Question: For FDC does the fire department use 2.5" siamese or the 5" Storz connection?

Answer: 2.5" Siamese

Question: Where does the FDC need to be located? 

Answer: The FDC needs to be located in close proximity to the exterior riser room entrance; the engine parked to supply it cannot block access to (1) the main front entrance, or (2) any required aerial apparatus access. The final location will need fire department approval. 

Question: Does the riser room require direct exterior access? 

Answer: Yes, the riser room must have direct exterior access. 

Question: The fire suppression control valves will be inside the riser room. Would you prefer these to be locked with a chain or electronically supervised via the alarm system? 

Answer: Unless your project falls squarely into an exception under IFC 2021 Section 903.4, tamper switches are required. Manual locking along is not sufficient, but manual locking is appreciated in addition to electronic supervision to prevent tampering or accidents. 

Question: Are tamper switches required on all control valves?

Answer: See response on question above. Generally yes, on valves controlling the water supply, plus monitoring of waterflow switches, tanks, pump conditions, etc. 

Question: Is the remote anunciator permitted to be at the front entrance? 

Answer: Yes--locating a remote anunciator at/easily visible from the primary entrance is preferred so responding crews can immediately view system status. We would require the main panel near the riser room and an anunciator at the front entry. 

Question: Is there a location the FACP must be? 

Answer: See directly above. Locate it in or directly accessible from the riser room. 

Question: Is there a location where the Knox Box must be? 

Answer: The fire department requires installation of a Knox box in all occupancies with a fire alarm or suppression system, and may require them in other special situations as well. We require a knox box to be installed at the addressed front door. Max height fron the ground to the knox box is 5' high. It cannot be obstructed by any landscaping or other items, and needs to be as close to the door entrance/landing as possible. An additional knox box will be required at the exterior door entrance to the riser room if that door is on a different side of the structure or sufficiently far from the front entrance door in the discretion of the fire department. 

Question: Are manual pull stations required at all exits or just one constantly attended location in an M occupancy?

Answer: With full sprinkler and alarm notification from sprinkler waterflow, IFC 907.2 & 907.2.7 exception 2 allows eliminating boxes at every exit and requires at least one manual fire alarm box in an approved location. We will accept one manual box in an approved location when the system meets these conditions. 

Question: Are HVAC Duct Detectors Required? 

Answer: IFC 907.3.1 and IMC 606 apply. Duct detectors are required where the IMC triggers them (e.g. fans/units > 2,000 CFM or sytems that can transport smoke). They must perform the intended shutdown function. Please provide a brief but thorough analysis of your application of these codes as part of your fire alarm submittals. 

Question: For the fire alarm system, is central monitoring permitted to be any UL liste service? 

Answer: Yes, any UL-listed central/proprietary/remote station meeting NFPA 72 Chapter 26 is generally acceptable. We do not have a local amendment limiting sole path IP, but this is subject to a case-by-case reliability analysis if reliability becomes an issue. See sole path question below. 

Question: Is smoke detection required throughout the building? 

Answer: Sometimes, but generally not when a code-required sprinkler system provides notification by water flow. However, this requiremnt can be specifically triggered. Please provide your analysis of where smoke detection is and is not required according to IFC 907 & IMC/NFPA 72 as part of your fire alarm plan submittals. 

Question: Is sole path communication in accordance with NFPA 72 acceptable? 

Answer: Yes, but you need to provide the listing, path supervision intervals and carrier reliability for our assessment. If dual path communication is used, no IP/carrier reliability data is required. 

Question: Are Class B circuits acceptable? 

Answer: Yes, if they are compliant with NFPA 72 and the listing/engineering of the specific system. 

Question: What is the maximum travel distabce to an exit permitted?

Answer: The Chaffee County Fire Prevention division expects the architect/engineers to determine this without issue. 

Question: For an M occupancy, are key/thumb locks permitted? Signage would indicate that doors are to remain unlocked during business hours. 

Answer: Yes, but for MAIN exterior doors and so long as the signage requirement of IBC 1010 is provided. "Main" means the front entrance doors. Other doors must comply with single motion unlatching requirements of IFC section 1010.2.1. 

Question: Do exit signs need to be self-illuminating? Should they be red or green? 

Answer: If exit signs are are photoluminescent or self-illuminating, this is permitted when listed according to UL 924, and this listing information must be provided. Exit signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Color is not specified by local standards. 

Question: Is battery powered emergency lighting acceptable?

Answer: Generally yes. 

Question: Are delayed egress locks permitted as allowed in the building code? The alarm system will be connected to all devices and override the time delay upon activation of the sprinkler system. 

Answer: Yes when all the requirements of IFC 1010.2.13.1 are met, which includes 15 second delay, signage, emergency lighting at door, unlock on fire alarm/sprinkler activation or power loss, UL 294 listing, path limits on number of delayed doors. 

