No. 29701 (Amendment): R710-11. Fire Alarm System Inspecting and Testing.

DAR File No.: 29701
Filed: 03/15/2007, 10:08
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The Utah Fire Prevention Board met on 03/13/2007 in a regularly scheduled Board meeting, and voted unanimously to amend Rule R710-11. Two standards that are incorporated by reference were updated to a newer edition and several amendments were adopted to amend the fire alarm code and make it consistent with the needs of the State of Utah.

Summary of the rule or change:

The summary of rule changes are as follows: 1) in Subsection R710-11-1(1.1), the Board proposes to adopt the 2007 edition of NFPA Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code; 2) in Subsection R710-11-1(1.2), the Board proposes to adopt the 2006 edition of the International Fire Code; and 3) in Subsection R710-11-6(6.5), the Board proposes to make several amendments to NFPA Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code, that makes the fire alarm code correct for the requirements of prompt notification in the event of fire. Some of the amendments involved the addition of items that were deleted from the 2002 edition. Other changes include redefined meanings and changes in skills and certifications to design and install fire alarm systems.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 53-7-204

This rule or change incorporates by reference the following material:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 2007 edition; and the International Fire Code (IFC) as published by the International Code Council, 2006 edition

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The aggregate anticipated cost to the State budget would be approximately $1,500 to purchase the updated regulatory standards.

local governments:

There is an aggregate anticipated cost to local government of approximately $120 to purchase both regulatory standards. The compilation of an aggregate cost for all local government agencies is impossible to calculate due to the unknown number of fire departments that would purchase the standards and the unknown number of copies each fire department would purchase.

other persons:

There would be an aggregate anticipated cost to other persons of approximately $2,250 to purchase the fire alarm standard. Currently, there are approximately 45 individuals certified to inspect and test fire alarm systems. Very few certified individuals would purchase the International Fire Code for usage in the inspecting and testing of fire alarm systems.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There would be a compliance cost of approximately $120 for each person to purchase the above stated incorporated references. On a rare occasion, there could be a $2,000 to $4,000 cost for fire alarm designers if the designer would now have to become a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), Level II certified to design instead of the former "qualified" statement in the previous edition.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The fiscal impact to businesses would be approximately $120 to purchase the updated incorporated references. As stated above, there could be a substantial investment required to have fire alarm designers meet the NICET, Level II certification level. Scott T. Duncan, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Public Safety
Fire Marshal
5272 S COLLEGE DR
MURRAY UT 84123-2611

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Brent Halladay at the above address, by phone at 801-284-6352, by FAX at 801-284-6351, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

05/01/2007

This rule may become effective on:

05/08/2007

Authorized by:

Ron L. Morris, Utah State Fire Marshal

RULE TEXT

R710. Public Safety, Fire Marshal.

R710-11. Fire Alarm System Inspecting and Testing.

R710-11-1. Adoption, Title, Purpose, and Prohibitions.

Pursuant to Section 53-7-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953, the Utah Fire Prevention Board adopts minimum rules to provide regulation to those who inspect and test fire alarm systems.

There is adopted as part of these rules the following codes which are incorporated by reference:

1.1 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code, [2002]2007 edition, except as amended by provisions listed in R710-11-6, et seq.

1.2 International Fire Code (IFC), [2003]2006 edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC), except as amended by provisions listed in R710-11-6, et seq.

1.3 A copy of the above-mentioned standard is on file in the Office of Administrative Rules and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

 

R710-11-6. Amendments and Additions.

6.1 Service.

At the time of service, all servicing shall be done in accordance with the adopted NFPA standard, adopted statutes, and these rules.

6.2 Frequency.

Fire alarm systems shall be inspected annually by a person holding the appropriate certificate of registration as required in Section 3.1 of these rules.

[ 6.3 Accepted Forms.

The form listed in NFPA, Standard 72, RECORD OF COMPLETION, or equivalent form approved by the SFM shall be used as the accepted forms for testing and inspecting fire alarm systems.

] 6.[4]3 New Systems.

Newly installed fire alarm systems are exempt from the annual testing requirement required in Section 6.2 of these rules, for one year from the approval date of the initial installation acceptance testing.

6.[5]4 Retroactive Installation of Automatic Fire Alarm Systems.

IFC, Chapter 9, Sections 907.3.1.1, 907.3.1.2, 907.3.1.3, 907.3.1.4, 907.3.1.5, 907.3.1.6, 907.3.1.7, and 907.3.1.8 are deleted.

6.5 National Fire Protection Association

6.5.1 NFPA 72, Chapter 2, Section 2.2 is amended to add the following NFPA standard: NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, 2007 edition.

6.5.2 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.3.2.2(2) is deleted and rewritten as follows: National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) fire alarm level II certified personnel.

6.5.3 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.3.3(2) is deleted and rewritten as follows: National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) fire alarm level II certified personnel.

6.5.4 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.4.3.7.2 is amended to add the following sentence: When approved by the AHJ, the audible notification appliances may be deactivated during the investigation mode to prevent unauthorized reentry into the building.

6.5.5 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.4.5 is deleted and rewritten as follows: Automatic smoke detection shall be provided at the location of each fire alarm control unit(s), notification appliance circuit power extenders, and supervising station transmitting equipment to provide notification of fire at the location.

6.5.5.1 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.4.5, Exception No. 1: When ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection, automatic heat detection shall be permitted.

6.5.6 NFPA 72, Chapter 4, Section 4.5.2.1, RECORD OF COMPLETION, or equivalent form approved by the SFM shall be used as the accepted forms for testing and inspecting fire alarm systems.

6.5.7 NFPA 72, Chapter 6, Section 6.8.5.9 is amended to add the following section: 6.8.5.9.3 Automatic fire pumps shall be supervised in accordance with NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, and the AHJ.

6.5.8 NFPA 72, Chapter 7, Section 7.4.1.2 is amended as follows: On line three delete "110dBA" and replace it with "120dBA".

6.5.9 NFPA 72, Chapter 8, Section 8.3.4.7 is amended as follows: On line two, after the word "notified" insert the words "without delay".

6.5.10 NFPA 72, Chapter 10, Section 10.2.2.5.1 is deleted and rewritten as follows: Service personnel shall be qualified and experienced in the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems. Qualified personnel shall meet the certification requirements stated in Utah Administrative Code, R710-11-3, Fire Alarm System Inspecting and Testing.

 

KEY: fire alarm systems

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [November 8, 2006]May 8, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53-7-204