[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 5]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1910.159]

[Page 502-503]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR

 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 

                                OF LABOR

 
PART 1910_OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 
                        Subpart L_Fire Protection

 
Sec. 1910.159  Automatic sprinkler systems.


    (a) Scope and application. (1) The requirements of this section 

apply to all automatic sprinkler systems installed to meet a particular 

OSHA standard.

    (2) For automatic sprinkler systems used to meet OSHA requirements 

and installed prior to the effective date of this standard, compliance 

with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or the National 

Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU) standard in effect at the time of the 

system's installation will be acceptable as compliance with this 

section.

    (b) Exemptions. Automatic sprinkler systems installed in workplaces, 

but not required by OSHA, are exempt from the requirements of this 

section.

    (c) General requirements--(1) Design. (i) All automatic sprinkler 

designs used to comply with this standard shall provide the necessary 

discharge patterns, densities, and water flow characteristics for 

complete coverage in a particular workplace or zoned subdivision of the 

workplace.

    (ii) The employer shall assure that only approved equipment and 

devices are used in the design and installation of automatic sprinkler 

systems used to comply with this standard.



[[Page 503]]



    (2) Maintenance. The employer shall properly maintain an automatic 

sprinkler system installed to comply with this section. The employer 

shall assure that a main drain flow test is performed on each system 

annually. The inspector's test valve shall be opened at least every two 

years to assure that the sprinkler system operates properly.

    (3) Acceptance tests. The employer shall conduct proper acceptance 

tests on sprinkler systems installed for employee protection after 

January 1, 1981, and record the dates of such tests. Proper acceptance 

tests include the following:

    (i) Flushing of underground connections;

    (ii) Hydrostatic tests of piping in system;

    (iii) Air tests in dry-pipe systems;

    (iv) Dry-pipe valve operation; and

    (v) Test of drainage facilities.

    (4) Water supplies. The employer shall assure that every automatic 

sprinkler system is provided with at least one automatic water supply 

capable of providing design water flow for at least 30 minutes. An 

auxiliary water supply or equivalent protection shall be provided when 

the automatic water supply is out of service, except for systems of 20 

or fewer sprinklers.

    (5) Hose connections for fire fighting use. The employer may attach 

hose connections for fire fighting use to wet pipe sprinkler systems 

provided that the water supply satisfies the combined design demand for 

sprinklers and standpipes.

    (6) Protection of piping. The employer shall assure that automatic 

sprinkler system piping is protected against freezing and exterior 

surface corrosion.

    (7) Drainage. The employer shall assure that all dry sprinkler pipes 

and fittings are installed so that the system may be totally drained.

    (8) Sprinklers. (i) The employer shall assure that only approved 

sprinklers are used on systems.

    (ii) The employer may not use older style sprinklers to replace 

standard sprinklers without a complete engineering review of the altered 

part of the system.

    (iii) The employer shall assure that sprinklers are protected from 

mechanical damage.

    (9) Sprinkler alarms. On all sprinkler systems having more than 

twenty (20) sprinklers, the employer shall assure that a local waterflow 

alarm is provided which sounds an audible signal on the premises upon 

water flow through the system equal to the flow from a single sprinkler.

    (10) Sprinkler spacing. The employer shall assure that sprinklers 

are spaced to provide a maximum protection area per sprinkler, a minimum 

of interference to the discharge pattern by building or structural 

members or building contents and suitable sensitivity to possible fire 

hazards. The minimum vertical clearance between sprinklers and material 

below shall be 18 inches (45.7 cm).

    (11) Hydraulically designed systems. The employer shall assure that 

hydraulically designed automatic sprinkler systems or portions thereof 

are identified and that the location, number of sprinklers in the 

hydraulically designed section, and the basis of the design is 

indicated. Central records may be used in lieu of signs at sprinkler 

valves provided the records are available for inspection and copying by 

the Assistant Secretary.



[45 FR 60710, Sept. 12, 1980; 46 FR 24557, May 1, 1981]