2016 BACKFLOW PREVENTION EDUCATION COUNCIL OF

COLORADO REGULATION SEMINAR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

PANEL QUESTIONS NOVEMBER 22, 2016

JEFFERSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

COLORADO RURAL WATER, PUEBLO, CO

UTE WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO

CITY OF DURANGO REC CENTER, DURANGO, CO

EAGLE RIVER WATER, VAIL, CO

BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM EXPECTATIONS

• PANEL DISCUSSION - FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM CHALLENGES AND CONTROL STRATEGIES

• FSS QUALIFICATIONS

• SURVEY RESULTS AND ACTIONS

• FSS CHALLENGES

• REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

PANELISTS

• RITA NEIDERHEISER, SPRINKLER FITTER LOCAL 669, TECHNICAL ADVISOR

• KEVIN TOHILL CWP, CITY OF ARVADA, WATER QUALITY ANALYST

• JORGE DELGADO PE, CDPHE, SENIOR FIELD ENGINEER AND BPCCC SPECIALIST

PANELIST

RITA NEIDERHEISER, SPRINKLER FITTER LOCAL 669

Ms. Neiderheiser is currently a Technical Advisor for Sprinkler Fitter Local 669, where she works on issues related to certification and licensure of sprinkler fitters, public awareness of fire protection systems, water safety and fire sprinkler systems, and residential fire sprinklers. She is a member of the advisory board for the Colorado Division of Fire Safety, the ASSE Cross Connection Control Technical Committee, the NFPA 14 Technical Committee, the NFPA 150 Technical Committee, and Local Union 669 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.

Ms. Neiderhiser has been working in the fire sprinkler trade since 1978. She worked in all phases of installation, maintenance, project management, and inspection and testing during her 38 years as a sprinkler fitter. Rita’s certifications include: NICET III - Design & Layout; NICET III - Inspection & Testing; ASSE Backflow Tester, Repairer, Fire-Sprinkler System Backflow Protection Control Tester, and Surveyor; United Association STAR Certificate of Achievement in Sprinkler Fitting.

PANELIST

KEVIN TOHILL CWP, CITY OF ARVADA

Mr. Tohill has been employed as a Water Quality Analyst with the City of Arvada since 2005. Kevin holds ASSE certification in Backflow Preventer testing, surveying, repair and proctoring. Kevin obtained a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and is also certified in Water Treatment and Distribution Operation.

PANELIST

JORGE DELGADO, PE, COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Mr. Delgado has served as CDPHE's Backflow Prevention and Cross-connection Control Specialist for ten years. Mr. Delgado currently is a Senior Field Engineer with CDPHE where his role allows him the opportunity to perform sanitary surveys at public water systems and compliance evaluation inspections at wastewater systems. Mr. Delgado currently serves as an Ex-Officio Member of the Colorado Plumbing Board. These roles allows Mr. Delgado further insight into the inner workings of BPCCC programs throughout the state. Mr. Delgado graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Colorado State University.

QUESTIONS

• WHAT ARE THE BASIC TYPES OF FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

TYPES OF WATER-BASED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS CAN BE CATEGORIZED INTO FOUR BASIC TYPES: WET PIPE, DRY PIPE, PREACTION AND DELUGE.

• WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

• DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

• PREACTION SYSTEMS

• DELUGE SYSTEMS

WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

WET PIPE SYSTEMS ARE INSTALLED IN AREAS WHERE THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS MAINTAINED AT OR ABOVE 40° F. THESE SYSTEMS HAVE WATER IN THE PIPE AT ALL TIMES. WHEN A SPRINKLER IS ACTIVATED BY HEAT FROM A FIRE, WATER WILL FLOW IMMEDIATELY FROM THE ACTIVATED SPRINKLER.

DRY-PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

DRY-PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ARE USUALLY INSTALLED IN LARGE UNHEATED AREAS, SUCH AS PARKING GARAGES. THESE SYSTEMS HAVE PRESSURIZED AIR OR NITROGEN IN THE PIPE WHICH KEEPS THE DRY PIPE VALVE CLOSED. WHEN A SPRINKLER ACTIVATES THE AIR IS RELEASED ALLOWING THE DRY PIPE VALVE TO OPEN AND FILLING THE SYSTEM WITH WATER.

