activation device. The manual activation device shall be kept unobstructed at all times.

904.3.8.3 System interconnection.

The activation of the fire extinguishing system shall automatically shut down the fuel and electrical power supply to the cooking equipment. The fuel and electrical supply reset shall be manual.