Statutes, codes, and regulations
District Of Columbia Administrative Code
Title 12 - CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2017Subtitle 12-A - BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2017
Chapter 12-A9 - FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Rule 12-A903 - AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A903

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Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 12-A903 - AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Insert new Section 903.3.1.2.3 in the Building Code to read as follows:

903.3.1.2.3

Attics. Attic protection shall be provided as follows:

1. Attics that are used or intended for living purposes or storage shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system.
2. Where fuel- fired equipment is installed in an unsprinklered attic, not fewer than one quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler shall be installed above the equipment.
3. Where located in a building of Type III, Type IV or Type V construction designed in accordance with Section 510.2 or 510.4 of the Building Code, attics not required by Item 1 to have sprinklers shall comply with one of the following if the roof assembly is located more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the lowest level of required fire department vehicle access:
3.1. Provide automatic sprinkler system protection.
3.2. Construct the attic using noncombustible materials.
3.3. Construct the attic using fire-retardant-treated wood complying with Section 2303.2 of the International Building Code.
3.4. Fill the attic with noncombustible insulation. The height of the roof assembly shall be determined by measuring the distance from the lowest required fire vehicle access road surface adjacent to the building to the eave of the highest pitched roof, the intersection of the highest roof to the exterior wall or the top of the highest parapet, whichever yields the greatest distance. For the purpose of this measurement, required fire vehicle access roads shall include only those roads that are necessary for compliance with Section 503.
4. Group R-4, Condition 2 occupancy attics not required by Item 1 to have sprinklers shall comply with one of the following:
4.1. Provide automatic sprinkler system protection.
4.2. Provide a heat detection system throughout the attic that is arranged to activate the building fire alarm system.
4.3. Construct the attic using noncombustible materials.
4.4. Construct the attic using fire-retardant-treated wood complying with Section 2303.2 of the Building Code.
4.5. Fill the attic with noncombustible insulation.

Strike Section 903.4.2 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 903.4.2 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows:

903.4.2

Alarms. An approved audible device, located on the exterior of the building in an approved location, shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in t he system. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system.

Exceptions: An alarm device shall not be required on the exterior of the building when the sprinkler system is monitored by an approved central station, remote supervising station or proprietary supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72.

Insert a new Section 903.4.4 into the Building Code to read as follows:

903.4.4

Where a sprinkler system is looped such that more than one control valve must closed to stop flow from that zone, a sign shall be placed at each control valve indicating the locations of the other control valves for that zone.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A903

Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5679 (5/29/2020)