§ 29-07 Installation of Wet-Pipe Sprinklers.
RCNY § 29-07
Rules and Regulations for the Installation of Wet-Pipe Sprinklers under the provisions of § 248, Subdivision 4, Paragraph b, Multiple Dwelling Law, in Certain Fireproof Multiple Dwellings Erected before May 16, 1913, and Converted in Whole or in Part to Single Room Occupancy Prior to December 9, 1955. Extract from the Multiple Dwelling Law Section 248, Subdivision 4, Paragraph b. "There shall be access to a second means of egress within the apartment without passing through any public stair or public hall. On and after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-seven, every tenement used or occupied for single room occupancy in whole or part under the provisions of this section, and which does not have at least two means of egress accessible to each apartment, and extending from the ground story to the roof, shall be provided with at least two means of egress or, in lieu of such egress, every stair hall or public hall, and every hall or passage within an apartment, shall be equipped on each story with one or more automatic sprinkler heads approved by the department. Elevator shafts in such tenements shall be completely enclosed with fireproof or other incombustible material and the doors to such shafts shall be fireproof or shall be covered on all sides with incombustible material." (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, automatic wet-pipe sprinklers installed under the provisions of § 248, Subdivision 4, Paragraph b, Multiple Dwelling Law, in certain fireproof dwellings erected before May 16, 1913, and converted in whole or in part to single room occupancy prior to December 9, 1955, shall be installed in conformity with Subchapter 17 of Chapter 1 of Title 27 of the Administrative Code.
(b)In lieu of one of the four alternate automatic sources of water supply specified in § 27-961, Subdivision b, of the Administrative (Building) Code, a connection may be made to the domestic water supply system under the following conditions: (1) It can be established from the information obtainable from the Department of Environmental Protection that the minimum static pressure at the top of the highest riser will be at least 15 pounds per square inch, except as otherwise provided in 1 RCNY § 29-07(g).
(2)If the pressure from this source is insufficient to provide a minimum static pressure of 15 pounds per square inch, at the highest line of sprinklers, but is sufficient to supply a pressure of 5 pounds per square inch or more at the highest line of sprinklers, an automatic booster pump shall be provided, the capacity of which shall be 250 gallons per minute at a pressure of at least 15 pounds per square inch at the highest sprinkler line.
(3)A sprinkler shut-off valve is provided conveniently accessible, and its purpose is clearly indicated by the words "Automatic Sprinkler Shut-Off Valve" on a sign affixed thereto, and that such valve is sealed open.
(4)The side of the domestic water supply line is at least equal to the size of the main sprinkler connection.
(5)The provisions of Paragraph c of § 27-964 shall not apply to sprinklers installed in conformity with the provisions of this 1 RCNY § 29-07(b).
(6)Where the length of pipe from the furthermost sprinkler to the riser exceeds 100 feet, the pipe beyond the 100 foot distance shall be increased in size one pipe size above the size of otherwise required, for each 100 feet of additional length or part thereof. This provision shall not require an increase in the size of the risers.
(c)The capacity for gravity tanks for sprinklers shall be in conformity with provisions of § 27-965, or such tank may be supplied by an automatic filling pump, capable of delivering at least 65 gallons per minute to the tank and shall have sufficient capacity to supply 25 percent of the sprinkler heads in the largest sprinkler area for 20 minutes, at 20 gallons per minute. The capacity of such tank shall not be less than 1,500 gallons. The bottom of the gravity tank or the sprinkler supply pipe shall not be less than 20 feet above the highest supplied sprinkler line. When such elevation is not practicable, an automatic booster pump may be installed in the main sprinkler supply line in conformity with 1 RCNY § 29-07(b)(2).
(d)In lieu of complying with the provisions of § 27-965, a pressure tank located not more than one story below the highest supplied sprinkler line, filled by an automatic pump, and with a supply of water, all as described in 1 RCNY § 29-07(c), may be installed. In addition, a high-and-low air-alarm shall be provided.
(e)Subdivision b of § 27-963(a) may be construed to permit the sprinkler connection to the street main to be the same size as the main sprinkler riser, but in no instance shall it be less than 2 inches. A tap may be one pipe-size less than the sprinkler main.
(f)When the number of sprinkler heads in any fire area as defined in these rules exceeds fifty-five (55), an approved Fire Department siamese connection shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of § 27-940 of the Administrative (Building) Code.
(g)In lieu of applying the provisions of § 27-956, sprinkler heads shall be so spaced that there shall be one head for approximately 144 square feet of floor area, and heads shall be spaced not more than 14 feet on centers. The distance from a wall or partition to the first sprinkler head shall not exceed 7 feet, measured at right angles to the wall or partition. A 12-pound minimum static pressure will be accepted at the topmost sprinkler line, provided the sprinkler heads are spaced to cover 100 square feet or less.
(h)In lieu of complying with the provisions of ANSI/NFPA 13 of Reference Standard RS 17-2 of the Administrative (Building) Code, a l-inch valve pipe may be extended from the top of the riser to the outside of the building, or inside the building to a deep sink for testing the system, pump and alarm under water-flow conditions.
(i)Check valves, gate valves, and water meters shall be installed as and when directed by the Department of Environmental Protection.
(j)Definition. Sprinkler area. The term "sprinkler area" as used in these rules shall mean any floor space within a structure enclosed on all sides by exterior walls, fire walls, fire partitions, or fire-proof partitions and self-closing doors acceptable to the Department of Buildings.
(k)The sprinkler control valves shall be inspected at least once weekly, by a competent person, who is employed by the owner and who holds a Certificate of Fitness to see that such valves are sealed open. A record of each inspection shall be kept for examination by a representative of the Department. The provisions of § 27-957, in relation to alarm devices, shall not apply to those buildings having more than 36 heads in any sprinkler area.
(l)In conformity with the provisions of § 27-957, sprinkler alarm devices shall be required when more than 36 heads are installed in any fire area.
(m)Where there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out these rules, the Superintendent may permit modification, provided that the spirit of these rules are observed and safely secured.
