Public Safety, Fire Marshal

Rule R710-11

Fire Alarm System Inspecting and Testing

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 33880
Filed: 08/02/2010 10:38:48 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of the rule change is to update an incorporated reference. It is proposed to update the 2006 edition of the International Fire Code to the 2009 edition as enacted and amended by the Utah State Legislature in the State Fire Code Adoption Act.

Summary of the rule or change:

It is proposed in Subsection R710-11-1(1.2) that the 2006 edition of the International Fire Code be updated to the 2009 edition and be incorporated by reference. In Subsection R710-11-6(6.4), it is proposed to rewrite the section on the requirement to place fire alarms in existing buildings by deleting the entire section and rewriting what is proposed in the rule. This is following the same exact adoption by the Utah State Legislature in the State Fire Code Adoption Act.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 53-7-225.6

This rule or change incorporates by reference the following material:

• Updatess: International Fire Code, 03/01/2010 2009

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There would be an aggregate anticipated cost of approximately $1,000 to purchase the needed copies of the 2009 International Fire Code for state usage.

local governments:

The aggregate anticipated cost to local government would be approximately $68 per International Fire Code. There would be approximately 200 fire departments that would purchase a 2009 International Fire Code totaling approximately $14,000. Some might purchase more than one book but that number is unknown.

small businesses:

There would be no aggregate anticipated cost or savings to small businesses because small businesses rarely, if ever, purchase a regulatory code.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There would be no other persons affected by these proposed amendments. Those affected would be those in government that would use the code.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The only compliance cost for affected persons would be the purchase of the newly adopted 2009 International Fire Code which would be by those in government that would be using the standard as a regulatory reference.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There is no fiscal impact on business for the implementation of these proposed rule changes. The only fiscal impact would be to government agencies to purchase the newly adopted 2009 International Fire Code.

D. Lance Davenport, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Public Safety
Fire Marshal
5272 S COLLEGE DR
MURRAY, UT 84123-2611

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Brent Halladay at the above address, by phone at 801-284-6352, by FAX at 801-284-6351, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

09/14/2010

This rule may become effective on:

09/21/2010

Authorized by:

Ron Morris, Utah State Fire Marshal

R710. Public Safety, Fire Marshal.

R710-11. Fire Alarm System Inspecting and Testing.

R710-11-1. Adoption, Title, Purpose, and Prohibitions.

Pursuant to Section 53-7-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953, the Utah Fire Prevention Board adopts minimum rules to provide regulation to those who inspect and test fire alarm systems.

There is adopted as part of these rules the following codes which are incorporated by reference:

1.1 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 2007 edition, except as amended by provisions listed in R710-11-6, et seq.

1.2 International Fire Code (IFC), [2006]2009 edition, excluding appendices, as published by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC), [except as amended by provisions listed in R710-11-6, et seq]and as enacted and amended by the Utah State Legislature in Sections 102 and 201 of the State Fire Code Adoption Act.

1.3 A copy of the above-mentioned standard is on file in the Office of Administrative Rules and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

 

R710-11-2. Definitions.

2.1 "Annual" means a period of one year or 365 calendar days.

2.2 "Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) means the State Fire Marshal, his duly authorized deputies, the local fire enforcement authority, and building officials.

2.3 "Board" means Utah Fire Prevention Board.

2.4 "Certificates of Registration" means a written document issued by the SFM to any person for the purpose of granting permission to such person to perform any act or acts for which authorization is required.

2.5 "Inspecting and Testing" means work completed to ensure that the system operates properly as required in Section 1.2 of these rules.

2.6 "IFC" means International Fire Code.

2.[6]7 "NFPA" means National Fire Protection Association.

2.[7]8 "NICET" means National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.

2.[8]9 "SFM" means State Fire Marshal or authorized deputy.

2.[9]10 "Service" means inspecting and testing of fire alarm systems.

2.[10]11 "UCA" means Utah State Code Annotated 1953 as amended.

 

R710-11-6. Amendments and Additions.

6.1 Service.

At the time of service, all servicing shall be done in accordance with the adopted NFPA standard, adopted statutes, and these rules.

6.2 Frequency.

Fire alarm systems shall be inspected annually by a person holding the appropriate certificate of registration as required in Section 3.1 of these rules.

6.3 New Systems.

Newly installed fire alarm systems are exempt from the annual testing requirement required in Section 6.2 of these rules, for one year from the approval date of the initial installation acceptance testing.

6.4 [Retroactive Installation of Automatic Fire Alarm Systems.]International Fire Code

6.4.1 IFC, Chapter 9, Section[s 907.3.1.1, 907.3.1.2, 907.3.1.3, 907.3.1.4, 907.3.1.5, 907.3.1.6, 907.3.1.7, and 907.3.1.8 are deleted] 907.3, Where required in existing buildings and structures, is deleted and rewritten as follows: "An approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72. Devices, combinations of devices, appliances, and equipment shall be approved. The automatic fire detectors shall be smoke detectors, except an approved alternative type of detector shall be installed in spaces such as boiler rooms where, during normal operation, products of combustion are present in sufficient quantity to actuate a smoke detector".

6.4.2 IFC, Chapter 46, Section 4603.6, Fire alarm systems, are deleted and rewritten as follows: "An approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72. Devices, combinations of devices, appliances, and equipment shall be approved. The automatic fire detectors shall be smoke detectors, except an approved alternative type of detector shall be installed in spaces such as boiler rooms where, during normal operation, products of combustion are present in sufficient quantity to actuate a smoke detector".

6.5 National Fire Protection Association

6.5.1 NFPA 72, Chapter 2, Section 2.2 is amended to add the following NFPA standard: NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, 2007 edition.

6.5.2 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.3.2.2(2) is deleted and rewritten as follows: National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) fire alarm level II certified personnel.

6.5.3 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.3.3(2) is deleted and rewritten as follows: National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) fire alarm level II certified personnel.

6.5.4 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.4.3.7.2 is amended to add the following sentence: When approved by the AHJ, the audible notification appliances may be deactivated during the investigation mode to prevent unauthorized reentry into the building.

6.5.5 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.4.5 is deleted and rewritten as follows: Automatic smoke detection shall be provided at the location of each fire alarm control unit(s), notification appliance circuit power extenders, and supervising station transmitting equipment to provide notification of fire at the location.

6.5.5.1 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.4.5, Exception No. 1: When ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection, automatic heat detection shall be permitted.

6.5.6 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.5.2.1, RECORD OF COMPLETION, or equivalent form approved by the SFM shall be used as the accepted forms for testing and inspecting fire alarm systems.

6.5.7 NFPA 72, Chapter 6, Section 6.8.5.9 is amended to add the following section: 6.8.5.9.3 Automatic fire pumps shall be supervised in accordance with NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, and the AHJ.

6.5.8 NFPA 72, Chapter 7, Section 7.4.1.2 is amended as follows: On line three delete "110dBA" and replace it with "120dBA".

6.5.9 NFPA 72, Chapter 8, Section 8.3.4.7 is amended as follows: On line two, after the word "notified" insert the words "without delay".

6.5.10 NFPA 72, Chapter 10, Section 10.2.2.5.1 is deleted and rewritten as follows: Service personnel shall be qualified and experienced in the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems. Qualified personnel shall meet the certification requirements stated in Utah Administrative Code, R710-11-3, Fire Alarm System Inspecting and Testing.

 

KEY: fire alarm systems

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [May 23, 2008]September 21, 2010

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53-7-204