PREACTION SYSTEMS

PREACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEMS WILL USUALLY BE FOUND IN AREAS WERE WATER OR WATER DAMAGE IS A MAJOR CONCERN, SUCH AS IN LARGE FOOD STORAGE FREEZERS, COMPUTER ROOMS AND IN ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AREAS. THE PIPING IN A PREACTION SYSTEM WILL CONTAIN AIR OR NITROGEN WHICH CAN BE PRESSURIZED OR NON-PRESSURIZED. WATER TO THE SYSTEM IS HELD BACK BY THE PREACTION VALVE, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM. IF A FIRE OCCURS, THE DETECTION SYSTEM WILL SEND A SIGNAL TO OPEN THE PREACTION VALVE WHICH THEN ALLOWS WATER INTO THE SYSTEM’S PIPING.

DELUGE SYSTEMS

DELUGE SYSTEMS ARE INSTALLED IN AREAS SUCH AS AIRCRAFT HANGERS, WERE THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE FIRE CONDITIONS IS LIKELY. ALL THE SPRINKLERS IN A DELUGE SYSTEM ARE OPEN WHICH MEANS THE SYSTEM’S PIPING IS NOT PRESSURIZED. WATER TO THE SYSTEM IS HELD BACK BY THE DELUGE VALVE, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM. IF A FIRE OCCURS, THE DETECTION SYSTEM WILL SEND A SIGNAL TO OPEN THE DELUGE VALVE WHICH THEN ALLOWS WATER TO DISCHARGE FROM ALL OF THE SPRINKLERS ON THE SYSTEM.

MANUAL TYPE WATER- BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS:

STANDPIPE SYSTEMS STANDPIPE SYSTEMS PROVIDE FIRE HOSE CONNECTIONS INSIDE OF A BUILDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF MANUAL FIRE FIGHTING. THESE SYSTEMS MAYBE SUPPLIED FROM THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM OR THEY MAY BE INDIVIDUAL STANDALONE SYSTEMS WITH THEIR OWN SEPARATE WATER SUPPLY. ONE OTHER DESIGN OPTION FOR STANDPIPE SYSTEM IS THAT THE SYSTEM HAS NO PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY BUT RELIES INSTEAD ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT’S PUMPER TRUCK TO SUPPLY WATER TO THE SYSTEM.

QUESTIONS

• ARE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM CONSIDERED CROSS CONNECTIONS?

• WHAT TYPES OF FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS REQUIRE CONTROL?

• DO DRY-PIPE SYSTEMS REQUIRE CONTROL?

GENERAL CDPHE CONTROL EXPECTATIONS FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

FROM SAFE DRINKING WATER PROGRAM POLICY 7:

Assembly or Method Type

Abbreviation

Typical Appropriate Uses (Note: see also Section 4.5 Site-specific Deviation Criteria))

Testable Assemblies Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Prevention Assembly

RPZ Appropriate for any identified contaminant except direct connections to sewer or installations which may impair the integrity of the assembly to function as designed.

Reduced Pressure Zone Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assembly

RPF Appropriate for cross connections to fire suppression systems.

Reduced Pressure Zone Detector Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assembly

RPD

Double Check Backflow Prevention Assembly

Double Check Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assembly

Double Check Detector Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assembly

DC

DCF

DCD

Appropriate for cross connections to fire suppression systems except when upstream of a chemical other than food grade glycerin.

Backflow Prevention Assemblies or Methods installed in accordance with the most recent version of the Colorado Plumbing Code

CPC

GENERAL CPC CONTROL EXPECTATIONS FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

FROM COLORADO PLUMBING CODE (2015 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE):

“608.16.4 Connections to automatic fire sprinkler systems and standpipe systems.

The potable water supply to automatic fire sprinkler and standpipe systems shall be protected against backflow by a double check backflow prevention assembly, a double check fire protection backflow prevention assembly or a reduced pressure principle fire protection backflow prevention assembly.

Exceptions:

1. Where systems are installed as a portion of the water distribution system in accordance with the requirements of this code and are not provided with a fire department connection, isolation of the water supply system shall not be required. (Multi-Purpose Systems)

2. Isolation of the water distribution system is not required for deluge, preaction or dry pipe systems.”

GENERAL CPC CONTROL EXPECTATIONS FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS CONT.

FROM COLORADO PLUMBING CODE (2015 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE):

“608.16.4.1 Additives or nonpotable source.

