Fire Sprinkler Requirements

A permit is required to install a new or modify an existing fire sprinkler system, which must be obtained prior to installation.

• Provide one (1) set of plans in PDF, including all required information noted below.
• Provide manufacturer specification sheets

For questions, please contact the Building Division at 650-903-6313 or building@mountainview.gov.

The following is a summary of requirements for a fire sprinkler permit:

Permit Required

A fire sprinkler permit is required to install a new system or modify an existing system.

Cost

Typical permit fees (including inspections): $500 to $700, based on a construction valuation (cost of labor and materials) of $10,000 to $15,000 per unit or combined single-family home and ADU permit.

Timeline

Typical Time to Receive Permit: 2 to 4 months

1. Submit for a fire permit online.
2. After your submission (during prescreen), City staff will contact you with the fee amount owed based on the information you submitted. Staff will provide instructions for online fee payment. 
3. City staff will review your permit application in 3 weeks and verify your application is complete and code compliant. If any information is incomplete or requires revisions, City staff will provide you comments and corrections, asking you to resubmit.
4. You will need to replay to the city's comments with revised information and missing materials as part of your resubmittal online.
5. City Staff will review your resubmittal in 3 weeks to confirm you have addressed all of the City comments. If additional reviews and resubmittals are required, each additional cycle of review is 3 weeks for the City to provide comments. 
6. Once you have a complete and compliant permit, the city will issue you a fire permit. This allows you to start construction of your project.
7. During construction, your contractor can schedule inspections at each stage of construction.
8. On-site inspections are completed by a City Fire Protection Inspector. The fire permit is finaled and occupancy is granted upon completion of construction and a final inspection is completed by the City Fire Protection Inspector and the City Building Inspector. 

Standards

Connection to Water Supply

• The fire sprinkler system shall be supplied by the domestic water system. An exterior above-grade, indicating-type control valve shall be provided at the location where the water supply enters the house. This control valve shall be arranged so the fire sprinkler system cannot be shut off without shutting off the domestic system. A separate control valve is required for the domestic system.
• Incorporate the following as verbatim notes in the plans:
  • Prior to connection to the overhead sprinkler system, the underground piping shall be flushed until clear. The underground flush shall be witnessed by the City Building Inspector when a combined domestic/fire water line is used.

Special Conditions

• Garage/Carports - Sprinkler protection shall be provided for attached garages and carports, including accessible garage attic areas. Garage sprinklers shall be of a commercial, quick-response type and coverage shall not exceed 130 square feet per sprinkler. Garage attic sprinklers shall be of an intermediate or high-temperature rating and coverage shall not exceed 130 square feet per sprinkler.
• Forced Air Units/Water Heaters - When forced air units or water heaters are installed in attics, a "pilot" sprinkler shall be installed of an intermediate or high-temperature rating and installed within 3 feet vertically down from the peak. The sprig up pipe shall be steel or copper.

Hydraulic Calculations

1. Plans for overhead systems shall include underground drawings for hydraulic reference.
2. Indicate underground pip size, length, material and point of connection to City main.
3. Demonstrate the underground piping and water meter have been sized to accommodate the system demand.
4. Calculations shall verify the single operating sprinkler demand and the multiple operating sprinkler demand in accordance with manufacturer listing. Sloped, beamed, and pitched ceilings could require special design considerations, such as greater flows, a design of three or more sprinklers to operate in the compartment, or both. Consult the sprinkler manufacturer's listing.
5. Identity the sprinkler design coverage area and include a water supply curve with the system demand clearly plotted.
6. A domestic design demand of 5 gpm shall be included in the calculations.
7. A 10 percent safety factor (available supply versus required supply) shall be provided and indicated on the water supply curve. Note: the total demand shall be indicated as the total required supply. 

Requirements

The cover sheet shall include:

1. The associated building permit number for the construction work proposed
2. The contractors name, address, phone number, California Contractor's license number, and license type or P.E. license number.
3. Name of property owner and/or occupant
4. Project address
5. Point of compass

The following verbatim plan notes must be listed in the plans:

1. The sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with City of Mountain View Requirements, NFPA 13D and other applicable NFPA Standards as adopted by the City of Mountain View.
2. All new system installations shall be tested for leakage at 200 psi water pressure at time of overhead inspection.
3. A spare head box shall be provided adjacent to the riser. Spare head box shall be stocked with a sprinkler wrench and a spare sprinkler of each type utilized on the project.
4. An owner's manual shall be mounted adjacent to the spare head box (CRC R313.3.7)
5. A weatherproof sign or valve tag shall be installed at the main shutoff valve (CRC R313.3.7) stating: "Warning, the water system for this home supplies fire sprinklers that require certain flows and pressures to fight a fire. Devices that restrict the flow or decrease the pressure or automatically shut off the water to the fire sprinkler system, such as water softeners, filtration systems, and automatic shutoff valves, shall not be added to this system without a review of the fire sprinkler system by a fire protection specialist. Do not remove this sign."
6. Interior alarms shall be of sufficient intensity to be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels while all intervening doors are closed.
7. Sprinklers may be omitted from areas in accordance with NFPA 13D with the exception of attached garages and carports.
8. Prior to connection to the overhead sprinkler system, the underground piping shall be flushed until clear. The underground flush shall be witnessed by the City Building Inspector when a combined domestic/fire water line is used.
9. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing shall be installed prior to a rough visual and hydro inspection by the City Fire Protection Inspector.
10. The circuit for fire bell shall be permanently marked on the electrical panel.

The remainder of the plans must include:

1. 1/8" = 1' minimum scale for overhead fire sprinkler plans
2. Fully dimensioned plans and pipe lengths to coincide with the specified scale on the plans
3. A copy of the City of Mountain View Fire Flow Data Form. Fire flow data shall include the elevation of the tested hydrant in relation to the base of the sprinkler riser. Fire Flow Data Forms must be obtained from the City's Water Division at 650-903-6329. The flow data shall not be more than 12 months old from date of initial permit submittal.
4. All system equipment and components shall be listed/approved for its intended use and installed in accordance with its listing.
5. Nominal pipe size and cutting lengths of pipe (or center-to-center dimensions)
6. Location and size of rise-ups and drops
7. Locations of hangers (Applicable pipe manufacturer hanger spacing recommendations may be blue-lined onto the plans in lieu of showing hanger locations)
8. A complete riser detail showing the location of the exterior control valve, rubber-faced check valve, waterflow detector, pressure gauge and test drain. The location of the domestic tie-in shall be clearly shown.
9. Indicate the type, schedule, diameter, and C-factor of all piping.
10. Indicate the specific type of fittings used. Copper joints shall be brazed or solder alloy conforming to ASTM B32 may be used.
11. A graphic representation of the scale used.
12. Use of each area or room.
13. Hydraulic reference points shown on the plan shall correspond with comparable reference points on the hydraulic calculations sheets.
14. Total quantity of water and the pressure required shall be noted at a common reference point at the base of the sprinkler riser.
15. A site plan showing the location of the unit in relation to the entire site.
16. Provide a full height section view to scale. Including ceiling construction, ceiling slopes (rise/run) and angles.
17. Provide a Sprinkler Legend and clearly indicate the manufacturer, model, orifice size, K-factor and temperature rating of all sprinklers. Include a sprinkler symbol and a count for each sprinkler type.
18. Provide a manufacturer specification sheet for the proposed residential fire sprinklers. Specification sheets shall indicate all design information, such as minimum flow and pressure requirements, minimum spacing between sprinklers, and spacing from heat sources (e.g. fireplaces, kitchen ranges, hot air diffusers, lighting fixtures, etc).
19. An exterior bell wired directly from the waterflow alarm shall be provided and visible from the street. In addition to the exterior alarm, an interior alarm(s) directly wired from the waterflow alarm shall be provided. Plans shall show the locations of exterior and interior waterflow alarms, regardless of installing contractor. The exterior bell shall have a sign, "Sprinkler Call 911".
20. A minimum 3/2" drain and test connection shall be piped to the exterior and installed with a 7/16" orifice (or the orifice size of the smallest sprinkler in the system).
21. Indicate the method(s) of protection for exposed nonmetallic piping in accordance with specific pipe manufacturer requirements.
22. Include details of manufacturer recommendations to avoid sprinkler spray obstructions. Areas of specific consideration such as soffits, beams, sloped ceilings, multiple ceiling heights, surface-mounted ceiling lights or other obstructions shall be clearly detailed.
23. Provide complete pipe hanger details or a hanger manufacturer cut sheet. Wood blocking for support of piping shall be subject to field inspection and must be installed in accordance with accepted industry standards. Wood blocking shall not be less than 2" x 4" (sound) lumber and attached to the roof structure with a minimum of two approved fasteners on each side.
24. Provide a legend for all lighting fixtures and mechanical diffusers. Show all lights, diffusers, and ceiling fan on plans. 
25. Coordinate water meter and water main sizes with approved fire sprinkler drawings. Minimum 1" meter and 1" main service unless hydraulic calculations prove existing service is adequate.