J.1 Fire Protection - Applicability
J.2 General Policy
J.3 Fire Protection Submission Guidelines
J.4 Fire Protection Engineering Analysis
J.5 Types of Construction (IBC)
J.6 Fire-Resistant Materials and Construction (IBC)J.7 Fire and Smoke Dampers (NFPA 90A)
J.8 Interior Finishes (NFPA 101^®)
J.9 Fire Protection Suppression Systems)
J.10 Other Suppression Systems
J.11 Fire Pumps (NFPA 20)
J.12 Fire Department Key Box
J.13 Fire Department Access (IBC)
J.14 Fire Protective Signaling Systems (NFPA 72)
J.15 Duct Smoke Detection (NFPA 90A)
J.16 Fire Extinguishers (NFPA 10)
J.17 Means of Egress (NFPA 101^®)
J.18 Roof Coverings (IBC)
J.19 Roof Deck Assemblies (IBC)
J.20 Fire Protection Emergency Power Requirements (IBC, NFPA 20, 72, and 101^®)
J.21 Elevator Fire Protection (ANSI A17.1, NFPA 13 and 72)
J.22 Smoke Control Systems (IBC)

J.1 Fire Protection - Applicability

This reference Design Policy and Guidelines section contains general fire protection requirements for new construction at NIH facilities. Modifications, renovations, and alterations of existing NIH facilities shall be accomplished as nearly as practicable with the requirements for new construction except as provided in this section. Only the altered, renovated, or modernized portion of an existing building, system, or individual component shall be required to meet provisions applicable to new construction, unless otherwise required in this document.

Additional requirements for individual occupancies can be obtained in the Biomedical Research Laboratories and Animal Research Facilities volumes of the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines. Additional requirements specific to the Clinical Research Center complex are in the Clinical Research Center Design Policy and Guidelines, available from the NIH Project Officer.

J.1.1 Modifications, Renovations, and Alterations Over 25 Percent: If the cost of modifications, renovations, and alterations, as described in the International Building Code (IBC) (Existing Structures chapter) is over 25 percent of the physical value of the building, by consensus of the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee, it shall be determined to what degree the portions so altered or repaired shall be made to conform to the requirements for new buildings.

J.1.2 Modifications, Renovations, and Alterations Under 25 Percent: If the cost of modifications, renovations, and alterations, as described in the IBC (Existing Structures chapter), is under 25 percent of the physical value of the building, by consensus of the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee, restoration of the building to its condition previous to damage or deterioration shall be permitted with the same kind of materials as those of which the building was constructed, provided that such construction does not endanger the general safety and public welfare and complies with other provisions of the IBC.

J.1.3 Modifications, Renovations, and Alterations: If the alteration, renovation, or modernization adversely impacts required life safety features, additional upgrading shall be required. Existing life safety features that do not meet the requirements for new buildings, but exceed the requirements for existing buildings, shall not be diminished. Any changes in use group or increase of building volume shall be considered new construction, and requirements of current codes shall be applied to the extent practical. Additional requirements for individual occupancies can be found in NIH Design Policy and Guidelines volumes: Clinical Center, Biomedical Research Laboratories, and Animal Research Facilities.

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J.2 General Policy

Fire protection design shall follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) National Fire Codes (NFC) and the IBC, unless specifically altered or amended in this document. When a conflict between the various code requirements exists, the most stringent/conservative standard shall apply. All portions of the NFPA NFC shall be followed including appendices, recommended practices, interim amendments, and formal interpretations. All NFPA NFC wording using the word “should” shall be interpreted as “shall” (i.e., must be followed). Any departure from NFPA NFC or IBC requirements must be clearly delineated in the architect/engineer’s (A/E) “Fire Protection Engineering Analysis,” if required (see requirement noted below), or other project correspondence, along with justification of the departure. The most recent published code or standard, in place at the date of the design “notice to proceed” (NTP), shall be used by the design team. The NIH redesign policy is based on a project having only a 1 year shelf life. Any project that has been shelved or inactive for 1 year or more must go through a review process to ensure compliance with the latest published codes and standards.

J.2.1 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): The NIH Fire Prevention Section (FPS) is the AHJ defined in the NFPA and IBC requirements.

J.2.2 Listed Equipment and Materials: All fire protection devices, equipment, and materials shall be listed for the intended use. Listed shall mean equipment and materials that are identified in the Factory Mutual Research (FM) Approval Guide and/or the various directories of Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Testing by another nationally recognized laboratory may be approved by the NIH FPS on a case-by-case basis.

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J.3 Fire Protection Submission Guidelines

A/Es shall provide language in the contract documents to reference the use of the Fire Protection Submission Guidelines for all fire protection system(s). These Guidelines contain the submission requirements for design and construction submissions as well as required construction submittals and inspections.