Where systems under continuous pressure contain chemical additives or antifreeze, or where systems are connected to a nonpotable secondary water supply, the potable water supply shall be protected against backflow by a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly or a reduced pressure principle fire protection backflow prevention assembly. Where chemical additives or antifreeze are added to only a portion of an automatic fire sprinkler or standpipe system, the reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly or the reduced pressure principle fire protection backflow prevention assembly shall be permitted to be located so as to isolate that portion of the system. Where systems are not under continuous pressure, the potable water supply shall be protected against backflow by an air gap or an atmospheric vacuum breaker conforming to ASSE 1001 or CSA B64.1.1.”

CDPHE CONTROL EXPECTATIONS BY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TYPE

WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, DRY-PIPE SYSTEMS, PREACTION SYSTEMS, & DELUGE SYSTEMS WITH CHEMICAL ADDITIVES

• Water stored in Wet Sprinkler FSS with chemical addition could present acute biological and chemical health risks and could compromise the water quality of the public water system and/or a water supply system.

• Dry-pipe, Preaction, or Deluge FSS with chemical additions could present acute biological and chemical health risks and could compromise the water quality of the public water system and/or a water supply system.

• Connections between the potable water supply and a fire suppression system with chemical addition need to be controlled in accordance with Regulation 11.39. Based on industry standards such connections may be controlled via an air gap, a RPZ, RPF, or an RPD.

CDPHE CONTROL EXPECTATIONS BY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TYPE

WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, DRY-PIPE SYSTEMS, PREACTION SYSTEMS, & DELUGE SYSTEMS CONNECTED TO AN ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY

• Fire suppression systems connected to an alternative water supply could present an acute biological and chemical health risks and could compromise the water quality of the public water system and/or a water supply system. (Well high nitrates, surface water biological contaminants)

• Connections between the potable water supply and a fire suppression system connected to an alternative water supply need to be controlled in accordance with Regulation 11.39. Based on industry standards such connections may be controlled via an air gap, a RPZ, RPF, or an RPD.

CDPHE CONTROL EXPECTATIONS BY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TYPE

WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, PREACTION SYSTEMS, DELUGE SYSTEMS & DELUGE SYSTEMS

WITH FOOD GRADE GLYCERIN AS CHEMICAL ADDITIVE

• Water stored in Wet Sprinkler FSS with food grade glycerin as the chemical additive could present acute biological and chemical health risks and could compromise the water quality of the public water system and/or a water supply system.

• Dry-pipe, Preaction, or Deluge FSS with food grade glycerin as the chemical additive could present acute biological and chemical health risks and could compromise the water quality of the public water system and/or a water supply system.

• Connections between the potable water supply and a fire suppression system with chemical addition need to be controlled in accordance with Regulation 11.39. Based on industry standards such connections may be controlled via an air gap, a RPZ, RPF, RPD, DC, DCF or DCD.

CDPHE CONTROL EXPECTATIONS BY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TYPE

WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS WITHOUT CHEMICAL ADDITIVES

• Water stored in fire suppression systems without chemical addition could present acute biological health risks and could compromise the water quality of the public water system and/or a water supply system.

• Connections between the potable water supply and a fire suppression system without chemical addition need to be controlled in accordance with Regulation 11.39. Based on industry standards such connections may be controlled via an air gap, a RPZ, RPF, RPD, DCF, DCD or a DC.

CDPHE CONTROL EXPECTATIONS BY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TYPE

DRY-PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS & PREACTION SYSTEMS WITHOUT CHEMICAL ADDITION

• Per the Colorado Plumbing Code no isolation of the water distribution system is required, however there are known risks from these types of systems. Dry-Pipe Sprinkler systems and Preaction systems have the potential to be operated in a manner for which it was not originally designed. For example, a dry-pipe system can be operated as a wet system during part of the year and then be charged with air for the months of freezing weather. When a dry-pipe system or preaction system is maintained water could be introduced into the system. If the systems are not properly drained a cross connection exist.

• Department will open this to stakeholder process to determine appropriate control for new and existing connections.

CDPHE CONTROL EXPECTATIONS BY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TYPE

DELUGE SYSTEMS WITHOUT CHEMICAL ADDITION

• Per the Colorado Plumbing Code no isolation of the water distribution system is required.

• Deluge systems are open to the atmosphere. CDPHE does not consider it a cross connection therefore no control is required.

