Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 8.16 Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems

The purpose of this chapter is to specify when automatic fire-extinguishing systems are required and the requirements pertaining to their design, installation, maintenance and operation. (Prior code § 4550) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

A. All automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be required and installed in accordance with the requirements set forth in the most recently adopted edition of the California Building Code ("CBC") and the California Fire Code ("CFC") as published by the International Conference of Building Officials (I.C.B.O.), Whittier, California.

B. Exception.

1. The standard shall be the appropriate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) pamphlet and shall be the edition that corresponds with the most recently adopted CBC and CFC. (Prior code § 4551) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

All automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be approved by the building department and the fire department and shall be subject to such periodic tests as may be required by the authority having jurisdiction. The location of all fire department hose connections shall be approved by the fire department. (Prior code § 4552) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

For the purpose of this chapter "Automatic fire-extinguishing system" means an approved system of devices and equipment which automatically detects a fire and discharges an approved fire-extinguishing agent onto or in the area of a fire. (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as abrogating stricter requirements for automatic fire-extinguishing systems where required by the CBC or the CFC. (Prior code § 4560) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

A. Automatic fire-extinguishing system plans, installation, inspection, testing and maintenance shall comply with the applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) pamphlets.

B. Automatic fire-extinguishing system plan checks shall be completed and approved prior to any framing inspection.

C. A pressure test shall be conducted prior to covering the automatic fire-extinguishing system with any material, e.g., insulation, dry wall, etc. (Prior code § 4562) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

The installing contractor shall provide the owner with:

A. Instruction charts describing the operation and proper maintenance of the sprinkler devices;

B. A current publication of NFPA 13A, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems. (Prior code § 4563) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or fail to comply therewith, or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order made thereunder, or who shall build in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder or any certificate or permit issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken or who shall fail to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the city attorney or by a court of competent jurisdiction, within the time fixed herein, shall severally for each and every such violation and noncompliance respectively be guilty of a misdemeanor or infraction as charged by the city attorney, punishable by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue, and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time, and when not otherwise specified, each ten days that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense. (Prior code § 4564) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)

If any portion of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. (Prior code § 4565) (Ord. 2011-06, § 2 (part), 2011)