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J.4 Fire Protection Engineering Analysis

All designs for new structures (including designs for new wing additions or other additions to existing structures that modify the height and area or change the use group) and modifications, renovations, and alterations that include the addition or modification of fire protection systems or egress components shall have a “Fire Protection Engineering Analysis” performed by a registered Fire Protection Engineer at the concept and final design phase. A registered Fire Protection Engineer shall be defined as a Professional Engineer with expertise in the field of Fire Protection Engineering as demonstrated by passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors “Principals and Practice Examination” in the discipline of Fire Protection Engineering. A Fire Protection Engineering Analysis shall contain the following key features:

• An overview of all active and passive fire protection for the proposed facility.
• A list of all fire protection features required by the codes or standards referenced above. All fire protection and life safety features shall be suitably integrated.
• Type of construction.
• Classification of occupancy.
• Analysis of fire resistance ratings required by hazardous materials in excess of the exempt amounts identified in the IBC.
• Fire-resistance rating of all structural components (floors, columns, and bearing walls, exterior walls, and roof), clearly specifying the applicable industry design guide and/or UL designation (alphanumeric or otherwise) for the protection scheme for each component.
• Location of all fire-rated assemblies used for the enclosure of all stairs/shafts/openings and/or the separation of fire areas and the fire-rated components (doors, dampers) necessary to protect openings in these barriers. Indicate the hourly rating of these barriers and the components protecting openings, clearly specifying the applicable industry design guide and/or UL designation (alphanumeric or otherwise) for each barrier.
• Location of all smoke barriers and the smoke-rated components (doors, dampers) necessary to protect openings in these barriers, clearly specifying the applicable industry design guide and/or UL designation (alphanumeric or otherwise) for each smoke-rated component.
• Building separation or exposure protection. Include temporary construction separation protection required by NFPA 241 requirements.
• Fire protection criteria references.
• Occupant load and exit calculations based on NFPA 101^® Life Safety Code^® (LSC^® ) requirements. Include analysis of existing exit requirements during construction.
• Automatic extinguishing systems, including the identification of sprinkler-protected areas and areas protected by other automatic suppression means.
• Manual extinguishing equipment, including type and size of equipment and areas of coverage.
• Fire standpipe system, including hose valve size and thread type and areas of coverage.
• Water supply analysis to determine system requirements and adequacy of the present water supply. This analysis shall determine the need for a fire pump assembly. The water supply data shall be obtained by the A/E design team via fire hydrant flow tests. (Flow test results should be transmitted to the FPS for concurrence before use in the design process.)
• Describe Fire Department (FD) access, including location of FD key box, roof access, distance of fire hydrants from the structure, distance of each side of the structure from the street, distance of fire-standpipe and/or sprinkler connections from the road, and distance of fire-standpipe and/or sprinkler connections from the closest fire hydrant.
• Automatic detection/fire alarm system, including the identification of detection requirements, zoning arrangements, elevator control system interconnection, and evacuation alarm description.

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J.5 Types of Construction (IBC)

The construction classifications required by the IBC shall be followed, based on occupancy, building height, building area, and other factors, as identified in the IBC.

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J.6 Fire-Resistant Materials and Construction (IBC)

The IBC “Through-Penetration System” section is amended by the following additions: All new and existing fire-rated barriers exposed or penetrated during construction (includes firerated walls, floors, and ceiling/roof assemblies) shall be firestopped with an approved and listed material. All existing unsealed (or improperly sealed) penetrations shall be shown on the contract drawings, and the quantity and sizes shall be noted for repair. Firestopping material product data and installation details shall be submitted in accordance with the Submission Guidelines. The firestopping system shall maintain the required fire rating (designed or original) of the fire-resistive barrier.

All boiler rooms and furnace rooms shall be separated from adjacent construction by minimum 1 hour fire-rated construction.

The IBC reduction of shaft fire ratings in high-rise buildings with use of in-shaft sprinklers is not permitted.

Main campus facilities with quantities of hazardous materials in excess of the exempt amounts identified in the IBC “Hazardous Materials” section shall require coordination with the NIH Fire Prevention Section so that a facility-specific hazardous material plan can be developed in conjunction with ORF and the users. Off-campus facilities with quantities of hazardous materials in excess of the exempt amounts identified in the IBC “Hazardous Materials” section shall be provided with fire-rated separations as required by the IBC “Hazardous Materials” section in order to divide the building such that exempt amounts of “Hazardous Materials” are not exceeded.

Spray-applied fireproofing shall be a cementitious type or a gypsum-based product only. Friable mineral fiber or mineral wool-type fireproofing is not permitted.

All temporary interior construction barriers shall be constructed of noncombustible or fireretardant treated materials. All plastic sheeting shall be fire-retardant type per NFPA 241. Temporary openings in required 2 hour fire-rated wall, shaft, and floor assemblies shall be protected by 2 hour fire-rated temporary interior construction barriers. Temporary fire-rated construction barriers shall be constructed when required by NFPA 241.

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J.7 Fire and Smoke Dampers (NFPA 90A)

Fire Dampers shall be installed in locations where required by the IBC. The IBC requirements shall be modified to allow the omission of fire dampers in 1 hour-or-less firerated walls and shall be extended to all on-campus buildings, which are not classified as Use Group H, regardless of sprinkler protection.

Fire dampers shall not be provided in any grease removal exhaust system per NFPA 96. Provide alternative protection consisting of independent risers in a fire-rated shaft (vertically and horizontally). Provide cleanouts per NFPA 96.

Fire dampers shall not be provided in any laboratory fume removal exhaust system or in laboratory hoods per NFPA 45. Alternative protection of the fire-rated assembly shall be provided by means of one of the following:

• Independent risers from each floor in a fire rated shaft or
• Steel subducts at least 559 mm (22 inches) vertically in length shall be used at each branch duct connection of exhaust risers in which the airflow moves upward and the riser is appropriately sized to accommodate the flow resistance created by the sub-duct.

Fire dampers shall be provided in all other duct openings of all rated vertical shafts. Transfer grills in fire-resistive partitions of 1 hour or greater shall be protected by fire dampers. Fire dampers shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). Fire dampers shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of its listing.

