Page 175 - 2018_IFC

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

2. Deflagration venting shall be provided only in exterior SECTION 912
walls and roofs. FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS
Exception: Where sufficient exterior wall and roof 912.1 Installation. Fire department connections shall be
venting cannot be provided because of inadequate installed in accordance with the NFPA standard applicable to
exterior wall or roof area, deflagration venting shall the system design and shall comply with Sections 912.2
be allowed by specially designed shafts vented to through 912.7.
the exterior of the building. 912.2 Location. With respect to hydrants, driveways, build-
3. Deflagration venting shall be designed to prevent unac- ings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so
ceptable structural damage. Where relieving a deflagra- located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the
tion, vent closures shall not produce projectiles of system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire
sufficient velocity and mass to cause life threatening apparatus. The location of fire department connections shall
injuries to the occupants or other persons on the prop- be approved by the fire code official.
erty or adjacent public ways. 912.2.1 Visible location. Fire department connections
shall be located on the street side of buildings or facing
4. The aggregate clear area of vents and venting devices
shall be governed by the pressure resistance of the con- approved fire apparatus access roads, fully visible and
struction assemblies specified in Item 1 of this section recognizable from the street, fire apparatus access road or
and the maximum internal pressure allowed by Item 5 nearest point of fire department vehicle access or as other-
of this section. wise approved by the fire code official.
912.2.2 Existing buildings. On existing buildings, wher-
5. Vents shall be designed to withstand loads in accor- ever the fire department connection is not visible to
dance with the International Building Code. Vents shall approaching fire apparatus, the fire department connection
consist of any one or any combination of the following shall be indicated by an approved sign mounted on the
to relieve at a maximum internal pressure of 20 pounds street front or on the side of the building. Such sign shall
per square foot (958 Pa), but not less than the loads have the letters “FDC” not less than 6 inches (152 mm)
required by the International Building Code: high and words in letters not less than 2 inches (51 mm)
5.1. Exterior walls designed to release outward. high or an arrow to indicate the location. Such signs shall
5.2. Hatch covers. be subject to the approval of the fire code official.
912.3 Fire hose threads. Fire hose threads used in connec-
5.3. Outward swinging doors.
tion with standpipe systems shall be approved and shall be
5.4. Roofs designed to uplift. compatible with fire department hose threads.
5.5. Venting devices listed for the purpose. 912.4 Access. Immediate access to fire department connec-
6. Vents designed to release from the exterior walls or tions shall be maintained at all times and without obstruction
roofs of the building when venting a deflagration shall by fences, bushes, trees, walls or any other fixed or moveable
discharge directly to the exterior of the building where object. Access to fire department connections shall be
an unoccupied space not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) approved by the fire code official.
in width is provided between the exterior walls of the Exception: Fences, where provided with an access gate
building and the lot line. equipped with a sign complying with the legend require-
Exception: Vents complying with Item 7 of this ments of Section 912.5 and a means of emergency opera-
section. tion. The gate and the means of emergency operation shall
be approved by the fire code official and maintained oper-
7. Vents designed to remain attached to the building when ational at all times.
venting a deflagration shall be so located that the dis-
charge opening shall be not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) 912.4.1 Locking fire department connection caps. The
vertically from window openings and exits in the build- fire code official is authorized to require locking caps on
fire department connections for water-based fire protec-
ing and 20 feet (6096 mm) horizontally from exits in tion systems where the responding fire department carries
the building, from window openings and exits in adja- appropriate key wrenches for removal.
cent buildings on the same lot and from the lot line.
912.4.2 Clear space around connections. A working
8. Discharge from vents shall not be into the interior of space of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width, 36
the building. inches (914 mm) in depth and 78 inches (1981 mm) in
911.3 Explosion prevention systems. Explosion prevention height shall be provided and maintained in front of and to
systems shall be of an approved type and installed in accor- the sides of wall-mounted fire department connections and
dance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 69. around the circumference of free-standing fire department
connections, except as otherwise required or approved by
911.4 Barricades. Barricades shall be designed and installed
in accordance with NFPA 495. the fire code official.

142 2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ®
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