2.08 Retroactve Sprinkler Installation for High-Rise Buildings Submittal; Umbrella Permit

Reference: 2007 CBC Section 111.3 and NFPA 13, 2002 edition, Chapter 14

1. All existing high-rise buildings subject to the requirements of the High-Rise Sprinkler Ordinance #377-93 must complete the installation of the sprinkler system by 2/15/2006. Because the sprinkler installations were done over a long period of time, the ordinance allowed up to 12 years to comply, and they were installed under several building permits, DBI requires that the building owner file an  umbrella building permit to show that the building has be provided with a sprinkler system that complies with the ordinance. Such  umbrella building permit must contain the clear language:  Installation of an Automatic Fire Sprinkler System in Compliance with Existing High-Rise Sprinkler Ordinance #377-93 . The plan review fee for such a building permit will be based on a minimum four-hour review time each by Department of Building Inspection and the Fire Department review staff. Additional plan review may be charged based on the hours required for such review.
2. The  umbrella building permit application must be accompanied by submittal documents including:
A. A complete, coordinated schematic plan of the fire sprinkler system, or reference to previously issued permits under which such completed plans have been previously reviewed and approved by the City.
B. A Special Inspection Report (per SFBC Section 1701.5, #15) in which a Special Inspector of Record, who must be a licensed architect, engineer or fire protection engineer, confirms that they have reviewed the complete fire sprinkler system as installed, including all required controls, and that it conforms to the requirements of Ordinance #377-93. The report must indicate if there are any building areas or sprinkler system issues that need corrected or done to bring the system into compliance. The Special Inspection Report must reference all application numbers for any new work, and certify that the work has been completed and the sprinkler system is in compliance with Ordinance #377-93.
C. A statement from the building owner, the C-16 sprinkler contractor, a licensed fire protection engineer, or Special Inspector of Record indicating that all aspects of the fire sprinkler system have been properly permitted, inspected and signed-off, insofar as records are available.
3. In cases where further work is needed to complete the required sprinkler system or final sign-off must be done under expired permits, separate building and plumbing permits are required to complete such work. Those permits must be issued and signed-off as complete before the  umbrella permit will be signed-off. Such permits should be filed in the same manner as other commercial building and plumbing permits.