Duct penetrations in required smoke-resistive barriers shall be protected by smoke dampers, unless other code-permitted exceptions exist. Smoke dampers shall be controlled as required by NFPA 90A. Access shall be provided to each fire and/or smoke damper for maintenance purposes. All fire and smoke damper installations shall be in strict accordance with the UL listing.

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J.8 Interior Finishes (NFPA 101®)

All interior wall and ceiling finishes in exit enclosures shall be Class “A,” with a flame spread rating of 0-25. The smoke-developed rating shall be 0-450 for walls and ceilings. All interior floor finishes in the exit access corridors and in the stairwells shall be Class I (minimum critical radiant flux of 0.45 W/cm²).

Sound-attenuation materials within wall cavities shall have a flame-spread rating of 0-75 and a smoke-developed rating of 0-450.

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J.9 Fire Protection Suppression Systems)

J.9.1 Automatic Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 13): All new occupied facilities and/or additions over 185 m² shall be sprinklered for compliance with the Federal Fire Safety Act of 1992.

Major modifications, renovations, and alterations (as defined in the Modifications, Renovations, and Alterations Over 25 Percent paragraph) of an unsprinklered building shall include the provision of sprinklers in the renovated areas with provision of blanked-off connections of suitable size to provide future sprinkler protection in other areas of the facility.

Smaller modifications, renovations, and alterations (as defined in the Modifications, Renovations, and Alterations Under 25 Percent paragraph) shall, whenever feasible, include the provision of capped-off sprinkler piping in the renovated areas to facilitate the future provision of sprinklers throughout the facility in order to implement NIH policy to provide sprinkler protection in all occupied facilities. The capped-off sprinkler piping shall be sized in accordance with the ordinary hazard pipe schedule method described in NFPA 13.

All sprinkler system designs shall meet, at a minimum, NFPA 13 Ordinary Group I spacing and hydraulic requirements. In office buildings that do not contain mixed use laboratories, light hazard occupancies group spacing and hydraulic requirements can be provided with approval by consensus of the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee. NIH campus buildings that currently have this designation include Buildings 1, 2, 31, 38A, and 45.

Wet pipe sprinklers shall be used, except in areas subject to temperatures below 4 °C. The minimum slope toward the main drain of the system branch lines shall be 4 mm/m. The minimum slope toward the main drain of the system mains shall be 2 mm/m. The maximum number of dry pendant or dry sidewall sprinklers shall be limited to 25 sprinklers per system.

All exterior sprinkler supply mains shall be adequately protected from freezing by proper burial depths in accordance with NFPA 24. Sprinkler piping exposed to freezing temperatures shall be part of a dry pipe system or, in instances such as a sprinkler in a building canopy, dry pendant heads may be used on a wet system. Heat trace tape is not permitted.

Sprinkler locations shall not be shown on the contract drawings, with the exception of special design areas (e.g., water curtains, aesthetically sensitive areas). Sprinkler locations at special design areas, if shown, shall be designed by a registered Fire Protection Engineer (see Fire Protection Engineering Analysis paragraph) or a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Level III or IV sprinkler designer. Where sprinklers are shown, provide the following statement noted on each drawing: “Sprinkler locations have been shown for suggested and illustrative purposes only. Final sprinkler locations shall be coordinated in the field based on NFPA 13 spacing requirements. Sprinkler system shop drawings shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with NFPA 13 spacing requirements.”

Sprinklers shall not be provided in elevator hoistways. See Elevator Fire Protection paragraph for additional requirements.

The sprinkler pipe shall be Schedule 40 black steel or galvanized, except for installations where nonferrous materials are required. Schedule 5, Schedule 10, “lightwall” designated, or plastic sprinkler pipe is not permitted.

Sprinkler system fittings shall meet the following requirements: Fittings into which sprinklers and sprinkler riser nipples are threaded shall be welded, threaded, or grooved-end type. Plain-end fittings with mechanical couplings and fittings that use steel gripping devices to bite into the pipe when pressure is applied are not permitted. Rubber-gasketed groovedend pipe and fittings with mechanical couplings shall be permitted in pipe sizes 40.0 mm and larger. Fittings, mechanical couplings, and rubber gaskets shall be supplied by the same manufacturer in accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions. Fittings shall be malleable iron, banded-type, or cast ferritic ductile iron with threaded ends or cut grooved with malleable iron or ductile iron fittings or standard seamless steel with buttwelded ends or forged steel with flanged ends. Copper tube shall be joined with brazed wrought copper fittings. Dielectric transitions shall be used as necessary in areas where ferrous piping cannot be used. Where pendant sprinklers are installed on exposed piping (in areas with concrete ceilings), tee and elbows to which sprinklers are connected shall have 1 inch outlets and shall be provided with 25 mm (1 inch) by 12 mm (0.5 inch) hexagon reducing bushings to permit connection of 25 mm (1 inch) drop nipples in the future.

All concealed sprinkler piping and sprinkler piping in the stairwells, storage rooms, mechanical rooms, and utility rooms shall be painted red enamel. All other exposed sprinkler piping (outside the stairwells) shall be painted to match the existing ceiling, and red enamel bands 0.1 m wide shall be painted at 3.0 m intervals. In aesthetically sensitive areas, exposed sprinkler piping shall be painted to match the existing ceiling without red enamel bands. Valves, inspector test assemblies, low-point drains, and auxiliary drains shall be provided with red enamel bands.

Sprinkler system isolation valves shall be located a minimum of 1.8 m and a maximum of 2.3 m above the floor. Where applicable, sprinkler system connections to the riser shall be positioned 90 degrees apart from any standpipe connections sharing the same riser. Where system isolation and/or drain valves are located above “hard ceilings,” a minimum 0.46 m by 0.46 m access hatch shall be provided.

