Add Section F-701.6.1 as follows:
F-701.6.1 Periodic inspection of dampers. Where ready access to required fire dampers, smoke dampers and combination fire/smoke dampers is available, such dampers shall be inspected and certified in accordance with Sections F-701.6.1.1 through F-701.6.1.5 where installed in the following locations:
1. Special Assembly Occupancies, including any exit enclosures providing a means of egress from spaces containing such occupancies.
2. Group I-2 occupancies, including any exit enclosures providing a means of egress from spaces containing such occupancies.
3. Vertical ventilation shafts located within high-rise buildings where the shaft has a minimum fire resistance rating of one-hour.
In this Section, ready access shall mean that the damper has been provided with a means of access, which is large enough to permit inspection and maintenance of the damper and its operating parts in accordance with the Building Code at the time of construction.
Exception: This Section shall not apply to the inspection of dampers that are part of a smoke control system as regulated by Section F-901.6.4.9.
1. Unobstructed access to the damper shall be verified and corrected as required.
2. An operation test of the damper shall verify that the damper closes and that there is no damper interference due to rusted, bent, misaligned or damaged frame or blades, or defective hinges or parts.
3. The damper frame shall not be penetrated by any foreign objects that would affect fire damper operations.
4. The damper shall not be blocked from closure in any way.
5. The fusible link (if applicable) shall be reinstalled after the completion of the operation testing.
6. If the fusible link (if applicable) is damaged or painted, it shall be replaced with a link of the same size, temperature and load rating.
F-701.6.1.2 Qualifications of Contractors. Any contractor who conducts periodic inspection of required fire dampers, smoke dampers and combination fire/smoke dampers shall be licensed in one of the following categories in accordance with Chapter 9-1000 329 of The Philadelphia Code:
1. Master Plumber (9-1003)
2. Contractor (9-1004)
3. Fire Suppression System Contractor (9-1005)
4. Electrical Contractor (9-1006)
F-701.6.1.3 Qualifications of Inspectors. Any individual performing periodic inspection of required fire dampers, smoke dampers and combination fire/smoke dampers shall be a Sheet Metal Systems Technician, certified by the Department of Licenses and Inspections pursuant to Chapter 9-3000 of The Philadelphia Code. The Technician shall also hold a certification from the Sheet Metal Industry International Certification Board (ICB) as a Fire Life Safety Level 1 or Level 2 Technician, or a similar certification from an independent personal certification program approved by the Department.
F-701.6.1.5 Certification reporting. All inspections shall be documented by the Contractor on a certification form established by the fire code official indicating the locations of the fire damper, smoke damper and combination fire/smoke damper inspected, date of inspection, name of inspector and Sheet Metal Technician Certification number of the inspector. The report must be presented by the Contractor to the building owner upon completion and shall be maintained on the property and made available for inspection upon request by the fire code official. The report shall also be submitted to the Department of Licenses and Inspections who may, by regulation, establish a fee to be paid upon submission of the report.
F-701.6.1.6 Submission of deficiencies. When deficiencies are not corrected within ninety (90) days, the Contractor performing the required inspections and testing shall submit a list of deficiencies that preclude inspection certification of the dampers, in an approved form to the fire code official.
Notes
| 329 | Enrolled bill cited Chapter 9; citation corrected by Code editor. |