Requirement for replacing sprinkler heads

[WallyFP]

Does NFPA 13 indicate at what point the AHJ needs to be involved and/or a licensed contractor should be contacted when replacing sprinkler heads - like for like.

Can an owner replace 4, 10, 50 heads..... without involving AHJ or contractor.

I imagine states have their own requirements, but I am curious if NFPA comments on this.

Obviously, use the same type, size, temp. etc. heads for replacement - possibly chante to corrosion resistant heads.

Thank you.

 

[cdafd]

do not have the book with me may say something like trained person

 

[rickruh]

NFPA 13 Does not have specific requirements other than a general statement about properly trained individuals. I have been a code official in four states Florida, North Carolina,
Georgia and Kentucky and all four have their own twist on when and who can service a NFPA 13 system. Same is true with respect to who may design the systems. Hope this helps.

 

[chicopee]

Talk to your fire insurance carrier and depending on the quantity, it may recommend a replacement schedule.

 

[MGXFP]

I would bet if you called your AHJ they would tell you to have a licensed contractor perform the work.

 

[LCREP]

From NFPA 25, 2008 edition which is the NFPA standard for changing sprinklers.

4.1.4.1* Corrections and repairs shall be performed by qualified maintenance personnel or a qualified contractor.


3.3.28 Qualified. A competent and capable person or company
that has met the requirements and training for a given
field acceptable to the AHJ.

So call your AHJ, see below who that maybe.

3.2.2* Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). An organization,
office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

A.3.2.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The phrase “authority having jurisdiction,” or its acronym AHJ, is used in NFPA documents in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary, as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, the authority having jurisdiction may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a firechief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector;or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the authority having jurisdiction. In many circumstances, the property owner or his or her designated agent assumes the role of the authority having jurisdiction; at government installations, the commanding
officer or departmental official may be the authority having
jurisdiction

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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too!

 

[ContractorDave]

LCREP is correct it's a NFPA 25 issue, not 13

 

[WallyFP]

Thank you all for your excellent responses. I was thinking that I had seen somewhere (NFPA, IFC, etc.) a comment that gave a threshold for an amount of work on a sprinkler system that required plan submittals with calcs. I'll check with AHJ.

Thanks again for your time.

 

[NJ1]

I have the answer for that question. The NFPA states that the owner is responsible to inspect, maintain and repair the fire suppression systems they owned however if the State you live in requires a License Contratcor to engage in such task then the owner can notperform such work.
For example: I live in NJ and no individual shall engage in such task without a business license but on the other hand NY State does not have a license requirement therefore owners could do their own work. With that said owners are resposible to such liability since most likely they have no knowledge of Fire protection as a contractor would.