All new sprinkler systems shall have a central drain riser adjacent to the system riser, which shall be fully accessible to maintenance and safety personnel. With the exception of lowpoint and auxiliary drains, all new system drain risers shall be hard-piped to an approved exterior location or to a safe location inside the building which shall accept full water flow without causing property damage or a safety hazard.

Inspector’s test locations shall be provided to test the hydraulically most remote point in each system. These inspector’s test drains shall also be piped as described above. Listed combination test/drain assemblies are permitted.

Quick-response sprinklers are to be used throughout all NIH facilities, but standardresponse sprinklers shall be used in autoclave areas, electrical switchgear rooms, transformer rooms, electrical closets, freezers, cold rooms, and mechanical rooms.

Sprinkler temperature rating shall be between 68 and 80 °C for all NIH facilities/occupancies except for the following: (1) sprinklers designed for 93 °C shall be used in electric closets, and (2) high-temperature sprinklers rated at 141 °C with sprinkler head guards shall be used in autoclave areas, mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, electrical switchgear and transformer rooms, and any other areas in which high temperatures will routinely be experienced.

Because of performance issues, flow control (on/off) sprinklers shall not be used on NIH projects at this time.

All sprinklers shall be installed at least 460 mm from any air devices.

In areas with ceilings designed for water washdown, gasketed concealed sprinklers shall be provided. In areas that also have a pressure differential at the ceiling, which can affect the operation characteristics of the concealed sprinklers, the gasketed concealed sprinklers shall be specifically listed for use in ceilings with pressure differentials.

Installation of a backflow preventer on the sprinkler supply main, below the system isolation valve(s), is required for all new sprinkler installations. The backflow preventer shall be selected to minimize friction loss through the device.

J.9.1.1 Sprinkler Clearances: Sprinkler clearances to obstructions, including shelving, shall be in accordance with NFPA 13 spacing requirements. See General Design Guidelines, Section: Architecture, for shelving construction requirements. See Figure J.9.1.1, Wall-Mounted and Peninsula Shelving Height Policy, for additional sprinkler clearance requirements.

Figure J.9.1.1 Wall-Mounted and Peninsula Shelving Height Policy
Sprinkler Head Clearance to Shelving

* Note: Per NFPA 13, the 460 mm (18 in) dimension is not intended to limit the height of shelving on a wall or shelving against a wall. Where shelving is installed on a wall and not directly below sprinklers, the shelves, including storage thereon, may extend above the plane located 460 mm (18 in) below ceiling sprinkler deflectors. Shelving, including storage thereon, directly below sprinklers may not extend above a plane located 460 mm (18 in) below the ceiling sprinkler deflectors.

J.9.2 Water Supply Control Valves: (NFPA 24) When a dedicated fire protection service is provided, the isolation valve in the exterior water supply main shall be equipped with a lockable post indicator valve (PIV).

J.9.3 Standpipes: (NFPA 14 and 241) An interior Class I standpipe system is required if the facility has two or more stories above grade or more than one story below grade. An interior Class I standpipe system is required if the travel distance from the primary fire department vehicle access point to any point in the building is 61.0 m or greater. Class II and III standpipe systems are not permitted. Interior Class I standpipe system hose valves shall be
provided in the following locations (IBC and NFPA 14):

• In every required stairway, on each floor level. Intermediate landing locations are not required.
• On each side of horizontal exits.
• In every exit passageway at any entrance from the exit passageway to other areas of a building.
• Provide an additional hose connection inside the roof access stair. Outside roof hose connections are not required.
• The most remote portion of each floor or story shall be within 46.0 m of a fire department hose valve (sprinklered or unsprinklered). The distance shall be measured at right angles in the normal exit access path. The AHJ is authorized to require that additional hose connections be provided in approved locations during the design phase of the project.

Standpipes shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 241 during new construction, demolition, modifications, renovations, and alterations of existing NIH facilities.

No pressure-reducing valves shall be permitted on the standpipe riser or sprinkler system takeoffs.

All system identification signs required by the NFPA codes shall be provided by the contractor, and placement shall be coordinated with the NIH Fire Prevention Section and the appropriate maintenance organization.

J.9.4 Fire Department Connections (NFPA 13 and 14): At least one fire department connection (new building construction) shall be within 30.0 m of a fire hydrant. If any plan dimension of the building is greater than 46.0 m, then a second remote fire department connection shall be provided.

The fire department connections shall be equipped with 2.5 inch National Standard Fire Hose Thread.

Each fire department connection shall be equipped with a fixed weather-resistant information placard that contains the following information: the type of system served and a physical description of the area of coverage.

J.9.5 Fire Hydrants (NFPA 24): All fire hydrants shall be UL listed or Factory Mutual approved and be of the dry barrel type. The hydrants shall have two 2.5 inch hose outlets and one 4.5 inch pumper connection with National Standard Fire Hose Threads in accordance with NFPA 24, Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances, and NFPA 1963, Screw Threads and Gaskets for Fire Hose Connections.

All hydrants shall be installed adjacent to paved areas between 0.9 and 2.1 m from the roadway shoulder or curb line, where they will be readily accessible to fire department apparatus. All hydrants shall be located at least 12.0 m away from the building they are intended to protect. Hydrants shall be installed with not less than a 150.0 mm connection to the supply main and shall be valved at the connection. Roadway valves shall be located between 0.9 and 1.5 m from the hydrant. The installation of all new hydrants shall conform to NFPA 24 except as modified above.