QUESTIONS

• WHO IS QUALIFIED TO WORK ON A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

• WHO IS QUALIFIED TO DESIGN OR MODIFY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

QUESTIONS

• ARE PERMITS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

• GENERALLY, HOW IS A HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS PERFORMED?

• HOW MUCH DOES A STANDARD HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS COST?

QUESTIONS

• WHAT TYPE OF WORK IS REQUIRED BEFORE A MODIFICATION TO A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM CAN OCCUR?

• DO MODIFICATIONS OF FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS HAVE TO BE APPROVED? CAN A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS CONTRACTOR MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS WITHOUT APPROVAL?

QUESTIONS

• IN YOUR SURVEYS HAVE YOU DISCOVERED ANY UNCONTROLLED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

• WHAT IS YOUR FIRST STEP WHEN YOU DISCOVER AN UNCONTROLLED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

• DO YOU WORK WITH YOUR LOCAL FIRE JURISDICTION HAVING AUTHORITY?

QUESTIONS

• WHAT ARE GOOD RESOURCES FOR DEALING WITH FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

• DO YOU PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS?

• HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BEFORE AN UNCONTROLLED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IS CONTROLLED APPROPRIATELY?

QUESTIONS

• HAVE ANY OF THE DISCOVERED UNCONTROLLED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS BEEN CONTROLLED?

• ARE THERE POTENTIALLY QUICK AND COST EFFECT REMEDIES TO CONTROL UNCONTROLLED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

• HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RETRO FIT A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM?

QUESTIONS

• I WHAT TYPES OF CHALLENGES OCCUR WHEN MODIFYING A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM?

• HOW DO I FIND A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM CONTRACTOR WILLING TO WORK ON RETRO FITS?

• WHAT TYPES OF QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM CONTRACT CARRY BEFORE THE CAN WORK?

QUESTIONS

• ARE THERE ANY WEBSITES THAT CONTAIN A LIST OF CERTIFIED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM CONTRACTORS?

• MY CUSTOMER SAYS IT WILL COST 100,000 DOLLARS TO RETRO FIT THEIR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM? CAN THIS BE CORRECT?

• IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A RETRO FIT CANNOT OCCUR DUE TO COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM? IF SO WHAT ARE POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES?

QUESTIONS

• ARE THERE ANY APPROVED SITE SPECIFIC DEVIATIONS OR CONTROL METHODS FOR UNCONTROLLED FSS?

• IS CDPHE WILLING TO CONSIDER ANY SITE SPECIFIC DEVIATIONS?

• A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IS CONNECTED TO THE BUILDING’S INTERNAL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM? WHO HAS JURISDICTION OVER THIS CROSS CONNECTION, CDPHE OR THE LOCAL PLUMBING JURISDICTION?

QUESTIONS

• IS THERE A MINIMUM PRESSURE STANDARD FOR ALL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS, OR IS THIS SITE SPECIFIC?

• WHAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE OFF OF A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM RISER?

• THERE IS TALK OF UPSIZING OR DOWNSIZING AN ASSEMBLY UPSTREAM OF A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM? IS THIS A POTENTIAL SOLUTION TO ENSURE ADEQUATE PRESSURE?

QUESTIONS

• HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT NEWLY INSTALLED FIRE SUPPRESSIONS SYSTEMS ARE DOWNSTREAM OF A BACKFLOW DEVICE? BUILDING DEPT.? PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM? FIRE DEPT.?

• DO YOU REQUIRE CONTROL OF FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS DOWNSTREAM OF A SERVICE CONNECTION BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY?

• WHO CAN TEST BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS?

QUESTIONS

• ARE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM CONTRACTOR TEST BACKFLOWS?

• DO MULTI-PURPOSE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS REQUIRE CONTROL?

QUESTIONS

• DO RESIDENTIAL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS REQUIRE CONTROL?

• WOULD CDPHE CONSIDER A SITE SPECIFIC DEVIATION FOR LESS FREQUENT TESTING OF RESIDENTIAL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES?

OPEN SESSION QUESTIONS

PANELIST CONTACT INFORMATION

• RITA NEIDERHEISER, SPRINKLER FITTER LOCAL 669, 303.548.5554, 4RITAN@GMAIL.COM

• KEVIN TOHILL, CITY OF ARVADA, 720.898.7764, KTOHILL@ARVADA.ORG

• JORGE DELGADO, CDPHE, 303.692.3511, JORGE.A.DELGADO@STATE.CO.US