For multi-systems, there are currently several states that REQUIRE
that a licensed plumber install the system because they are considered
an extension of the domestic water supply. Fire sprinkler contractors
are PROHIBITED from installing such systems, unless of course they
have a plumbing license -- but the system is still being installed
under the plumbing license. And when those systems are inspected,
they will be inspected by Plumbing officials - not the fire marshal.
Multi-purpose systems have been been recognized as acceptable in
NFPA-13D for a long time but it was not until fairly recently that use
use accelerated. New changes being incorporated into the
International Plumbing Code offer a simplified design for multi-
purpose systems that does not require hydraulic calcs but is based on
distance and water pressure. My understanding is that the NFPA-13D
committee has accepted the language proposed in the IPC proposal. By
the way, it was the International Association of Fire Chiefs who
recommended the code change to add the simplified procedure to the IPC.
Bottom line is that you are going to see a lot more of these systems
in the future. It is likely that most "lower-end" homes will adopt
the multi-purpose approach and larger, more expensive homes will have
a standalone system.
When (not IF) the International Residential Code moves the
requirements for sprinklers in single-family dwellings from the
appendix to the body of the code, thus making it required, the number
of residential systems will EXPLODE. Sure, there will be battles on
the local level to remove that requirement, but it is more difficult
to remove a provision from the code on a local level.
Think about this - based on the number of new homes built in 2007,
each and every fire sprinkler contractor in the country would have to
install 375 single-family fire sprinkler systems. That is how big
this market will eventually be, and most fire sprinkler contractors
don't do many single-family systems when there are plenty of more
lucrative commercial jobs to dedicate the limited number of employees
to.
If plumbers are going to do this work.... and they will.... let's just
hope that they feel the need to acquire some TRAINING on the subject
before they jump head-first into the fire protection business.
Steve Muncy, CAE Fire Sprinklers Save Lives!
American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
Dallas, TX
On Mar 24, 2008, at 9:58 AM, Timothy W Goins wrote:
Why would the NFPA journal, MAR/APR 2008 edition, use an advertiser
for
residential piping systems that ONLY recommends plumbers to install
their
product? I know the answer is money, but I thought they were looking
out for
our industry and it's standards, both written and installed.
Isn't this like having an architect layout "design" fire sprinkler
systems?
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