A minimum of two hydrants shall be provided within 150 m of each building. All parts of the building exterior shall be reached by hose lays from at least one fire hydrant of not over 400 m, with consideration given to accessibility and obstructions.

All construction contract drawings shall show the locations of all existing and new hydrants that are intended to protect a new or renovated facility.

Hydrant and standard thrust block details shall be provided.

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J.10 Other Suppression Systems

Antifreeze systems are not permitted.

Preaction suppression systems are permitted on only a case-by-case basis. Coordinate with the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee for selection and use.

Heat trace tape is not permitted.

Alternative agent suppression systems (water mist, Halon replacements) are permitted on only a case-by-case basis. Coordinate with the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee for selection and use.

J.10.1 Commercial Cooking Fire Suppression Systems (NFPA 96): Approved fire suppression systems shall be provided below and within all commercial cooking hood systems and grease removal systems. The fuel/power controls, the exhaust fan controls, and any washdown equipment must be properly interfaced with the fire suppression system. UL-listed cooking area hood assemblies must be provided. Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems or listed water washdown systems shall be provided. Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems are not permitted.

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J.11 Fire Pumps (NFPA 20)

Only electrically driven fire pumps shall be installed and shall be connected to an emergency power system (if available, see Fire Protection Emergency Power Requirements paragraph). The fire pump shall be sized to provide the most hydraulically most demanding sprinkler system. A separate hydraulic calculation for the standpipe risers and bulk mains shall be provided to demonstrate that NFPA 14-required fire hose valve flows can be met from fire apparatus connected to the building’s siamese connection. Assume a mobile fire apparatus supply of 1 500 gpm @ 200 psi.

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J.12 Fire Department Key Box

A fire department-secured key box shall be provided in all new construction for emergency fire department entry. The key box(s) shall be located at the main entrance door of the facility. If any dimension of the building is more than 46.0 m, then additional key box(s) shall be remotely provided. The key shall match other existing secured key boxes (Knox Series 9400).

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J.13 Fire Department Access (IBC)

All new buildings shall have at least two sides readily accessible to fire department apparatus at all times. Access to all fire department connections must be provided.

Fire lanes shall be provided for buildings that will be set back more than 45.0 m from a public road or exceed 9.2 m in height and are set back more than 15 m from a public road.

Fire lanes shall be at least 6.1 m in width, with the road edge closest to the building at least 3.1 m from the building. All fire lanes shall have curbs painted and appropriate signs provided.

The minimum roadway turning radius shall conform to the standard 14.6 m semi-trailer template.

Fire lanes shall be constructed of an all-weather driving surface capable of supporting imposed loads of 27 216 kg. Turf-filled paver blocks are not acceptable as an all-weather driving surface.

Any dead-end road longer than 90.0 m shall be provided with a turnaround at the closed end at least 27.0 m in diameter.

Fire lanes and access areas for fire hydrants and automatic sprinkler/standpipe fire department connections shall be clearly identified by painting adjacent curbing yellow. In addition, signage shall be posted and spaced at 30.0 m intervals and/or at the beginning and end of the no-parking zones.

For roof access, every roof level of a building of two or more stories shall have at least one stairway access.

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J.14 Fire Protective Signaling Systems (NFPA 72)

J.14.1 New Systems: All new occupied facilities and/or additions greater than 185 m² shall be provided with a fire alarm and evacuation system for compliance with the Federal Fire Safety Act of 1992.

Major renovations (e.g., of a wing or a floor) of a building with no fire alarm system shall include the provision of a fire alarm system in the renovated areas with provision of a control panel of suitable size to permit later expansion to other areas of the facility. All installations shall comply with the requirements of IBC, NFPA 101^®, NFPA 70, and NFPA 72 requirements.

New fire alarm control panels shall be installed in the building’s main lobby/entrance, unless approved by the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee and the NIH Fire Department or when a fire command/control room is required by the IBC.

If the fire protective signaling system includes an automatic smoke detection system, other than smoke detection required for elevator fire protection, then an addressable multiplex fire alarm system shall be provided. When an addressable multiplex fire alarm system is modified, the A/E’s design documents shall include system reprogramming, modification of graphic interfaces, and updating of system as-built drawings.

If the facility is considered a “high-rise building” in accordance with IBC, then an addressable multiplex fire alarm system shall be provided. The addressable multiplex shall be capable of transmitting a coded signal over a positive shunt non-interfering campus-wide McCulloh Loop system. The transmitting of the coded signal shall be an integral function of the addressable multiplex panel without the use of additional systems or foreign equipment. All fire alarm codes associated with the building fire alarm system shall be acquired from the NIH Fire Prevention Section.

J.14.1.1 Campus Fire Alarm Tie-In: The NIH campus is currently served with a McCulloh Loop coded fire alarm system. The McCulloh Loop is a four-wire supervised circuit and is powered by 48 V DC that is above ground potential. This characteristic enables the receipt of alarms in the event of a single open or ground fault condition. Coordinate with the NIH for location of tie-in. The connection shall utilize a noninterrupted water-resistant cable with a minimum of eight conductors (i.e., Type TC-XHHW-2, 14 AWG, 600 V, SUN RES DIR BUR or equivalent). Fire alarm designs shall include the connection to the campus loop in accordance with Figure J.14.1.1.

Figure J.14.1.1 Campus Fire Alarm Tie-In Detail

Notes:
1. Shut contacts are to remain open during coding.
2. Coding contacts provide four rounds of code.
3. All contacts rated for 3 A minimum.
4. Coding contacts are shown in the alarmed state.