Question: Will a temporary certificate of occupancy be granted to allow for installation and merchandise once fire protection systems and means of egress systems are operational? 

Answer: You can install merchandise under these conditions. No formal temporary CO is needed unless you prefer to have that documentation for some reason. We typically give one formal CO after merchandise pads are installed so we can assess aisle width and egress. We want to give this formal CO before you open for business. 

Question: Will a permit be required for high piled combustible storage? 

Answer: We do not have a formal construction or operating permit process for high piled combustible storage, however, if you plan to store pallets, piles, or rack storage over 12 feet high in an area over 500 sf  including required aisles, then you need to show the storage in your plan drawings along with the materials intended to be stored. We do not have a formal operating permit process, but if a regular annual inspection reveals high piled combustible storage that went undisclosed during the plan review, then retrofit fire safety systems or building modifications may be required per Table 3206.2. 

Question: When do my high Piled Combustible Storage Shelving or Racks Require a Fire Safety System? 

Answer: Shelf storage is hand loaded, less than 30 inches deep. Rack storage is machine loaded and deeper than 30 inches. IFC 3207 governs shelf storage. If  greater than 12 feet in height but less than 15 feet in height it shall be in accordance with the fire protection requirements set forth in NFPA 13. Shelf Storage 15 feet or more in height must follow the requirements of rack storage.  

For most commodity class items (class I-IV) the rack storage requirements are as follows. 

1. Square Footage: 0-500 sf (note this area includes aisles per IFC 3206.3.1)

No automatic fire extinguishing system is required.

No fire detection system is required.

No fire department access doors required. 

No smoke and heat removal required. 

2. Square Footage 501-2,500 sf

No automatic fire extinguishing system required. 

Yes, a fire detection ystem is required. 

No fire department access doors are required. 

No smoke and heat removal is required. 

3. Square Footage: 2,501-12,000 & open to the public. 

Yes, automatic fire extingiushing system is required. 

No fire detection system required.

No fire department access doors required.

No smoke and heat removal required.

4. Square Footage: 2,501-12,000 & Not open to the public (option 1) 

Yes, automatic fire extinguishing system is required.

No fire detection system is required.

No fire department access doors required.

No smoke and heat removal required.

5. Square footage 2,501-12,000 & Not open to the public (option 2)

No automatic fire extingiushing system required.

Yes, fire detection system required.

Yes, fire department access doors required. 

Yes, smoke and heat removal system required. 

Note, when a sprinkler system is required to be installed, the shelving must meet the flue space requirements dictated by IFC table 3208.3. 

Additionally, when the height thresholds of NFPA 13 are met (extra high storage), and/or solid rack shelving exceeding 20 sf (e.g. plywood shelving) between flue spaces are installed, in-rack sprinkler systems must be installed per NFPA 13, as required by IFC 3208.5.1 & 3208.2.2. 

Question: When do my high piled combustible storage piles or pallets require installation of a fire safety system? 

Answer: See the requirements directly above for rack storage, the same requirements apply. In addition, to the requirements above the following applies for most commodity classifications (I-IV): 

Aisles must be in accordance with IFC 3206.10, and piles shall be separated by aisles. Total square footage includes aisles. 

1. Total Square Footage 0-500 sf 

No maximum pile dimensions

No maximum permissible storage height

No maximum pile volume 

2. Total Square Footage 501-2,500 sf

Maximum pile dimension is 120 sf

Maximum permissible storage height is 40 ft 

Maximum pile volume is 100,000 cf

3. Total Square Footage 2501-12,000 open to the public

Maximum pile dimension is 120 sf

Maximum permissible storage height is 40 ft 

Maximum pile volume is 400,000 cf

4. Total Square Footage 2,501-12,000 not open to the public (option 1) 

Maximum pile dimension is 120 sf

Maximum permissible storage height is 40 ft 

Maximum pile volume is 400,000 cf

5. Total Square Footage 2,501-12,000 not open to the public (option 2) 

Maximum pile dimension is 120 sf

Maximum permissible storage height is 30 ft (over 30 ft has to use option 1)

Maximum pile volume is 200,000 cf

Question: Will a permit for hazardous materials storage be required?

Answer: We do not have a formal operating permit process for hazardous materials. However, if the quantity of material meets the threshold requirement of IFC Table 105.5.22, then the material must be disclosed during plan review, or else building modifications or fire safety system retrofits may be required upon later discovery of the hazardous materials. 

Question: Will a permit be required for compressed gases? 

 Question: Will a permit be required for flammabel liquids? 

Question: Will a permit be requiredfor aerosol storage and handling? 

Question: What is your AHJ policy on ERRCS? 

Answer: To our knowledge, no structure in Chaffee County has needed an ERRCS system. Our practice is to walk the structure during a C of O and test our radios. If there are any issues, a retrofit ERRCS system will be required. This has not happened before. No ERRCS plans or testing need to be submitted during plan review unless specially requested by our division.