The following is that portion of an ordinance as it applies to fire sprinkler systems that was recently passed by the Mesa City Council after mandatory sprinklers were voted down. The ordinance has two key parts.  (1) Commercial requirements are still at “0” square feet.  (2) There is a mandatory option for single family homes.

ARTICLE TEN FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

Section 1001.3 Plans.  Complete plans and specifications for fire alarm systems; fire extinguishing systems, including automatic sprinklers and wet dry standpipes; halon systems and other special types of automatic fire-extinguishing systems; basement pipe inlets; and other fire-protection systems and appurtenances thereto shall be submitted to the Building Inspections Division for review and approval prior to system installation or modification.

Section 1001.5.2 Inspection and Testing.  Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be inspected and tested at least annually.  Fire alarm systems shall be inspected and tested at least at frequencies specified in UFC Standard 10-2.  Standpipe systems shall be inspected and tested at least every five years.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND DUPLEXES (RESIDENTIAL R-3 OCCUPANCIES).
2. Automatic fire-extinguishing equipment associated with commercial cooking operations when in compliance with Section 1006.
3. Systems in high-rise buildings when in compliance with Section 1001.5.4.

Section 1003.1.2 Standards

EXCEPTIONS:  Automatic sprinkler systems for One and Two family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes may be in accordance with NFPA 13D, 1996 edition.

Section 1003.2.1 GENERAL.  AN AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM SHALL BE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT ALL NEW OCCUPANCIES IN LOCATIONS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY SECTIONS OF THE U.B.C. AND OTHER ARTICLES OF THE U.F.C.  SEE THE U.B.C. FOR SPECIAL HAZARDS AND SPECIAL DESIGNS FOR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPANCIES AND SITUATIONS.

SUCH SYSTEMS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.B.C. STANDARDS 9-1 FOR COMMERCIAL OCCUPANCIES AND 9-3 FOR RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES FOUR STORIES OR LESS AS ADOPTED.

Section 1003.2.3 Additions.  Any new addition to existing buildings and structures shall cause an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the entire building and shall be installed in accordance with section 1003.2.1.  Sprinklered and unsprinklered parts of a structure shall be separated in accordance with all applicable codes and standards.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Existing nonsprinklered buildings may have one floor area addition without fire-sprinklering the building when the following conditions apply:

The aggregate floor area of any additions shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or 10 percent of the area of the existing building’s floor area, which ever is the least, and a written commitment is provided by the building’s owner stating that the building will be provided with a fire sprinkler system at such time as another addition or change of occupancy occurs or is otherwise required by the building code.

2. Existing non-sprinkled SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND DUPLEXES (RESIDENTIAL R-3 OCCUPANCIES).

Section 1003.2.4.2  Systems Requirements

Section 1003.4.2.1 Fire Sprinkler System.  Fire sprinkler systems shall comply with the 1997 edition of the Uniform Fire Code, Section 1003.1.2 as adopted, and shall use fast response or residential sprinkler heads appropriate for the occupancy classification.   The fire sprinkler system activation and control valves shall be monitored by a UL or FM approved central station service.

Section 1003.2.5 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND DUPLEXES (GROUP R-3 OCCUPANCIES).

ALL CONTRACTORS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND DUPLEXES (R-3 OCCUPANCIES) SHALL PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS.  PRIOR TO THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER SIGNING A SALES CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR OR THEIR AGENT SHALL OBTAIN FROM THE CITY AN INFORMATIONAL PACKET CONTAINING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS APPROVED BY THE MESA FIRE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING A FORM EXPLAINING THE OPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS.  THE CONTRACTOR OR THEIR AGENT SHALL PROVIDE THE APPROVED INFORMATIONAL PACKET TO ANY AND ALL PROSPECTIVE BUYERS AND REQUIRE THE EXECUTION OF A SIGN RECEIPT FOR THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FROM THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER.

Section 1003.2.5.1  EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO INSTALL RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS.

THE CONTRACTOR SHALL INSTALL RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS UPON THE REQUEST AND EXECUTION OF A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY THE HOMEBUYER.  FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND DUPLEXES SHALL BE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED TO NOT LESS THAN THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN NFPA 13D, 1996.

Section 1003.2.7  GROUP OCCUPANCIES.

IN GROUP 1, DIVISION 1.1 AND GROUP 1, DIVISION 2 OCCUPANCIES, APPROVED QUICK-RESPONSE OR RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS SHALL BE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT PATIENT SLEEPING AREAS.

Section 1003.2.7.1  IN JAILS, PRISONS AND REFORMATORIES, THE PIPING SYSTEM MAY BE DRY, PROVIDED A MANUALLY OPERATED VALVE IS INSTALLED AT A CONTINUOUSLY MONITORED LOCATION.  OPENING OF THE VALVE WILL CAUSE THE PIPING SYSTEMS TO BE CHARGED.  SPRINKLER HEADS IN SUCH SYSTEMS SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH FUSIBLE ELEMENTS OR THE SYSTEM SHALL BE DESIGNED AS REQUIRED FOR DELUGE SYSTEMS IN THE BUILDING CODE (SEE UBC STANDARD 9-1).

Section 1003.2.9 GROUP R, DIVISION 1 OCCUPANCIES.  RESIDENTIAL, OR QUICK-RESPONSE STANDARD SPRINKLERS SHALL BE USED IN THE DWELLING UNITS AND GUEST ROOM PORTIONS OF THE BUILDING.