All off-campus facilities in the Washington metropolitan area shall have a hearing-impaired paging system compatible with existing pagers used in other Washington metropolitan area leased facilities. The existing impaired paging system is the Inter-Page system. Coordinate all fire alarm paging codes associated with the building fire alarm system hearing-impaired paging system with the NIH FPS.

All special-purpose facilities that include animal facilities, health care occupancies, high-rise buildings, windowless structures, tunnels, and vaults shall be equipped with an addressable multiplex fire alarm system, fire department communication stations, and two-way occupant emergency communication. Upon an alarm, the fire alarm speakers are to sound a “slowwhoop” signal, at 90 to 110 dB, for four cycles, followed by a voice evacuation message. Upon completion of the voice message, the slow-whoop shall resound and continue until the fire alarm control panel is reset or the “alarm silence” switch is activated.

When voice communication systems are provided, at least two audio channels shall be provided. The audio channels shall be suitably supervised. Voice paging shall take priority over all automatic messages. The voice communication system shall be equipped with backup amplifier(s) such that the loss of any amplifier shall result in automatic switching to the backup amplifier(s). The system’s amplifier(s) shall be sized to accommodate the activation of all notification appliances. Adjustable volume levels for notification devices is required.

Fire protective signaling systems shall have the following circuit supervision styles (NFPA 72):

• All signaling line circuits (SLC) shall meet Style 6 requirements.
• All panel-to-panel communication SLC circuits shall meet Style 7 requirements.
• All initiating device circuits (IDC) shall meet Style D requirements.
• All notification appliance circuits (NAC) shall meet Style Z requirements.

If the main fire alarm control panel is required to have a backup control unit, the backup control unit must be separated from the primary control unit by 2 hour fire-rated construction.

All fire alarm wiring shall be installed in 19.05 mm (0.75 inch) minimum conduit or electrical metallic tubing (EMT). All fire alarm wiring in damp locations (fire pump and valve rooms, at flow, and tamper switches) shall be installed in liquid-tight flexible metal conduit and liquidtight device boxes. Flexible metal conduit is limited to 1.83 m and shall be secured per National Electrical Code^®. All fire alarm wiring installed underground shall comply with
NFPA 70^®.

All concealed fire alarm conduit and conduit located in stairwells, storage rooms, mechanical rooms, garages, and utility rooms shall be painted red enamel. All other exposed fire alarm conduit (outside the stairwells) shall be painted to match the existing adjacent wall surface, and red enamel bands 0.10 m wide shall be painted at 3.0 m intervals. This painting requirement also applies to the pull boxes, junction boxes, mounting boxes, and extensions. Red enamel bands shall not be painted on the pull boxes, junction boxes, mounting boxes, and extensions.

All fire alarm system notification appliances shall be combination audiovisual appliances, with the exception of conference rooms, rest rooms and operating rooms, which shall be visual-only appliances. Supplementary audiovisual appliances shall visually match and be of the same manufacturer as combination audiovisual appliances. In renovation projects, fire alarm notification appliances shall match existing equipment. Notification appliances shall not be installed in elevator cabs or stairwells. Special hazard areas, such as industrial shops, mechanical rooms, computer rooms, LAN rooms, power plants, and cagewash areas, shall be equipped with additional supplementary audiovisual appliances. Highvoltage rooms shall be equipped with red lenses visual appliances.

General office areas are not to be equipped with smoke detection.

In locations where sprinkler and standpipe connections share a common riser, fire alarm devices (e.g., waterflow and tamper switches) shall be placed so as to minimize the possibility of draining operations spilling water onto the fire alarm devices.

Heat detectors shall be combination fixed-temperature (57.2 °C) and rate-of-rise units. High-temperature areas shall be equipped with appropriate high fixed-temperature heat detectors. Fixed-temperature (57.2 °C) heat detectors shall be provided in areas subject to rapid temperature increases.

The fire alarm wire for 120 V AC circuits shall be #12 AWG, solid copper, TFN insulation.

The fire alarm wire for 24 V DC (or less) circuits shall be #16 AWG, solid copper, TFN insulation or solid copper cable in strict accordance with written equipment manufacturer’s requirements.

The fire alarm field devices (initiating, notification appliance, and interface equipment) shall be shown on the electrical (power or dedicated electrical fire protection) floor plans. All field wiring shall be color-coded and reflected on the system as-built drawings, with the exception of addressable systems, but the wiring shall be labeled as fire alarm wiring.
All fire alarm control panels, remote data-gathering panels, power supply panels, and terminal cabinets shall be equipped with CAT 45 key and lockset.

Battery backup is required on all fire alarm systems. Standby battery requirements shall include 72 hours of standby system supervision, and an additional 30 minutes with all notification appliances activated. In facilities served with an approved secondary power source or emergency generator-powered circuits, provide battery system for 24 hours of standby system supervision and an additional 30 minutes with all notification appliances activated.

Alarm initiation modules for hard-wired (e.g., not multiplex) fire alarm systems shall have an approved zone disconnect switch that permits the entire zone to be disconnected at the control panel without the need to remove wires or install jumpers. Operation of the zone disconnect switch shall cause operation of the system trouble signal on the fire alarm control panel. Smoke detection zones for buildings with hard-wired (e.g., not multiplex) fire alarm systems shall match boundaries of the sprinkler zones on each floor, unless an exception is authorized in writing by the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee. Zoned multiplex (e.g., not addressable) fire alarm systems shall be programmable to take any zone out of service, but activation of this feature shall cause a system trouble signal. Addressable multiplex fire alarm systems shall be programmable to take any device, zone, or circuit(s) out of service, but activation of this feature shall cause a system trouble signal.

