Fire Sprinklers And Fire Alarm Systems (EFF. 3/18/02)

Questions have been brought forward relating to roles of registrants and non-registered persons in preparing design documents for fire sprinkler, fire alarm, and other code regulated alarm systems.  This substantive policy statement is offered as guidance to persons interpreting Board statutes and rules.

Substantive Policy Statement

A qualified registrant, or any other person, may develop installation drawings for fire sprinkler, fire alarm, and other regulated code alarm systems and submit those drawings to the authority having jurisdiction for review and/or permit as allowed by the authority having jurisdiction.  All layouts prepared in accordance with the criteria specified by a professional registrant are not considered to be professional documents. Installation drawings for sprinkler systems may include selecting pipe sizes by performing hydraulic calculations in accordance with applicable codes and standards.  Preparation of fire alarm installation drawings, include circuiting and voltage drop and battery calculations, in accordance with applicable codes and standards may be done by non-registrants as allowed by the authority having jurisdiction.

For fire sprinkler systems, the following are considered to be professional registrant activities:

Consider the range of hazards of the project;

Prepare hazard analysis; identify the hazard classification of the intended occupancy, including any special hazards;

Determine the applicable codes and standards and appropriate engineering practices;

Ascertain the availability and adequacy of the water supply for the project;

Determine the appropriate design density and area of operation for each hazard area.

For fire alarm and other code regulated alarm systems, the following are considered to be professional registrant activities:

Determine the system type;  

Determine the applicable codes and standards and appropriate engineering practices;

Determine device types and locations;

Prepare generalized riser diagram;

Coordinate and interface with other systems;

Develop system specifications.

Examples of work that may be done by a non-registrant are:

Layout of automatic fire sprinkler systems and their related hydraulic calculations for installation or permit

Filed with the Secretary of State on 3-28-02.

Applicable Laws

Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-101(B)(11).

Arizona Administrative Code, Title 4, Chapter 30 R4-30-302 (B)(4).