All testing of the system shall be performed in accordance with NFPA 72 requirements.

When required by the IBC, a fire command/control room shall be provided. The location and accessibility of the fire command/control room shall be separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 2 hour fire-resistance-rated fire barrier. The room shall be a minimum of 9 m² (96 square feet) with a minimum dimension of 2 438 mm (8 feet). Provide 1 525 mm (5 feet) of clearance in front of all panels and clearance at the top, sides, and back of panels per written equipment manufacturer’s requirements. All IBC Fire Command Center requirements shall be provided with the following additional modifications:

• Shall be located at or near the main lobby entrance approved by FPS, preferably on an outside wall, not located next to or adjacent to boiler, transformer, or hazardous locations.
• Shall be provided with adequate ventilation necessary for removal of the heat generated by equipment.
• Electrical, mechanical, or plumbing equipment, other than directly related to the system, shall not be located in or routed through the fire command/control room including the fire command/control room ceiling plenum.
• Shall be provided phone and LAN connections.
• Room lighting and power outlets shall be on building emergency power with battery backup.

All 120 V AC primary operating power for the fire alarm system shall be obtained from the line side of the building incoming power source ahead of all building services and disconnect switches. An independently fused safety switch with provisions for the cover and operating handle to be locked in the “power on” position shall be provided. This fused safety switch shall be located adjacent to the main electrical distribution panel. This enclosure shall be painted red and shall be labeled by a letter designation.

All fire alarm systems shall be equipped with a 2 minute time delay, such that all “trouble” alarms are transmitted to the NIH Fire Department between 120 and 200 seconds after onset of the trouble condition.

The A/E shall provide a fire alarm riser diagram on the electrical power (contract) drawings with the following information shown:

• All fire alarm-initiating devices (smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, sprinkler water flow switches, control valve tamper switches, and any other supervisory devices).
• All fire alarm-notification appliances (white strobes, red strobes [red strobes to be provided in electrical switchgear rooms only], horns, speakers, and chimes).
• Existing fire alarm control panel; new fire alarm control panel and any remote panels; all conduit and wire (sizes and quantity).
• All interfacing devices (electric door strikes, door hold-open devices, auxiliary relays, and terminal cabinets).

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J.15 Duct Smoke Detection (NFPA 90A)

Duct smoke detectors are not required in on-campus buildings, except in air-handling units that serve health care occupancies per NFPA 101^® requirements. Where duct smoke detectors are installed, they shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 90A and shall be of the photoelectric type, connected to the building fire alarm system, cause a supervisory (not evacuation) alarm condition, and cause shutdown of the associated air handler upon alarm.

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J.16 Fire Extinguishers (NFPA 10)

Fire extinguishers shall have fully recessed cabinets, with the upper edge at 1.37 m above the finished floor. All fire extinguisher cabinets shall be sized to contain a 9.6 L pressurized water extinguisher (Type 2).

Fire extinguisher cabinet doors shall not have locks.

Fire extinguishers shall not be provided in open parking garages.

Where feasible, all fire extinguishers shall be located in the corridors. The maximum travel to an extinguisher shall be 23 m.

If the construction project requires more than 10 fire extinguishers, then the construction project budget shall include the purchase of the portable fire extinguishers. The NIH Fire Department shall specify the type and size of the fire extinguishers.

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J.17 Means of Egress (NFPA 101®)

The design of life safety features shall comply with NFPA 101^®, Life Safety Code^®, requirements. Additionally, the NIH Corridor Utilization Policy shall govern the minimum widths of corridors as well as the provisions for and limitations on storage.

No loading dock exit door shall be utilized as a required egress path because they are subject to locking for security. Any such door shall be adequately posted with a sign reading “NO EXIT.”

In new construction, delayed egress locks are not permitted. Access control locks are permitted only on a case-by-case basis and shall be designed in accordance with NFPA 101^®. Coordinate with the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines Committee for required system interfaces and use.

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J.18 Roof Coverings (IBC)

All roof coverings shall be Class “A” as listed by UL in the UL Building Materials Directory based on UL 790, Test Methods for Fire Resistance of Roof Covering Materials.

J.19 Roof Deck Assemblies (IBC)

All roof deck assemblies shall be Class “1” as listed in the FM Approval Guide and/or as Fire Classified in the UL Building Materials Directory.

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J.20 Fire Protection Emergency Power Requirements (IBC, NFPA 20, 72, and 101®)

The following systems that support life safety in a building shall be provided with an approved secondary power source:

• Exit signage
• Exit lighting (exit access and exit)
• Fire protective signaling system (fire alarm system)

For all new construction and major renovations, the following fire protection and life safety systems shall be connected to the emergency generator-powered circuits.

• Exit signage
• Exit lighting (exit access and exit)
• Fire protective signaling system (fire alarm system)
• Elevator(s) (operate one per bank and transferrable)
• Smoke control system and/or stair pressurization (including controls and fans)
• Electric fire pump
• Electric fire pump controller
• Dry pipe sprinkler system air compressor/air maintenance device
• Fire control room environment (power, lighting, HVAC)
• Elevator shunt trip power feeds

J.20.1 Electrical Receptacles for Fire Department Use: Provide single receptacle NEMA L5-20R, twist-lock, 125 V AC receptacles at each standpipe system connection within stairwells and at 30 m intervals in the exit access corridors at each level for the operation of fire department electrical equipment in the event of an emergency. The receptacles shall be provided with a red cover plate and be suitably identified by the lettered designation “For Fire Department Use Only.”

J.20.2 Self-Luminous Exit Signs: Self-luminous or electroluminescent exit signs are a non-electrical product that uses radioactive tritium (H-3) gas to produce light. Tritium is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as specified in 10 CFR 31.5. The installation of self-luminous exit signs is strictly prohibited at the NIH on any new construction, renovation, or replacement, including the temporary use for marking emergency egress.

The removal, tampering, or disposal of any remaining existing self-luminous exit signs is strictly prohibited. Signs are not to be abandoned, relocated, transferred, or disposed of as construction debris.

Immediately contact the NIH Radiation Safety Branch, (301) 496-5774 or 911, from an inhouse campus phone) to report damaged or broken signs and to receive removal instructions and procedures.

J.21 Elevator Fire Protection (ANSI A17.1, NFPA 13 and 72)

Elevator fire safety arrangements shall meet the latest version of the ASME/ANSI A17.1 Elevator Code and NFPA 13 and 72 and the additional NIH requirements listed below.

The contractor shall provide Phase I Emergency Recall Operation and Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation key switches (which come with the installation of the elevators) for use during construction. After complete installation and before final acceptance by the Government, the contractor shall replace the aforementioned switches by installing Government-furnished Phase I Emergency Recall Operation and Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation key switches. These Government-furnished switches shall be tested by the Government during the final inspection and acceptance testing of the elevators.

J.21.1 Phase 1 Emergency Recall Operation (ANSI A17.1 - 211.3a): A three-position (OFF, ON, and BYPASS) key-operated switch for Phase I Emergency Recall Operation shall be provided at only the primary designated level and alternate level for each single elevator or group of elevators. The key shall be removable in the OFF and ON positions only. The switch shall normally be in the OFF position. Operation of the three positions shall
be as follows:

• OFF position. Restores normal elevator service to the elevator or group of elevators served by the switch.
• ON position. Recalls the elevator or group of elevators served by the switch to the designated or alternate level.
• BYPASS position. Allows the restoration of normal elevator service to all elevators served by the switch, regardless of elevator smoke detector(s) status.

J.21.2 Smoke Detectors (ANSI A17.1 - 211.3b): Smoke detectors (multiple detectors where lobby areas are large enough to require them) shall be provided in each elevator lobby/landing and in all elevator machine rooms (EMR). Smoke detectors shall not be installed at the top of the elevator shaft/hoistway.

The activation of a smoke detector in any elevator lobby/landing, other than the designated level, or in any associated elevator machine room shall cause all cars in the group (common to the machine room or hoistway) to return nonstop to the designated level in conformance with the requirements of ANSI A17.1.

If the smoke detector at the designated level is activated, the operation shall conform to ANSI A17.1 except that the cars shall return nonstop to an alternate level approved by the NIH Fire Prevention Section.

J.21.3 Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation (ANSI A17.1 - 211.3c): A three-position (OFF, ON, and HOLD) key-operated switch for Phase II Emergency Recall Operation shall be provided in all elevator cabs. The key shall be removable in the OFF, ON, and HOLD positions. The switch shall normally be in the OFF position. Operation of the three positions shall be as follows:

• OFF position. Automatically causes the elevator to return to the “designated level” for use by later-arriving firefighters.
• ON position. Permits the firefighter to take control of the elevator, overriding automatic operations.
• HOLD position. Allows the firefighters to remove the key and leave the car without danger of the car being taken to another floor.

The contractor shall provide Phase I Emergency Recall Operation and Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation key switches (which come with the installation of the elevators) for use during construction. After complete installation and before final acceptance by the Government, the contractor shall replace the aforementioned switches by installing Government-furnished Phase I Emergency Recall Operation and Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation key switches. These Government-furnished switches shall be tested by the Government during the final inspection and acceptance testing of the elevators.

J.21.4 Sprinklers in Elevator Machine Rooms (ANSI A17.1 - 102.2): Sprinklers shall be provided in all EMRs in accordance with NFPA 13. Sprinklers shall be rated at 141 °C and be equipped with sprinkler guards. The temperature rating of the sprinklers in the EMR must be higher than that of the heat detectors (57.2 °C). Sprinklers shall not be provided in elevator hoistways.

Fixed-temperature (57.2 °C) heat detectors shall be provided in each EMR. Activation of a heat detector shall cause shunt-trip breaker(s) to disconnect the main line power to the affected elevator. The actuation of heat detector(s) shall cause a “supervisory alarm” on the building’s fire-protective signaling system, if provided. No heat detectors are required in the elevator hoistway. Heat detectors shall be placed within 0.61 m laterally of each sprinkler.

A sprinkler system waterflow switch shall be provided for the EMR sprinklers. It shall not be equipped with a time delay mechanism, and the waterflow switch shall not cause elevator power to shunt trip. Each sprinkler supply line serving EMR sprinklers shall be equipped with an electrically supervised (tamper switch) control valve located immediately outside the EMR.

For buildings with a multiplex/addressable fire alarm system, the interruption of power to the elevator driving machine upon activation of sprinklers in the EMRs shall be accomplished through the fire alarm system software. The elevator shall perform Phase I recall prior to the interruption of power.

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J.22 Smoke Control Systems (IBC)

Smoke control systems, if provided or being renovated, shall have their method of operation and control mechanisms clearly defined in the “Fire Protection Engineering Analysis.” Field control switches shall be provided, with locations coordinated with the NIH Fire Department.